Caring for a chinchilla involves providing proper housing, diet, enrichment, and hygiene. Here’s a guide to keeping a chinchilla healthy and happy:

1. Housing

· Cage: Use a large, multi-level wire cage with solid flooring. Minimum size: 24"x24"x24", but bigger is better.

· Location: Keep the cage in a cool, dry, and quiet area. Ideal temperature: 60–70°F (15–21°C). Avoid direct sunlight and drafts.

· Bedding: Use dust-free, paper-based bedding or aspen shavings (never cedar or pine).

2. Diet

· Pellets: Feed high-quality chinchilla pellets (not rabbit or guinea pig food).

· Hay: Unlimited timothy hay is essential for digestion and dental health.

· Treats: Offer in moderation—dried rose hips, oats, or tiny pieces of dried fruit. Avoid sugary or fatty treats.

· Water: Provide fresh, clean water daily in a bottle with a sipper tube.

3. Exercise & Enrichment

· Time out of the cage: Allow supervised playtime in a chinchilla-proofed room daily.

· Toys: Provide safe chew toys like pumice stones, untreated wood, and cardboard tubes.

· Hideouts: Give them a safe space to retreat and feel secure.

4. Grooming & Hygiene

· Dust baths: Chinchillas need regular dust baths (2–3 times per week) to keep their fur clean and oil-free. Never bathe them in water.

· Cleaning: Spot-clean the cage daily; deep-clean once a week.

5. Health & Vet Care

· Teeth: Watch for overgrown teeth; provide chew items and have regular vet checkups.

Signs of illness: Monitor for lethargy, weight loss, drooling, or changes in droppings.

Pet Chinchillas: The Complete Care Guide

An Owner’s Guide to taking the best care of your pet chinchillas There are many common misconceptions when it comes to chinchilla care. This book will tell you the proper way to care for your chinchilla to have them for many, many years. This book covers: Behavior - Cage Setup - Bedding - Treats - Toys - Food - Hay - Health Problems - Breeding - Pregnancy - Owner Experiences - And everything you need to know to get started owning pet chinchillas! Throw away your old books because this is the first one with only correct information.