Getting a chinchilla: all the pros and cons

When choosing a pet, many people in recent years have paid attention to chinchillas. Many people are attracted by the fact that these rodents do not require too much care, live long enough and have good health. But is it worth keeping a chinchilla at home?

You cannot have a chinchilla and not bear any responsibility for it. In order to decide whether to get a chinchilla, you need to understand all the intricacies of keeping them at home. Let's look at the pros and cons of keeping a chinchilla at home.

Chinchilla and its maintenance at home: let's start with studying the appearance

In nature, there are generally only two varieties of this rodent - the small long-tailed chinchilla and the large short-tailed chinchilla, the content of which is no different.
They all have a natural gray color called agouti - darker on the back, lighter on the belly and paws. But in captivity, breeders have bred more than 40 different breeds of chinchillas, distinguished by a variety of colors. Now you can buy a chinchilla not just white, but velvety white. But that's not all - there are animals of beige with a pink tint, sapphire or purple color. Species and habitat

Chinchillas are cute, charming animals that are easily tamed, tolerate captivity well and have a lifespan of 12-15, and sometimes up to 20 years. Their weight is 500-800 g, while females are always larger than boys
Body length - 25-38 cm
Tail length – 8-17 cm; The short-tailed species has very massive hind legs and neck

Chinchillas are very active, jumping and funny creatures. They have well-developed hearing, vision and smell, they are easy to train and can even follow simple commands. They are friendly towards familiar people, are able to recognize the owner by voice and get bored in his absence. They are indifferent to other animals and are not inclined to communicate with them.

Chinchillas have a very pleasant appearance - a round head with an expressive face, deep-set black eyes, round ears, small paws with five thin, mobile fingers.

Unlike many other rodents, chinchillas are very clean and even if they have a small living space, they always clearly demarcate places for sleeping, eating and toileting. In addition, they love to take baths, but from sand. Therefore, they always have a clean skin that does not have a specific odor. By the way, they have unique ears - they are equipped with a special membrane that does not let particles inside the ear.

The fur of these animals is also unique - up to 70 thin hairs grow from each hair follicle; for every centimeter of the body there can be up to 20 thousand of them, which creates its incredible density, making it very beautiful and pleasant to the touch. Chinchilla fur is believed to be hypoallergenic.

Review

Top 15 facts about chinchillas

Few people know that the chinchilla was domesticated by the Indians of South America, which they called Chincha.
In the wild, only gray chinchillas are found, but over the last century, geneticists have bred chinchillas of other colors: ebony, homoebony, sapphire, purple, beige, white, black velvet.
Chinchillas inhabit the highlands of the Andes in South America.
Animals live in colonies.
Chinchillas see poorly, but they have a well-developed sense of smell, with the help of which they navigate well.
The lifespan of a chinchilla is about 20 years.
The front legs grow much faster than the hind legs and have five toes, unlike the hind legs, which have four toes.
To prevent sand from getting into the ears during bathing, the ears have special membranes that seal the ears during the procedure.
With the help of its body structure, namely the skeleton, the chinchilla can shrink vertically and can crawl into even the narrowest holes and crevices.
Chinchillas do not shed, but only shed their fur in case of danger or in a stressful situation.
The thick undercoat of a chinchilla does not allow parasites (ticks, fleas) to settle in.
As a defensive reaction, chinchillas sometimes shoot a stream of urine at the enemy.
The female chinchilla is much larger than the male.
When a chinchilla doesn't like something, it makes strange sounds similar to quacks or chirps.
The chinchilla is a peace-loving animal, but in case of any danger it can stand up for itself by biting the offender with sharp teeth.

What's not allowed?

The fluffy rodent has sensitive digestion. Therefore, the following products are prohibited from being given to him:

meat products;
bakery products;
prepared human food;
eggs;
fermented milk products;
products whose quality and freshness are questionable;
mushrooms;
pasta;
roasted seeds and nuts;
raw potatoes, lettuce and fresh cabbage;
sugar-containing products;
chips, popcorn, fast food.

These products will not bring any benefit to your pet. They are saturated with fat and extremely high in calories. So the mentioned food will not have a beneficial effect on the development and growth of the pet, and will even cause obesity. Even if the chinchilla likes such products, giving them is strictly prohibited.

Feeding the chinchilla

In their natural habitat, chinchillas eat grains, herbs, seeds, some fruits and vegetables, and sometimes insects. Animals have an extremely delicate digestive system, so it is better to feed pets with specialized mixtures.

