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