Archive for the ‘Chinchilla’ Category
How To Cure Some Health Problems of Your Pet Chinchilla
The following paragraphs summarize the work of Chinchilla experts who are completely familiar with all the aspects of Chinchilla. Heed their advice to avoid any Chinchilla surprises.
As with humans, prevention is the key for your chinchilla to staying healthy and not getting sick. Even though precautions are taken, sometimes steps are still missed. It is crucial that your pet’s cage have fresh food and water daily. Their cage should always be kept clean and their food should not contain fungus or insects. Any violations of these can cause adverse effects for your pet. Keep in mind your chinchilla has a sensitive digestive system. It cannot easily get rid of bad food from their system. This means they could get sick.
Please find below some health problems that could affect your pet and what you can do:
Constipation:
You will know that your pet is constipated if their bowels are dry, small, strangely shaped and have a foul odor. Provide them with more fresh water and hay. Also, you can give them 1 – 2 raisins.
Bloating:
Your pet will look like a balloon and their bowels will contain mucous. Their bowels are also holey and sticky. Give your chinchilla a longer time to exercise and give them food culture.
Diarrhea:
Your pet’s bowels will stick and look like a grape. The diarrhea in your pet could be caused by hay that is moldy or algae that has grown in their water. Check the hay for mold and check the water for algae. It is imperative that their water is changed out everyday and that it’s fresh. Also check to see if their diarrhea is caused by an environmental change.
Seizures and Cramping:
If your pet does not move or starts to tremble, this may be a sign of a seizure. This can be caused by stress, injury to the head or lack of calcium. You will know if your pet lacks calcium if their teeth turn white. This can happen moreso with the female chinchilla. Don’t allow your pet to injure themselves. They should be kept warm. Since this is a more serious issue, see a veterinarian immediately.
If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole Chinchilla story from informed sources.
In addition to the above, you should see a veterinarian immediately if your pet is experiencing any of the following:
Severe diarrhea or constipation, injury of the eye from a sharp object, pneumonia, weight loss, ingesting poison, or broken bones anywhere on their body. Any of these will require additional medical care from a specialized veterinarian.
You hope that you don’t have to experience any of this with your pet chinchilla. There are things you can do to make sure your pet stays healthy and not fall into any health dangers.
Listed below are some of the tips:
- Keep their cage cleaned on a regular basis.
- Don’t change their food too often; they have a sensitive digestive system.
- Don’t move them around a lot; chinchillas can’t withstand changes too well, especially sudden ones. If you do have to move them, try to do it gradually.
- Make sure their roughage food is fresh.
- Make sure their water is fresh and constantly changed out.
- Their food should be administered in small portions.
- Since chinchillas are night owls, they should rest during the day.
Follow these tips and your chinchilla will live a long and happy life.
About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO
Having The Right Exercise Wheel For Your Chinchilla
You should be able to find several indispensable facts about Chinchilla in the following paragraphs. If there’s at least one fact you didn’t know before, imagine the difference it might make.
With a cage for your chinchilla, they should also be some chew toys, a television and a wheel for exercise. This way they’ll have plenty of things to do while they’re in the cage. In order for the wheel to fit in properly, you should measure the door of the cage. Even though your pet will still get their outside exercise, a cage is strongly recommended for exercise inside.
Sometimes, your pet chinchilla may not adapt to the wheel right away. Don’t fret–sometimes it may take them a while to get acclimated, especially since it’s new to them. Older chinchillas don’t adapt to change very well and it may take them longer to get used to it. It may take them weeks, or even months to get acclimated to the device. When they do, they usually like it and take to the wheel well, especially when they realize that it’s benefiting them. Anything that benefits them is good, and they try to keep a positive demeanor.
Another aspect of having a wheel in your pet’s cage is safety. You have to make sure that they are able to exercise on a running surface. The surface should be solid or made from mesh. The measurements should be no more than 1/2″ X 1/2″. Anything more than that can result in the chinchilla having leg, foot or toe injuries. Their lower extremities are very delicate and can result in amputation if not attended to properly.
If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole Chinchilla story from informed sources.
As with chew toys, the wheels should not be made of plastic. Plastic can harm your pet by causing issues with their intestinal area. The pet can chew and ingest the plastic pieces which can cause this. If you use a wheel with spokes, you are asking for trouble. Not only can your pet chinchilla face injury to their arms or legs, the risk of having their limbs amputated increases.
