If you don’t know anyone offhand, you can start by checking out a professional pet sitting service.  See if you can find one that deals with exotic animals.  It may take you a little more time than usual because these types of services are not common.  You’ll want to start your search at least several weeks before you leave; that is, if you know that far in advance that you’re leaving.

You can check with Pet Sitters International and The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters for more assistance.  You would probably have them do a few more additional tasks, like get the daily newspaper and check the mail.  You may also have them maintain the lighting by turning them on and off at different intervals of the day.

Getting a referral is a great way to get a sitter for your pet.  Make sure they know enough about exotic animals before you consider them to take care of yours.  In addition to professional pet organizations, ask around to see if anyone knows of people that are experienced in taking care of exotic pets such as chinchillas.  If by chance, you happen to know someone that has a chinchilla, see if they’re available and willing to watch your pet.

Just because they have the same kind of pet doesn’t mean they’re willing to take on the extra duties.  Ask your veterinarian if they know of anyone who can and are available to be a pet sitter while you’re gone.  Or even try the pet store.  Ask the employees if they can recommend someone.

Once you do have a candidate available, ask them questions to make sure they are knowledgeable about chinchillas.  Make sure they know how to take care of them, what to feed them, etc.  When you do find that person that will be able to take care of your pet, the next step is to find out the setup.  If you can move your chinchilla and the cage, then you may be able to transport it to a facility or take it to the sitter.

There is a downside to this:  if you do have to transport, beware that they may come in contact with other animals that have contagious diseases.  Also, since chinchillas don’t adapt to change well, especially an abrupt change, it may cause them to be stressed.  You can also have the pet sitter come to your house if you feel comfortable with that.  At least your pet will be in familiar territory.  They already know the surroundings, and they would be able to thrive.  If you use this option, you must be able to trust the person to stay in your home.

When you have found the right person, make sure you provide them with detailed instructions on how to care for your pet.  This is very important, because you want them to care for your pet like you care for them, so the chinchilla won’t notice a difference in that.  You should also leave detailed instructions and information for the pet sitter in the event of an emergency.

If your pet needs treatment and you can’t get back right away, then you may want to give them permission to get treatment for them.  Leave a contact number for your veterinarian as well as a contact number where you can be easily reached.

It may take time for this process, but once you find the right person, your mind will be at ease.

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Chinchilla pellets can be purchased from a breeder or a pet store.  Not all brands contain the same ingredients.  When your purchase them, be sure that the basic ingredients are in the mix.  This would include alfalfa meal, wheat germ, molasses, oats, soybean oil meal, corn, and added vitamins and minerals.  The chinchilla pellets are long because the animals eat with their hands and they must be able to grasp them.

The chinchillas consume the pellets until they feel full.  When they get to that point, they will stop and refrain from overeating.  You can either feed them once or twice a day.  You’ll want to figure out which feeding regimen is best for them.  Stick with whatever works best and be consistent.  If you’re not, the chinchilla will know and the inconsistency will cause them to be stressed.

A chinchilla’s livelihood is based on routines.  You can feed the pellets to them either from a hopper feeder or a ceramic bowl.  The hopper feeder is good to use because you don’t have to concern yourself about it falling over.  Ceramic bowls are good because they are heavy and the chinchilla can’t chew it, like they would a plastic bowl.

Chinchilla pellets are one of the best things they can eat; but if for some reason you can’t locate them, you can substitute rabbit or guinea pig pellets for them.  These are fine to consume as long as they contain plenty of fiber and are low in fat.  If for some reason you do have to switch their pellets, do it gradually.  Once they get used to a system, it’s difficult for them to change suddenly.  They will adapt, but they get stressed if it happens all at once.

Hay is good for them because it also provides fiber for their system.  You can choose from two kinds:  alfalfa or timothy.  They can be purchased in loose or small compressed blocks with a measurement of 1″ X 1″ X 2″.  The animals will eat both kinds and it must be chemical and mold free.  Because of their sensitive digestive system, chinchillas can only consume fresh hay.  To remain fresh, it must be stored in a dry place.

Fifty-pound bags may be too much for a chinchilla owner, so cubes can be purchased in smaller amounts.  It’s better if the cubes are broken into smaller pieces.  This way, they can handle them easier as opposed to being one cumbersome piece.  One pressed cube or a handful of hay is all an adult chinchilla usually eats.

An alternative to hay would be Bermuda grass.  If your house has a lawn with Bermuda grass, you can feed that to your chinchilla.  However, the grass must be chemical and fertilizer free.  Just wash it off and give your chinchilla a few.  Bermuda grass helps to remedy any digestive issues.