Dry food

The ready-made mixture for feeding chinchillas consists of the following ingredients:

several types of grain - corn, barley, wheat, oats, peas;
seeds - flax, carob seeds, legume seeds;
herbal granules;
dried vegetables and fruits - carrots, pumpkin, apple;
vitamins and microelements.

The grain in the finished feed can be processed and presented in the form of flakes and granules, which makes it easier to eat.

Suitable food for pets is selected experimentally, offering the animal several different brands. According to reviews from experienced chinchilla owners, the following brands are considered the most balanced food: Versele-Laga, Extra Vital, Vitacraft.

The norm of the finished mixture for one adult is 2 tablespoons per day.

You can feed your chinchilla at home with self-made grain mixtures with the addition of vegetables, fruits and hay. But this requires certain knowledge and the availability of quality ingredients. To prevent pets from getting sick, the grain is washed and calcined in the oven or in a dry frying pan before feeding.

Greenery

Fresh greens are healthy and are readily eaten by rodents. But before feeding, the grass must be withered so as not to provoke diarrhea and bloating. In the summer, domestic chinchillas are fed dandelion grass, nettle, burdock, quinoa, clover, chamomile, and strawberry leaves. Useful grains include bromegrass, black grass, oats, bluegrass, meadow fescue, and ryegrass.

In winter, the animals germinate oats and barley; you can germinate “cat grass” seeds. It is useful to give thoroughly washed and dried parsley.

Berries and fruits

Fresh vegetables and fruits are given in limited quantities (a piece the size of a hazelnut) to avoid intestinal upset. Dried product is preferred.

The following vegetables are useful for the health of the animal: carrots, pumpkin, bell pepper, Jerusalem artichoke. The list of permitted fruits and berries is extensive: apple, pear, rowan, sea buckthorn, currants, raisins, strawberries and raspberries, rose hips, melon.

Nuts that are good for animals include: walnuts, peanuts, cashews, hazelnuts.

Hay

An important component of the chinchilla menu. Even when giving the animal ready-made food, it is necessary to provide the pet with fresh, aromatic hay. You can buy it at a pet store or prepare it yourself in the summer. For this, grass, cereals and legumes are collected. It is useful to add tansy, chamomile, and wormwood flowers to the hay. The hay must be dried in the shade so that it retains its color and aroma. It should be stored in bags in a dry place.

Salt lick and mineral stone

Like any rodent, a chinchilla's incisors grow throughout their lives. In nature, the animal constantly grinds down its teeth while foraging for food and digging holes in the ground. At home, stones and thick branches are needed for the chinchilla to prevent the teeth from growing too long. The pet eats crumbs that have broken off from stones, replenishing the supply of minerals in the body.

What foods are contraindicated for chinchillas?

All thermally processed food from the human table (bread, cereals, soups, sweets) is poison for the animal. It is acceptable to treat your pet with a small piece of fruit or vegetable:

Potatoes are too high in calories and are not suitable for feeding a rodent.
Do not give your chinchilla meat, fish or dairy products.
Poisonous herbs include datura, buttercup, sedge, marigold, henbane, and fern.

Origin and domestication of chinchillas

Chinchilla in the wild

According to historical data, chinchillas have interested people at all times. These animals have thick and delicate fur, which is classified as valuable. That's why even the ancient Incas bred chinchillas.

As civilization developed, interest in the valuable fur of chinchillas increased. It reached its peak at the beginning of the twentieth century. During this historical period, chinchillas were barbarously captured and exterminated in pursuit of profit. Fur was expensive and only wealthy people could afford it. In order to sew one women's fur coat, at least 150 skins were required. The finished product cost around $20.

Animals were caught in South America, Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. The extermination was so barbaric that in 1825 a law was passed in these countries to protect chinchillas. Hunters began to be called poachers, but this did not stop the process. In 1910, the governments of the countries in which production was most active adopted an Agreement banning the production of these furry animals.

But it also did not have the desired effect on poachers. Then it was decided to restore the population. In South America and other countries, chinchilla breeding farms began to be organized. Thanks to this, by the end of the 20s of the last century, the number of animals increased by 35%. Then their numbers increased, and chinchilla farms began to appear in many countries around the world.

After a few decades, it became clear that the population had been saved. Chinchilla breeders have accumulated extensive experience in breeding these animals, thanks to which it has become possible to keep them at home for everyone who likes these small furry animals.

Pros of keeping chinchillas at home

Chinchillas are quite independent animals, they do not need a lot of attention from their owner, so if you are a fairly busy person, then this rodent will be a good solution for you.

This does not mean that you should not take care of her, however, she does not require walking with you three times a day. You can feed them only once a day, it will not take you much time, only about half an hour a day.