Even your pet can sense when there’s danger with these type of wheels. When that happens, they’re reluctant to exercise on them. These type of wheels are not recommended to be installed in their cages. If you do use them, you are not looking out for your pet’s best interests. Another type of wheel, called a safe wheel, has screws in the inside center. They seem to have more fun on this type of wheel because of the decreased danger.
The recommended measurement for a wheel is 12″, even though there is some debate about that. Most people seem to do ok with that size wheel. Pet stores normally sell the wheels with the spokes, which as stated in the previous paragraph is dangerous for chinchillas. There have been reports that the wheel may cause your pet’s spine to curve, because there’s only so much room; of course, that’s probably remain to be seen.
If you find abnormal issues with your pet after getting on the wheel, you should stop until your find out what’s going on. If you are unsure about what type of wheel to purchase, contact your local pet store or consult with your local veterinarian.
About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, proud owner of this top ranked web hosting reseller site: GVO
How To Discipline Your Pet Chinchilla
When you want to discipline your chinchilla, you have to be mindful of how you do it. Please note that they are not responsive when you verbally berate, hit, or smack them in anger. The physical actions can result in wounds and abscessing. The physical actions don’t serve a purpose because your pet already has a sensitive body. Chinchillas are already fearful and chewing them out verbally will do nothing but escalate the situation. The negative verbal actions are not effective at all.
Since they are fearful, when their owner treats them as such, they start to feel withdrawn and stressed out. Like a human, they can feel your hostility and anger. In turn, they will become more defensive. You should never blow in their face to punish them. The germs from your air can transmit onto them. They are susceptible to catching a virus, the cold or the flu.
When a chinchilla gets hostile, they will spray urine. They are acting out on their need to withdraw. They still feel defensive, and you may not know why. The withdrawals won’t start until the root cause of it is revealed. When the owner finds out what the problem is, the pet will feel better and can be safe in their habitat.
See how much you can learn about Chinchilla when you take a little time to read a well-researched article? Don’t miss out on the rest of this great information.
They will definitely make a change when they sense that you are not trying to put them down (degrade). You will have to spend time giving them lots of love and patience. This scenario is reminiscent of what humans go through in relationships. Women, for the most part, want respect. If their boyfriend or husband can’t or won’t give it to them, then they won’t be happy campers.
As long as you show your pet genuine love, concern and compassion, they will respond to you with a more accepting reaction. When you give them a warning, do it in a stern, but loving manner. Don’t get in the habit of just saying “no” all the time. Doing this will just take your pet back to square 1. That’s not a good idea. On the other hand, there are some chinchillas that have no personality and tend to be harsh, abrasive or moody. These kinds of pets are very vocal.
If you have a pet chinchilla that is withdrawn due to owner neglect or abuse, it may be helpful for them to have their behavior rehabbed. This type of rehabilitation can help your chinchilla to change their tune. You have to be very mature to take care of an exotic animal such as a chinchilla. Just remember that you have to be even-tempered, calm and non-threatening. You also have to have patience because changes just don’t happen overnight. You’ll have to look past it and do your part to help in the change. The chinchilla is scared and they may pretend to be threatening, but they’re really not.
You must continue to love them, be compassionate, gentle, constantly give them assurance and lots of affection. In time, they will change to the loving pet chinchilla you want them to be.
About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, proud owner of this top ranked web hosting reseller site: GVO
How To Keep Your Chinchilla From Suffering In The Heat
Heat and high humidity are not kind to chinchillas. Their bodies cannot survive grueling heat and high temperatures. Their thickness of their fur is higher than other animals. In fact, they have the highest thickness of fur than any land animal worldwide. It is the thickness of their fur that causes them to be resistant towards heat, especially high heat and humidity. If they come in contact with this, they can suffer from brain damage or heat stroke.
It is important that your pet chinchilla be kept inside a controlled climate in order to survive. You will need an air conditioning unit if the temperatures reach 70 degrees or above. The air conditioning unit should also have an auto function, where it will turn on and off by itself. Having fans is not enough to cool them. However, a ceiling fan is good for cold air circulation.
If your chinchilla takes in too much heat, they can suffer from heat prostration. Heat prostration is when your pet is lying on their side with labored breathing. They feel like they want to give up because this is too much for them to bear. Don’t allow your pet to stay in that position. Pick up the chinchilla carefully and gently. Keep your pet mobile and moving. Provide massages and head rubs. In the interim, while you’re still trying to keep your pet going, make sure you have the temperature lowered; otherwise, they may not make it after all.
