Chinchillas are charming rodents with interesting habits that can be kept at home. What kind of care will such a pet require, how to choose and how to buy a chinchilla?
In order for an exotic animal to feel comfortable in your house or apartment, you need to provide the right conditions in advance. Simply buying a cage and food will not be enough; these rodents are extremely sensitive to air temperature and humidity. This means you will need to create and maintain a certain microclimate in the cage. If you are not afraid of such difficulties, then you can move on to choosing and buying a chinchilla.
How to Choose and Buy a Pet Chinchilla
Chinchillas differ from each other not only in species and coat color. Each animal has its own individual character, which must be taken into account when choosing a pet. Before choosing and buying a pet chinchilla in a cattery or from a breeder, observe the animals. If the rodents run up to the door when the cage is opened, do not shy away from the owner, and do not hide, this indicates the activity and restlessness of the animals. Such curious animals make sociable pets.
If the animal does not hide, but is not in a hurry to leave the cage either, we can conclude that the animal has a restrained temperament and a calm character. Such a pet will lead a measured lifestyle, without particular mobility and activity. The worst thing is when little chinchillas start hiding and running away when the cage is opened. Such a reaction indicates stress, due to which the animal will avoid contact with humans.
You also need to visually assess the health of the animal. Healthy chinchillas have shiny, thick fur, bright eyes, and a dry, clean nose.
Basic Rules for Caring for Pet Chinchillas
Before you decide to buy live chinchillas, be sure to study all the rules for caring for these animals at home. A pet chinchilla will need a spacious, multi-tiered cage. It should be installed in a place where direct sunlight will not fall and away from heating appliances. Inside the cage, you need to put a house where the rodent will retire and rest. Also, a litter box, a drinking bowl, a feeder, and a sand bath must be placed in the internal space of the cage, in which the animal will clean its fur.
Chinchillas are fed with special dry food mixtures, fresh greens, berries and fruits, hay, and herbs. A mineral stone should be placed in the cage, against which the rodent will grind its constantly growing teeth, and at the same time receive the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals.
You must never grab or squeeze the animals. They cannot tolerate such treatment. You can talk to pet chinchillas; they love being scratched and stroked very much.
Where Can You Buy a Chinchilla?
Where can you buy a chinchilla to keep it at home? In fact, there are plenty of offers for the sale of chinchillas, because these animals are extremely popular. Rodents are also sold at so-called bird markets, but we definitely do not advise you to make a purchase there! Having decided to buy a chinchilla from private sellers, you are unlikely to receive reliable information about the health and keeping of the animal.
When choosing where to buy a chinchilla, study the offers from specialized catteries first. Professional breeders always keep animals in proper and comfortable conditions, and their health is given the closest attention. In addition, having decided to buy a chinchilla in a cattery, you can get detailed consultations on the proper care of the animal from specialists. And this is valuable information for those who have never kept such exotic animals as chinchillas as pets before.
Different catteries offer to buy a live chinchilla at various prices; the cost of the animal ranges from 2 to 30 thousand rubles. Prices depend on the breed; the rarer it is, the higher the price of the chinchilla will be.