How do you know if your chinchilla is in love?
Ideally, a chinchilla would express its affection towards its owner by:
- Feeling safer and calmer around you.
- Showing up at the cage doors upon approaching.
- Becoming more open to cuddles and physical interaction.
- Accepting hand feeding.
- Jumping and climbing around the owner.
- Producing squawking sounds while staying calm.
Can you house two chinchillas together?
Chinchillas can be kept as male/female pairs* or single sex groups. With multiple chinchillas, ensure there¿re enough nest boxes and hiding places for at least one each. Provide at least one box large enough for all to rest together. Chinchillas can be aggressive especially when first introduced/during breeding.
How many times a week should I give my chinchilla a dust bath?
Over-bathing can cause chinchillas’ skin, feet, and ears to dry out, so it is important to limit bath-time to 2 – 4 times a week based on each individual chinchillas’ needs. In very hot, humid weather or climates, chinchillas often need access to their dust baths closer to 4 times per week.
How long does it take for a chinchilla to bond with you?
It usually takes 2 to 4 weeks for a new chinchilla to get used to you and the new home. Every chinchilla is different so be prepared to have a bit of patience there. During this time, it is very important to give them lots of space to settle in.
Can chinchillas recognize their name?
Do Chinchillas Know Their Name? Yes, over time, your chinchilla will learn its name after hearing it enough times. To speed up the process you can treat your chinchilla just like a pet dog. The more you say the chinchilla’s name, the faster it will learn it and recognize his or her name when you say it.
Can 2 female chinchillas live in the same cage?
Yes, two female chinchillas can live together. If they are properly introduced and bonded, two female chinchillas can be happy sharing the same cage and interacting together. 2 female chinchillas also have the potential to not get along with one another.
What kind of irritation does a Chinchilla have?
However, since chinchillas spend time in wood shavings and in dust baths, they sometimes suffer eye irritation. Signs of such irritation include an eye being held shut, constant pawing, and excessive tearing.
How often do you need to groom a chinchilla?
Regular shedding every three months keeps your chinchilla’s fur coat clean. You can assist shedding by grooming your chinchilla with a specially-made brush. Another phenomenon known as ‘fur slip’ results in small lost tufts, even bald patches, after rough handling. Chinchilla fur does grow back.
Why does my Chinchilla have dry skin under its fur?
Dry skin is not a common problem, but under certain conditions, the cool, dry environment that chinchillas require can contribute to it. Dry skin can occur under the fur but it is much more likely to occur when the skin is exposed and vulnerable, such as from fur biting, or where the fur has been shaved for an operation or clipped to treat a wound.
Can a Chinchilla have a runny nose?
This can be a sign of a fever and may be the beginning of pneumonia. Believe it or not, chinchillas can get a cold just like people. Signs of a cold include a runny nose.
When does a chinchilla lose all of its fur?
With normal shedding, chinchillas lose small amounts of fur gradually from all over their bodies as the hair ages, falls out, and is replaced by new hair growing underneath. This process is so gradual that obvious bald spots are not visible. With fur slip, however, a traumatic event precedes the hair loss.
Why does my Chinchilla have patchy hair?
Fur chewing in chinchillas is a common behavioral problem in which chinchillas chew on their own or their cage mates’ fur, resulting in a haircoat that looks patchy. Hair that grows back into the chewed regions may be shorter and darker than the original fur.
What are the most common ailments of chinchillas?
Although chinchillas are relatively robust and hardy, they can succumb to several common health ailments. Of these ailments, the most frequent are respiratory disease and heatstroke. Luckily, most of the following common conditions are preventable:
What does it mean when a chinchilla scratches your eye?
Corneal Ulcers – Sometimes chinchilla’s eyes get scratched or irritated by hay, hair, dust, or even after a struggle with another chinchilla. These scratches or irritations can cause a defect on the the clear surface of the eye called the cornea. This defect is known as a corneal ulcer.
