They are more affectionate than dogs, smarter then rabbits, more fun than the average hamsters; less temperamental than cats and …………the list goes on. There is simply no comparison. Meet the amazing Chinchillas, and you'll be instantly drawn to them. Chins, as they are more affectionately called, have the good looks and intelligence to scream about. To find out more, read on!
Origin:
The Chinchilla is a member of the rodent family originating from the Andes Region of South America.
Characteristics:
The most attractive attribute of a Chinchilla is its push coat. Each hair follicle contains 60-80 hair, 20 to 30 times more than cats and dogs! Add the large button eyes, big round ears and long fluffy tails; it is not surprising that Chinchillas melted many hearts. Chins are nocturnal, spending most of the day dosing. They have no smell, unlike rabbits or guinea pig, so they can make decent apartment pets.
Fur Colors:
The Standard Grey is the original color but when chin trade grew, demand for variety gave rise to a new trend – color mutation. Colors available are Beige, Silver or Pink White, Black Velvet, Brown, Tan, Sapphire, Mosaic, Violet. The rarer the color, the more expensive it is.
Life span:
Average 8 to 10 years, in some case over 15 years.
Diet:
Chins are herbivorous. Their nutritional requirement are quite bland, all they require are commercially produced chinchilla pellets, dry timothy hay and alfalfa and fresh water. An occasional treat of dried fruits will make them very happy.
Healthy sign:
Healthy chins have active, bright and clear eyes; yellow-orange and aligned teeth, dry nose; hard and elongated stools; dense and even fur. The ideal weight for a full grown chin is about 450 to 800 grams. Chins are hardy and rarely fall ill.
Maintenance:
Chins don't cost much to maintain. Essential items are cage, water bottle and wood shavings as bedding. A wire mesh cage size of 24 by 24 by 18 inches is considered good, larger if you have more than one chin. Get those with raised wire floors if possible, to allow droppings, urine and partially eaten food to fall through, as chins are clean animals and do not like their fur to be soiled. In addition, Chins need a dust bath at least once a week.
Where to buy Chinchillas:
Always buy a chin from a reputable breeder. The breeder should know the background of the chin as well as providing appropriate chin equipment and feed. Pet shops sell many other animals and therefore the staff may not have sufficient knowledge about chins. Look for a pedigree certificate, if you want to breed quality chins with the aim of winning awards. Otherwise, all chins are adorable. Price is not necessarily a guarantee of quality, so be sure of your requirement and seek a second opinion.
Sandra Kwok is the author of "By the Fur of my Chinny Chin Chin" Ezines. Her love for Chinchillas has led her to create a website exclusively for Chin owners. Subscribe to her FREE Ezines and get expert tips on everything you need to know about chins:
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