×

NEW CLIENTS.

Doggonit! We are currently not accepting new clients. 7/2021

Close

Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
Menu
  • Home
  • Patient Center
    • Online Forms
    • Veterinary Resources
  • About Us
    • What To Expect
    • Meet Our Doctors
    • Payment Options
  • Services
    • Dental Care
    • Flea & Tick Prevention
    • Heartworm
    • Spay & Neuter
    • Vaccinations; Why We Give them
    • Weight Management
  • Contact Us
  • Grooming
    • Meet Our Groomers
    • Prices
  • Sitemap
  • Veterinary Topics
    • Pet Health
      • Chronic Conditions
      • Digestive and Oral Health
      • Diseases and Viruses
      • Pests and Parasites
      • Orthopedics
    • Today's Veterinarian
    • Choosing Your Pet
      • Finding Your Pet
      • Cats
      • Dogs
      • Exotics
        • Amphibians
        • Birds
        • Reptiles
          • Lizards
          • Turtles
      • Small Mammals
        • Ferrets
        • Rabbits
        • Domesticated Animals
          • Prairie Dogs
        • Pocket Pets
          • Chinchillas
          • Guinea Pigs
          • Hamsters
          • Hedgehogs
          • Rats
      • Livestock
        • Cows
        • Donkeys, Horses & Mules
        • Goats
        • Pigs
        • Poultry
        • Sheep
    • Living With Your Pet
      • Bringing Your Pet Home
      • Children and Pets
      • Providing Care
      • Travel
      • Saying Goodbye
    • Newsletter Library
      • Tips for Pet Owners
      • Seasonal Topics
      • Nutrition & Food
      • Recognizing Illness
      • Visiting the Vet
      • Equine
      • Cats
      • Keeping Pets Healthy
      • Fleas & Parasites
      • Pet Dangers
      • Behavior & Training
      • Newsletter Archive
        • Fun with Pets
        • Unbelievable Pets
    • Video Newsroom
      • Health Topics
      • Technology and Science
      • Other Interests
    • Client Survey
    • Pets4Kids
  • Online Store
    • Pharmacy Policy

10534 W. Ustick Rd.

Boise, ID 83704 US

(208) 323-1210

  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Choosing Your Pet >
  • Small Mammals >
  • Pocket Pets >
  • Chinchillas

Chinchillas

  • Created in Choosing Your Pet, Small Mammals, Pocket Pets, Chinchillas

chinchilla

Chinchillas are playful, loveable, and amusing pets. If you want yours to remain in your family for long, you should ensure that it has a good diet. Chinchillas require a lot of attention due to their playful nature; therefore, it is best to have supervised playtime with yours if you want to create a strong bond. Chinchillas love chewing; hence, you should always ensure that toxic plants, electrical cords, and all breakable items are out of your pet’s reach. Here is how you can take care of your pet chinchilla

Bathing and Grooming

Unlike other mammals, chinchillas do not take water baths. Instead, these intriguing animals take dust baths. A water bath might strip their natural oil, which always helps in the regulation of their body temperature, and protection of their skin. They only bath in volcanic dust, which you can purchase at most pet shops, or from chinchilla breeders. You can place a bowl containing some dust in your chinchilla’s cage every day. You will enjoy seeing it roll and play in the dust. Ensure that you remove the bowl after every bath to prevent contamination of the dust.

Feeding

A pet chinchilla mostly feeds on chinchilla pellets and high-quality grass hay. However, if you are experiencing difficulties in finding chinchilla pellets, you can always substitute them with a guinea pig or rabbit pellets. You can also give your pet small amounts of fresh green vegetables daily. You should give your chinchilla water in a bottle that is placed outside its cage. Ensure that you change the water, and clean the bottle daily to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

Health Concerns With Chinchillas

If you own a chinchilla, these are some of the common health problems that you should be aware of:

Overgrown Teeth

Most chinchillas have overgrown teeth, which can cause serious damage if left untreated. Common symptoms of overgrown teeth include excessive drooling, change in eating habits, and diarrhea. Your vet can confirm if your chinchilla’s teeth are overgrown.

