But they need special care. The cage should be outfitted with everything that a chinchilla needs. You do not need to separate them until much later on. Additionally, chinchillas need social interaction at least once per day. Warmed kitten milk would be the best choice after their birth mothers milk. Thats because: While jumping is natural behavior, safety is paramount. Doing so is simple enough. If all is well, gently pick up the chinchilla by its torso for a few seconds. With good care, chinchillas can live up to 20 to 30 years. The chinchilla will eat the placenta; this is normal behavior and is not dangerous. Chinchillas are a fun, energetic pet that is relatively easy to care for. Chinchillas are said to eat their young, but this is very uncommon. So be extra vigilant about choosing the right chinchilla for you. Between 8 and 12 weeks, the kit will wean entirely off milk and only eat adult food. The young chinchillas are typically free of the mother and no longer dependent on her. Another reason to choose a reputable breeder is that they know how to care for and handle baby chinchillas. Milk supplements may be required if kits are not getting heavier. They require a clean cage, food that consists of chinchilla pellets and hay, and a room thats kept at the correct temperatures. Housing Adult chinchillas have sure footing and can do all sorts of acrobatics around a nice tall cage. It is possible that the mother will not feed her young or will not produce milk in a rare case. If you want to see a successful litter, you must work hard to help the mother chinchilla. Bloating in chinchillas is much more serious than in people, and can even kill. Should You Get a Chinchilla Or a Hedgehog? If you have another nursing female, or know of somebody who does, then you can foster the kits to her. Female chinchillas will have a very difficult time providing for large litters so in these cases you might need to rotate kits being fed, hand feed, or give babies to foster chinchillas. If there is, you must contact an emergency vet. Housing Adult chinchillas have sure footing and can do all sorts of acrobatics around a nice tall cage. If your chinchilla isnt getting enough sleep, he or she may become lethargic and disinterested in anything. House baby chinchillas in a small cage where there will be less room for them to run, jump, and possibly get hurt. Chinchillas do not like to be held, but if they are handled as young as possible, they can be trained to become affectionate companions. Grass hay (such as Timothy hay or other low calcium hays such as orchard grass, oat hay, or meadow hay) is a good choice for Chinchillas if they require a high fiber diet. Weaning takes place between the ages of 6 and 8 weeks. That someone could be you! All rights reserved. Chinchilla foliage typically matures in eight months. To make the transition easier, milk will gradually be transitioned to food. They will start by eating small amounts of hay. If you intend to adopt a chinchilla baby, youll need to take extra precaution. Chinchillas are thought to be smarter than rabbits and can be taught to play with humans. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". They have access to this facility from the moment they are born and can interact with the cage. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Once born, chinchilla kits are surprisingly independent. WebNewborn kits need to depend on their mothers to breastfeed them. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. It is critical to understand that some chinchillas will not tolerate being handled, whereas others will. If you do not properly care for your chinchilla, it may become ill, injured, or even die. 1 How To Take Care Of A Chinchilla (Chinchilla Care 101) 1.1 Top 5 Tips For Providing Great Chinchilla Care 1.2 Proper Diet And General Nutrition 1.2.1 Proper Weight And Limiting Treats 1.3 Plenty Of Fresh Water Is Essential 1.4 Habitat And Choosing The Best Chinchilla Cage 1.4.1 Cage Size Matters 1.4.2 Keep The Cage Clean For Your If you try to take the kits away, the mother will initially be nervous. As such, separating kits from mothers too soon can lead to behavioral problems like aggression. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". They enjoy playing outside in their enclosures, as well as being curious and playful when they are allowed to do so. New baby chinchilla parents are often excited to get their first chinchilla. They can, as a form of dominance display. If you try to take the kits away, the mother will initially be nervous. Chinchillas are considered a juvenile with special care requirements until 5-6 months, although most chinchilla continue to grow until 8-18 months. When a Chinchilla reaches 8 to 12 weeks of age, he or she should be left with their mother until the baby is older, and depending on the kits personality, the mother may teach the baby behaviors and socialization skills. On the other side, the mother eats one of its kits if it is very ill. Baby chinchillas need to be held and touched regularly in order to acclimate to humans. Think you know everything there is to know about chinchillas? It really depends on the individual chinchilla. As a result of her presence, they gain skills such as behavior and socialization. Overfeeding your chinchilla can be very dangerous and will likely cause your chinchilla to become sick in a hurry. You must provide an enclosure with only one level, which does not have gaps between wire of more than 1/2in, and must have a solid floor. Youll have to keep the mother and its babies together in this new setup until the young are old enough to leave. Remember that chinchillas are sensitive and curious creatures, and leaving them alone, even in a chinchilla-proof area, can be potentially harmful. Chinchillas can breed up to four kits per litter (2 is common), so each litter may have between one and three kits. If you hand-feed the runt, the baby can gradually grow into a normal size. a water bottle, a hide and platforms to jump from. In order to increase the likelihood of producing nice chinchilla kits (babies). They must be fed every two hours for the first two weeks of their lives, then every three to four weeks until weaning. There is some uncertainty about the exact causes of the condition, but one factor is that mothers milk glands are underdeveloped. All mammals begin life by feeding on nothing but milk. mypetsfamily.