If you are thinking of breeding a chinchilla , on this page you will find all the information you need to know. From the cost to the colors of the fur, from the diet to the character, from the size to the longevity ( how many years does a chinchilla live ), advice on mating and reproduction, how to manage the litter to avoid bad smells and how to choose the cage.
The chinchilla is a very soft pet. The chinchilla is a rodent originally from South America, more precisely, it finds its natural habitat in the impervious high mountain areas of the Andes.
In nature, the chinchilla survives the freezing cold of the Andes thanks to its thick and very soft fur. The same fur that makes it popular in Italian homes and unfortunately has made it attractive to the textile industry: for years, furs and high fashion clothes have been made using the skins of the woolly chinchilla .
Domestic chinchillas are intelligent and very lively pets that can live with us for quite a few years and cheer us up with their slightly restless but funny, never mean , desire to do things.
Chinchilla: characteristics
The Chinchilla is classified as a small rodent and continues to be considered as such even if it is domestic, in fact it does not even weigh a kilo, specifically the females are heavier than the males and reach 800 grams, the males do not exceed 600 grams . Domestic chinchillas can be slightly larger or plumper but certainly cannot become nutria in size.
A peculiarity of this animal is certainly its fur and how it uses it, because it uses it not only to protect itself from the cold but also to defend itself. And it is not a joke. Let’s start by looking at its characteristics. In fact, its fur is thick and soft , and not hard like that of its wild relative. It is not a good idea to touch the chinchilla a lot because its fur is capillary, the problem can arise especially if there are children in the house who will be eager to pet and handle their new friend.
To understand what capillary hair means, let’s make a comparison with us who have a hair follicle for each hair, in the case of chinchillas, however, there are groups of over 50 hairs that all lead to a single hair follicle, this means that if they are petted too much they can lose too much hair and for them it means weakening because they lose a precious defense weapon.
Can fur be a defense weapon? Yes, in the case of these little animals that don’t have much else to use to try to survive, at home as well as in nature. Let’s see how they defend themselves. When chinchillas feel in danger due to the presence of a predator, they shake their body, losing a lot of hair and this move can naturally annoy the predator, who, confused and invaded by so much hair, can become discouraged.
At home, the chinchilla does not need to defend itself from large predators but it always has this automatic defense mechanism and it is therefore good to respect its fur and not let it lose too much of it so as not to make it feel defenseless . In fact, if we have a chinchilla at home we can make sure that it always has a nice shiny fur and as strong as possible by putting a fine sand in the cage with which it will take sand baths. It can be found in well-stocked pet shops, all we have to do is place it in its habitat and check that no grains of sand remain in its eyes or other sensitive parts.
Chinchilla: how to raise it
The chinchilla is not difficult to raise because it is a very nice and sociable animal, you just have to overcome its initial distrust, then it’s all downhill. They are very sweet rodents, they love caresses if they are those of the owner, delicate, and also cuddles in general. They are intelligent and love to play, they appear happy, active, sad or sleepy and they make it clear with small squeaks or affectionate bites. Do not be scared if you hear them active at night because they are nocturnal animals and do not need light because they see very well in the dark.
For perfect chinchilla care I provide you with 6 points of attention below:
- The chinchilla suffers from heat stroke, accustomed to the cold of the Andes it is better to keep it in temperature-controlled environments: the temperature should never exceed 22 degrees.
- Chinchillas do not like humid environments.
- Never grab a chinchilla by its tail because it easily peels or even breaks.
- To keep your chinchilla’s fur smelling nice and clean, place a bowl of fine sand mixed with talcum powder (a pre-packaged mixture found in specialist shops) on the bottom of the cage.
- The chinchilla is very sensitive to fungal infections (mycosis), depending on the extent and type of infection, the chinchilla will need to be treated with specific treatments. As soon as you notice bald patches, scabs or scaliness, you should consult a veterinarian.
- There are no vaccinations that chinchillas should receive.
Chinchilla: cage dimensions
The chinchilla cage has very specific characteristics and we are not just talking about size but also about the litter box.
To house a chinchilla in your home you will need a spacious cage . The minimum dimensions of a cage for a single specimen should be around 80 x 50 cm base and 100 cm high with internal shelves arranged in such a way as to allow maximum freedom of movement.
At the bottom of the cage, a litter tray made of pellets or wood shavings of vegetable origin should be arranged; those who prefer can prepare a litter tray of recycled paper .
Litter for Chinchillas
Warning: the litter must not be made of absorbent sand ! Nor of the kind used for cats: the dust it produces can damage the respiratory system of the chinchilla and can also encrust the paws and fur. In addition, there must be no metal grids on the bottom of the cage.
The cage should be equipped with a drip drinker, a feed tray and a rack for fodder.
Chinchilla: habitat
Where does the chinchilla live? If not in nature, it lives in cages in our homes and prefers cool and dry places, so it is better to place the cage in dry environments away from drafts and humidity.
