Choosing a Child's First Pet - the Chinchilla

Looking for that perfect pet for your child? Don't want a family dog or cat because of the care involved? Here is the perfect pet , easy to care for, and a kid friendly pet.

The Chinchilla

It is best to purchase a young Chinchilla when considering them as a pet. The ability to bond with their human owner is much easier to accomplish with a young Chinchilla. Keep in mind when considering a Chinchilla as a child's pet that these creatures are nocturnal and most active in the late evening or nighttime hours.

When considering a Chinchilla as your child's pet keep the age of the child in mind. Very young children are not well suited for this kind of pet. Your child must be able to be gentle at all times, speak with a soft voice, and be responsible enough to handle the Chinchilla with care.

Feed and Housing

Chinchillas eat roughage and their diet must be of good quality foods. Pellets and grass hay with treats only used in moderation. Be sure to ask what type of feed the pet store or breeder are feeding at time of purchase as changing their diet needs to be done slowly.

Homes for your new Chinchilla need to be completely enclosed, large cage. There are several brands and types however, a multi-level with ramps and perches make the best homes for a Chinchilla. Fill the cage with chewing toys for the healthy care of your Chinchilla's teeth. Ideal measurements for the cage should be no less than 24 by 24 inches and can be as tall as four levels if the owner has room for this large of a cage.

Extra Items Needed

The Chinchilla needs what is called a dust bath. This dust bath should be provided no less than once a week and ideally should be offered twice weekly. It is natural for the Chinchilla in his natural habitat to take a dust bath and they enjoy this action along with the benefit of the dust bath keeping them clean and healthy. Use a pet store purchased dust for this dust bath along with a premade container. Be sure to keep the extra dust stored in a dry warm place, as it is necessary that the Chinchilla's bath be dry and free of moisture. The bath container can be a heavy bowl or deep dish but needs to be tip-resistant for the safety of your pet.

One important tip - do not leave the dust bath equipment in the cage at all times. Remove the equipment after the Chinchilla is finished with his bath. You can reuse the dust as long as it is kept dry and waste free.

Important Tips

Chinchilla's can become overheated easily so it will be necessary to keep them cool during the hot summer months. Be sure to have a fan close by on those hot days. If the heat is going to be above 77 degrees then a pan of ice in the cage bottom can help. A cool damp towel can be draped over the top of the cage however, make sure that the edges do not hang between the bars of the cage as the Chinchilla may decide it is a play item and chew it.

Water should be on-hand at all times for your Chinchilla, even during the daylight hours when they are sleeping. Keep a water bottle attached or water container within their cage, making sure to provide fresh water for drinking.

Your Chinchilla will need a quiet area for their sleeping hours, this means in a semi-dark room, with little or no noise during their rest period. The cage should be placed in a cool area, but no drafts please.

Training/Taming

Be sure your Chinchilla has enough time to adjust to the new surroundings and the voice of those who are caring for them. Give small treats through the cage bars so that your new pet becomes accustom to your presence. Do not open the door and try to pick up your new Chinchilla until he is comfortably taking food from your hands.

Place a treat in the palm of your hand and hold your hand inside the cage. This may take a few attempts but, your Chinchilla will eventually climb into your hand for the treat. Keep offering treats to encourage your new pet to climb farther and farther up your arm.

Do not grab the little guy or raise your voice when dealing with him. Keep up this task of treats and soft touching until the Chinchilla is comfortable enough to have you pick him up. This may take some time but patience is the best way to teach your little guy to be friendly and fun.

When your Chinchilla is active in the evening or morning hours bring him out and around other family members so that he becomes accustom to their voices and other noises in the home. Eventually it will be easy for him to join the evening TV hours and enjoy the touches of other members of your family.

It is not a good idea to leave your Chinchilla unattended when out of his cage. Do not leave him alone in a room with a dog or cat or any other animal. It is also not a good idea to leave young children alone with your Chinchilla, always monitor the very young around him as his body is fragile and bones can get broken easily.

Resources:

http://exoticpets.about.com/od/chinchillas/a/chindustbath.htm

http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/chinchillas/a/chichillahome.htm