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Unless you know in advance, you won’t necessarily detect that one of these actions can come from environmental stress.  You usually find out when the behavior or illness becomes a chronic issue.  If you are not aware of the issues of environmental stress, your pet may be more prone to suffer the after-effects.

If your pet is hyper, environmental stress will just compound the way they’re already feeling.  In order for them to get a grip, behavioral rehabilitation would help them regain their footing.  Of course, if your pet is already easy-going, then rehabilitation is not necessary.  Environmental stress can affect how the chinchilla was treated, before and now.  Environmental stress can affect your animal if they were abused or handled badly.  This in turn, can cause them to exhibit anti-social tendencies towards the next owner.

If your pet is experiencing boredom, this may eventually suffer from stress.  Your pet should be in an environment where there is some movement and noise.  On the other hand, enduring constant loud noise can take its toll on them, also.  It’s better for them to have noise, but it should be at a moderate level.  This way, if they do experience noise out of the ordinary, such as people, thunderstorms, etc., they’ll know how to handle it.  Your pet has to have a happy medium between the two extremes (boredom and chaotic noise).

Your pet will have to make adjustments if they came from an environment where there was boredom or chaos.  They’ll have to make adjustments to the unfamiliar and unknown.  Like a human being, your pet will feel strange because all they know at the moment is the environment to which they were accustomed to.  It may take your pet at least a week to regroup.  You can help by putting them in a quiet room with some soft jazz music.  There should be no other pets in the house while your pet is getting acclimated to different surroundings, including the owner.

Giving your pet this transition time is crucial and imperative because if they came from a chaotic environment, they will have to learn to relax and if they came from a boredom environment, they must have time to get in the groove to handle noise in a timely manner.  If they take on too much too quickly, your pet can get overwhelmed, causing additional stress.

You will have to learn to be sensitive to their needs and get a sense of when they might be ready.  It’s always best to start out small and gradual, then work your way up with your chinchilla.  This way, your pet can accept the gradual transition with ease.

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Like humans, chinchillas need water.  Their water should be fresh and changed daily.  This is crucial because if this is not followed, bacteria can grow and it would affect the chinchilla’s health.  It’s not a good idea to have them drink from standing water in a bowl.  They’ll be sure to catch bacteria that way.  Also, they may accidentally tip the bowl over and then you have a wet mess.  A preferred vehicle for drinking water would be a water bottle.  The bottle should be placed on the side of the animal’s cage.

If you do use a water bottle, it should be cleaned thoroughly to avoid any germs or bacteria.  Clean the entire bottle with hot water and have another one on stand-by.  The chinchilla will drink the water more if nothing has been added to it.  So, if you want your pet to drink plenty of water, it should stay as it is.

Since a pet chinchilla is special to their owner, it’s not surprising that they would want to reward their animal with a treat.  However, the owner must know that this can only be done in moderation.  Too many of these can cause the animal’s sensitive digestive system to go out of whack.  Not only will they gain weight, their lifespan would be short-lived.

If you’re going to give your chinchilla treat, give them raisins.  This is something that chinchillas love to eat.  They should only be given three to four raisins a week.  If the chinchilla is a baby or a young one, half a chinchilla will do.  Dried fruit, without sulfite preservatives, is fine.  Examples of this are a blueberry, a grape or a tiny apple slice.  If your chinchilla has diarrhea, you can give them wheat (spoon shredded size) or rolled oats minus the preservatives.  Raw, black oil sunflower seeds that are used for feeding birds are good for the animal’s outer coat.  You should not feed your animal cabbage, corn or lettuce.  These would be heavy on the digestive system.

When feeding them, the treats should be fed separately from anything else, including pellets.  If you mix them, they will not eat the pellets and just go for the treats instead.  If you give them something to gnaw on, let it be white pine or apple wood.  These wood types are good for their teeth and won’t cause damage.  Pine boards can also serve as a bottom platform for a chinchilla’s feet when they’re walking on a wire mesh material in their cage.  Any other type of wood may not be suitable for them.

Stay away from cedar, plum, plywood, cherry, fir, spruce and any other wood that can be harmful to their teeth.  If you’re not sure which wood type is good for them and which isn’t, check your local pet store.  They can assist you with your animal’s needs.

If you have a young or expectant chinchilla, their diet will have to be altered from the normal regimen.  If you’re not sure on what to feed them, check with your veterinarian or chinchilla breeder to get more information.  As you get acclimated to what your chinchilla needs, they can be assured of an uneventful and healthy lifestyle.