The more authentic information about Chinchilla you know, the more likely people are to consider you a Chinchilla expert. Read on for even more Chinchilla facts that you can share.
Use a cloth and make sure it is not fringed or has any loose strings. Put it in the freezer to cover your frozen items. Then put your pet in there for few minute intervals. Leave the door slightly ajar. Put your pet’s feet on the cloth so it won’t touch the metal in the freezer. Spray mists of lukewarm or cool water on your pet’s body, stopping at the neck. After your pet becomes alert, use a towel to lightly dry their body. Make sure you’re in a cool room while you’re doing this. Provide a dust bath after they are completely dry.
If you keep your chinchilla in the basement, they will need a dehumidifier. They cannot stay anywhere where the humidity is high because it will create a fungus, which is harmful. The pet will also need an instrument like a thermometer that measures the temperature and humidity levels. These levels must be continuously watched to make sure they stay at a comfortable temperature for your pet.
During the winter season, the temperature should not be more than 70 degrees. The humidity should not be more than 80 percent where your chinchilla is existing. The sum of the two is not to go past 150. If it does, your pet is in danger for brain damage and death.
Other ways you can keep your chinchilla cool are providing them with frozen fruit bars. These are good for them to take small nibbles from. Ice cubes put in a bowl that won’t spill are good, also. Your pet should have a consistent supply of fresh water. No matter how you do it, make sure that your pet is properly cared for during the times of heat and humidity.
Now you can understand why there’s a growing interest in Chinchilla. When people start looking for more information about Chinchilla, you’ll be in a position to meet their needs.
About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, proud owner of this top ranked web hosting reseller site: GVO
Your Pet Chinchilla And Environmental Stress
Environmental stress can affect your pet chinchilla in different ways. This type of stress results in either health or behavioral issues. Your pet can experience the following: anti-social behavior that includes biting, fighting, spraying urine, fungus, or irritation of the eyes. Your pet can also feel angst toward other chinchillas, biting the fur, gnawing on their cage or even depression.
Unless you know in advance, you won’t necessarily detect that one of these actions can come from environmental stress. You usually find out when the behavior or illness becomes a chronic issue. If you are not aware of the issues of environmental stress, your pet may be more prone to suffer the after-effects.
If your pet is hyper, environmental stress will just compound the way they’re already feeling. In order for them to get a grip, behavioral rehabilitation would help them regain their footing. Of course, if your pet is already easy-going, then rehabilitation is not necessary. Environmental stress can affect how the chinchilla was treated, before and now. Environmental stress can affect your animal if they were abused or handled badly. This in turn, can cause them to exhibit anti-social tendencies towards the next owner.
If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole Chinchilla story from informed sources.
If your pet is experiencing boredom, this may eventually suffer from stress. Your pet should be in an environment where there is some movement and noise. On the other hand, enduring constant loud noise can take its toll on them, also. It’s better for them to have noise, but it should be at a moderate level. This way, if they do experience noise out of the ordinary, such as people, thunderstorms, etc., they’ll know how to handle it. Your pet has to have a happy medium between the two extremes (boredom and chaotic noise).
Your pet will have to make adjustments if they came from an environment where there was boredom or chaos. They’ll have to make adjustments to the unfamiliar and unknown. Like a human being, your pet will feel strange because all they know at the moment is the environment to which they were accustomed to. It may take your pet at least a week to regroup. You can help by putting them in a quiet room with some soft jazz music. There should be no other pets in the house while your pet is getting acclimated to different surroundings, including the owner.
Giving your pet this transition time is crucial and imperative because if they came from a chaotic environment, they will have to learn to relax and if they came from a boredom environment, they must have time to get in the groove to handle noise in a timely manner. If they take on too much too quickly, your pet can get overwhelmed, causing additional stress.
You will have to learn to be sensitive to their needs and get a sense of when they might be ready. It’s always best to start out small and gradual, then work your way up with your chinchilla. This way, your pet can accept the gradual transition with ease.
About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO
How To Keep Your Chinchilla’s Cage Clean And Safe
The following article presents the very latest information on Chinchilla. If you have a particular interest in Chinchilla, then this informative article is required reading.
Before you put your pet chinchilla in their cage, it must be cleaned thoroughly. Once they’ve made it their home, you should clean it at least once a week. To keep the cage smelling fresh, you can use baby cornstarch powder or baking soda (preferably the Arm & Hammer brand). It should be sprinkled in the areas where they urinate. Usually, your pet won’t venture into those areas, but if they do, they may contact a fungus.
