 | |  |  |
Looking After Your Chinchilla
In captivity most Chinchillas show activity during the day as well as in the evening or at night. They require a large cage constructed from wood and mesh wire that includes a climbing area, a sleeping box and a daily (fresh) bath. The quaity of the sand is vital to ensure their skin is not irrtated and the fur is not damaged. Chinchillas love climbing and jumping and multi level cage is most suitable.
Feeding
Chinchillas have a very sensitive digestive system. This is becuase over time and the way they have evolved by eating the frugal high fibre diet of grasses, fruits, leaves, bark, roots, stems and insides of cacti. Chinchillas are herbivores and needs lots of fibre so hay should be available to your chinchilla at all times. This is essential both for enviromental enrichment and also to help wear down their continually growing teeth. There are a few things that Chinchillas should never eat and they are sunflower seeds or peanuts due to the high fat content. Chinchillas need a low fat diet, over time a hight fat dirt could be be fatal. Chinchillas are nature foragers and need to feed twice a day. You should always make sure the first lot of feed has been finished before giving the second. They do not like change of dirt, this can lead to a decrease in their food in take and/or can lead to dysbacteriosis.
Exercise
Chinchillas love running around and playing so having safe branches to climb on and gnaw as well as some platforms is good for them. You can also give them some toys to play with. You can make some tunnels out of drainpopes or terracotta chimmey lines. Also you can use terractta flower pot for them to hide in and explor. Cardboard is good for hiding and chewing as well. Chinchillas love to forage so hiding some food or treat for them to find is good for their natural instinct. If you have a room that is chinchilla proof they would love some time to run and explore.
Handling Your Chinchilla
You much make sure when you are going to handle your Chinchilla that you are on the same level. Let your Chincilla come to you then present the back of your hand for it to sniff. With a new and young Chinchilla you can scoope it up in your hands. A tame chinchilla will climb on your hand and you can hold it temporarily around the base of his tail with one hand while supporting its body weight with your other hand while lifting it up and have it rest on your arm or against your body, then once you are sitting you gently place it on to your lap. Never grap the fur where the tail connects to the body or your will have a handful of fur and the Chinchillas fur will be damaged. Never grap the tip of the tail as this can come off when the Chinchilla struggles. Be very careful no to squeeze them too tightly around the ribs they are easly broken.
Common Illnesses
Eye Problem - Chinchillas like to sand bath, this should be limited to 15 - 30 minutes per day,more than that can cause eye irritation, and use suitable chinchilla bathing sand. Good vertilation and clean dust free bedding will help too.
Ear Problem - If you see your Chinchilla pawing at its ear, you see discharge or a lack of balance and directon you need to take your Chinchilla to your vet. Until your Chinchilla is well you much not let it have and sand bath.
Runny Nose - Chinchillas can get colds and if yours has a cold keep it warm and ensure that it drinks a lot of fresh water and that should clear the problem, but if it deteriorates take it to the vet.
Mouth Problems - You much keep check on your Chinchilla teeth they grow continuously thought their lifes. They need something to chew and gnaw on to help wear down thier teeth. Exarmple, friut gnaws and specially formulated treats. If the teeth become over grown the Chinchilla will not beable to eat, it will lose weight and become weak. You then need to take your Chinchilla to the vet to have its teeth trimmed.
Coat - Chinchillas have dense fur and one execption they can get is furgus (dermatophytosis) The fur looks limp and messy and in some cases the whiskers break off. You will need to take your Chinchilla to the vet, who will probably prescribe a fungicidal powder which you will need to put in your Chinchillas sand bath.
Fur Slip - Whenever frightered or stressed or handled roughty a Chinchilla can shed patches of fur, also called fur-slip. A clean, smooth area of skin is left. Takeing up to 8 weeks before the skin is covered with fur again and it can take months before the patches become indistinguishable from the rest of the coat.
Pneuminia - If your Chinchilla is wheezy, finds it hard to breathe or has a runny nose, it may have a chest infection or pneumonia. Pneuminia can be fatal so you need to take your Chinchilla to the vet immediately.
Constipation - Is often caused by stress, or a change in diet, fur chewing or lack of water. When Chinchillas have constipation you will notices a lack of droppings and they may look tired and bloated. You can help relieve this by ensuring that there is plenty of fresh water and hay available, and ensure that he is getting enough exercise. If necessary offter the dust bath more frequently. If you feel unhappy or you see a sudden swelling of the abdomen contact your vet immediately.
Diarrhoea - This is quite common and an indicator that the Chinchilla has over eaten or enten bad hay or food. Stress or a change in diet, lack of fibre or to much green food, can also couse this.
For more information on Chinchillas click Picture below
|
|
|