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Just because they may like exotic animals doesn’t mean that they’re qualified to take care of them.  They must have special training to medically care and treat them.  You will probably have to do a “Sherlock Holmes” number in searching for the right one to treat your chinchilla.  It’s best to search for a veterinarian that specializes in exotics and exotic animal medicine or one who is board certified in it).  You can ask veterinarians what kind of training they’ve had.

You can also check through certain organizations, such as the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) and the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV).  If you still need assistance, try a regular veterinarian with an interest in exotic animals that can consult with an exotic animal specialist.  It’s better if they’re experienced, but if not, this would be the route to go.

You can also try finding one through recommendations.  You can ask people that you know or search out some breeders.  You can also try other organizations that are into exotic animals.  Search for forums online that discuss chinchillas and exotic animals.  Try the yellow pages, your state veterinary directory or on the web to look for local veterinarians that specialize in exotic animals.

You should try to find one as soon as you can.  It’s not best to wait until your chinchilla has an emergency where you’ll need someone right away.  Then you’ll be taking more time away trying to find someone.  It could be a matter of life and death for your pet.

When you do find one that specializes in chinchillas and other exotic animals, set up an appointment.  Check to see how the veterinarian handles your pet and see if your pet takes to the veterinarian.  That’s very important in establishing a relationship.  If there’s not bonding between the two and yourself, then that’s probably not a good match and may not result in a quality relationship.

A good veterinarian will sit down and talk with you about your chinchilla’s care, health and diet.  This is also important because they should be comfortable in talking with you as well.  Besides, it’s your pet and you are the owner.

During the visit, you should evaluate the facilities to see if they are up to standards for taking care of exotic animals.  Find out how frequent do they have exotic animals for patients.  Do they have special equipment or facility to accommodate them?  Have they had much experience with exotic pets?

What kind of training was involved?  If your veterinarian can answer these questions, then you may have yourself a winner.  It’s not easy to find the right person to fit the bill.  Even though looking for one may be a challenge, when you find the right person, it will be worth it for you and your chinchilla.

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Chinchilla coats have to stay healthy and clean.  In order to do that, your pet chinchilla must have dust baths on a regular basis.  The dust baths also help to keep their coats silky, shiny and keeps the coats looking thick.  Your pet enjoys these types of baths because they get to roll and flip in the dust.  As long as they get to move around, they’re fine, hence the reason for rolling and flipping in the dust.

The best type of bath dust to use should be bought from the store.  That is because the product is tailor made for chinchillas.  As they roll and flip in the dust, the dust infiltrates through the coat and goes in their skin.  This causes the dust to soak up oil and dirt from their fur.  The bath dust for your pet should reach several inches deep in a container.

Two types of dusts used most often are “Blue Cloud Chinchilla Dust” and “Blue Sparkle Chinchilla Dust”.   Make sure the bath dust you purchase is specifically tailored for your pet chinchilla.  You risk not having the same effect on your pet if your purchase something other than bath dust.  Chinchilla bath dust should work similar to what they would have in their homeland.

For a container, you can use a heavy bowl that won’t tip over.  Get one that is larger than your pet.  Some good suggestions are glass fish bowls or canisters.  Another suggestion is a plastic house type container.  This type of container should have a round bottom.  You should put the bath in the chinchilla’s cage each evening as the chinchillas are moving around.

You can’t bathe your pet chinchilla too much with the dust bath.  This can cause their skin to dry out.  The dust should not be left in the cage because the animal will sit in it and utilize it as a litter box.  Give your pet a dust bath at least twice a week.  It’s better to administer it in the evening, when they’re the most active.

However, if you determined that your pet’s fur looks dull or moist, you can give them the bath more than twice a week.  Of course, when it gets hot and humid, your pet should get more frequent baths.  The baths should last about 10 – 15 minutes.  If you find that your pet’s skin is dried out, flaky or itchy, cut back on the frequency of the dust bath.

The bath dust can be reused several times before changing.  After you’ve bathed your pet, check for any waste and scoop it out.  You should also use fresh bath dust if you find the current dust to look dirty or clumpy.  Throw it out and use a fresh batch of dust.  You may find it useful to try a covered bath, but the downside is that your pet will still move around and shake off the dust.  So a covered bath may actually defeat the purpose.  You should get a good duster and continue to provide regular baths.

