Happy Chinchillas Need Happy Homes

admin — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 22:57:59 +0000

One of the most important decisions you will have to make once you have chosen to adopt a chinchilla is where your chinchilla will live, and that means choosing one of the many chinchilla cages on the market today. There are a number of qualities to look for in the chinchilla cages available, and a little forethought will provide you with one that will serve your needs (and your chinchilla’s) more than adequately. As a general rule, larger cages are better. If you opt with a smaller cage, 2x2x3ft or smaller, it’s important to allow your chinchilla plenty of time to roam around your home or apartment. Chinchillas like to climb and jump around. To keep your chinchilla happy, it is important that your chinchilla cage has several levels with ramps leading up to them. Any pet store that carries cages for rodents should have one that will serve your purposes perfectly. Wire cages are very popular, but to avoid harming the chinchilla’s feet, newspapers should be layered along every horizontal surface with exposed wire. These newspapers should be changed weekly when you clean the cage. Some wire cages have an extra compartment in the bottom with a plastic tray to ease cleaning, and many chinchilla owners find these to be ideal.

More important than the cage itself is how you decide to furnish it. At the very least, any chinchilla cages should have a food bowl, a water bottle, chew toys, some sort of bedding, and a box for the chinchilla to sleep in. Many pet supply stores sell small wooden boxes with holes specifically for this purpose, but many people find that a cardboard twelve-pack soda box works just as well, if not better. Chinchillas love to chomp on them! It’s good for their teeth, and in the long run could save you hundreds of dollars on costly veterinary bills. If you decide to use a cardboard box, make sure you change it every several weeks. Even if you want to use a wooden box, you might consider using a cardboard one temporarily, as unlike a wooden box, a chinchilla can push a cardboard box around its cage and show you where you should place its home in the cage.

Placement of the cage is another important decision. You should do your best to make sure your chinchilla is comfortable; as owners can tell you they stress easily, and any extra steps you take now will reduce difficulty in training and result in a calmer animal that is more easily handled and likelier to snuggle up to you at the end of a long day. That means finding someplace cool, out of the sun, and quiet, away from loud children, road noise, stereos, etc. Temperature deserves special consideration, as chinchillas hail from the high Andes Mountains. Any owners whose home reaches temperatures above room temperature (72F) should invest in one or more chilling pads, small slates of granite kept in the fridge until use and then placed within the chinchilla’s box when temperatures rise.

Chinchilla cages come with many other options, but these are the necessities. Though sorting through the options available in chinchilla cages can at first be daunting, a little bit of effort before you bring your furry friend home can maximize the amount of pleasure both you and your chinchilla receive from your relationship.

Happy Chinchillas Need Happy Homes is a post from: Chinchilla Charm where you can find chinchilla facts, care, food, chinchilla cages and bath dust supplies, articles and videos.

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Chinchilla Facts: Like to be on a Pet TV Show?

admin — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:05:01 +0000

: Image by Terriko via Flickr

Like to be on a Pet TV Show? (mypetkingdom.info)

Chinchilla Facts: Like to be on a Pet TV Show? is a post from: Chinchilla Charm where you can find chinchilla facts, care, food, chinchilla cages and bath dust supplies, articles and videos.

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Chinchilla Facts

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:35:27 +0000

Did you know that some chinchillas are brought into the US illegally? They are captured from the wild and smuggled into the country. When you are looking to purchase a chinchilla, make sure you deal with a reputable dealer or breeder. Illegal chinchillas most likely will carry diseases and I know everyone wants a happy, healthy pet. Ask your friends and family if they can refer you to a good breeder. You may even want to talk to your veterinarian or your local pet and feed stores. Its worth the extra time to have all the correct chinchilla facts.
photo credit: Kamil Porembińskichinchilla facts

Chinchilla Facts is a post from: Chinchilla Charm where you can find chinchilla facts, care, food, chinchilla cages and bath dust supplies, articles and videos.

Technorati Tags: chinchilla facts, Facts about Chinchillas

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Happy Chinchillas Need Happy Homes

Chinchilla Facts: Like to be on a Pet TV Show?

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Chinchilla Facts