Chinchillas, available in a wide variety of colors, are originally from parts of South America. However, they are common household pets for many families or single individuals. The word chinchilla translates to “Little Chinta,” a name that seems quite appropriate. The chinchilla has gained so much popularity as a pet partly due to his adorable appearance. Their furry presence and large ears simply make people want to pick them up and cuddle them.
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Before you make your decision to include a chinchilla as a member of your family, take the time to consider whether this is the right pet for you. Plus, you need to consider whether you are the right owner for this type of pet. After all, cute as they are, chinchillas do have certain limitations.
Unlike dogs, you cannot take your chinchilla out for a walk around the block. Plus, they are nocturnal in that they prefer to be active during the night rather than during the day. Therefore, if you are strictly a daytime person looking for some companionship, you need to realize that your friendship with a chinchilla will be rather quiet and uneventful.
You might also want to consider the fact that chinchillas cannot roam your home without getting into mischief. Therefore, a cage and all of the activities that relate to cages such as cleaning and maintenance will certainly come into play.
Purchasing a Chinchilla
If you are certain that a chinchilla is the pet for you, purchase your chinchilla from a reputable breeder or pet store. You should conduct a brief investigation to ensure that you will be making your purchase from a responsible facility. Your purchase is likely to cost somewhere between $50.00 and $500.00 depending on where you go.
A healthy chinchilla will have bright eyes and straight teeth. If the top teeth overlap the bottom teeth or the teeth are extremely crooked, the chinchilla is most likely going to have health-related problems. Moreover, any sign of wetness under the chin or around the eyes is an indication that something is amiss In particular, eyes that are constantly draining are an indication of an unhealthy animal.
Providing a Proper Home for Your Chinchilla
Most chinchillas can live in a cage that has been properly selected. Avoid cages with plastic coated wire. The plastic coating is unnecessary. In fact, your chinchilla will probably chew the plastic coating from the cage. Pine shavings make sufficient bedding. Cedar shavings should be avoided since they have the potential to damage your pet’s intestinal tract and liver. Scented shavings are unnecessary.
For ease of cleaning, purchase a cage that has a wire bottom. This will allow the chinchilla’s droppings to fall easily into a tray for easy (more…)
