The chinchilla is a small rodent that is among the new pets or NAC. Very present in pet stores for about fifteen years, it is a very sweet and particularly calm nocturnal animal. Significantly larger than the hamster with its 30 to 35 cm long, this rodent with thick fur has an amazing triangular head, two large black eyes, and large round and mobile ears. If it was long hunted for its fur, the chinchilla is now a domestic animal in its own right.
Its coat is also very particular. Its impressive density is due in particular to the fact that a single hair can have up to 50 follicles, compared to only one in humans. Its fur is also a defense mechanism. If he is manipulated too much, stress pushes him to lose his hair in order to free himself from the grip of his aggressors.
The chinchilla is an easy rodent to raise, but fragile
Native to South America, the chinchilla is a tough and tough animal, but with fragile health. It is imperative that he has a strong metal cage that he will not be able to gnaw. This small nocturnal rodent loves to exercise and will need equipment to play, jump, climb, or climb. Unfortunately, he does not tolerate change and is very stressed in the presence of strangers or when he is overhandled or caressed. In this case, it is not uncommon for the feeling of anxiety that invades him to lose his hair and tail! He is content with a few discreet affectionate gestures and he does not appreciate being held or tight. In addition, even if it comes from a hot and arid environment, it does not tolerate heat stroke, draft, and humidity.
The chinchilla has fragile health and is very exposed to dental and digestive disorders. It is also prey to fungi and other parasites that lodge in its eyes, snout, ears, and genitals, developing mycoses and other infections.
This small animal needs a healthy and well-balanced diet, rich in fiber. It is essential to let it live its nightlife and not disturb its natural rhythm, at the risk of triggering acute stress with serious consequences.
As with any other domestic rodent, the chinchilla cage must perform different functions that promote the health and well-being of the animal. The enclosure must therefore include spaces dedicated to rest, hygiene, meals, and entertainment. In this article, we help you arrange the cage to meet the needs of the small ball of hair native to the Andes.
Cage for chinchilla: the right dimensions
Before detailing the areas and accessories to provide to the domestic mammal, it is important to specify that this rodent really needs a lot of space. The chinchilla likes to activate, jump, and climb. To help him release his energy, his cage must be large enough, but above all higher than wide. The pen, for a single individual, must measure at least 1 m in height and 60 cm in width and depth. The South American species being gregarious, the presence of a companion is recommended. Thus, the size of the cage must be revised upwards according to the number of occupants. Ideally, and if it is possible at home, an aviary 100 cm long x 100 cm wide x 200 cm high would be the dream! If you run out of space, a bird enclosure 80 cm long x 60 cm wide x 120 cm high will also delight the chinchilla.
Trails in the cage of his chinchilla
As seen above, the well-being of the rodent goes through a habitat of large capacity, with the particularity of being higher than wide. This XXL format favors the installation of floors, allowing the chinchilla to express his talents as a jumper and climber. The plateaus will satisfy not only his aptitude for climbing but also his aspirations for rest and observation. The more landings, the more fun the animal will have climbing the stairs to reach one point of focus to another and sometimes stop and rest.
A small house in the chinchilla cage
A rest area, with shelter, is necessary to provide the chinchilla with calm and security. It is best to reserve an entire floor for this function and equip it with a wooden (untreated) or ceramic hut. In general, avoid plastic accessories that do not resist the snacking of the animal. You can decorate his refuge with a blanket, cushions, a basket, and/or a hammock. A handful of hay is enough if the animal tends to shred textiles. If the South American rodent prefers to sleep on the highest plateaus, he will appreciate finding small houses at different levels that will serve as hiding places when he seeks tranquility.
Tree branches for his chinchilla
The pen must contain elements to gnaw to ensure the dental hygiene of the mammal. Some branches of fruit trees, still provided with their foliage or buds, will occupy it healthily: at the same time as the chinchilla cheats, its boredom, it feasts and wears out its teeth which grow continuously. For example, choose branches of apple, pear, hazel, raspberry, or currant, dry and free of all harmful substances. If maple, elm, and poplar do not pose a danger to the mammal, ban species that are toxic to it such as stone fruit trees, acid fruits (citrus fruits), conifers (fir, cedar, yew ...), chestnut, birch, elderberry, oak, cedar or walnut. Large-diameter branches will also satisfy the rodent's propensity to leap, run and climb.