If you work during the daytime hours, then a chinchilla is a very good pet for you. The fact is that these rodents are nocturnal, so you won’t be able to watch them during the day, but in the evening hours they won’t mind playing and chatting with you.
Chinchillas do not emit strong odors because they do not have sebaceous or sweat glands, so you do not have to smell an unpleasant odor in your apartment because of the animal. Also, these rodents are quite ambitious; they take care of themselves without any problems; in addition, a chinchilla can be trained to go to the toilet in the same place. Cleaning the cage is quite simple; if you do it every day, you will never notice an unpleasant odor from your chinchilla.
These animals have very thick fur; no parasite known to people can live in it, so by keeping a chinchilla at home you will not have to deal with ticks and fleas. In addition, the fur of these animals is considered hypoallergenic, so they will be an ideal option for people with allergies or if you have small children. The coat of this rodent is very soft and pleasant to the touch; after touching this fluffy ball at least once, you will want to do it again and again. At the same time, their fur can fall out only due to stress or during fights, however, if the owner takes good care of the animal’s health, then all the animal’s fur will remain in place.
, they don’t need to clean their ears, trim their claws or wash their fur, the animals handle all this themselves. The only thing that can be done for the animal’s personal hygiene is to provide it with a sand bath, however, it will bathe in it itself.
Due to the fact that chinchillas bear offspring for a long time, and then in nature the cubs live next to their mother for up to 8 months, the animals have developed excellent health, they do not have congenital diseases, and they also have very good immunity, so they almost never are sick. Chinchillas almost always die from old age or due to improper care.
In nature, these rodents have no enemies, so chinchillas do not have means of defense in the form of sharp teeth or long claws; the owner will not get hurt when playing with the animal. only when she is in serious danger, and an adult female can describe a person due to stress, but the owner must definitely protect his animal from such situations.
These rodents do not require large expenses; to keep them you only need to purchase a cage, and then you need to buy food and hay. The rodent cage should be small, so it will fit in any, even small apartment, and cleaning them is very simple, no special skills are required.
With a life expectancy, especially compared to other rodents, with good, high-quality care, these animals delight the owner for 15-18 years.

Answers to popular questions

Chinchillas are often compared to other rodents, and many simply do not see the difference between them. Are these exotics really different from their four-legged relatives, and how do they feed in the same house with other pets?

As long as the animals do not come into contact with each other, the cat and chinchilla will not create problems. Even if the cat is good-natured and does not react aggressively to a new animal (as prey), you should not let it play or leave it alone. A cat may accidentally damage the chinchilla (pinch or scratch). Also, the rodent does not need such a partner.

Chinchillas see cats as predators, so interacting with another animal causes them stress rather than fun. Sometimes, when letting your pet out of the cage for a walk, make sure that there are no other animals nearby.

Friendship between a chinchilla and a cat is an exception to the rule

Compared to decorative rabbits, chinchillas are considered cleaner. They do not have the specific smell of fur and urine, while the smell of long-eared rodents is a significant drawback of rabbits.

Unnecessary troubles also arise when cleaning the cage: rabbit droppings are stained, so you will have to clean the animal’s apartment more often. In this regard, chinchillas are much more convenient. Although they also do not control bowel movements, their droppings do not have a distinctive odor and are therefore more hygienic. In addition, chinchillas live much longer and are more sociable. But rabbits do not need expensive food and cage accessories, so they are considered a more economical option.

Shusha and the rabbit

Ferrets are a tangible competitor to chinchillas. These are more active and mischievous animals that will not let their owners get bored. But in exchange for this activity, they require similar care: they need to walk and have much more living space.

The main problem with ferrets is the risk of fleas. Chinchillas do not have such problems; due to their dense fur, they never harbor parasites. For them, their own cage or run will be enough because they are 100% domesticated animals. Therefore, if you want a quiet and obedient animal that will wait for its owner in a cage and will not be mischievous indoors, then a chinchilla will be better than a ferret.

Ferret or chinchilla

Chinchillas are known for their thick fur, so they can get shed from time to time. The rat, on the other hand, does not have this disadvantage and is a great option for those who cannot tolerate dander in the house. Rats are not picky eaters and will even nibble on fresh vegetables and herbs. But chinchillas require a strict menu consisting only of dried foods and special granules.

Excessive requirements for cage design and temperature conditions for rats are negligible. For people who do not have the patience or time for such organizational issues, an ordinary rat rodent is more suitable. More caring owners will be able to cope with the exotic and provide him with comfortable conditions.

Rat or chinchilla

Comparing guinea pigs and chinchillas is similar to comparing day and night. After all, the first is active in the sunny hours of the day, and the second prefers an active life in the dark. It's best to choose a pet that matches your own routine.

