r/chinchilla • u/rosengold • 6h ago
r/chinchilla • u/rosengold • 9d ago
PSA Chinchilla Community Announcement đ Rehoming Rules
Reddit has its own platform-wide rules, and one of the strictest is a total ban on animal sales. It is their Content Policy Against Transactions Involving Prohibited Goods.
Rehoming falls into a grey area. A "rehoming fee" is still considered a sale by Reddit Admins, so we cannot allow posts asking for any fees. We highly encourage you to have a thorough private discussion with any interested party to set expectations about the transfer of ownership.
When posting to rehome a pet, please follow these guidelines. Failure to do so will result in the post being removed:
âą Zero manipulation: We strictly prohibit "adopt my pet or else" content that threatens neglect, abuse, abandonment, or self-harm.
If the situation is urgent, ask for help locating a rescue near you to step in.
âą Clear titles: Please include your city/state, the number of animals, and their sexes in the title of the post.
âą Detailed descriptions: In the body of your post, share more about the animals, their immediate medical needs, and if they come with any supplies, cages, or accessories.
No discussion of fees or reimbursement.
âą Go to PMs: Once someone shows interest in a comment, immediately move the conversation to private messages to discuss the remaining details.
Please remember that the mods cannot protect you from scams. It is a major red flag if someone asks for a deposit, gas money, shipping fees, or requests payment online via "Friends and Family."
Additionally, reputable breeders do not "rehome" animals they produced, it is not adoption. They sell them. While they may occasionally list an owner surrender as a courtesy, these breeders have their own websites and social media channels to handle those arrangements. This is not a dig or drag at breeders, we support ethical operations. This is to point out that there are bad actors out there pretending to be breeders, pretending to be rescues, and hoping to manipulate you with feel-good posts of animals for " adoption ".
You are more than welcome to ask the community for referrals or reviews about a family in need of help, a rescue, or local breeder while you're trying to source an ethical place to obtain a chinchilla, but we absolutely cannot allow direct sales posts here.
We have to respect the platforms rules.
r/chinchilla • u/inbokz • Nov 26 '24
Chinchilla Care FAQ!
Iâve put together a list of chinchilla recommendations & FAQ, as we get a lot of repeat questions and such in here. Iâve been a chinchilla owner for about 19 years, and have fostered many. I have been through the gamut of accessories, cages, etc, over the years. I'm happy to add/modify with feedback from others. I definitely do not claim to be the most knowledgeable person here!
Which cage should I get?
Ferret Nation & Critter Nation are the best widely available cages you can buy. A two-story cage is recommended for a one or two chins, at minimum. Adding a third story is also very easy to do. You can also attach two cages side-by-side for extra running room. These cages can be found used on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, etc.
Other cages can be okay, but please ensure the cage is around 36âx25âx63â. Cages should not have any exposed plastic (trays, bases, or otherwise). Cages should have no exposed wire floors, this includes ramps. Any exposed wire floors must be covered with a lined plastic trayliner or a metal tray (see below). Chinchillas will get their feet caught in wire flooring and will get injured. This can be very serious. Also keep in mind that any cages with small door openings could leave you struggling to wrangle your little friend.
What is the difference between Ferret Nation and Critter Nation?
Ferret Nation has wider and thicker bars. I prefer these because itâs easier to give them treats through the bars. The cages also feel more open. The panels are interchangeable, so you can stack either one on each other.
What else do I need for a cage?
Cage liners/Trays: Itâs recommended to use either fleece liners over the plastic trays, or use a replacement tray from Bass Equipment. Bass makes 3â deep galvanized or stainless trays, which are ideal for keeping in the mess of both bedding⊠and poop! They also sell scatter guards.
Bedding:
It is not advised to use paper bedding (Carefresh, etc). However, I used it for years before I knew better and never had issues. The chins like walking on it, but the dangerous part is that they can eat it and it can clog their digestive system.