Good litter in the chinchilla cage
You can choose a litter made from compressed and dusted wood chips, taking care to avoid coniferous species. This material is not recommended because of the presence of resin, which, in contact with the urine of the animal, releases a substance (phenol) that is very toxic to the respiratory tract of the rodent. Low dust and non-allergenic, hemp and flax litter are well suited to chinchilla. The two products can combine on a layer of about 5 cm to increase their absorption power. Straw and hay are not an option as bedding because they do not absorb urine and a strong smell will emerge from the cage. Finally, avoid scented substrates that may inconvenience the rodent.
Bath land for his chinchilla
The sandbox - or bathing land - is essential to help the animal maintain and polish its beautiful fur. Rolling in it, the chinchilla removes excess sebum, and possible parasites limit the appearance of Mycoses, and de-stresses. This type of substrate, which is easy to find in the animal trade, must be poured in a good thickness into a container accessible to the rodent or better, into a special bathtub. A recommended product is sepiolite, a clay mineral with a fibrous, absorbent, and soft structure. Note that sand is not recommended because it is too abrasive.
Food and water in the chinchilla cage
The cage of the small mammal must offer different living areas that will be arranged so as to separate the dining area from the litter. The layout of the kitchen area must meet 2 vital needs of the chinchilla:
Food
For the choice of the feeder, ban any plastic container and prefer ceramic or stainless steel. The weight of these materials will prevent the bowls from spilling and mixing the food with litter. The best is to opt for a model to attach to the bars of the cage or to hang. Participating in the wear and tear of the teeth, hay at will should be on the menu of chinchilla. The fodder will be distributed in a rack or hay ball, but not directly on the ground because it will be soiled;
Hydration
Again, the risk of overturning the trough in the chinchilla cage must be avoided. In this regard, give preference to a special rodent bottle to a bowl. Pay attention to the first prices, which often correspond to models that are not very resistant, and likely to deteriorate quickly. Before your purchase, check the strength of the water dispenser so that it lasts as long as possible.
Where to place your cage?
The cage of your chinchilla should be placed in a quiet place, preferably high up. This animal sleeps during the day and it must therefore be able to do it quietly.
However, there is no question of isolating it and putting it in the dark, it must benefit from natural light to stall its biological rhythm and find its bearings. At the end of the day, he becomes active and will have to have company.
The cage of your chinchilla will also be protected from drafts and moisture. The ideal temperature of the room where your little companion's cage is located should be about twenty degrees on average.
Jardiland tip: Avoid direct exposure to direct sunlight. Because your chinchilla is sensitive to high temperatures. He would even risk "heat stroke", which is a veterinary emergency.
How to keep your cage clean?
The cage of your chinchilla will of course have to be kept clean.
The litter should be cleaned and renewed regularly. Specific products to disinfect it also exist, the composition of which will not bother your chinchilla.
Finally, sand, placed in a tray for this purpose, can allow your chinchilla to roll there for its maintenance, and this is on a daily basis. Because your chinchilla should not be washed! This sand will be cleaned and/or sieved as soon as necessary.
My chinchilla sometimes has 'funny' reactions when I put it back in its cage, why?
Indeed, one of the peculiarities of the chinchilla is to release tufts of hair. This reaction can be observed when it is put back in its cage, for example. It's a way for him to defend himself. This allowed his ancestors to "suffocate" their predators! And this is etched in his genes.
Your chinchilla can also "chew" its hair or that of a congener. This is called Fur Chewing. A consultation with the veterinarian specializing in NAC (new pets to which your chinchilla belongs) is then necessary to determine the cause.
This will prevent him from ingesting too many hairballs. This could then cause digestive disorders, or even intestinal obstruction: a veterinary emergency that animal health insurance takes care of if you choose to subscribe to this type of "mutual" for pets. This disorder is a priori hereditary. If your chinchilla suffers from it, it should therefore be removed from reproduction as a precaution.
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