Our shelter received a chinchilla, how do we keep it healthy?
Chinchilla's have specific dietary, medical, and environmental needs that dramatically differ from other pets. If your facility, organization, or classroom would like a free presentation on caring for chinchillas in a shelter environment please contact me at 207 626 0130 to schedule a time that works for you and your staff. Our professionals teach chinchilla care to audiences worldwide and can provide instruction and materials tailored to your group.
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I saw an overheated* chinchilla or a chinchilla displayed with harmful** items at the pet store, what can I do?
In Maine, you can contact the Animal Welfare Program and leave a message for an Humane Agent to visit the establishment to check on them. Have the name of the store and address ready,
call (207) 287-3701 and press 1.
*Signs of overheating include red ears, stretching out on the floor of the cage, lethargy, seizures, and warm feet. A chinchilla's room should always be below 70 degrees, and their cage needs metal bars to allow air circulation. A chilling stone will not help them stay cool.
**Harmful items to chinchillas include plastic items, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, shredded paper bedding, exercise wheels or balls, hay balls, and other species within or next to their enclosure.
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I need to surrender my chinchilla, what do I do?
The decision to give up a pet can be an emotional experience; please be aware that surrenders are final. We require that all surrenders come with their cages and supplies, or that you make a $50 donation. To begin the process, email us for a surrender form. We will contact you for more information and to schedule an appointment to transfer the chinchilla(s) and their equipment.
If your chin just needs temporary care, we offer boarding!
If you are in a situation where you just need temporary chin housing, contact us about our boarding services! We often board chinchillas while their owners are vacationing, need a temporary situation, or are moving, for $25 weekly. All boarding fees are paid in advance, and your chin(s) will receive their home food and plenty of interaction during their visit. We'll even send photo updates!
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Do chinchillas need special care?
Chinchillas need a temperature controlled environment. Their room should be kept between 55 and 70 degrees year-round, meaning they need an air-conditioned room with low humidity.
Never get them wet. Chinchillas bathe themselves with fine dust that removes oil and dirt and keeps their fur fluffy and beautiful. They should be offered a dust bath at least twice a week. Healthy chinchillas do not need nail or teeth trimming, vaccinations, dietary supplements, or regular veterinary check ups.
Chinchillas need a low stress environment. If your cat or dog will spend time staring at or sniffing the chinchilla cage, your home is not a good fit for a chin. Loud noises or music, boisterous children, exposure to other pets, or too much playtime will all stress a chin and lead to illness.
Read the Care Information
The one and only ECBC Zoom Care Class!
Overwhelmed by all the conflicting internet, vet, and pet store information? Attend our Zoom care class and get legit care and handling information from Empress Educational Outreach professionals! Only $10 for chinchilla lovers, and free for Empress members and their adopters! Email us to sign up for the next class!
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Is a chinchilla the right pet for my child?
Chinchillas are not a good pet for most kids under 12, and not for some under 15. Tweens often have changing interests, but chins live 10-15 years. Parents should be prepared to love and care for the chinchilla when the child is too busy with other activities or leaves for college.
Chins are independent and cautious by nature; a child will quickly lose interest. Chins also do not enjoy being hugged, cuddled, or held for long periods, and can overheat. Their ribs and lungs are small and delicate; proper handling is essential.
If your teen expresses interest in adopting a chinchilla, ask them to read my care information, watch some YouTube videos, come to our free care class, and meet a chinchilla before they adopt.
Please also note that your chinchillas need a room that is off-limits to other pets, and kept at a consistent temperature of 68 degrees or below.
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What do chinchillas eat?
Chinchilla's eat a very simple, high fiber diet that consists of timothy hay and a low protein alfalfa based pellet. They can be fed a supplement that is predominantly oats, and be offered limited amounts of cheerios, mini shredded wheat, rose hips, or apple sticks as treats. Check my safe foods list here.
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How long do chinchillas live?
Chinchillas have been known to live in captivity for up to 30 years. They average 10-15 for most pet owners. Your chinchilla will live a longer life if you purchase a pedigreed animal, limit exercise, limit stress, provide air conditioning, and feed it properly.
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What kind of cage do they need?
Chinchillas love to chew, so if you want to keep your chin contained and healthy, you will provide an all metal cage with no plastic latches, connectors, accessories, or shelves. They chins will chew the plastic and eventually either be loose in your home, or die from an intestinal blockage. A plastic pan is usually ok if the wire walls sit down inside of it. Plastic shelves can be covered with fleece to make them safer, but metal or wood shelves are much better so that chins can form natural calluses to protect their feet from injury.
Chinchillas will poop everywhere but may use a litter pan to urinate. If your cage has a wire floor you should have a litter pan to prevent rust. Litter pans most often are 3 quart glass lasagna pans filled with 1" of pine shavings.
Your cage should be made of 1" wire bars or wire mesh with a slide out pan for easy cleaning. There should be many wood shelves and/or perches (placed no more than 6" apart horizontally or vertically) because chins like to move around their cage, and often sleep in the highest place. A typical cage will be 2' tall, 3' wide and 2' deep.
Chinchilla's natural homes were rock crevices and burrows, so they enjoy a cozy hiding place such as a wood house or under a low shelf. Professional chinchilla breeders use smaller cages because chins feel more secure, and they are safer for babies.
email us for cage modification suggestions.
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How do I choose a chinchilla?
Female and male pet chinchillas have generally the same dispositions. The notable exception is that a fearful female will spray you with urine as a defense. I usually only see this behavior with shelter chins and some breeding females; a spraying chin won't be offered as a pet.
We always try to adopt chinchillas in pairs because they transition better to a new home, feel more secure with companionship, and are overall more interactive, better pets for their owners.
Our adoption specialist Kate will help you match with a sweet companion!
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Can I adopt just one chinchilla? Why are yours in pairs?
Chinchillas are social animals and are healthier, happier, better pets for their owners when they are in pairs. Chins with a companion are less anxious and have a higher resistance to illnesses. Pairs also transition better into new homes and live longer healthier lives.
Some chins just like to be alone. They are often older chins who were always singles, or retired breeders.
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What's going on with Maine Chinchilla Shelter?
Marianne made a tough decision and closed the ranch in March, 2023. Most of the chinchillas went to a ranch in upstate New York, although a few stayed here in Maine to be spoiled at our foster home. Marianne maintains the shelter license, accepts applications, responds to emergencies, and coordinates with Fosters to place chinchillas into new homes.
Maine Chinchilla Shelter is a Maine licensed animal shelter facility that accepts few surrenders due to space constraints, but we are always available with information and support. Please call us with questions! We can help!
(207) 626 0130
