Common health problems

Here is what most breeders recommend for common health problems:
Diarrhea: give the chinchilla shredded wheat. Those little cubed 1" square ones work great.
Constipation: Feed the chinchilla raisins.
Runny eyes: Use a boric acid rinse. This may be a sign of other problems or infections, so if it persists for more than a day or two take your pet Chinchilla to a veterinarian.

Heat

Chinchillas will not thrive above 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25.8C) or in humidity over 40%. It is better if you have a cage with holes in them so the air can flow through. DO NOT put your chinchilla in a fish tank. This will get way to hot for your chinchilla witch can lead to fatal health problems.

Grooming

Did you know that chinchillas bathe in DUST! Yes it's true but not just any kind of dust. Chinchilla dust. You can buy this at your local pet store along with a chinchilla dust tub. A dust tub is a small container that you put chin dust into. After you put your chinchilla dust in the dust tub then you simply put your chinchilla in it for about 20 min. The best part about this is that they clean themselves! Not only that but they also give you a show! Your chinchilla will play in it when 20 min. is up simply remove your chinchilla and then poor out the old dust and your done! You should only give your chinchilla a bath once a month. If you do it more then that it may get a skin problem! this is a great website or chinchillas!

Exercise

Like people and most animals, chinchillas need to exercise. One way for your chin to exercise is an activity wheel. You can buy one at your local pet store. Another way to exercise your chinchilla is to let it run around the room. Proofing a room for you chinchilla is not easy at all it is better to have an empty room with no wires or wood in it.

Chew toys

Chew toys or chew blocks are important! Be sure there are plenty of things for the pet to chew within his cage. Chinchillas, like all rodents, have teeth that grow out continuously through life. They must be continually worn down by gnawing. Good chewing blocks are pieces of hard rock maple, non-resinous pine.

Food

The Chinchilla’s primary diet (90%) should consist of chinchilla or guinea pig chow (Mazuri 5M01, ZuPreem, Purina or equivalent). This can be supplemented with coarse alfalfa and timothy hay, endive, escarole and spinach. Do not feed beans, corn, sweet potato apples and carrots. They are too rich in carbohydrates and sugars. These ingredients poison the normal intestinal flora (bacteria yeasts and molds) of the chinchilla. Raisins, bits of fruit and fruit roll-ups should be reserved as occasional treats and training aids. Water is a must every day it should be changed!

Cleaning

Cleaning your chins cage is a must. If you don't this could cause deadly health problems. You can train your chinchilla to use a litter box. This way cleaning is a breeze. Only use organic litter. Others can harm your chinchilla.