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A chinchilla’s cleanliness relies on regular dust baths.  If they don’t have them, they can end up being stressed which can turn into health issues.  They can also suffer from behavioral issues as well.  When it’s warm, give your pet a fresh dust bath every other day for about ten minutes.  Their fur will not be matted and greasy.  If their fur stays like that, they can get overheated.  When it’s cold, you should dust bath your pet twice a week.  When you’re giving them a dust bath, cover the cage with sheets to prevent dust from flying everywhere.

You can give your chinchilla a dust bath every day if their skin doesn’t get dry.  They did it when they were running wild.  This may help them especially if their fur is continuously matted and greasy.  You may want to consult a veterinarian just to be sure.

It’s not good to smoke around your pet.  The second hand smoke is detrimental to your pet’s health as it is a human’s health.  The tar from the cigarette covers their fur.  The chinchilla would be able to taste the smell because they clean their fur with their mouths.  The tar is ingested in their bodies.  You must give a new chinchilla in your care a wet bath if you find this to be the case for your pet.

Another idea for the dust bath is to mix Arm & Hammer Baking Soda to the mix.  This helps your pet to smell fresh.  If your pet is urine-sprayed, wipe him with a damp cloth and dry them completely with a towel.  Then you can administer the dust bath.  Usually the chinchilla learns to roll in the dust bath from their parent.  If not, that means that the parent was not throughout in their training of the pet.

If your pet is sensitive or allergic to dust, you should wipe their nose.  The sensitivity can result from inhaling particles.  You will know this by the chinchilla clearing their nose.  Other symptoms include the eyes watering.  You must beware when you see this happening to your pet.  It could be a sign of pneumonia or an issue with the respiratory system.

If your pet is not using the dust bath, give him a massage everyday.  Once your pet starts accepting feeling the cleanliness, he’ll use the dust bath on his body.  If they still refuse it, it may mean something more serious, like an injury.  You will know this if they don’t move around like they normally do or if they can’t roll without feeling pain.  They may also refuse it because of the texture of the dust bath.  Some stores carry a heavier texture than others.  If that’s the case, check with the pet store to see if they have a lighter texture.

However you do it, make sure that your pet feels clean and fresh at all times.

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Establishing a good working relationship with a veterinarian can be a challenge for any pet owner, but is a special challenge for the exotic pet owner. The exotic pet owner must find a vet who is willing to see their pet, knows something about their pet, and has the facilities, equipment and materials to treat their pet.

An interest in exotics doesn’t necessarily equal proficiency in treating them. I say this from experience, as although I am fascinated with exotic pets, I have no special training in treating them medically. When I was practicing as a veterinarian, except for very routine care, I generally referred exotics to a specialist nearby. Thing may have changed a bit since I went to school, but during my training, exposure to exotics was still very imited even though I sought out extra exposure to exotic pets in my choice of clinical rotations. If at all possible, try to locate a vet who specializes in exotics and has taken specialized training (e.g. a residency in exotic animal medicine, or one who is board certified in an exotics specialty).

Such specialists can be hard to come by, so the next best is someone who has lots of experience treating exotic pets. Ask a potential veterinarian about their training, credentials, and memberships in specialty organizations such as the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) or the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV). At the very least, choose a veterinarian with a real interest in exotic species and who is willing to learn about them and who will consult with a specialist when needed.

Personal recommendation or word of mouth is probably the most efficient way of finding a veterinarian. Friends, breeders, or organizations (e.g. the local herpetological society, other clubs) are good starting points. Other places to locate veterinarians include the yellow pages/phone directories (look for clinics that specifically advertise that they treat exotics), the state/provincial veterinary association directory, or even web pages that have veterinary directories (including the AAV and ARAV sites mentioned above). Several species specific web pages have sections where readers can submit contact information for veterinarians they have used.

Most importantly, do not wait until an emergency to find a vet. If your pet should get sick, a veterinarian with whom you feel comfortable and who is comfortable dealing with your pet will make the situation less stressful. An initial check up is well advised for any new pet and this is a good chance to see how a veterinarian handles your pet and how comfortable they are with your pet, and also to see if you and the veterinarian make a good match – sometimes there is a personality clash and you won’t develop a good rapport with a certain veterinarian.

A veterinarian familiar with exotics will spend a good deal of time discussing the care and husbandry of a particular pet, as many problems with exotic pets are related to improper diet or husbandry. The veterinarian should also appear confident handling your pet.

There are several criteria which can be used to evaluate a practice in general and the following web pages discuss these in detail:

- How to Find a Veterinarian – advice from About’s Guide to Veterinary Medicine on finding and evaluating a vet, with a link to some online vet finder directories.