If your pet’s cage has solid flooring, the bedding needs to constantly stay fresh. Keep the flooring area clean and use a disinfectant for the area. Pull-out litter pans that have a wire mesh may be in conflict with solid flooring. If the flooring is wire-based, make sure that you have shelves and mats installed to give your pet relief from standing on the wire mesh.
If you’re cleaning your pet’s cage at in your shower or outside, you must use disinfectant by scrubbing the cage with pet-safe cleaner soaked brush. Make sure you scrub the cage thoroughly and with lots of elbow grease. Only use hot water to rinse; it is easier to use something that sprays it off, like a hose or a shower attachment. Be sure that the cage is completely dry after rinsing. Any damp spots can produce mold or fungus, which would be detrimental to your pet.
I trust that what you’ve read so far has been informative. The following section should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.
It is strongly suggested that an opaque sheet is used around your pet’s cage. This is to contain the dust and other mess that is in the cage. It is also used as a barrier to chinchilla conflicts, in particular from the opposite gender. The sheet gives them the assurance that their area is safe and secure. It also shields them from some of the light during the daytime.
The mesh in the chinchilla’s cage should be no more than 1″ by 1/2″ on the sides and 1/2″ by 1/2″ on the flooring area. Do not get any mesh that exceeds those measurements; it is dangerous for your pet. If you’re not sure about the cage measurements or recommendations, do a search online for assistance. Because they’re so active, having ample room to run around is crucial. If you install mesh that is more than what’s required, you risk the chance of your chinchilla breaking the leg or foot bones if it gets caught in the mesh. The legs and feet are the most fragile parts of their body.
If your pet does experience difficulty with the mesh, they can suffer the loss of their legs and feet. They can also experience stress from being in the state of being caught up in the mesh. If this stress is not relieved and they remained trapped, your pet can succumb from shock related to the stress. Some chinchillas won’t even run around in the cage if they sense that there is too much mesh in there. Somehow they have a sense of their surroundings and know when they can move about freely. Not until they know their area is safe will they resume activity in the cage.
Now you can be a confident expert on Chinchilla. OK, maybe not an expert. But you should have something to bring to the table next time you join a discussion on Chinchilla.
About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO
How To Find A Good Pet Sitter For Your Chinchilla
The following article covers a topic that has recently moved to center stage–at least it seems that way. If you’ve been thinking you need to know more about it, here’s your opportunity.
When you have an exotic animal such as a chinchilla, because they’re in the exotic animal family, they need special care. So if you’re going away, you’ll need someone to take care of your pet. However, it can’t be the same kind of person who can pet sit dogs or cats. They have to be someone who is experienced in taking care of exotic animals such as chinchillas. Where do you find someone who fits that mold?
If you don’t know anyone offhand, you can start by checking out a professional pet sitting service. See if you can find one that deals with exotic animals. It may take you a little more time than usual because these types of services are not common. You’ll want to start your search at least several weeks before you leave; that is, if you know that far in advance that you’re leaving.
You can check with Pet Sitters International and The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters for more assistance. You would probably have them do a few more additional tasks, like get the daily newspaper and check the mail. You may also have them maintain the lighting by turning them on and off at different intervals of the day.
Getting a referral is a great way to get a sitter for your pet. Make sure they know enough about exotic animals before you consider them to take care of yours. In addition to professional pet organizations, ask around to see if anyone knows of people that are experienced in taking care of exotic pets such as chinchillas. If by chance, you happen to know someone that has a chinchilla, see if they’re available and willing to watch your pet.
Just because they have the same kind of pet doesn’t mean they’re willing to take on the extra duties. Ask your veterinarian if they know of anyone who can and are available to be a pet sitter while you’re gone. Or even try the pet store. Ask the employees if they can recommend someone.
You can see that there’s practical value in learning more about Chinchilla. Can you think of ways to apply what’s been covered so far?
Once you do have a candidate available, ask them questions to make sure they are knowledgeable about chinchillas. Make sure they know how to take care of them, what to feed them, etc. When you do find that person that will be able to take care of your pet, the next step is to find out the setup. If you can move your chinchilla and the cage, then you may be able to transport it to a facility or take it to the sitter.
There is a downside to this: if you do have to transport, beware that they may come in contact with other animals that have contagious diseases. Also, since chinchillas don’t adapt to change well, especially an abrupt change, it may cause them to be stressed. You can also have the pet sitter come to your house if you feel comfortable with that. At least your pet will be in familiar territory. They already know the surroundings, and they would be able to thrive. If you use this option, you must be able to trust the person to stay in your home.
