Chinchilla

Provide a tall, multi level wire cage with solid platforms and safe ramps, at least around 1 metre high with a large footprint, since chinchillas love to jump and climb. Use paper based bedding or fleece, add wooden ledges, hides, hay racks and plenty of safe wood to chew, and avoid plastic which they will gnaw and swallow. Site the cage in the coolest, quietest room away from direct sun. Provide a dust bath a few times a week rather than water bathing, as their dense fur cannot be allowed to stay damp.

The core diet is unlimited grass hay plus a small measured portion of plain chinchilla pellets, which together provide the high fibre their gut and teeth require. Fresh water must always be available. Treats should be tiny and infrequent, limited to a little plain dried herb or a single raisin at most, since their digestive system is very sensitive. Avoid fruit, nuts, seeds, fresh greens in quantity and any sugary or fatty foods, all of which can cause bloat, diarrhoea and dental issues.

Temperature control is the most critical part of chinchilla care: keep them at about 14 to 21 degrees Celsius, and never above roughly 25 degrees Celsius, as they overheat and can die of heat stroke rapidly, made far worse by humidity. Air conditioning is essential in warm climates, along with low humidity, excellent ventilation and no direct sun. They are crepuscular to nocturnal and need quiet, dark days to rest.

Chinchillas are social and often happiest in a same sex pair or with a compatible companion, though introductions must be slow and some individuals prefer to live alone. Kits and young chinchillas bond most easily. They can be tamed with patience but many dislike being restrained, so let them come to you and support the body gently, never grabbing the fur, which can shed in a stress response called fur slip.

Give ample out of cage time in a chinchilla proofed room to run, jump and explore, plus platforms, tunnels, wooden bridges and a solid large wheel of at least 38 cm. Constant safe wood and pumice chews satisfy their need to gnaw and protect their teeth. A regular dust bath is both grooming and enrichment they clearly enjoy.