Chinchilla Hot?..

whitechin95 · Sep 7, 2009

I'm new to this chinchilla thing and just had a question. When my chinchilla is calm and sleeping her ears seem quite bloodshot. I can see alot of webs of veins on her ears. And if I put my hand in her cage and when shes awake bouncing around, they are hard to see and few and far between. Why is that? It seems like they should be more bloodshot when she is running around... There are two fans on and the room is usually 75-78 degrees and she has a cooling tile that I sometimes put in the fridge... Is she okay? Any other ways to keep her cool? I'm kinda nervous....

cintistatern2005 · Sep 7, 2009

75-78 is pretty warm. If at all possible it needs to be under 75 degrees. Fans don't help chins you need air conditioning.

Brittney · Sep 7, 2009

Yes, that might be a little too warm, maybe lower the temp a little? My house is at 71 and my boys are fine. When they sleep they keep their ears flat against their heads, which makes their ears warm and red. They wake up too with really floppy ears.. Kinda like bed head

I'm sure that's what it is, but yeah, lower the temp just a smidge and I think all will be fine.

whitechin95 · Sep 7, 2009

Well my mom doesnt like to run the air to low cause it costs $$$. Is there anything else I can do to keep her cool? I will turn it down though.

Dustbunnies · Sep 7, 2009

There really is no other option than to run the A/C. You can get a window mounted A/C for the room the chin is in. You can close other vents in the house and open the one(s) in the chin's room. She will have to be 75 degrees and a fan or chinchillers won't do that. Show your mom this forum and explain that it is the only way to keep her safe from heatstroke. In the winter you get to keep it cold and not run the heater as much, so spend now, save later! Keep her cool. Think of how warm you would be with a full length fur coat on!