The main options seem to be Aspen shavings or fleece liners (which you can buy or make). Just make sure any fleece you use is no-pill. You can use other shaving types, but I don't like risking it with Pine. Aspen is cheap and safe. I frequently buy huge bags from the big pet stores for ~$5/ea or less (watch for sales).
I have mixed feelings on using Aspen! My chins seem to be more scared to jump down onto the floors because I think they hurt their feet. Some of the aspen isn't ground down well and makes for some sharp and dangerous situations. Whenever I change the bedding out, I use a big wood plank and flatten everything down. Even still, I'm not happy with it. I'm going to be sewing up some fleece liners but also use my Bass Equipment shelf pans (the half-length ones) full of aspen shavings. The hope is that they pee on the aspen because they're used to that, and keep the liners a little nicer.
Water Bottle: Glass Kaytee bottles have been the best for me. I recommend the small bottles, as it will force you to refill more often so they get fresh water. Keep the bottles out of direct sunlight or they will get algae bloom. Definitely do not use plastic bottles if you can avoid it! Bottles should be rinsed every refill, and soap-cleaned every 2nd refill. I use a q-tip in the metal tip to clean them out. Every few months you can put in 1/3 cup of rice and water and shake the bottle for a while to remove any of the stuck sediment. Dump out the rice and heavily rinse afterward!
Food Bowl: Recommend ceramic food bowls. I use cat dishes that are ~3â wide, similar to a wide ramekin. The lower/wider the better, so they canât tip it. No plastic bowls! Metal is okay if you prefer.
Wheel: The consensus is that any 14â+ wheel is okay, however Iâd advise getting a metal wheel of 15â diameter or larger. There are options on Etsy from Pandamonium Pets, Silver Surfer, and others. There are also metal saucers. Chinchillas should not have plastic wheels and I would advise against any with wood. I have had multiple wheels from Pandamonium Pets as well as Silver Surfers. My personal opinion is that the bearing mechanism on the Pandamonium Pets wheel is rather unrefined and they always wear out on me after a few years. I havenât been able to find a good source for replacement bearings on their newer wheels, as they now use a flanged type. They have been unwilling to sell me bearings/mechanisms separately. The Silver Surfer wheel is great for Ferret Nation cages, but they don't fit well in Critter Nation due to the bar spacing. The Silver Surfer bearing mechanism has a flywheel weight and is an engineered system. I prefer these wheels, but wish they were larger than 14â.
Shelves: Hopping shelves/ledges are great to fill the cage space and give chins a stimulating habitat. There is a list of safe woods here: https://www.sunshinechinchillas.com/safe-wood. I have used a few types, mainly kiln-dried pine and poplar. I prefer poplar as itâs pretty hard, and they canât really chew through all of it. The downside is that it can be expensive. You can DIY your own shelves/ledges. I've added some DIY info in a comment below.
Houses/Other: Chins love having somewhere to hide and sleep. Some chins like hammocks and fleece hanging options and some prefer wood/solid options. There are a number on Etsy, but you can also DIY both of these. My chins have all preferred wood houses mounted to the highest point in the cage possible. I've added some DIY info in a comment below.
What is the best food?
Oxbow Essentials, if available, is the best and most affordable. You can buy 25lb bags on Chewy or Amazon that will last a long time. Any foods with treats or other things in them are not recommended, as they often contain things chinchillas shouldnât have, especially not daily. Providing food with treats in it also will cause them to be snooty with their food, and they will start to just look for the treats and ignore the rest.
What is the best hay?
Chinchillas require Timothy Hay on a daily basis. I have tried at least 10 brands over the years, basically everything Chewy and local pet stores offer. So far, the winners are Brytin 1st Cut and Viking Farmer 1st Cut. Your mileage may vary, but ensure youâre getting 100% timothy with nothing added.
What else is essential for my chins?
I recommend giving applewood (or other approved) sticks on a daily basis, 1 or 2 a day, They can be bought in 600gram bags on Amazon for ~$15. This is the best deal I've found so far, though I'd prefer to buy more locally, I have not found a better source yet. Chew sticks will prevent them from chewing on other things (shelving, houses, ledges, wheels, etc).