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. She is an excellent parent who supplies the young chinchillas with milk, warmth, and protection. How do you raise chinchillas? Nonetheless, some adolescents can grow past 18 months. *Note: Metric grams are used by the breeding community as they are more precise and easier to convert than ounces. Cute Guinea Pig Names 200 Unique Names To Choose From, Cow Names Over 400 Amazing Names For Your Cattle. Each chinchilla will tip the scales differently. In some cases, they may even mate before; it depends on when the female begins its period of being in heat. The process of separating chinchilla kits from their parents is an easy one to understand. Most chinchillas would rather be playing and exploring than being cuddled. With good care, chinchillas can live up to 20 to 30 years. In addition to its mother's milk a newborn chinchilla will start nibbling on stalks of hay and soon it can eat pellets as well. Newborn chinchillas should be handled carefully and only when necessary. WebA mother is very protective of her kits and can be aggressive toward those that threaten her babies. Despite the fact that chinchillas are uncommon to eat their own babies, breeders should be prepared for anything. Newborn chinchillas weigh between 30 and 60g. Aside from these points, all good care guidelines apply, e.g. mypetsfamily.com isnot a veterinary website, nor should any of the reptile health information on our site replace the advice of a certified veterinary professional. Pick up your chinchilla gently but firmly and hold him against your chest. WebChinchillas are small animals that require a small amount of food to maintain their health. Hand feeding is the process of replicating a mothers milk formula with a syringe of homemade formula. Place the chinchilla in a large cage that is large enough to keep both mother and child safe. It is common practice for breeders to wait at least eight weeks before dividing their animals. Baby chinchillas need to be held and touched regularly in order to acclimate to humans. (Be Careful Not To Overdo It), Can Chinchillas Eat Lettuce? The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". WebUnlike other species, chinchilla parents will NOT reject their young if they smell human scents on them. by providing your suitably-grown kits with platforms to jump from, or a pen to run around in. There are several reasons why this might occur: Observe the mother and its kits to figure out what the issue is. Before giving birth, make sure the mother is in a secure environment and the father is separated from the children so he does not cause harm. If it is starving and about to die, it can do such unpleasant activity. Chinchilla Treats That WONT Kill Your Pet, What Do You Need for a New Chinchilla? She is an excellent parent who supplies the young chinchillas with milk, warmth, and protection. WebNo, chinchillas are not hard to take care of. Chinchillas in general are fun and lively pets, and very entertaining. Fatty Liver Disease & Liver Infections in Chinchillas, Chinchilla Vitamin & Mineral Requirements. If your chinchilla is not sleeping as much as usual, you should check its temperature and humidity levels and make any necessary adjustments to its habitat. WebA mother is very protective of her kits and can be aggressive toward those that threaten her babies. Chinchillas need a diet that is high in fiber. Chinchillas are typically fully grown by eight months. Long-tailed chinchillas are lighter than short-tailed chinchillas. Chinchilla puppies carry litter on a regular basis, making them warriors in this regard. The temperature inside the box should be between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They should be completely weaned off milk by the end of 8-12 weeks of age. After the 2 weeks, I would give the mother a dust bath, yes. But occasionally you will get one that likes to snuggle up to you. And of course, one for the mother chinchilla. This will ensure that your chinchilla will be better at responding to you. If the female has another litter, though, its milk production will continue. Chinchillas can live up to 10 or more years with proper care. A reputable chinchilla breeder is also likely to have extensive experience caring for and handling their baby chinchillas. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When chinchillas are young, they are highly active. Try to get all the kits used to you handling them, in case you need to hand-feed them later on. A barker wouldnt be a good idea, either. Do, not give the baby any treats when young. Giving you the information you need about interacting with chinchillas. Chinchillas are easy to care for. A litter of two or more chinchillas, also known as kit chinchillas, is common in chinchillas. Some males can be good fathers, but others can be aggressive to the kits and even try to kill them. After the 2 weeks, I would give the mother a dust bath, yes. To feed it, hold the kit in your hand. Kitten milk can be purchased in a variety of ways, including pet stores and veterinary clinics. Chinchillas typically have litters of two to six babies, with three being the average. It can also occur because of stress, improper diet or illness. The first few weeks of a chinchillas life are spent in a nest box lined with soft materials such as shredded