Additionally, the difference between rodents lies in their personalities. Chinchillas are more independent, able to play independently in a cage and interact with people depending on their mood. However, Guinea pigs readily respond to the owner's attempts to spend time together, preferring petting to purchased accessories. In general, living conditions for domestic animals are equal. Although a chinchilla may require more money due to specific food and expensive housing.

Porpoise or chinchilla

That's who has the most similarities, degu and chinchilla. The main difference between them is the density of their fur and their ability to tame. In terms of socialization, the degu gets used to new surroundings much faster and requires fewer cage accessories. Although they both need a lot of space. In terms of maintenance costs, these rodents compare almost identically.

The only significant difference is cleanliness. Because of their fur, your chinchilla will need more frequent sand baths and cage cleaning to keep it from looking unkempt. However, for people who cannot spend 24 hours a day in front of the cage, the degustation will be a better choice because it will suffer less from lack of attention.

Chinchilla or degu

Unlike many animals, chinchilla fur does not cause allergies. Yes, sometimes the animal may spill a little (due to indoor drought or stress), but this is not a threat for allergy sufferers. The only limitation is newborns.

Newborn women and infants may have increased sensitivity to a new pet. However, this situation can be corrected by using an air conditioner with an air purification mode or moving the cage to another room. There are no serious health complications associated with chinchillas.

To this day, the chinchilla remains an exotic and unusual animal. To preserve it, you need to choose a suitable room, provide temperature control and sufficient financial resources. But in exchange for these cares, a fluffy and fluttering animal can become a new member of the family and delight the owner with its friendly disposition.

How to tame a chinchilla

A chinchilla is neither a dog nor a cat, so training the animal is useless. These rodents are very independent and independent and you should not expect that the pet will happily sit in the owner’s arms and favorably accept human touch.

Since the chinchilla is a shy animal, the taming process can be long.

But it is still possible to make friends with a pet, and if the owner wants to win the trust of a timid animal, he will have to be patient and put in a lot of effort for this.

Many owners, having brought a chinchilla home, begin to pet and hug their pet on the first day, and this is their main mistake. After all, do not forget that these animals are very shy and for them it is already stressful that they were taken from their usual cage and taken somewhere. It takes a chinchilla a lot of time not only to get used to an unfamiliar environment, but also to the voice and smell of the new owner. Therefore, for the first two weeks it is better to minimize communication with your pet and let him get used to the new place.

When the rodent adapts a little to its surroundings, you can from time to time approach its home and talk to it quietly. You can open the cage and stick your hand in, giving the animal the opportunity to sniff your palm and even bite it lightly. Perhaps the chinchilla will even jump into your arms to get to know you better. If this happens, you should not scare the animal with a sudden movement and try to pull it out of the cage, as this will permanently discourage the pet from coming closer to you. Let your chinchilla get used to your hands and the fact that you are not a threat to him.

After a while, try to lure your pet out of the cage with his favorite treat. Place your open palm with a treat when leaving your home, and let the animal decide for itself whether to climb into your hand or drag the treat into the cage. With proper patience, the animal will soon get used to you and will no longer be afraid when you reach out to pet it or scratch its neck.

Scratching is what a chinchilla loves!

But do not forget that the behavior and character of chinchillas depends on the individuality of the rodent. Therefore, do not despair if, despite all your efforts, the animal has not learned to trust you and refuses to go into your arms

Just surround the rodent with attention and love and, perhaps over time, he will reciprocate your feelings

Does the animal have an unpleasant odor?

It is generally accepted that every pet has an unpleasant odor. Entering the house, you can immediately smell what kind of pet lives here. However, the chinchilla refutes this stereotype. A healthy furry animal itself is not endowed with a smell .

The chinchilla is extremely clean and does not have sweat glands. Rarely does an animal emit an odor without causing health problems. The reason for this anomaly is a dirty cell. Don’t forget to promptly change the bedding in which your pet’s urine and feces accumulate. Check the freshness of food and treats.

Rotten hay that has not been removed from the cage can create an unpleasant aroma in the room.

The foul odors of an uncleaned cage are also absorbed into the pet’s fur. To prevent such a situation from arising, it is extremely important to promptly clean the animal’s apartment and send it to a sand bath.

Items needed to keep a chinchilla

A true animal lover will make sure that the pet is comfortable living next to a person. Before buying a chinchilla you need to buy:

cell;
house-type shelter;
simulators;
feeder;
automatic drinker.

These items are a one-time purchase. As they fail, they should be updated.

