Chinchilla FAQs

Chinchillas should be housed in a large, indoors enclosure as they don’t cope well with temperatures that are too cold or too hot. The ideal temperature range is around 10-18C and their housing should be dry and well-ventilated, but not draughty. It is best to avoid noisy areas of the house, including anywhere with a TV or sound system as the vibrations from these can make chinchillas stressed.

Chinchillas originate from the Andes Mountains in northern Chile. They are herbivorous, and in the wild these plant-based eaters would munch on twigs, roots and stems as well as grass and leaves. This means pet chins need a diet with plenty of high-quality fibre to help support a healthy digestive system and prevent overgrown teeth. We also use tasty linseed in our chinchilla diets, to help keep their soft coats in tip top condition.

Chinchillas love a sand bath, and it is important for them to be able to express this natural behaviour. It’s also essential for keeping their skin and fur healthy. Chins have super soft coats; thanks to the fact they have 80 hairs per follicle. Always use a fine, specialist chinchilla bathing sand and replace this weekly. Normal sand or sawdust are not safe alternatives, as they can cause damage to your pet’s eyes.