Do Chinchillas make good pets?

POLOKWANE – If you are willing to have a rodent as a pet for the next 18 to 22 years, get yourself a chinchilla.

The chinchillas got its name from an Indian tribe in the Andes mountains which used to hunt them for their fur.

“They are not used to the South African heat,” Nadene Meiring, from Sterkloop Tackle & Petshop.

Few interesting facts and tips on how to take care of, feed a chinchilla:

• Chinchillas take dust baths instead of water baths.

– dust baths help to get rid of oils and dirt.

– they roll in the dust playfully while bathing.

• Chinchillas can have one to three litters in a year and up to four babies in a litter.

– the female gets aggressive when she’s pregnant and the best practice is to keep her in a cage alone.

– she will be pregnant for 111 days.

• They eat apples, spinach, raisins, nuts and pellets – there are also treats available on the market.

• Chinchillas are nocturnal creatures and therefore awake mostly at night.

– they are typical asleep during the day.

– they need a wheel to play on while they are awake.

• Chinchillas have to be in a room temperature less than 15 – 25°Celsius.

• A chinchilla’s teeth grow for life. It never stops growing.

– this is why it is very important to give your pet Chinchilla lots of safe things to chew on.

• A chinchilla never gets fleas or lice and is actually a very fun pet to have,” says Nadene.