Fun facts about Chinchillas..

Fun facts about Chinchillas...

1. Chinchilla fur is 30 times softer than human hair.
• That's right. Chinchilla fur is considered to be the softest fur in the world. Chinchillas have the highest fur density than any land animal. There are about 80 to 100 hairs per hair follicle! This makes the chinchilla's fur so dense, that skin parasites (fleas, for example) cannot live within the fur. They would suffocate.

2. Chinchillas are born with fur, teeth, and their eyes open.
• Most rodents are born in the complete opposite with no fur, no teeth, and their eyes completely shut.

3. Wild chinchillas and domesticated chinchillas have different diets.
• Though our chinchillas that we have at home eat hay, pellets, and the occasional fruity treat, chinchillas in the wild feed on small bugs, fruit, and plants. Never thought your chinchilla was hungry for a bug, did you?

4. No allergies here! Chinchillas have no dander!
• When listening to common allergy-related problems, pet dander is usually a main factor. If you suffer from such allergies, a chinchilla would be a great pet option for you! No dander here!

5. Chinchillas have been known to jump up to 5 feet above their head!

• You hear many people suggest having "perches" in your chinchilla's cage; this is why. Chinchillas like to "bounce" from ledge to ledge. It is in their nature. These ledges/perches/shelves help create a happy, cozy habitat for your chinchilla.

6. Chinchillas have an average body temperature between 96.8 - 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remember my article about keeping your chinchillas cool in the Florida temps? This is why. On average, chinchillas have a higher body temperature than we do. They don't sweat and they are covered in very thick fur (as mentioned above). Keeping their habitat temperatures cool is very important.

7. Chinchillas take baths! DUST baths!
• To keep their fur soft and free of oils, chinchillas bathe in dust or volcanic ash. This also helps keep their fur free from moisture.

By Kaci

Chinchillas on a Budget

Chinchillas on a Budget
Caring for any animal can get expensive, and though chinchillas are small, caring for them can come at a high cost.

The way to master doing anything on a budget is being creative with the way you approach the situation. There are some things with which you shouldn’t cut corners on when caring for chinchillas, but there are ways to get around the high costs of leading pet supply stores. One way to do this is to shop at local feed stores.

Feed stores offer products like timothy hay and alfalfa cubes at much lower prices than pet supply stores.  For example, where I used to pay $4.99 for 15 ounces of alfalfa cubes at a leading pet supply store, I now pay $1.50 for 5 lbs. of alfalfa cubes at my local feed store. (Note: there are 16 ounces in 1 lb.) Not only am I getting more cubes, but I am getting them for much less than what I was paying for a smaller package.

The great thing with feed stores is that they are usually more than willing to work with you on selling smaller portions of their inventory. For instance, at my local store, they let me go into the hay trailer (where they store hay) and pick up the loose hay for no charge at all. So I am able to get FREE timothy hay/alfalfa. Check around for a local feed store near you. Not only will it help you save a few bucks, but you are also supporting your local businesses.

Another great way to care for your chinchillas on a budget is by making your own treats at home by using a dehydrator. I understand that a food dehydrator is not your average household item, but now-a-days, they are relatively inexpensive (check out Ebay!!!). Once you have your dehydrator, all you need are a variety of fruits for your chins to enjoy! My chins are big fans of dried bananas, dried apples, and home-made raisons (dried grapes). But don’t limit yourself there! Chinchillas also enjoy cranberries, blueberries, pears, and kiwis. Making your own dried fruits is not only a money saver, but it also ensures that your pets are getting fresh fruits with no preservatives. The dried fruits will become some of your chinchilla’s favorite treats.

These are just a few ideas for caring for your chinchilla on a budget. Remember, be creative and do your homework on what fruits, vegetables, and herbs are safe for your chinchillas.

 -Article by Kaci at K&K Chinchillas

Keeping Your Chinchilla Cool In Sunshinny Florida

 

Living in Florida you can be sure of one thing; that there will heat! As a chinchilla owner living in the Sunshine State, you must recognize that your furry friends are at high risk of overheating. There are many precautions you can take to prevent your chinchilla(s) from becoming too hot in the Florida atmosphere. Here are some safe and easy measures that you can take to ensure that your chin is free from the dangers of heat exhaustion:
1) Locate your chinchilla's home (cage) away from direct sunlight. The heat from the sun's rays coming through a window or door can be outrageously hot if it comes in contact with a chinchilla. Now, I'm not saying that your chinchilla can not see or be in the sun, but for a chinchilla to be in direct sunlight over an extended amount of time ( I would say 15 min or more) can be extremely dangerous to its well-being.
2) Consider replacing blinds with room darkening shades. These shades will help reduce heat within the room along with blocking any unwanted sunshine that may affect the wellness of the chinchilla.
3) Keep the indoor temperatures that the chinchilla(s) is/are located no higher than 78 degrees Fahrenheit. I understand that times are tough now-a-days and that many people are cutting back by turning off the A/C while they are not home. But, you must take into consideration whom you are leaving behind when you leave the house. Chinchilla's originally come from the mountains of Chile and are typically used to cool temperatures. Keeping your home A/C set at a lower temperatures will ensure that you chin is comfortable.
4) Place a cooling block in the chinchilla's habitat. You can purchase these at your local pet store or, you can go to any hardware store (Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.) and pickup slate or ceramic tile pieces. These will give your chin a place to rest on and cool off.
5) Be sure that your chin has plenty of fresh, clean water to ensure that it stays hydrated. (This should be part of your normal chinchilla "upkeep" routine, anyways.)
Knowing the natural habitat of any animal you have adopted is a really great way to know how to care for it. There are many great websites out there that will be able to help you with learning more about your chinchilla and its natural lifestyle.
Maintaining a healthy atmosphere for you chinchilla is the number one way to keep your chinchilla safe and happy.

 -Article by Kaci at K&K Chinchillas