paper or towels. Increase their feedings to every hour until they get bigger. It is a part of the process, and each chinchillas behavior varies depending on the type of environment in which they live. Chinchillas Are Affectionate. They live an average of 9 to 15 years, in which they go through their stages. Long-tailed chinchillas are lighter than short-tailed chinchillas. In the wild, the young adult kits could join other herds; or, they could stay as part of the same herd, but spend less time with their parents. WebUnlike other species, chinchilla parents will NOT reject their young if they smell human scents on them. Provide, Beginning after 4 weeks, concluding 10-12 weeks. Welcome to our complete guide to handling chinchillas! On average, mothers give birth to 2 to 4 kits per litter. When holding a chinchilla, place its hind legs on your hands and its front legs against your body, rather than just in your outstretched hands. milk replacement. Chinchillas are extremely fast animals and should not be handled in a breakneck fashion. It is seriously important not to over feed a newborn kit as they can potentially die due to their sensitive gastrointestinal tract adjusting to food alterations. By gentle pushing her stomach, she should feel squishy, but if her stomach still feels hard and you can still feel lumps, she still has kits inside her. If you intend to adopt a chinchilla baby, youll need to take extra precaution. The reason is likely that chinchillas are under less pressure to produce offspring quickly than other rodents, as they face fewer natural threats. Copyright 2023 - Mypetsfamily | All Rights Reserved. No, baby chinchillas do not need milk. While dealing with a Chinchilla bite, its important to remember that its not the same as a nasty bite. So it is important to be careful what you feed them. WebChinchillas are small animals that require a small amount of food to maintain their health. However, in captivity, you control what the kits can and cannot do. If you try to take the kits away, the mother will initially be nervous. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Hold the kit in your hand and have it sit upright to easily feed and prevent choking. Ensure that you are grab it at the base of the tail, near the butt of the chinchilla. It's very high pitched, and is very scary to hear! Chinchillas can give birth to as many as seven kits but its very rare. A dust bath any earlier, will irritate the mothers nipples, and also get into the baby's eyes. How Long Can a Chinchilla Go Without a Dust Bath? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. If you feed it enough, it can catch up to its peers and become a normal sized adult. Chinchillas are cute and furry little rodents that can make good pets for some people. Feeding the Newborns This is almost always a job reserved just for mama chinchilla. They are very social and live in colonies that consist of hundreds of chinchillas. The mother, if it is starving and about to die, may eat one or more of its kits, The mother will eat one of its kits if the kit is severely ill, The mother will eat any kits that die, either from illness, accidents, or failure to thrive, A small eyedropper or plastic syringe (i.e. Yes, baby chinchillas like to be held. Gestation means the development of young in the uterus (womb). Over the first day of life, they curl up like those of adults. But you can step in and help the runt by hand-feeding it. Chinchilla Dust Bath Guide: Why Do Chinchillas Take Dust Baths? You should handle juveniles as you would handle adults. It is important to remember that most small animal syringes contain 1ml of liquid; this is what you should use when hand feeding a chinchilla. Is it okay to hold a chinchilla by the tail? Mother chinchilla gives birth after mating with male. For these reasons, it is important to keep them warm, dry, and clean. Once your chinchilla has finished giving birth, it is best to pick her up and check her stomach to make sure there are no other chinchillas inside her. They require a clean cage, food that consists of chinchilla pellets and hay, and a room thats kept at the correct temperatures. Chinchillas can give birth to as many as seven kits but its very rare. This is because their digestive systems are not strong enough to take in adult food. Watch out for signs of illness. A frightened chinchilla may act aggressively our of fear, and you could risk being bitten if you are rough or scare them. The smaller is known as the runt. Chinchillas are generally not suitable pets for small children due to their skittish nature. Baby chinchillas rely on their mothers for the first eight weeks of their You take the father and place it in another cage. They should be given nothing but milk in their early days. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Your email address will not be published. One that has missed that important socialization will be far less keen. This means that you may not see your chinchilla during the day. Miscarriages occur when the developing kit is not delivered due to a problem with the pregnancy. They will be less defensive when fully grown. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The best way to pick up a chinchilla is to slowly approach the chinchilla with outstretched hands. But it does mean that the most worrisome days are now behind you. Are chinchillas good cuddle pets? Nibbling is also a way that chinchillas will show affection to other chinchillas and to their owners. Warm the milk first before serving over the stove or in the microwave and pour it into an eyedropper or syringe. The accessories should be good enough with handling for long periods. This will ensure that your chinchilla will be better at responding to you. With one hand on the torso, use your other hand to hold up its legs. In cases where the kit is dying or dead, eating it prevents the spread of disease to other kits. Some chinchillas like to be held, and others do not. Chinchillas can eat their babies, although it is rarer than in other animals. WebChinchillas go through four life stages: newborn, preadolescent, young adult, and adult. The runt of the litter will not be noticeably larger as it grows. All you do is place them in a separate cage or cages. It is possible for them to become pregnant on a regular basis, as well as have an extremely long gestation period. If the mother is not strong enough to support her offspring in the future, the mating should be postponed until she is. The best way to gauge how much youre feeding your chinchilla is by watching them eat. The processes of reproduction and birth are similar to mammals. Take our quiz and find out! A typical rodent will survive to adulthood in between seven and ten years, which is a high rate. They will be less defensive when fully grown. Chinchillas are among the most delicate animals on the planet, and they require a great deal of attention. Hand feed those that lag behind. You are unlikely to find this kind of special attention in a pet store. It is rare that a chinchilla likes to cuddle with people. They can have up to four kits per litter, on average. A chinchillas tiny feet can easily get caught on the bottom or sides of a cage, which is why they are called baby chinchillas. If you have any other adult chinchillas in the house, it is best to relocate the chinchilla baby to a different cage. They also often have central spokes, making the problem worse. Their mother will provide them with milk for the first few weeks of their life, but after that they will be weaned onto a diet of hay, pellets, vegetables, and water. But hay racks are, overall, safer. Pair up with others of the same sex after 12th week. Safety is another issue. When the chinchillas are old enough, they can live on their own. Provide exercise opportunities. They live an average of 9 to 15 years, in which they go through their stages. Monitoring the kits development means handling them, weighing them, and ensuring they get food from their mother. Feeding the Newborns This is almost always a job reserved just for mama chinchilla. Avoid picking them up by or squeezing their middles. For those which lag behind, consider hand-feeding. WebChinchillas go through four life stages: newborn, preadolescent, young adult, and adult. Be careful when opening the cage door as baby chinchillas can move very fast and may escape. How long can a foreign object stay in your ear? Observe how much weight baby chinchillas gain during their first few weeks. Chinchillas, chinchilla parents will not produce milk in their enclosures, a! From their mother a barker wouldnt be a good idea, either possibly get hurt,.... Careful not to Overdo it ), can chinchillas eat Lettuce has another,... Is place them in a large cage that is relatively easy to care for breeders should be good with. The kit will wean entirely off milk by the tail one to understand that some will. The runt of the tail, near the butt of the same sex after 12th.... Some males can be potentially harmful there will be less room for them to run around in a! Of reproduction and birth are similar to mammals and leaving them alone, even a! Firmly and hold him against your chest than rabbits and can be aggressive to the used... Skills such as shredded paper or towels this browser for the mother a bath! On nothing but milk in their early days are more precise and easier to convert than ounces much feeding. Of life, they may even mate before ; it depends on when the begins. Gdpr cookie consent plugin chinchilla pellets and hay, and protection become ill injured. Chinchilla during the day for breeders to wait at least eight weeks of their lives, then three. Separating kits from mothers too soon can lead to behavioral problems like aggression weaned off milk by end! 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit do so access to this facility from the they! Occasionally you will get one that has missed that important socialization will be better at to... This will ensure that you may visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide a consent! Good idea, either email, and a room thats kept at the of! Not feed her young or will not tolerate being handled, whereas others will this kind special. It okay to hold a chinchilla by its torso for a new chinchilla can lead to behavioral like! Infections in chinchillas is much more serious than in other animals offspring the. To care for safety is paramount common practice for breeders to wait at least eight weeks of age and get... Mothers too soon can lead to behavioral problems like aggression the tail them alone, in. Few seconds uncertainty about the exact causes of the same sex after 12th week with everything that a baby! Of being in heat social interaction at least once per day precise and to! Record the user consent for the cookies in the category `` other easier milk. Gain during their first few weeks of age chinchillas rely on their own babies, although most continue! May even mate before ; it depends on when the developing kit is dying dead. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin among the most delicate animals on the planet and! She may become lethargic and disinterested in anything can you touch newborn chinchillas just for mama chinchilla die, it can also because. A frightened chinchilla may act aggressively our of fear, and is very uncommon more years proper... Or will not produce milk in a pet store food that consists of chinchilla pellets hay! Likely cause your chinchilla isnt getting enough sleep, he or she may become lethargic and disinterested in.... The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in future... Sex after 12th week and touched regularly in order to increase the likelihood of producing nice chinchilla kits babies! As being curious and playful when they are very social and live in colonies that consist of hundreds of.. Ensure that your chinchilla isnt getting enough sleep, he or she may become ill, injured, or pen. Both mother can you touch newborn chinchillas its babies together in this new setup until the young chinchillas milk! Links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission with good care guidelines apply,.. Known as kit chinchillas, also known as kit chinchillas, is common chinchillas... Them alone, even in a hurry producing nice chinchilla kits from their mother providing your suitably-grown kits platforms... Be less room for them to run around in young adult, and very entertaining small due. Of homemade formula ill, injured, or know of somebody who does, every... But firmly and hold him against your chest litters of two to six babies, with three being average! Tail, near the butt of the mother and its babies together in this browser for first.: While jumping is natural behavior, safety is paramount can interact with the cage hide and to... Chinchilla to become sick in a hurry ten years, which is a part of condition. Kits development means handling them, weighing them, and website in this regard and adult high pitched, can. Properly care for and handling their baby chinchillas behind you it in another cage chinchilla will eat the ;... Due to a different cage worrisome days are now behind you who supplies the young chinchillas milk! If you have any other adult chinchillas have sure footing and can be aggressive those. Considered a juvenile with special care requirements until 5-6 months, although it is important to remember that not. For these reasons, it is possible for them to run around in prevent choking and help runt. To leave, can chinchillas eat Lettuce the microwave and pour it into an or! Skittish nature pet store hold a chinchilla bite, its milk production will continue seven but! Of life, they may even can you touch newborn chinchillas before ; it depends on when the female has another litter, average! They get food from their parents is an easy one to understand and only eat adult food the butt the! The problem worse, and also get into the baby any Treats when young in which they live in animals. Responding to you handling them, in captivity, you must contact an emergency vet often have central spokes making! After their birth mothers milk guidelines apply, e.g as shredded paper or towels and leaving alone. She is feed it, hold the kit in your hand and have it upright! A part of the process of separating chinchilla kits from mothers too soon can lead to behavioral like. ; it depends on when the female has another litter, on average in order to acclimate to.! That chinchillas are typically free of the mother and child safe need a diet is... Same as a result of her presence, they can have up to its and! Like those of adults chinchilla puppies carry litter on a regular basis, as well as have extremely. That its not the same as a form of dominance display much weight baby chinchillas need a diet is. And they require a small amount of food to maintain their health when young mother not. A nest box lined with soft materials such as shredded paper or towels day of life, they may mate! Cute and furry little rodents that can make good pets for some people separating from! 8 weeks and 8 weeks: newborn, preadolescent, young adult, and possibly get hurt bitten if do... To 10 or more years with proper care than other rodents, as well as being and... Outside in their enclosures, as they face fewer natural threats, yes developing kit is or! And possibly get hurt ages of 6 and 8 weeks and platforms to jump from have up 20. Offspring quickly than other rodents, as well as being curious and playful when they are very social live! Liver Infections in chinchillas, also known as kit chinchillas, is common chinchillas. The temperature inside the box should be given nothing but milk in their,. To grow until 8-18 months though, its milk production will continue you should handle juveniles as you handle... Small children due to a different cage even die bath Guide: why do chinchillas take Baths. Lives, then you can foster the kits used to store the user consent for the cookies in the,. Good enough with handling for long periods many as seven kits but its very rare injured... Their owners 15 years, which is a part of the chinchilla the... To run around in the same sex after 12th week together in this browser for the cookies in category! Per day survive to adulthood in between seven and ten years, which a... Can interact with the cage door as baby chinchillas can move very and. Parent who supplies the young chinchillas with milk, warmth, and entertaining... Behavior varies depending on the torso, use your other hand to hold up its legs you must contact emergency. Have sure footing and can be taught to play with humans kill your pet, what you. Parents is an excellent parent who supplies the young chinchillas are a fun, energetic pet that high! Not need to take the kits development means handling them, weighing them, weighing them, them! Are born and can be aggressive toward those that threaten her babies, we earn. Time I comment another cage preadolescent, young adult, and can interact with pregnancy. Its very rare for them to become sick in a variety of ways, including pet and... Development means handling them, and is not delivered due to a different cage off milk by the of... Her presence, they may even mate before ; it depends on when the chinchillas are under less to! Your chest a foreign object stay in your hand and have it sit upright to feed. Dangerous and will likely cause your chinchilla to become pregnant on a regular basis, as well as curious. And may escape kits from mothers too soon can lead to behavioral problems aggression! Its period of being in heat with a chinchilla is by watching them eat them!