Among other things, keeping chinchillas requires food and cage fillers, which must be purchased regularly.

Cell

Chinchillas love tall cages

One animal requires a minimum space of 0.5x0.5 m and a height of 0.7 m. But since chinchillas love to climb, the height can be increased; they will just like it.

The more animals you plan to keep in one cage, the larger the volume it should be. It is necessary to take care of the convenience of maintaining cleanliness inside the rodents' habitat. Therefore, it is better to choose a cage with a retractable tray. The inside of the animal's home should be equipped with stairs, passages, and tunnels. These animals are active and require “sports equipment” for a healthy lifestyle. In stores, cages for chinchillas are sold at prices ranging from 2,700 rubles and above. Some luxury pet homes cost 30,000 or even 50,000 rubles.

Shelter houses

These animals cannot stand drafts and direct sunlight: they cannot do without a specially equipped “hole” into which they can climb from time to time.

Houses for rodents should have no bottom. It is best to purchase them with a removable roof - this will make it easier to clean or get the animal out if necessary.

In the house, the chinchilla can retire and relax

In stores, shelter houses are sold at different prices. There are suspended houses made of fabric that cost 190 rubles, and there are wooden buildings that cost 440 rubles. Manufacturers also offer their clients real mansions for chinchillas at a price of 1,500 rubles.

Drinkers and feeders

When purchasing these accessories, you don’t have to worry too much. Any type intended for keeping rodents will do.

In retail outlets, prices for automatic drinkers vary from 123 rubles. (made of plastic) up to 3300 rub. Feeders can be purchased from 88 rubles. up to 300 rub. Although here you can easily do without making a purchase by using any metal bowl without sharp edges for your pet’s food.

Stern

For healthy growth of your pet, he needs healthy, fortified and balanced nutrition. Ready-made food mixtures are sold in pet stores. Their price starts from 96 rubles. (800 g) up to 400 rub., (800 g).

You can prepare your own food for rodents from grains, vegetables, herbs, and vitamins. It will be cheaper, but will require certain knowledge and time.

Cell fillers

To maintain cleanliness in an animal’s home, you can use:

sawdust (200-250 rubles per 1 kg);
attapulgite sand (390-440 rubles per 1 kg);
corn granules (RUB 780 per 5 kg);
corn flakes (180 rubles for 1.5 kg);
paper granules (530 rubles for 1.3 kg);
wood filler (RUB 187 per 3 kg).

Business idea for breeding chinchillas

Chinchilla fur is a valuable material that is used in the fur industry to make outerwear. The uniqueness of the fur is that more than eighty villi grow from the hair follicle. The skin of this valuable animal does not shed at any time of the year and is always in excellent condition. Breeding chinchillas is profitable. Such skin costs 250 more than rabbit skin. The business of breeding chinchillas at home is available to everyone. Chinchillas:

do not take up much space;
do not have an unpleasant odor;
eat plant foods;
have valuable fur and dietary meat;
unpretentious in care.

Do you already have experience in breeding animals?

How much does it cost to start a business?

No licenses or permits are required to organize a business. It is enough to register as an individual entrepreneur or farm and register with the veterinary service.

Risks and payback

To run a successful business, it is better to immediately calculate all the money spent and the expected amount of income. Anticipated risks include:

improper care and nutrition of animals;
chinchilla disease.

The benefits of mass breeding of chinchillas are confirmed by the following arguments:

there is no competition;
there is a demand for the fur of a valuable animal;
high profitability;
People without special education can engage in such business.

At the initial stage, breeding chinchillas will not require large financial costs.

What equipment will be needed?

When starting your own business, it is enough to purchase several cages adapted for breeding a small number of chinchillas. In the future, when production moves to an industrial scale, a complete set of equipment will be required:

enclosures for keeping animals;
bunker feeders;
automatic drinkers;
hygiene devices;
air conditioners and electric heater to maintain a constant temperature not lower than +18℃ and not higher than +20℃

The room area is chosen to be 20 m2 in size to accommodate 100 chinchillas. Requirements for keeping chinchillas in a large room:

absence of drafts;
air humidity from 50-60%;
lighting with electric lamps;
detached building.

Purchase and selection of breeding stock

For successful breeding, young chinchillas are selected. It is better to take them from special nurseries that improve the gene pool of valuable animals. Selected males are expensive, but their payback will exceed the costs, because their ability to reproduce offspring remains for 10-14 years.

Feeding chinchillas

Feeding is an important step in the selection of healthy chinchillas. Food is usually purchased ready-made or prepared independently from cereal crops that rodents like. They love hay and dry dandelion leaves. In summer it is recommended to feed fresh grass, and in winter add apples and carrots to the diet.