Heat Stroke

Chinchillas cannot stand excessive hot temperatures of over 80*F. When the weather is hot and humid, you can use a ceiling or room fan to cool the room. You can also place several bottles of frozen water in the chinchilla’s cage to cool it.

A well-taken care of chinchilla can live for almost twenty years, despite that the average lifespan chinchillas is ten years. Take good care of your pet chinchilla and you can look forward to a long, healthy life.

  • Pet Health
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Digestive and Oral Health
    • Diseases and Viruses
    • Pests and Parasites
    • Orthopedics
  • Today's Veterinarian
  • Choosing Your Pet
    • Finding Your Pet
    • Cats
    • Dogs
    • Exotics
      • Amphibians
      • Birds
      • Reptiles
        • Lizards
        • Turtles
    • Small Mammals
      • Ferrets
      • Rabbits
      • Domesticated Animals
        • Prairie Dogs
      • Pocket Pets
        • Chinchillas
        • Guinea Pigs
        • Hamsters
        • Hedgehogs
        • Rats
    • Livestock
      • Cows
      • Donkeys, Horses & Mules
      • Goats
      • Pigs
      • Poultry
      • Sheep
  • Living With Your Pet
    • Bringing Your Pet Home
    • Children and Pets
    • Providing Care
    • Travel
    • Saying Goodbye
  • Newsletter Library
    • Tips for Pet Owners
    • Seasonal Topics
    • Nutrition & Food
    • Recognizing Illness
    • Visiting the Vet
    • Equine
    • Cats
    • Keeping Pets Healthy
    • Fleas & Parasites
    • Pet Dangers
    • Behavior & Training
    • Newsletter Archive
      • Fun with Pets
      • Unbelievable Pets
  • Video Newsroom
    • Health Topics
    • Technology and Science
    • Other Interests
  • Client Survey
  • Pets4Kids
Help protect your furry ones with Bravecto and Tri-Heart plus. Call to schedule an appointment today!

Featured Links

  • Services

    We strive to provide complete care for our patients. Learn more about all the services we provide.
  • Make An Appointment

    We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Schedule an appointment today!
  • Online Forms

    Our patient forms are available online so they can be completed in the convenience of your own home or office.

Office Hours

Critter Clinic

Monday:

7:30 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

7:30 am-6:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-12:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Testimonial

  • "Testimonials coming soon..."

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

  • How to Tell When Your Cat Is Sick

    Not sure if your cat is sick? Take a look at these signs. ...

    Read More
  • Vet Care Doesn't Have to Break the Bank; Pet Insurance

    Wondering if pet insurance is a good idea? ...

    Read More
  • Human vs Pet Medications: Why You Should Never Share Medicine with Your Pets

    Could your medications harm your pets? ...

    Read More
  • Ways to Take the Stress Out of Your Pet's Next Veterinary Visit

    Does your pet dread veterinary visits? ...

    Read More
  • Signs on Heatstroke: Keep Your Pets Safe This Summer

    Do you know how to protect your pet from heatstroke? ...

    Read More
  • Why Heartworm Protection Is Necessary for All Pets

    Is your pet protected against heartworm? ...

    Read More
  • Cat-Safe House Plants

    Not sure which house plants are safe for your cat? Take a look at our list. ...

    Read More
  • Feline Skin Allergy Symptoms and Care

    Has scratching become your cat's favorite activity? A skin allergy may be to blame. ...

    Read More
  • The Next Step

    The grieving process includes accepting the reality of your loss, accepting that the loss and accompanying feelings are painful, and adjusting to your new life that no longer includes your pet. How do I tell my family? Family members usually are already aware of a pet's problems. However, you should ...

    Read More
  • Battling Canine Cancer

    Every day, Cindy Fleischner lines up her crew of cuddly canines for breakfast. As the four other dogs eat, Cindy pulls Katy, her 12 year old Shepherd mix aside for a peanut butter treat. Katy is battling lymphoma and this treat hides her daily dose of chemotherapy drugs. Katy is not alone in this war. ...

    Read More

Request Appointment

Anderson

Veterinary Clinic

Connect With Us

No social media links found. Please configure it
  • Copyright © 2022 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map