Chinchilla Care Information That Everyone Should Know

By Lindsey Perkins

Do you have a chinchilla as your pet and would like to know more about how to take good care of him? Handling a pet can be a very painful job at times because we really do not know more about their needs and since they cannot speak like us it is all up to us to decide how we want to take care of our pets.

Chinchillas are found in Southern America and they are exotic pets which are often hunted down for their excellent fur quality. If you are looking for chinchilla care information than you will find many other forums and websites where you can get detailed chinchilla care information.

Unlike other rodents, chinchillas prefer to remain clean and therefore they like dust baths. In the wild they often have their dust baths on the volcanic rocks but since that is not available you can go to the market and get a specially formulated dust which your chinchilla will like. Try not to bathe them with water because their body structure will suck in all the moisture from the water and that will give them a fever.

Many of us have a habit of overfeeding our pets. Please remember that overfeeding your chinchilla will only harm him. Hence, it is a better idea to give them limited amount of food and keep them active in their cage.

If you are building a cage for them try not to use wire mesh bottom cage as their feet are really tiny and would get trapped in the mesh often that would lead to foot sores and can irritate your pet all the time. Try to make a cage little bigger because they do not like to be in one place as they are agile by nature and expert jumpers. If you confine them in smaller cages they will not be happy with it.

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Suitable Houses For Guinea Pigs

Cedric James

Building an appropriate house is a step to creating a home for your guinea pigs. Always remember, your pets should not only be caged and displayed, they should be cared for and made comfortable.

Living in a house that emulates the natural niche of a cavy not only looks splendid but is essential if you want to keep your pet healthy and bursting with energy. Choosing the best house for your cavy should therefore be done with care, preempting any danger and considering the animal's behavior as it grows.

Contrary to what most people believe, there are no wild guinea pigs out there. Guinea pigs are rather denatured considering the time they are being kept by humans. Nevertheless, they still show signs of wanting to forage and hunt.

A large enough area will be suitable for your cavy. The cage's base should be somewhere between four and six square feet for a single guinea pig. You can increase this by two square feet for each of the next three animals. They are social and they like company. If you are planning to adopt a guinea pig, consider buying three.

For the height of the cage, pick a cage tall enough to discourage the cavy from climbing. You should also be able to reach the bottom of the cage easily for cleaning. A height of two feet is favored by most.

Cages usually come with plain wire mesh floor. This will injure your guinea pig's feet and may cause bumblefoot. To avoid this, you should line the floor, preferably with hay. You can also use hypoallergenic wood shavings or even unprinted paper shreds.

Next, you should then put ornaments and toys inside the cage. Placing a pot inside will give your pet something to climb and hide in. Putting a plastic tube will give your pet a hiding place when threatened. Put logs, sticks and small blocks of wood to satisfy your pet's need to chew. Add some exercise paraphernalia to the cage, like the wheel. Try some rocks to give the cage some terrain for your pet to tackle.

Then place utensils for eating and drinking. For the food, pick a heavy dish, preferably made of ceramic or clay. Your pets can be quite playful even when eating. Sometimes, they may tip the feeding dish and spill the contents wasting the food and spoiling the cage. Also, pick a feeding dish that you can easily transfer from one spot in the cage to another. Guinea pigs like to forage. Give him this challenge to keep him from getting bored.

For drinking, get a drinking dish that is also heavy and not too high. It should be easily accessed by your cavy. You should also be able to remove it easily as you will need to wash the dish and replace the water every day.

Better yet, buy a guinea pig feeder and waterer that fits your cage. This will ensure freshness of the water and the food.

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Chinchilla Names Galore

By Gregory Graham

Choosing the appropriate chinchilla name may be quite a dilemma for some pet owners but to others, it is a fun and exciting experience as you only get the chance to do it once. It is best for every pet owner to already have a chinchilla name in mind so as not to get overwhelmed during the process. There might be some things that you need to consider in doing this task though.

Some pet owners become too excited with this task that even before they have purchased their sweet chinchilla from the pet store, they already have a name in mind. Other pet owners prefer to choose chinchilla names right after purchasing them because they opt to base the name to the kind of personality that their pet has. Because chinchillas are such fuzzy and adorable creatures, they have been called by so many chinchilla names and what every pet owner must keep in mind is to give their sweet chinchilla the best and most unique name that they could ever think of.