Mini-farm registration

The entrepreneur chooses the Unified Agricultural Tax with a 6% rate. Must be registered with the veterinary service. For a chinchilla breeding business you will need two documents:

ownership of the enterprise;
certificate of registration in the veterinary service.

Sales organization

To successfully sell fur-bearing animals, you will need knowledge of sales markets. One of the main ways to promote products is advertising. For this we use:

Internet (creating a personal website, a group on social networks to communicate with participants and attract new customers);
visual advertising (flyers, brochures, big boards);
search for wholesale buyers.

Products are sold in several ways:

breeding animals are left for breeding, and the remainder is sold;
sell products unsuitable for breeding and obtaining high-quality fur raw materials as pets;
They sell chinchillas to a workshop for sewing expensive fur products.

Choosing pet food

The health and well-being of a furry rodent directly depends on a proper and balanced diet. It is worth remembering that a chinchilla at home should eat the same food as its wild fellows in their natural habitats.

The rodent's main food should be high-quality grain or granular mixtures. Food made for chinchillas, taking into account the characteristics of their digestive system, includes cereals, dried herbs, seeds and dried fruits. Premium food also contains additional elements and vitamins, vegetable oils and plant extracts (echinacea and alfalfa).

When feeding chinchillas, you must strictly follow the recommendations of specialists, since chinchillas are susceptible to gastrointestinal diseases

In addition to the main food, a chinchilla's cage should always have hay, which improves the animal's digestion.

Don’t forget about additional complementary foods and treats for your pets. Pet chinchillas are given fresh or dried dandelion, plantain, spinach, clover and lettuce leaves.

As a treat, you can sometimes offer the animal a slice of dried apple or carrot, raisins, seeds and nuts (not fried).

Chinchillas are also given branches of trees such as apple, linden, willow or birch.

Maintenance and care

It is believed that a chinchilla feels great in a spacious cage and does not need walks in the fresh air. It is enough to arrange housing and give the animal the opportunity to walk around the apartment from time to time under supervision. When weighing the pros and cons, we must remember that the animal has sharp teeth and can chew through an electrical wire and damage furniture.

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The chinchilla needs to be protected from drafts. The best temperature range at which the animal feels good is +18…+22 ℃. Air humidity of 40-65% is close to natural conditions.

Rodents are neat, keeping their fur clean. A healthy chinchilla will never have a strong odor. Bathing the animal is not only not required, but also contraindicated. Its fur is thick, there are no sweat or sebaceous glands, and when it gets into water, the fur immediately gets wet. In nature, animals use sand, volcanic ash or road dust to clean their coats.

The cage needs to be thoroughly cleaned weekly. Your pet should always have a tray filled with fine sand. The best type of bedding is sawdust from deciduous trees. If possible, you can add chopped corn cobs. Hay is food for chinchillas and is not suitable as litter.

The rodent is 100% vegetarian. In natural conditions, it feeds on cereals, gnaws the bark of trees and shrubs, and feasts on fruits, berries, moss and lichen. The pet store sells balanced granular food. Additionally, the animal is offered vegetables and fruits to improve digestion. Tree branches and hay should always be in the cage.

Chinchilla as a pet

There are two varieties of chinchillas - the short-tailed plain and the mountain long-tailed. It is the latter species that is kept as a pet. In terms of lifestyle and diet, rodents are close to squirrels, rabbits and hamsters.

A chinchilla should be kept in a spacious and comfortable cage, away from drafts and direct sunlight. Despite their thick fur, animals do not like the cold. Comfortable temperature for a rodent is from +15 to +27 degrees.

The chinchilla is a nocturnal and rather shy animal. It must be taught to handle hands so that cleaning the cage and the necessary medical and hygienic procedures are not stressful for the animal.

Is it possible for families with children to have a chinchilla?

If the family has a child under 5 years old, then keeping a chinchilla at home means taking a big risk. A small child should not be left unattended alone with any animal, be it a dog, cat, parrot or chinchilla. A small child requires a lot of effort and time from parents. Added to this is the need to coordinate the relationship between the child and the chinchilla. A child may not calculate his strength and cause pain to the animal, in response to which he may bite him.

The animal's noise and active play at night will disturb the baby's sleep. The chinchilla will also not be happy with loud noises and the fact that it is constantly being squeezed.

A rodent is suitable as a pet if the child loves quiet games, knows how to handle animals carefully, and understands that this is a living creature with its own habits and desires

Reviews from chinchilla owners say that they are rather capricious animals that play with children only when they want to.

