My SIL just got a Chinchilla!

I can't wait to see it, I think they're so cute! She's 13 and this is going to be her pet that she will be responsible for. Any tips for taking care of it from anyone who has one or has ever had one?

Re: My SIL just got a Chinchilla!

I had one a long time ago. He was great. He loved to eat grapes as treats. We built him a huge cage, big enough that I could fit into and he was really happy. My best advice would be give him the biggest cage you can get and don't keep him in your bedroom. They are nocturnal and may keep you up at night. Make sure to give them regular dust baths to keep the fur nice.

Re: My SIL just got a Chinchilla!

i had one for years.. and he was my best friend.. i know its so silly.. but they are amazing pets!! they are soooo fun and they eat with their hands... its the cutest thing!
watching them take their dust baths is even more exciting!

i agree with the PP.. a big cage is good for them.. i had one with the tubes in it .. cause they LOVE That..

and just to warn you.. they are very messy! so its a lot of work, to keep the cage cleaned and the dust can get everywhere!

they are fast too, and get into small places.. so be careful with that too!

Re: My SIL just got a Chinchilla!

I currently have 3 There's alot to learn about them but they are not hard to care for and are the BEST pets I have ever had. Here's a great article for her to read:
Chinchilla care

Another must have is the Chin Spin-- pricey but totally worth it:
Chin Spin exercise wheel

They love raisins and other dried fruit, but no matter how much they beg, its important to limit treats to a few times a week. Hay should be given every day.

Please feel free to ask me if she has any more questions

Message edited 3/4/2009 4:14:53 PM.

Re: My SIL just got a Chinchilla!

We just got one a few weeks ago!

<-------Remi
She's awesome! We're still getting to know each other but she is quite the little mush!
As OP mentioned- dust baths a few times/week(so funny!!!). I leave the bath in her cage for about 15 min.
Make sure she has alfalfa/timothy hay every day.
Limit treats- we've been doing 1/day and changing it up. I read the raisins should be sulfite free but don't see anything on the box.
Lots of attention- we take her out and let her run around in the room- even with my 2 cats around! She goes right up to them- of course we're always keeping an eye on them. Also tried her in the exercise wheel but she hasn't taken a liking to it yet.
Enjoy your new pet

Re: My SIL just got a Chinchilla!

thanks for all the tips and advice! I will definitely pass all the info on to my SIL, and I'm sure it will help her out. I got to meet her chinchilla the other night, and it's absolutely adorable! Everyone in the family is in love with it! It was it's first night in it's new home, so it was a little bit nervous being picked up and taken out of it's cage, but it seemed curious and would come up to us if we were near its cage. They also have a cocker spaniel, which seemed more scared of the chinchilla than the chinchilla seemed of it for some reason
My SIL seems very happy with it, and I'm sure that it will make a great pet!