Chinchi is a 4-month old domestic chinchilla who was abandoned by his owner and the pet store was unable to take him back. He came to us only a couple of months ago, but we already love the fluffy little guy. Currently, one of our awesome fosters, Emily, and her husband Vinh are caring for Chinchi.
Chinchillas originated in South America, and more specifically the Andes mountains. They thrive in cool weather and generally should be kept in an environment of 60°-70°F (16°-21°C). Chinchillas do not have the ability to sweat, so their environment temperature is important to their care.
A chinchilla has a very thick coat of fur. In the wild, they actually bathe their coat in dust, rolling around to get themselves clean of oils and dirt. Water baths are not recommended for chinchillas because it can lead to fungus growth or skin infections. You can buy chinchilla bathing dust that imitates what they’d use in a natural habitat. Check out Chinchi using is “bathing box”.
Often people consider chinchillas nocturnal, but they’re considered crepuscular, which means they’re most active at dawn and dusk. So, although Chinchi sleeps a lot during the day, he’ll probably be awake and ready to play when you get home. Also, chinchillas can be very active. So, a frisbee exercise wheel is a great option. A large cage with different levels that allow for climbing and jumping is also a good idea. If Chinchi is lucky, you might have other playmates for him, too. See how Emily and Vinh’s cats help him exercise.
Adopt Chinchi or one of our other Adoptable Pets today! Go to our adoption information page to find out how.