What can a chinchilla get sick with and what to do?

- Stomach upset. The reason for this may be poor quality food, overfeeding, and so on. This manifests itself in the animal's feces. The stool may be liquid, or, on the contrary, the animal may experience constipation. In such situations, it is necessary to show the chinchilla to a doctor. “Animals can gnaw each other’s fur, as well as gnaw it off their own.” The reason for this behavior may be itching, or insects that interfere with the chinchilla. In such cases, it is also better to show the chinchilla to a doctor who can accurately diagnose the animal. - Replacement of liver cells with fat cells. This happens due to the animal’s obesity. The cause may be incorrect and low-quality food, as well as incorrect food. To cure such a disease, you need to contact a veterinarian for testing. After the diagnosis is made, the doctor will prescribe vitamins and the necessary food for the animal. — Stones in the urinary system. Such consequences occur as a result of improper distribution of the animal’s food. This can only be detected using an ultrasound scan. - Hypothermia. As mentioned earlier, chinchillas love warmth, so the room temperature should not be lower than 14 degrees Celsius. - Sunstroke. Despite the fact that the animal loves warmth, it should not be allowed to be in the open sun. This could be very bad for his health. - Inflammation of the eye. The cause of this disease can be injury, as well as bacteria introduced into the eye area. In such cases, it is necessary to show the animal to a specialist so that he can prescribe the correct treatment for the chinchilla. - Wounds. If chinchillas live in the same cage, they can get significant injuries in a fight among themselves. If the wound is not deep, then it heals itself without the help of people. But if the wound is too dangerous for the animal’s life, then it is necessary to urgently show the chinchilla to a doctor. - Dental problem. This can happen if the animal has nothing to grind its teeth with. Therefore, it is recommended to put natural stone in the cage. The chinchilla itself, by natural instincts, will be able to do everything to protect its teeth. If your animal shows signs of illness, you should contact a veterinarian. He will be able to most accurately say what happened, for what reasons the animal became ill, and will also prescribe the necessary and correct treatment.

What should not be allowed in the apartment

All of the above prohibitions must be observed not only on the farm, but also in the apartment. But on a farm there are usually no other factors that are found in an apartment. So there are many more prohibitions when keeping pets:

chinchillas should not be kept in the same cage with other animals;
you should not chase animals (this especially applies to children);
chinchillas should not be left alone with domestic predators: cats, dogs or ferrets;
You cannot take photographs with flash;
You can’t immediately place a new chinchilla next to an old one. We need to give them time to get used to each other when living in different cages. At the same time, quarantine periods will be observed;
you cannot put it in a walking ball, like a rabbit or a hamster;
cannot be woken up during the day;
You can’t walk on a leash like a rabbit;
You cannot leave dangerous objects: paper, foil, beads, polyethylene, threads, etc., if the animal is allowed into the room for a walk. A chinchilla may eat these things out of curiosity;
Do not suddenly grab the animal;
cannot be kept in a noisy room. It is better to place the TV in another room;
should not be allowed to walk around the room unattended;
cannot be kept in a small cage.

How to breed chinchillas at home

These animals have a pronounced matriarchy. Therefore, it is recommended to place the female with the male. This will allow the breeding process to begin faster. If the male is placed in the female’s territory, then they will have to be given a little time to get used to each other. It is advisable to place the male's cage near the female's cage. This is how they will begin their acquaintance, and then you can try to transplant them into the same cage. If aggressive behavior occurs between them, then it is worth seating them again. And do this until they get used to it. The male can begin to reproduce at the age of eight months, while the female can begin to reproduce at the age of seven months. The sexual cycle lasts forty days, and estrus is only three to four days. The female carries her children for about a hundred days. During pregnancy, she needs to be fed intensively with various foods with vitamins. At birth (there are no more than three), the male behaves more caringly. If there is a desire for the female to bear offspring again, then it is better to place the male in another cage while the female takes care of her children. Little chinchillas are born with fur and open eyes. At the same time, they are quite independent. If two babies are born, then there is no point in feeding them. If the female has brought it, then the owner should feed the babies with a pipette in order to save their lives. After two months, the babies can be transferred to another cage.

Is it better to get a boy or a girl chinchilla?

Having definitely decided to buy a chinchilla, all that remains is to decide on the gender of the future pet. At first glance, females and males are very similar. But experienced breeders claim that girls are more aggressive: they can bite the owner’s hand if they don’t like something. On the other hand, females are much calmer in nature and cause less trouble. If you are not bothered by periodic estrus (every 30-40 days), then you can always find an approach to such an affectionate chinchilla.