What treats should I give my chins?
Treats are safe in moderation, but the type of treat is important.
Dandelion Root, mixed flower pieces, apple blossoms, chamomile, calendula, lavender, peach blossoms, jasmine, honeysuckle, oats (oatmeal), and small pieces of hibiscus leaves can be given as more frequent treats. I'd say 2 a day is safe, but not required. I change-up the treats everyday. The pieces I am giving them are small. I usually give my treats as a form of enrichment reward (see section). My chins also like the Apple & Oat treats from Ronda's Chins, which I break into marble sized chunks (or smaller) and use as treats a few times a week.
Rose buds and rose hips can be given as infrequent treats.
Anything with sugar in it should not be given as a treat. Goji berries are 'safe', but I really only ever give mine a pea-sized amount every few weeks, if that.
What can I do for my chins for enrichment?
Puzzle toys made for dogs can be great for chins, while supervised, as long as they aren't chewing on the plastics. I often place coconut halves on the floor with a fragrant treat under them, so they have to work for it. I'm working on making some other enrichment toys for them out of safe wood. I will add to the DIY later.
How do I keep the dust to a minimum?
I swear by my Winix 5500-2 air purifier. It sucks up a lot of the dust/hair and the generic filters work just fine to keep the dust down elsewhere. My chins are in their own room with this purifier and I really don't see their dust anywhere else. Mine has been running solid for 6 years straight. The filters can be shaken/beat out and used for quite a while.
What temperature is safe?
The recommended safe range is 60-70°F (15.5-21.1°C) with low humidity (sub 60%).
74°F (23.3°C) is the highest I'd recommend letting their area ever getting to, and I do not recommend them living at this temperature. My chins spend half the year around 70°F, the other half at around 65°F. Chins are good down to 60°F (15.5°C) without problems and can probably withstand colder. They will start to 'puddle' above 75°F and this is when it becomes dangerous. Fans will not keep them cool and there is no alternative for air conditioning. Chinchiller's (granite stones) are nice, but are not meant as an alternative to safe environment temps.
What do I do if my chin is being aggressive or biting?
If they bite when you're petting them or something and it's not drawing blood, let out an "ouch" or a yip sound, similar to the sound they make to each other when they want space. Once they respect you they will start biting softer and softer. Eventually if they don't want your fingers around them they'll kinda just move them with their mouth. I don't think they always know they're hurting you. To them, you're a huge monster.
If they get really aggressive consistently after a few months of ownership, and they're breaking skin, I would use a different method. This is to say, there are no other outside factors causing them to be aggressive other than them trying to be dominant toward you. They can be aggressive for various reasons: general fear, noises, new surroundings, other pets in the area, etc. They may hear things you don't, even the sound of equipment/animals outside, and be on the defensive because of it. I wouldn't use this method if outside factors are the case.
If they bite fast with aggression and it breaks skin, I say "ouch" loudly. I then firmly grab hold of the offender, stare at them face-to-face, and tell them "no" multiple times. They will squirm and not like it, but it's not hurting them, even though some fur might come out. I then put them down nicely on my lap. They're almost always extremely cautious and docile immediately after putting them down. They usually get it after this correction is implemented a couple times and never bite that hard again. I follow it with the "ouch" method thereafter.
My chin is not eating or drinking. Help!
The first recommendation is to bring your pet to a vet experience with chinchillas, or at least exotic animals. Second, Critical Care or EmerAid Herbivore are recommended to help bring them back to health. Many people on this sub have had good experience with EmerAid. My chins did not like Critical Care, so I'll also be trying EmerAid if they ever need it.
Always remember: your chin is your friend for part of your life, but you're their best friend for their entire life.
r/chinchilla • u/rosengold • 6h ago
A little help for new owners. This is not complete.
Everything needs more context and a discussion but these are a few graphics we share with prospective homes looking to adopt chinchillas.