If we want to make this little animal feel at ease, we avoid keeping it in places where strangers can access and perhaps reach out to pet it, which is not appreciated. In addition to the fur, the tail is also very delicate, easy to break, but it is a move to be able to escape more quickly in case of attack. Let’s make sure that the cage is equipped in the best possible way, with a special area for doing its business with sawdust, all the feeders and a place to play, as large as a standard one for rodents is fine and it is better if it has several floors so that our chinchilla never gets bored.
What does chinchilla eat?
Domestic chinchillas are herbivores and eat any type of vegetable . Insects are not unpleasant but are not a food that is ingested daily, only once in a while. They go crazy for alfalfa or alfalfa , they go crazy if there is not enough water in their cage since they drink a lot, unlike other rodents they do not eat their own excrement. It may happen that domestic chinchillas suffer from vitamin deficiency but we can integrate their diet with vitamins purchased specifically or with rodent food found in pet shops, already perfectly balanced. We can provide them with 25 g instead of the same amount of fibrous vegetables, better if not too watery.
Chinchilla: how long does it live?
On average, chinchillas live about ten years, if we treat them very well they can live up to 15 years, but it is difficult for them to live to 20 years, also because they are animals that are very subject to stress, they suffer from it and often feel bad because of it. If we take one, let’s remember to try to make them feel calm and at ease as well as to treat them in a precise and punctual way. Among the diseases that can be caught by a domestic chinchilla are heat stroke , sand in the eyes, skin and fur mycosis and various dental problems in addition to attacks by parasites against which we must always maintain maximum hygiene.
Reproduction and mating of chinchillas
If you are wondering how to breed chinchillas in captivity, know that the pregnancy is long and the results are uncertain. For each birth the number of newborns is small, we are talking about one or two specimens per birth, only in exceptional homes the number of newborns rises to three. The pregnancy is quite long. The only good news for those who tend to breed their chinchillas is that these animals reach sexual maturity already from the fourth month of age.
A chinchilla ‘s pregnancy lasts 111 days, almost four months. With the birth, the female chinchilla will give birth to already well-developed babies. Newborn chinchillas are born relatively large and already covered in fur. At birth, chinchillas have their eyes already open and immediately begin to walk. They suckle from their mother until 50-60 days of age but begin to taste adult foods at just a few days old. The male (father) should not be separated from his offspring as he is very loving with the new arrival.
A precaution to take is to not allow the female (the mother) to start a new pregnancy right away: the female is already fertile immediately after giving birth, so the presence of the male can easily give rise to the start of a new pregnancy; for this reason the male must be separated from the female for a week starting from the birth.
Chinchilla Character
Fortunately, in Italy, the chinchilla is bred exclusively as a pet. It is appreciated for its docile nature, its famous fur and its sociable spirit: chinchillas can be held and climb on shoulders, they make remarkable leaps and are very agile. Their character , however, varies from specimen to specimen. Some chinchillas can be shy and more reserved. In the early stages of breeding it is important to proceed gradually.
Games for chinchillas: the sand bath
The chinchilla’s entertainment can be ensured by spending days outside the cage, with contact with people but above all with its natural activities: chinchillas love to peel off the bark and gnaw on branches of fruit trees.
It is very useful to provide chinchillas with a large bowl of fine sand (there are many pre-packaged mixes on the market, often mixed with a sort of talcum powder) where the cute little animal can roll around several times a day. This practice will keep the chinchilla’s fur scented and clean.
Chinchilla: cost
How much does a chinchilla cost? Talking about price is not easy, because everything depends on the coat, the specimen, the training… Wanting to generalise, a common chinchilla can cost around 50 euros and is easily found in specialized shops. The price goes up a lot for rarer color varieties.
Chinchilla: dimensions
The chinchilla is a compact animal with dimensions of approximately 20 cm (excluding the weight!), 12-15 cm in height (measured at shoulder level) and a weight that in adult male specimens varies between 460 and 600 grams while the female, generally larger, has a weight that varies between 600 and 800 grams.
Chinchilla, fur colors
The thick fur covers the entire body, including the tail, and can be grey or other shades including the piebald coats obtained through selection in captivity, so the chinchilla can be of different colours.
- Black Chinchilla (technically called black velvet)
- Beige Chinchilla
- White chinchilla (technically called Wilson white)
- Gray Chinchilla
- Blue Chinchilla (violet)
Then there are other colors that are even less common and therefore the specimen that is purchased at a higher cost.
Chinchilla, cleaning
If well cared for, the chinchilla does not stink and does not cause bad odors in the house. You should be careful to change the litter box 1 – 2 times a week, depending on the temperament and character of your specimen.
For cleaning, you should not bathe or brush its fur. To clean the chinchilla you should provide the animal with a very large tray, containing fine sand.
Can you bathe a chinchilla?
No, you do not have to wash the chinchilla. The chinchilla is a clean animal (usually does not smell) and bathing could damage it: it is sensitive to temperature changes and, if wet, could easily develop mold. The chinchilla can be washed only in extraordinary cases but this practice is generally not recommended.
Every day, the chinchilla should take a so-called sand bath , that is, you should give him a tray with special sand (very fine) where the chinchilla can enjoy rolling. Playing in the sand, for the chinchilla, is not just a pastime: this fine sand keeps the fur clean and shiny, eliminating excess sebum.