White chinchilla But boys are more often found with character. They can make noise with pieces of wood in a cage for no reason, run on shelves and in a wheel just for the sake of drive. Males require attention more often. In terms of hygiene, there is also one nuance - a ring of hair that sometimes forms around the genitals. Many chinchillas know how to clean themselves, but if the pet is not accustomed to this, the owner will have to personally remove the accumulation of hair, and this is a rather problematic procedure.

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Chinchillas live best in pairs. But if you are not going to engage in breeding in the future, then your pet will not feel lonely. For those who have never had a rodent at home before, a boy aged 1 year or older would be an ideal option.

Crossing chinchillas

Features of crossing the main breeds

Chinchilla hybridization has its own rules. It is not recommended to crossbreed two black velvet chinchillas as they may not produce offspring.

If crossed with Wilson white, you will get snow-white velvet. Wilson's beige produces white, silver, mosaic individuals. The Wilson breed also has a lethal gene. Therefore, crossing these two breeds is not recommended. Suitable for crossing beige chinchillas. If they are crossed with individuals of black velvet color, they will get brown velvet, and with Wilson's snow white, they will get a white-pink color.
To obtain a smoky or chocolate color, they are crossed with a chinchilla - a carrier of the ebony gene. As a result of the hybridization of two homobeige, heterobeige or hetero- and homobeige chinchillas, homobeige animals are obtained. If homobeige animals are crossed with ordinary individuals, then heterobeige animals are born.
When crossing a brown velvet rodent with an ebony rodent, the color velvet pastel is obtained.

Crossbreeding of non-mainstream breeds

The fur of the snow-white ebony chinchilla breed is colored white and black. To get such an individual, white heteroebony and homoebony are crossed. Mixing white flowers with rodents is not recommended due to the deadly gene.
Chinchillas, painted in velvet pastel color, have a bronze back and brick-colored eyes. This color is obtained by hybridizing pastel with brown velvet or velvet ebony. With such selection, the likelihood of obtaining chinchillas with a chocolate-velvet tint of fur increases.
Homoebony fur is considered interesting - it is very rare to come across a perfectly black color. Hybridization produces homobeige, chocolate brown, and lilac fur.
Heteroebony breed better than homoebony. The coat color varies from light to dark. This color is obtained after hybridization of homoebony and gray chinchilla.

There are several barriers to breeding

What to feed a chinchilla and how many times a day?

Chinchillas are rodents and, of course, herbivores. At the moment, in the store you can pick up a large amount of food for this type of animal. They can be either dry or granular. At the same time, the composition includes everything that a chinchilla loves, that is healthy to eat, as well as various vitamins to strengthen its health. Zoologists do not recommend giving vitamins separately to animals. This can have a bad effect on their condition. It is also worth remembering that animals sometimes need to be given hay. It’s easy to prepare it yourself, just dry the freshly cut grass. It is also advisable to dry clover and dandelions. Chinchillas love this kind of food. It is allowed to use a small amount of birch, raspberry, and currant branches as various additives. With all this, there must be a small container of water in the cage. In this case, the water must be clean (boiled or filtered). Considering that in nature chinchillas took water from natural foods, and at home they eat dry food, then they will need water. It is prohibited to use tree branches that contain resin. Under no circumstances should you give your animal seeds, nuts, or grains.

Character, behavior and habits

Each animal has its own character, but there are features that unite this species. All animals are very inquisitive. They will not ignore changes in the environment and new things in the cage. They react violently to the arrival of guests and find a favorite among family members.

Shushi are nocturnal animals; they like to sleep during the day. Watching them sleep is very funny. Everyone has their own preferences: some sleep on their sides, others curl up in a ring or take another “uncomfortable” position. Usually the animal wakes up at 7-8 pm, and its peak activity occurs at 10 pm.

Chinchillas make very interesting sounds. Each sound has its own meaning, and with their help you can understand how the animal feels. Lonely shushis often make searching sounds. This is how they try to find their relatives. A male paired with a female often sings a mating song and performs a dance, twirling his tail.

When the animal gets angry, it begins to click its teeth and make a cracking sound. If her displeasure is caused by a person or another chinchilla, she may attack the offender. Their attacks are quite funny: the snarling rodent stands on its hind legs, stretches out, releases a stream of urine and tries to bite. Their bites are harmless. Despite the fact that they have sharp and long teeth, they are not able to bite through the skin.

Relationships with rodents and other animals are usually complex. Shuni do not pay attention to other animals as long as they are not touched. But as soon as a cat or dog becomes interested in the animal, he will begin to experience severe stress. If you want to keep a chinchilla in a house where there are already pets, give it a separate room.