Joeychinchilla

Facts

Chinchillas originate from the Andes and were originally bred for their fur, However now days they are very well known as Our exotic Pets.

Chinchillas are classed as rodents and as with any rodents they are constantly creating droppings, they do this all the more when they are happy and excited but do not normally urinate anywhere apart from their own cage unless they feel frightened.

Chinchillas love play times and also have a constant need to gnaw on anything they fancy so it is important you ensure your chinchilla has wood to gnaw on, certain wood is toxic to chinchillas so it is important you make sure you give then the right sort of wood, the following woods are safe for Chinchillas Pine,Pear,Willow,Grapevine,Mulberry,Cottonwood,Manzanita and the most popular and easiest to get hold of is Apple.

Chinchillas are great fun and give lots of enjoyment to their owners, they have fantastic personalities and are happy kept alone if you make sure they do not get lonely, If you think your chinchilla wont get enough time with you then it is best to get them a friend (same sex pairs is best to avoid breeding for example 2 girls or 2 boys) it is not essential to get them both at the same time although it is easier to introduce chinchillas to each other when they are young and I would recommend getting them together.

However introducing chinchillas can be done at any age but you have to be patient and not rush things and you have to consider that they may never get on together and you may end up with 2 cages(hence my recomendation of getting to young ones at the same time that are already being brought up together) it can take weeks and months to introduce chinchillas to each other so please take your time.

The best way to introduce chinchillas is stand their cages side by side then after a couple of weeks try letting them out to play together in a safe chinproof area which is neutral to both chinchillas, if there is any agression seperate them imediately and tray again a few days later still keeping the cages next to each other, also try swapping them into each others cages and sharing the dust bath with both of them(individually) that way they get used to each others smells.