Chinchillas will be happiest when you provide an environment that meets their needs and doesn't cause unnecessary stress.
By their nature, they don't like loud noises or a lot of movement. Such things will scare them causing them to remain in their cage. Even something seemingly innocent as a rain shower can seem scary to a chinchilla. As such, you'll want to keep them away from young children and other pets.
Although chinchillas can live in a cage, they will be healthiest if given a room or hallway to run in for a few hours each night. This gives them an opportunity to explore and to get some exercise beyond what a wheel can provide. Ideally, their cage should be up against a wall or in a corner. Doing so will provide your chinchillas a sense of safety especially if their sleeping box is also in the corner with the opening facing the wall.
Speaking of wheels, every chinchilla cage should have one. Getting a wheel big enough for a chinchilla can take a little searching, but they do exist. We prefer wheels that are solid so that our chinchillas' feet don't slip through the bars.
Being from the Andes, chinchillas are used to cooler temperatures. In fact, they can die if the temperature gets too high partly because they can't sweat to cool themselves. A good rule of thumb is to add the humidity and temperature together. This number should never exceed 150. We try to keep our chins in a room that doesn't exceed 75 degrees. This gives us a little buffer.
Chinchillas also like to chew on things. This includes doors, baseboards, and wires. Be sure to protect these areas with cardboard, wood, or plastic.
And finally, since chinchillas are crepuscular, you should keep them in an area during the day where they can sleep. No need to keep them in the dark. In fact, daylight will allow them to sense when to go to sleep and when to wake up.
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We are the proud owners of twin girl's. The pet store owner worried about spliting them up since they have been together for six months, so we bought them both:) We have been allowing them to de-stress in their own time and observing them. They are very calm creatures. When they sit as still as a statue is that a defense mechanism they do if they senses danger or are unsure of their enviroment? Also, what is the ideal temp for them? I spent almost a grand on basic supplies. Are there other things they need that might be helpful? I love them already!!!! and just want to do anything I can to give them the best life in captivity as possiable. Our whole family is commited to these beautiful creatures and would appreciate any advice or guidence you can offer!!! Many thanks, The Fenton's <3
No that is a horrible idea he would surely die within a year, highs should never be above 80.
Those lows are also deadly
Is it ok if a chin lives in a cage outside? Where I live has fairly cold winters that regularly drop below 20 degrees farenheite and mild summers that rarely ever get above 90 degrees. there would be plenty of shade from the sun and shelter from it getting snowed on.
dear adam:
the chiinchilla should deffinetly NOT be outside.... it'll freeze and die or get overheated and die!!!! their fur is the thickest of any animal...20,000 hairs per square inch. do you have cats where you live? rain is more easily blown a different direction (other than strait down) due to the wind, chinchillas dont get wet....not even for bathing, they use dust (as you surley know) if you what to buy a chinchilla and put it OUTSIDE you're waisting your money and killing an inocent animal.
please: dont be dumb