We try to emphasize safe enclosures. Bigger is great IF you can afford to purchase a big safe cage and all the accessories you need to fill it out, otherwise a smaller cage with all the right fixings can still be entirely appropriate. A smaller cage does not mean the polar opposite of a huge empty cage : a shoebox with a stick inside. Just means a cage within your budget, that you can still provide the animal with floor space, platforms, ledges and enrichment. Example : a single ferret nation all fixed up and cleaned weekly compared to a triple ferret nation that is seldom cleaned and empty.
Look for a metal cage, with mostly metal components. The walls, the connectors, the platforms. If they have plastic platforms, cover with fleece or replace them with wood.
Investing in a quality cage, metal or nice wood ledges, and metal wheel is worth it because these items can outlast your pet. We have cages and wheels that are over 10 years old, in almost perfect condition. ( Loyal to Ferret / Critter Nation and Quality Cage wheels ( discontinued ) or Pandamonium pets wheels. )
Bedding options really depend on you.
What will you keep up with?
Covers should be changed every couple of days, liners should be changed every few days. Cages with shavings should be spot cleaned as needed and fully cleaned out weekly.
Aspen or Kiln Dried Pine Shavings are great.
Fleece covers to hide pans, or fleece liners to act as an absorbent bedding can be great.
1/2" wire floors are suitable, but just like any other surface should be cleaned along with the rest of the cage. Pets should have other surfaces to rest on, like perches, ledges, platforms, pads, beds, and houses. Chins don't spend 24/7 on the floor, and 1/2" grids are not a risk for broken limbs or foot infections when maintained. ( We use them for medical cages in the rescue ).
No paper bedding, though. That's an impaction risk.
Really chinchillas are not a hard pet to care for once you understand how to care for them. A safe environment, air conditioning, routine for cleanliness, a basic diet, a well designed cage and accessories that last... And you'll be set for decades.
- A 501(c)(3) exotic rescue, Specifically working with chinchillas for over 20 years, with dozens in our care daily, multiplied by the animals in and out yearly. đ©·
r/chinchilla • u/AiriMurphy • 5h ago
Urgently seeking advice I have zero regrets on my purchase
r/chinchilla • u/_poshmallow_ • 16h ago
cookie time! đȘ
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
Laceyâs weekly oxbow cookie! her video is a little more aestheticâŠ.my other chin dropped hers and I had to guide her back over đ
r/chinchilla • u/OpalaBocaDeLitrao • 8h ago
Urgently seeking advice MINHA CHINCHILA ESTĂ SOLTANDO MUITO UM LĂQUIDO BRANCO, O QUE Ă?
Ela começou a soltar muito liquido branco, Ă© meio translĂșcido, nunca aconteceu isso antes, eu to tremendo e muito preocupada
r/chinchilla • u/hangingdolls • 8h ago
Cage liners?
I have a ferret nation cage (the one that only has one door per story) and every fleece liner ive bought was too big for it. I would love recommendations. Im open to using some kind of bedding instead of fleece although it seems like it would be more expensive.
r/chinchilla • u/starlightsroses • 1d ago
Chinchilla noises
Okay guys I know that chinchillas are a loud braced on their personality but as of the last couple weeks my chinchilla has been very quiet the first couple days he was here he was a little chirpy but besides that he's been really quiet like obviously he still completely tears up his entire cage every night and loves coming out and playing and snuggling with me but he's super duper quiet all the time in fact yesterday morning was the first time I heard him make a sound in a hot minute I think I might take him to the vet just to be safe I'm just a little stressed out and worried about it cuz I recorded the sound from last night to see if he like barked or anything but no completely silent besides the chewing of his sticks and destroying of the cage I did notice he has stopped throwing his food bowl so no clue what's going on with that
r/chinchilla • u/NckLL • 1d ago
Safe Glue?
