DIET

The wild chinchilla lives on a diet of grasses and leaves and has a specialized gut which is adapted for this. The large intestine contains bacteria which break down the grass to make it digestible.The adult chin needs a high fibre, restricted carbohydrate, restricted protein and virtually no fat diet to stay healthy.

We recommend that the adult chin be given a limited amount of fresh pellets twice a day, each time around 1 soup spoon full each time.

Young (under 6 months), pregnant, sick or old (over 6 years) chinchilla should be give free access to pellets.

Your chinchilla must have 24 hour access to loose TIMOTHY hay.

Small amounts of alfalfa can be given daily, either loose or cubed.

Check hay is good quality, it should have a fresh sweet smell, not dusty or mouldy.

Buy foods from a chinchilla shop as the turnover will be higher and foods fresher.

SNACKS

Carrot, apple, green vegetable, raisins and seeds can be given in very small amounts, no more than a teaspoon per day per chin.

Chinchilla snacks and sweeties and biscuits are not appropriate.

Any diet changes MUST be slow and gentle. Upsetting the gut causes bacterial imbalances and can kill your chin. Take up to 1 week to introduce a new brand of pellets or hay.

WATER

24 hour access is essential. A dust bath should be offered every few days.

CAGE

A large cage should be used, with vertical space for jumping. It is best to make sure the floors are solid, as chinchillas can break their leg if it gets trapped between the bars. Keep the cage clean and dry.

ENVIROMENT

Chinchillas originally come from the top of the Andes mountains, where it is cold and dry and quiet.

As Hong Kong is hot, humid and noisy, this gives them many problems.

They are nervous animals and suffer easily from stress.

Keep them cool and dry especially in the summer. Never leave them in the sunshine.

Keep them quiet, don't keep them next to the TV or karaoke.

Allow them at least 10 hours of dark every night.

Handle them gently.

Take them to the vet quickly when they are sick, even if they are just eating less or sleepy.

They can become very sick very quickly so be vigilant.