The chinchilla's adorability physically is oftentimes the main basis for naming them too. They go by names such as Honey, Sugar, Pepper, Mint, and even Salt, all of which are wonderful names that are unique for Chinchillas. There are still other names you can choose from such as Spot, Speckles, and even Fluffy. These names you choose on your own or with the help of your significant others but it should be based primarily on how you describe your pets. A plump one can go by a chinchilla name of Hefty and a skinny one by the name of Whimpy. Because a sweet chinchilla can have big ears too, some pet owners call them by the name of Sonar.

Chinchillas are active pets and because they are so, most pet owners believe that their name should be chosen by the kind of personality they possess. Active chinchillas love to climb almost anywhere around the cage and jump from one area to another. They act this way because in their wild habitat they are used to climbing rocky mountain surfaces as their strategy to escape fierce predators. Thus they are called Skippy, Jumpy, Feisty and even Spunky. There are also chinchillas that are more laid back than the other chinchillas. If hyperactive chinchillas want to spend their time climbing and jumping around the cage, others prefer to sleep the day away. Chinchillas that are super active will remain super active throughout its life while a chinchilla that is more behaved will remain that way too.

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Chinchilla Noises - Understanding the Noises Your Chin Makes

By Leah Petersson

Any pet owner who'd like to keep a Chinchilla should be aware of the different noises these furry creatures make. Chinchilla noises have different meanings and convey different messages not just to pet owners, but also to other individuals. While a typical Chinchilla is quiet, it does make different sounds to express their emotions.

The sounds vary in terms of pitch. Some sounds are high pitched while some can be gentle a person may have difficulties hearing it. These sounds are usually heard at night, the time when Chins are most active.

Perhaps the most common sound that Chins make is a series of muted grunts. This type of Chinchilla noises is made by these creatures to gain the attention of their pet owners. Chins may also make a hoarse sound to call the attention of their owners. This type of sound is not just made by Chins to get the attention of a human, but also to attract other animals.

Chinchillas also make a succession of shrills, or a sudden but deafening burst. A distressed Chin usually makes this type of noise. When they are in the wild, Chins use this sound to warn other Chins against any threat like predators. This kind of Chinchilla noises is also done by caged Chins whenever they feel threatened due to a variety of reasons. It could be because there are other pets near their place. The point is, pet owners must look after their Chins if their pets make this kind of sound.

Another type of noise that Chinchillas make is a loud squeak. This sound is loud enough to be heard by their pet owners. This is made by Chins once they are in pain. It could also be due to a sudden fright. Chins react with this kind of Chinchilla noises after an injury, or if they have been roughly handled by an individual. This kind of noise is rarely made by a Chin, and can only indicate the rough position that the animal is in.

It is not unusual for these creatures to chatter their teeth. They usually do this sound when they want to warn other Chins. It's like the teem saying 'back off'. A Chin who makes this noise may like to flee or hide from other Chinchillas. This usually happens to a Chin who shares a cage with other Chins.

The last type of Chinchilla noises is the hostile grunt. This is a sound that is normally made by upset Chins. This is an uncommon sound that a Chin makes. It is only made when the Chin is seriously upset from occurrences like an unknown individual picking them up, or if another Chin tries to steal their food. One common distinction of this sound is that it can be very annoying to the pet owner. When the Chin makes this sound, the pet owner should leave the Chinchilla alone.

Chinchillas, like any other animal, have emotions that they can only express through sounds. Learning the meanings of Chinchilla noises is a good start for any person wanting to be familiar with these creatures.

Are you looking for more information on Chinchilla noises? I am here to help! My name is Leah Petersson. I am a freelance Expert Author and a Chinchilla enthusiast who has been caring for Chinchillas for quite some time. If you are looking for a good and effective solutions to the problems with your Chinchilla, the Chinchilla noises information on my site may provide you with the solution you are looking for. There are also some effective methods to getting a healthy and happy Chin that anyone can use.