I accidentally broke my chinchilla's wood toy, its still good so I dont want to throw it out. What is the best pet safe glue to fix it? The parts I have to glue aren't the areas where he'd bite anyway.
r/chinchilla • u/AstronomerAlarmed487 • 1d ago
2 bonded boys in need of a good home. DFW AREA
Kong and Godzilla have been lovely companions, they are both around 2-3 yrs old and Iâve had them for the better part of a year, no real issue have arisen since I adopted them, but Iâm possibly going to have to leave the state and I donât think Iâll be able to bring them with me, I want to find them a loving home and would be more than willing to give their cage, toys food the whole shebang.I want to ensure they go to somebody safe and capable. If you have further questions let me know.
r/chinchilla • u/Professional_Row7214 • 1d ago
Chinchilla fur help
hi everyone! this is my chinchilla, Bruno.
ever since i got him heâs had this rough looking fur on his back, sometimes with tufts sticking out? is there anything i can do to help with this? when i try to remove the tufts he instantly flees, he hates even the slight feel of a finger on his back.
my other chinchilla has never had this and has very soft, fluffy, silky fur.
Bruno seems otherwise healthy, jumps/runs around during free roam, eats and drinks normally and also interacts with me regularly.
r/chinchilla • u/ChinchillaGuy24 • 2d ago
Cage weight question.
For those who put tile or granite flooring in their critter nation cages, did you reinforce the levels any? And if so how? My neighbor gave me some chin safe flooring for cheap but I never thought about if the cage levels can safely handle the extra weight.đ”âđ« Im worried about waking up to squished floofs đ ( Gizmo and Taz pics for tax đ )
r/chinchilla • u/No-Needleworker3566 • 1d ago
New Owner Shopping for Chinchilla
Hello!
I am preparing to get a chinchilla but of course Iâd like to prepare before hand. I used to have two chinchillas in high school but that was a bit ago. I found two cages on Amazon (linked below) that I am thinking about but want to make sure they are suitable for a chinchilla. Advice is greatly welcomed and appreciated!
Also some extra context: I know that two chinchillas is generally better and I usually would if possible. But there is a single chinchilla in my townâs pet store and the conditions he is in make me sad. There is plastic everywhere and itâs all chewed up so I would like to get him and give him a better life/cage.
r/chinchilla • u/OpalaBocaDeLitrao • 1d ago
Minha chinchila estĂĄ estranha
Ontem minha chinchila fez 9 anos, ela sempre foi muito carinhosa, e quando eu a soltava para passear, ela ficava comigo no sofĂĄ e brincando. A gente sempre solta ela lĂĄ pelas 17:30 / 18h
Entretanto, nesse sĂĄbado passado (10/10), meu pai a soltou Ă s 10h, jĂĄ que Ăamos sair para a casa da minha avĂł, e entĂŁo, parece que tudo mudou. No dia eu pensava que nĂŁo era nada demais, mas enfim. Chegamos na segunda (12/10), e a soltamos Ă s 15h, e parece que ela nem me reconhece. SĂł quer saber de roer, quando alguĂ©m chega perto, ela fica chiando e atacando, ela nĂŁo quer mais ficar comigo nem ter carinhos, apenas roer roer e roer, ela nunca fez isso, e parece agressiva. Ontem (13/10), soltamos ela e foi a mesma histĂłria, a primeira vez soltei as 16h, jĂĄ que era seu aniversĂĄrio, e prendi as 18h, depois que meu pai chegou, soltei mais uma hora, e nada mudou. Hoje, estou escrevendo enquanto ela estĂĄ solta, nada mudou, estou preocupada, nĂŁo a reconheço, alguĂ©m pode me ajudar, por favor.
Ps. Quando ela estĂĄ na gaiola, de manhĂŁ ou de noite, ela continua normal, aceitando carinho, deixando pegar no colo e etc. Esse comportamento sĂł acontece na hora de soltar ela.
r/chinchilla • u/SaraGrey2nd • 2d ago
Rehoming Rehoming 2 Females, 3 years old. Madison, Wi.
Looking for a safe rehome for these two lovely girls, Haru and Saten. These two girls are a bonded pair, get along great, and are well behaved! They would come with their enclosure, food, treats, bedding and dust bath.