When you have found the right person, make sure you provide them with detailed instructions on how to care for your pet. This is very important, because you want them to care for your pet like you care for them, so the chinchilla won’t notice a difference in that. You should also leave detailed instructions and information for the pet sitter in the event of an emergency.
If your pet needs treatment and you can’t get back right away, then you may want to give them permission to get treatment for them. Leave a contact number for your veterinarian as well as a contact number where you can be easily reached.
It may take time for this process, but once you find the right person, your mind will be at ease.
About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO
Want A Chinchilla As A Pet? Here’s Where To Start
This article explains a few things about Chinchilla, and if you’re interested, then this is worth reading, because you can never tell what you don’t know.
If you want a chinchilla as a pet, you can keep a domestic chinchilla. They are known to have nervous tendencies and are night owls. They like to stay up at night and be active. They also don’t care for someone holding them. However, they can be friendly animals, but it will take a while for them to get used to their owner. They’re not easily coerced into getting close to people. The owner has to earn their trust, just like a human relationship.
Chinchillas that become captive have a life span from 15 to 20 years. /They can be noisy, making sounds in the form of chirping, barking and squeaking. They use these noises to communicate and express their feelings. If you are not an early riser, you may have to deal with them making noise in the wee hours of the morning. If you are sensitive to noise while you sleep, a chinchilla may not be for you.
It’s ok to have more than one chinchilla of the same gender, as long as their personalities don’t clash. If they interact when they’re still young, they have a better chance of enduring each other. If they’re older, it may take a little longer for them to form a bonding. If you have a male and female in the same domain, they will have to be sterilized so to prevent procreation of offspring. The chinchillas are so full of life, that it’s necessary for them to have plenty of space for them to roam.
If you have a house, you should set aside a room just for them. You can also house them in a cage, as long as it’s large enough with items that they can play with. They also require wooden toys (birch, willow apple tree or manzanita is acceptable) and chew toys to entertain them. Please keep in mind that chinchillas should not have plastic toys because the plastic can damage the intestinal area. The cage itself must have plenty of air circulation because they don’t sweat much.
Now that we’ve covered those aspects of Chinchilla, let’s turn to some of the other factors that need to be considered.
Getting too sweaty can cause them to have a heat stroke. Don’t keep the animals in the cage the whole time. It’s good if they get some outside exposure (at least 30 minutes a day, under the watchful eye of the owner). They need exercise and get a feel of their outside surroundings.
If the chinchilla gets wet, they have to be dried off rather quickly. If not, their fur will collect fungus. You can use a blow dryer on a low cool temperature and you can also use a towel (best choice).
For their eating regimen, chinchillas cannot consume fatty foods. They can only eat so much of green plants. The best dietary plan for them is loose hay. They can also have a raisin or other kinds of dried fruit, but only in moderation. Don’t give them fresh vegetables as their stomach can expand and cause a fatal reaction. When they eat, they do so in small portions and they also drink water in small sips.
They can drink water from a water bottle and the water must be fresh at all times. Because they can’t ingest a lot of fat in their system, nuts are to be avoided.
The day will come when you can use something you read about here to have a beneficial impact. Then you’ll be glad you took the time to learn more about Chinchilla.
About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, proud owner of this top ranked web hosting reseller site: GVO
How To Set Up A Home That Your Pet Chinchilla Will Love
This article explains a few things about Chinchilla, and if you’re interested, then this is worth reading, because you can never tell what you don’t know.
When chinchillas are out in the wild, their fur is their protector from the elements. When they are captured and turned into pets, adjustments have to be made in order for them to be comfortable and survive.
If you plan to keep a pet chinchilla in your house, the animal needs to be somewhere where the area is cool and serene, but eliminating drafts. If you have an available room in your house, make sure there is plenty of room for the animal to roam. Chinchillas are very active and they need to have enough space to move freely.
It’s better for them to have a large cage, in part because of what was stated earlier. The length should also be tall (long). The floor space needed is about 24 by 24 inches. If you get a tall cage, get one with shelves and ladders for climbing. This is a great way the chinchilla can stay active. Don’t get cages that are manufactured with plastic; a wire cage is the best quality cage to purchase.
If you want to make it easier for cleaning purposes, find one with a pull out tray. The pull out try can have wood shavings (except cedar). A wire floor is good for them because it keeps their bottoms from getting dirty. In the event you have a wire floor, you should have a wooden piece to cover the bottom wire area. This way, their feet won’t wear out from constant activity.