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Information About Your Violet Chinchilla

By Leah Petersson

Chinchillas are loved by many because of their good looks and pleasing attitude. These hyperactive rodents originated from the Andes Mountains in South America. They have been bred for captivity through the years after almost being extinct in the 19th century. These days there are a good number of Chinchilla colors that any pet owner can choose from. One of them is the violet Chinchilla.

This type of Chinchilla began in South Africa back in 1960. American Lloyd Sullivan is credited for discovering this mutation when he visited South Africa. After spotting this mutation, he did not hesitate to buy a group or herd of Violets.

During that time, South Africa was not allowed to trade directly either with the United States and the United Kingdom. Sullivan had no choice but to take the herd to Zimbabwe by putting them in a cart and hiding them under a group of chickens. Sullivan took a long route, from Nigeria to West Germany to carry the first violet Chinchilla. He then made the trip to California where he sold the herd to a farm in Oakhurst. The first Violets was introduced to the public in 1967. Since then, Violets have also been referred to as the Sullivan Violet.

It should be noted that despite their name, violet Chinchillas are not as purple as their name implies. Violets, as they are fondly called, usually have solid and generally darker violets. In the United Kingdom, Violets were introduced in the late 80s. They were very popular at first because of the extremely good quality of their fur, despite it being tight around the shoulders. Violet Chinchilla however deteriorated in quality when breeders paired Violet to Violet.

There are certain characteristics of Chinchillas having violet colors. The most striking is their dark eyes that look solid and full to any pet owner. They also have gray ears. Like most variations of Chins, violet colored Chinchillas have a white underbelly. Their skin boasts of a splendid, solid grey color with hues of violet.

There are some things to remember in breeding for a violet colored Chinchilla. First, two animals that have the violet gene will result to a violet colored Chinchilla. Those who don't have the violet gene will result to the standard violet carrier. A violet Chinchilla which mates with another animal which does not carry the violet gene will result to an offspring with a 50/50 chance of becoming a possible violet carrier or PVC.

It is highly important for breeders to breed standards with the violets. An ideal breeding pair is a couple of standards with violet genes. It is also good to have one parent with violet gene paired with a standard violet carrier. In breeding violets, starting with big and good quality species is highly recommended.

Without a doubt, the violet Chinchilla ranks as a very popular breed of Chins that can appeal to just about any pet owner. With their dark eyes, gray ears, and violet colored fur, Violets are recommended to any interested Chin pet owner.

Are you looking for more information on Violet Chinchilla? I am here to help! My name is Leah Petersson. I am a freelance Expert Author and a Chinchilla enthusiast who has been caring for Chinchillas for quite some time. If you are looking for a good and effective solutions to the problems with your Chinchilla, the Violet Chinchilla information on my site may provide you with the solution you are looking for. There are also some effective methods to getting a healthy and happy Chin that anyone can use.

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How to Choose the Right Bedding For Your Guinea Pigs

By Cedric James

In nature, guinea pigs love a comfortable place to live in. Putting them in a cage with barren wire mesh floor will not only be rude but painful four your pet. To make your cavy comfy, it would be wise to put a flat base under the wire cage. This will also make it easier for the cage to clean.

As for the bedding, there are different options to choose from. All will depend on your budget and what you think will be best for your pet. There are treated beddings especially made for cavies available online. You may also check on your local pet store if they can offer you good bedding supply.

Wood shavings for bedding are cheap. You can choose from pine pellets, aspen and pine shavings. Like any other natural bedding, make sure that the shavings are either cured or at least dried well.

Only shavings from select trees can be used. Do not risk on shavings if you don't know where it came from and how it was treated. Moist bedding fosters bacterial and fungal growth that may infect your pet. When available, opt for shavings treated to be hypoallergenic.

If you are uncertain of the quality of the shavings, leave them in open air to dry. Also, shavings produce some dust that your guinea pig will inhale. Check for dustiness before thinking of putting shavings in your cavy cage. Ascertain that the tree which the shavings are taken from is not treated with insecticide or other harmful chemicals to avoid poisoning.

