Chinchillas are active, playful, curious, and have some of the softest fur
ever. A crepuscular animal, they generally sleep in the daytime and are most active at dawn and dusk, so they should be kept somewhere fairly quiet during the day.
Chinchilla Grooming
Chinchillas keep their coats healthy and shiny with regular, vigorous
dust baths (which
they seem to really enjoy!), according to About.com. You'll want to offer the dust bath to your chinchilla a couple of times a week, which means, inevitably, you'll end up with dust scattered everywhere.
Common Chinchilla Health Problems
Chinchillas, in general, are healthy and robust animals. In fact, although
they can live 10-15 years, and sometimes as long as 20 years, they
don't require regular vet visits (although a yearly visit isn't a bad idea), reports Chinchilla Planet.. However, dull, watery eyes can be a sign of ill health most likely related to their eyes, ears, nose or mouth. And while not a health issue per se, chinchillas can easily overheat and perish in temperatures you might not find particularly warm, so it's important to keep them cool.
Chinchilla Training
A chinchilla that's been handled from a very young age is more likely to run to you and climb around or tolerate being held, especially once you've gained its trust. But,
they have long memories, so it's vital that you maintain its trust -- this means never chasing after it in its cage or handling it roughly, according to PetPlace.com. Still, despite their cuddly appearance, chinchillas
don't always like being held, reports About.com. They do not respond to their names and, if not kept in a chinchilla-proof cage or room, can be quite destructive, chewing up door frames and base boards. This is not something you'll be able to train them not to do.
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