- How to Find an Avian Veterinarian – helpful tips for finding a veterinarian- geared toward bird owners but also applicable to any exotic species.

For exotics there are more specific considerations, including:

- special training or continuing education related to exotic pet medicine

- how often exotic species are seen in their practice

- special facilities or equipment to handle exotic pets

- experience (personal or professional) and familiarity with the husbandry and medicine of a particular species

Finding the right vet can be a challenge and may not seem that important when your pet is healthy, but the effort will be well worth it if your pet should fall ill!

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Since they are fearful, when their owner treats them as such, they start to feel withdrawn and stressed out.  Like a human, they can feel your hostility and anger.  In turn, they will become more defensive.  You should never blow in their face to punish them.  The germs from your air can transmit onto them.  They are susceptible to catching a virus, the cold or the flu.

When a chinchilla gets hostile, they will spray urine.  They are acting out on their need to withdraw.  They still feel defensive, and you may not know why.  The withdrawals won’t start until the root cause of it is revealed.  When the owner finds out what the problem is, the pet will feel better and can be safe in their habitat.

They will definitely make a change when they sense that you are not trying to put them down (degrade).  You will have to spend time giving them lots of love and patience.  This scenario is reminiscent of what humans go through in relationships.  Women, for the most part, want respect.  If their boyfriend or husband can’t or won’t give it to them, then they won’t be happy campers.

As long as you show your pet genuine love, concern and compassion, they will respond to you with a more accepting reaction.  When you give them a warning, do it in a stern, but loving manner.  Don’t get in the habit of just saying “no” all the time.  Doing this will just take your pet back to square 1.  That’s not a good idea.  On the other hand, there are some chinchillas that have no personality and tend to be harsh, abrasive or moody.  These kinds of pets are very vocal.

If you have a pet chinchilla that is withdrawn due to owner neglect or abuse, it may be helpful for them to have their behavior rehabbed.  This type of rehabilitation can help your chinchilla to change their tune.  You have to be very mature to take care of an exotic animal such as a chinchilla.  Just remember that you have to be even-tempered, calm and non-threatening.  You also have to have patience because changes just don’t happen overnight.  You’ll have to look past it and do your part to help in the change.  The chinchilla is scared and they may pretend to be threatening, but they’re really not.

You must continue to love them, be compassionate, gentle, constantly give them assurance and lots of affection.  In time, they will change to the loving pet chinchilla you want them to be.

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If you do buy one from a pet store, make sure that facility has a reputable following.  The employees there should be knowledgeable about what you’re looking to buy.  They should also be able to offer you tips and suggestions to keep your pet healthy.  If you’re looking more on the breeding side, you should get one from a breeder.  They will be able to advise you on the different aspect of breeding, etc.

Buying a chinchilla from a pet store is not without its risks.  It’s been noted that some pet stores take chinchillas that can’t be bred or the skin can’t be removed.  If you are considering one of these pets from the pet store, ask about the breeders and related sources, along with a history of how they were raised.  This way, if they have any problems, you’ll know up front.

Then you can decide whether or not you want to still take on the task.  If you can’ insist a breeder in your area, then a pet store is probably your only recourse.  If you have to get one from the pet store, ask how long have they been in the store’s care.  If you do decide to buy one from there, consult with the employees about getting a contingency agreement.  This agreement allows you to return the pet if they don’t pass a checkup.  You would also get a refund from your purchase.

There are other factors to consider before buying a chinchilla.  Make sure your are prepared to take care of the animal.  This is something you have to be committed to and it takes time for them to nuture and develop.  Check and make sure that the chinchilla is healthy.  Check out their entire body for any abornormalties.  The animal’s cage should be clean.  If it isn’t, it may mean that it wasn’t taken care of properly.  The chinchilla may be disturbed and irritable if it has been paired up with different animals, such as birds or rabbits.  This throws off their system during the day because chinchillas are night owls.

If you do buy a chinchilla, get one that is at least four months old.  Anything younger than three months is not ready to be trained.  Make sure the animal is in a cage that is located in a dry area.  They need to be somewhere where they don’t have direct exposure to the sun.  They need to be away from heat and humidity because it can cause them harm.  If you find that the chinchilla has a nervous tendency when you get close to it, it may be a sign of being nervous and scared.  It’s difficult to use these type of pets.

It is important that the chinchilla have food, hay and water.  These are essentials that your pet should have in order to stay healthy.

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