Regular straw can also be put in your cage. As long as it is properly dried and rid of hard parts that may injure your guinea pig, it is fairly safe. You can make straw shavings on your own by cutting grass early in the morning (after the dew dries) and leaving it in the open air to dry. If you can spare the effort, dry them with a mild breeze to remove both dust and loose pollen.

Hay will be a good choice for cavy cage bedding. When cured well, hay has significantly less dust than wood shavings. It will also complement the chewing needs of your cavy. When cured properly, it has proteins and a lot of fiber to supplement your guinea pigs diet.

Unfortunately, hay cannot absorb fluids quite well. For this, you will need to replace the hay every day. Look out for signs of molding in your hay. Some pet stores sell hypoallergenic hay. This form of hay is well-cured and treated to prevent causing allergies to your pet.

If you work in an office that spews out a lot of shredded paper, it will also be wise to maximize this resource. Guinea pigs find shredded paper quite soft and comfortable. It is also absorbent. Shredded paper will also produce lesser dust and definitely no pollen. When using shredded paper as bedding for your guinea pig's cage, weed out strips that have ink. Some inks can be toxic to your guinea pig.

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What to Feed Your Pet Guinea Pig

By Robert Turberville

Wild guinea pigs or cavies are mainly grazers and live off plants and the stems, leaves and seeds of grass. Pet cavies thrive on grass, hay, fresh vegetable matter and grain.

Grass and Hay

Grass and hay form the principal part of a guinea pig's diet. The safest way of giving them access to grazing is to use a movable ark which can be moved frequently onto areas of fresh grass. Very fresh grass clippings can be used but they must not be left to wilt and ferment nor previously treated with any chemical fertilizers, weed killers etc. Feed good quality meadow hay to your pets. Quality hay is green in color, sweet smelling and should not contain harsh weeds such as thistle and dock. Use a hay rack for feeding to keep it off the floor otherwise it will get trodden and messed on.

Wild Plant Food

Many wild plants may also be fed to guinea pigs and are a useful part of their diet. Dandelions and groundsel are a favorite food plant of guinea pigs, but other weeds commonly found in lawns and flower beds can be safely given to your pets. These include chickweed, clover, coltsfoot, cow parsley, shepherd's purse, sow thistle, vetch and yarrow. Plants to be avoided because they may be poisonous, including bindweed, bryony, buttercup (unless dried), dock, dog's mercury, foxglove, laburnum, nightshade, (common and deadly), poppy, privet, ragwort, sorrel, wild clematis, wild arum, wood anenome and yew. Only feed those plants which you have a positive ID on; if in doubt leave it out. Plants from the roadside or fields may have been affected by road pollution or agricultural spray drift and these are best left where they are - stick to your garden or a known safe plot to gather weeds.

Raw Fruit and Vegetables

Raw fruit and vegetables help provide a regular vitamin C intake. Unlike a squirrel, your pet cavy does not use it's front feet as hands so give them their fruit and vegetables cut up into chunks. They appreciate celery, melon or lettuce leaves which they enjoy but, like dandelion, too much lettuce will cause them to pass urine frequently.

Cereal Food

Cavies need some cereal foodstuffs each day because, unlike their wild cousins, they do not have access to plentiful grass seed heads They can be fed on crushed oats, proprietary grain mixtures sold for guinea pigs, wholemeal bread and possibly bran fed twice a day either dry or moistened with hot or cold milk or water which is the way bran should always be fed.

Feeding Cleanliness

Left over food in feeding bowls may go sour especially in hot weather so remove bowls between feeding times. Guinea pigs trample over their empty food bowls or sit in them and use them as a toilet, and will get pretty smelly. Removing the bowls gives you the chance to give them a good wash before putting in fresh food at the next feed. Don't forget that cavies are grazers and eat little and often so fresh food needs to be available at all times of the day and night. Leave them hay and vegetables to feed on overnight.

Water and Supplements

Guinea pigs can get part of their water needs from fresh vegetable food but water must always be on hand for them to drink from. Drip feed bottles are a popular way of providing clean water but need scouring occasionally to stop the build up of algae. Useful supplements include a mineral lick (bought from a pet shop); cod liver oil in winter; and one 250mg tablet of vitamin C dissolved in water.

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