It’s really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of Chinchilla. What you learn may give you the confidence you need to venture into new areas.
Secure the cage in an area of your house where they won’t be disturbed by others. It should not be exposed to any sunlight. Sunlight causes the chinchilla to sweat and could lead to overheating. In the summer, the area where the cage is sitting should be watched and if need be, move it to a cooler section of the house. You can turn on the air conditioner for a while, or you can add a pan of ice cubes.
You should have glass water bottles for the animal. They are better than plastic because they can’t chew through glass. If you do use plastic water bottles, you can get chew guards for them. Get a ceramic food bowl so it won’t tip over so much, if at all. The heavier the bowl, the less chance it will tip over and will stay steady in the cage.
The best toys for your pet chinchilla are wooden blocks and tree branches. The branches should be pesticide free. Willow balls and rings are good for them to have, also. The toys should be free from small or plastic parts where the animal can accidentally swallow them. They can also use pumice blocks; in addition to using it for playtime, these blocks can maintain their teeth.
Wheels may do your pet chinchilla good, provided that they start using them at an early age. A wheel that is 12 – 15 inches is the best choice and the surface should be solid and made of metal. Having wheels installed in the cage provides them with good exercise. As mentioned, it is only beneficial if they’re introduced to it early on.
As long as they’re closely supervised, your pet chinchilla should get some time outside of the cage. Make sure that you don’t have things in the area that can harm or cause some type of danger to them, such as electrical cords. You should be able to coax the animal back to their cage with a raisin or some other dried fruit. Sometimes, they just make their way back to their cage without any help. If possible, refrain from chasing them, as this does nothing but frustrate you and the pet.
Take time to consider the points presented above. What you learn may help you overcome your hesitation to take action.
About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO
Chinchillas Staying Healthy With Pellets and Hay
The chinchilla’s process of consuming food is quite different than other animals. They should have a lot of roughage and fewer nutrients. One of the things that they must have enough of is pellets.
Chinchilla pellets can be purchased from a breeder or a pet store. Not all brands contain the same ingredients. When your purchase them, be sure that the basic ingredients are in the mix. This would include alfalfa meal, wheat germ, molasses, oats, soybean oil meal, corn, and added vitamins and minerals. The chinchilla pellets are long because the animals eat with their hands and they must be able to grasp them.
The chinchillas consume the pellets until they feel full. When they get to that point, they will stop and refrain from overeating. You can either feed them once or twice a day. You’ll want to figure out which feeding regimen is best for them. Stick with whatever works best and be consistent. If you’re not, the chinchilla will know and the inconsistency will cause them to be stressed.
A chinchilla’s livelihood is based on routines. You can feed the pellets to them either from a hopper feeder or a ceramic bowl. The hopper feeder is good to use because you don’t have to concern yourself about it falling over. Ceramic bowls are good because they are heavy and the chinchilla can’t chew it, like they would a plastic bowl.
It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of Chinchilla is no exception. Keep reading to get more fresh news about Chinchilla.
Chinchilla pellets are one of the best things they can eat; but if for some reason you can’t locate them, you can substitute rabbit or guinea pig pellets for them. These are fine to consume as long as they contain plenty of fiber and are low in fat. If for some reason you do have to switch their pellets, do it gradually. Once they get used to a system, it’s difficult for them to change suddenly. They will adapt, but they get stressed if it happens all at once.
Hay is good for them because it also provides fiber for their system. You can choose from two kinds: alfalfa or timothy. They can be purchased in loose or small compressed blocks with a measurement of 1″ X 1″ X 2″. The animals will eat both kinds and it must be chemical and mold free. Because of their sensitive digestive system, chinchillas can only consume fresh hay. To remain fresh, it must be stored in a dry place.
Fifty-pound bags may be too much for a chinchilla owner, so cubes can be purchased in smaller amounts. It’s better if the cubes are broken into smaller pieces. This way, they can handle them easier as opposed to being one cumbersome piece. One pressed cube or a handful of hay is all an adult chinchilla usually eats.
An alternative to hay would be Bermuda grass. If your house has a lawn with Bermuda grass, you can feed that to your chinchilla. However, the grass must be chemical and fertilizer free. Just wash it off and give your chinchilla a few. Bermuda grass helps to remedy any digestive issues.
About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, proud owner of this top ranked web hosting reseller site: GVO