Chinchillas

Full of advice
on caring for
your pet
Your guide to
Chinchillas
Jollyes, only the
best for you and your pets
www.jollyes.co.uk
Are you
ready?
Chinchillas originate
from the Chilean
Andes Mountains in
South America. They
are very friendly and
highly inquisitive animals
with a very distinctive and
attractive coat.
Chinchillas really make great pets with their friendly and laid
back nature, and with plenty of time and attention they can
become very tame animals. Although they
are not completely nocturnal, they tend
Chinchillas
to snooze during the day, becoming
require large
more active in the evening.
cages
Adult chinchillas will measure about
25cm long, excluding the tail. Their
average life span can range from 15-20 years
old however the oldest living chinchilla was 27 years old.
They are a big commitment so you must ensure you can take
on providing a long and lasting home to your new family
member.
Selecting your Chinchilla
What to look for - Chinchillas come in many colours ranging from
white, silver or light/medium grey to beige, mosaic and black velvet.
A healthy chinchilla should be bright and alert and able to move
around the cage easily. Their coat should be clean and glossy with
no signs of bald patches or skin sores. Look out for signs of breathing
problems and discharge from the eyes, ears, mouth or nose.
How old should my Chinchilla be? At least 12 weeks old.
Pairings - You can keep chinchillas separately if you wish however
housing them in single sex pairs provides
them with a playmate to keep them
Chinchillas
company. They must be of the
same sex, bought as babies and
can live up to 15
introduced to their cage at the
to 20 years old
same time to avoid fighting.
At home with your Chinchilla
Cages - Chinchillas are very active animals and therefore need lots
of space to exercise, so the biggest cage you can afford is advisable.
The cage should have several layers and a mesh floor base with
wooden litter beneath to prevent your chinchillas’ coat from getting
dirty. Chinchillas love to chew so an escape proof wire mesh cage
is essential.
Chinchillas love to snuggle and like
to have a place where they can do
this. Provide a nest box full of hay
and bedding material to help them
feel safe and secure. Cover the base
of the cage with wood shavings or
a wood based litter. They become
bored very easily so pack the cage
out with lots of non-toxic wood
branches, shelves, tubes and pipes,
gnaw blocks and mineral stones.
Keep the cage out of direct sunlight
and away from draughts and damp
conditions. Chinchillas do not like to
be too hot and temperatures above
20 degrees will start to affect them. A
chinchilla cooling marble tile is a great
way to keep them cool in the summer.
Cool it in the fridge and place it in their
cage to cool them down.
Cleaning - Clean the cage once a week
with a petsafe disinfectant and ensure to
change the litter every couple of days.
Settling in time - Allow your chinchilla
24 hours to settle into their new
surroundings without handling them.
Diet
What should I feed my Chinchilla? A
good quality chinchilla pellet or food mix
will provide a sufficient basic diet which
should be accompanied by a constant supply of
hay readily available in their cages at all times.
Hay is an essential part of their diet as it provides
essential fibre and helps wear down their teeth.
Very small quantities of dried fruit such as raisins
can be used as treats.
Water - Ensure the water bottle is checked and
cleaned on a daily basis. Fresh water must be
available at all times.
Jollyes, only the best for you and your pets
Health
Overgrown teeth - Chinchillas can suffer from overgrown teeth.
Provide plenty of gnawing materials to keep them trim. They may
have to have their teeth clipped by a veterinary surgeon.
Eye infections - They can suffer with
eye infections due to overgrown
teeth. Look out for watery eyes as
a symptom of this. Contact your
local vet for further information.
Chinchillas
are very active
and playful
Further considerations
Sand bath - Provide a sand bath occasionally containing 5cm of
chinchilla sand in the cage to protect their coat and keep it in peak
condition. Chinchillas bathe by rolling in the dust to clean their
coats. You can use a grooming brush, which will keep their coats
clean and help you bond with your pet.
Handling - Your chinchilla will be nervous for the first few days
so give them time to settle into their new surroundings. Slowly
start placing your hand in the cage and offer them treats, over
time they will begin to trust you and allow you to stroke and pick
them up. Gently cup them up with one hand under its belly and
the other across their shoulders. Once they are comfortable with
you holding them you must handle them regularly to build on
your relationship. Never hold or grab your chinchilla by the tail.
Chinchillas can be allowed out of their cage as long as the room
has been made safe free from electrical cables and other pets.
Jollyes, only the best for you and your pets
Shopping Checklist
We recommend the following items for your chinchilla.
Chinchilla Checklist
n S uitable cage with
levels and shelves
nW
ater bottle
nN
est box
nW
ood shavings or
n
n
n
n
nH
ay and hay rack
nG
naw block
wooden litter pellets
n S alt lick
D
ust bath
n T reats
C
hinchilla sand
n P et safe disinfectant
F
ood bowl
nA
Chinchilla care
C
hinchilla food
book
It is now time to enjoy your chinchilla and watch them grow into
important members of the family.
For further information contact:
Jollyes Petfood Superstores
1 Lea Road, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 1AS
Jollyes, only the
best for you and your pets
www.jollyes.co.uk