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General
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Avoid sudden movements and loud noises, so your chinchillas
will trust you and let you handle them easily. They are naturally
inquisitive and may sniff or gently nibble your fingers. Children
should always be supervised when holding chinchillas, to prevent
accidental falls and injuries. Daily exercise outside the cage,
in a chinchilla-safe room, is vital to good health, and a daily
bath in Chinchilla Dust is recommended.
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Housing
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Chinchillas need room to exercise, so choose the largest cage you
can afford. Avoid those with wire floors, as they can seriously injure
chinchillas' feet. Your chinchillas will enjoy multi-level cages, or
shelves, as well as a hideaway house and a variety of safe wood chew
toys. Cover the floor with a layer of safe bedding such as Aspen shavings
or Carefresh. Do not use pine or cedar shavings, they contain harmful oils.
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Diet
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A healthy diet is based on specially formulated chinchilla
pellets and good quality Timothy or alfalfa hay, available
at all times. Adults may be offered one or two raisins occasionally
as a treat and fresh water should always be available in a sipper bottle.
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Cleaning
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Clean soiled areas daily and change the bedding weekly. Food
dishes, water bottles and the cage bottom need washing weekly.
Always rinse and dry the cage well before adding fresh bedding.
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Health
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Be alert and consult an exotics vet if you notice signs of
illness or injury such as: lack of appetite; drooling; changes
in droppings; bald spots; discharge from eyes or nose; wheezing
or noisy breathing.
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Warnings
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Open wire exercise wheels can cause serious injuries and should
never be used for chinchillas.
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Fertility
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Male chinchillas become sexually mature at around four months
of age. To avoid health risks and unwanted babies, it's important
to accurately sex and separate chinchillas no later than four months old.
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