These lovely ladies came into my life as a compromise between my spouse and myself as pets we could have together. Recently my spouse and I have separated, and the girls were left with me. I have been struggling to give them the full and proper care they deserve, and while it is heartbreaking to come to terms with I believe it best they find a home who wants them beyond obligation.
Haru is explorative, curious, and ZIPPY. I best differentiate her from her sister by their different face shapes, how hers is smaller.
Saten is a regal lady, often watching like a queen from a balcony. She may be less curious initially, but she will end up climbing all over you if you give her time.
Dm me if interested, I am hoping to have this be a quick process to minimize the strain! Or let me know to dm you! Iâll keep an eye on here.
r/chinchilla • u/sitnspinsg • 2d ago
Considerate
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
Churro: âDaddy has two feet. I only occupy one. I think that's very considerate of me.â đđđđŸ
#churrochatter #chinchilla #cutepets #petprincess #flooflogic
r/chinchilla • u/Chinchillamom90 • 2d ago
Rehoming Thinking of rehoming two male chinchillas in Indianapolis
These boys have been with me for about three years! They used to be bonded but now live separately as they had a falling out... They both have their own two story cage and would come with apple sticks, and all their supplies. They can go together or separately! The black one is Teddy and Grey is Thor. Just trying to put me feelers out to see if any chinchilla enthusiasts may be interested!
r/chinchilla • u/Ok-Poetry2043 • 1d ago
Room/House Proofing?
I have a pretty big playpen, but it's a big hassle to clean it up. plus I have to buy new ones because sometimes it rips, and I've seen people make their house or room safe for their chinchilla to run around in.So I'm thinking is it better just to have a big playpen or should I try to chinchilla proof my room/house? If room/house proofing is the way to go, then what should I focus on to make sure it's the safest it can be?
r/chinchilla • u/MayorOfLivingIsland_ • 2d ago
Water
I couldn't find a place online that answered this question, but I'm looking for advice on safe drinking water. I use a PUR sink filter for my chinchillas water, noticed the light was red today and that I didn't have a replacement. I spent most of the evening looking for stores that sell the filters. I finally found one at ACE Hardware, got home and opened it up to see that the filter is dated 2021. They sold me a 5-6 year old water filter and from what I can find online, the shelf life is only 2 years. I'm stressed out and angry right now that this is my only option and they need water. I really need to know: is this safe to use?
r/chinchilla • u/blazecolour • 3d ago
The oldest chinchilla?
I found this post on Threads. Do you think something like this is actually possible?
r/chinchilla • u/Divine_8888 • 2d ago
Hump prob
How do I stop or reduce my two male chins from humping each other over and over again during playtime? đđ They keep humping on and off for a whole hour! đđ
r/chinchilla • u/EmotionalCake7941 • 2d ago
Admins have informed user of concerns Thoughts on freeze dried strawberries
Hello! I have two chinchillas. One is 16 and the other is 12 and I have been feeding them freeze dried strawberries literally forever. For most of their lives. Over decade of strawberries. Daily. Like, multi slices of dried strawberry sometimes but always at least one.
That said, I just found out that freeze dried strawberries are actually not a good treat for them despite being marketed towards them as treats.
So, I would like to know if anybody has any thoughts on what I should do.
Their poops are fine, theyâre good energy, their coats are great, they have access to hay and pellets all the time, and Iâve never had any sort of negative effects with them having so many strawberries in their diet. The exact opposite actually- Itâs the highlight of their day and it removes stress in their lives because they are much more human interested when strawberries are involved.
Iâm open to any and all advice. But if someone says itâll kill them (which has obviously not been the case for a very long time lol) I definitely need a treat substitute.
Thank you for your help!
r/chinchilla • u/Dangerous_Career_734 • 2d ago
can a 15" wheel still be too small?
Hi - I recently gave my chinchillas a 15" metal wheel from YKD but I'm wondering if for some chinchillas that is still too small? I know a wheel that is too small can cause spine issues/injuries so I want to make sure it is safe for them. I've never given then a wheel before and I'm not exactly sure what one that "fits" is supposed to look like. If anyone can share photos of their chins in/on their wheel that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!