Chinchilla newbie

[Z.chu]

Today i met my first Chinchilla. His name was Feival. He was the CUTEST thing I have ever seen! He was beige with pink ears and nose.

Sadly the lady that I thought was going to sell him to me left saying she was taking him to another family because they already owned his brother... I am still pretty bummed and also quite confused. =(

He was very friendly and far calmer and cuddlier then I imagined a Chinchilla would be (He even fell asleep in my arms!)

My point is I fell in love with him and now know for sure I want one. It will be very hard to find one around where I live though.

In the meantime...
Looking for any tips and suggestions.

I have a single Critter Nation (planning on getting the ad on unit soon)
and a empty room to fill with all things Chinchilla!

List:

1.Bass Pan (I have to paint this yes?)
2.Dust (not sure what kind is best)
3.Food: Oxbow pellets
4.Hay: Oxbow Timothy hay
5.House: Wooden
6.Litter: NO CLUE! I hate wood shavings, they make me sneeze!
7.Litter pan: a metal pan?
8.Ceramic Tiles on top of fleece?
9.Wood shelves
10.Food bowls (Ceramic of stainless steel?)
11.water bottle: Superpet glass bottle
12.something for dust baths
13.Wheel (Metal Flying saucer)
14. Chews: those little colorful wood things?
15: toys: ????

Am i forgetting anything?

 

[MarissaRelf]

DO NOT paint the bass pan. Is it wood, plastic or metal?
What type of wood for house, toys, chews and shelves???
You must have a certain type of litter. (kiln dried pine, recycled paper, NO ceader, ect.)
Granite or marble tiles are better but ceramic works

Other than some details I don't think you are forgetting anything.

 

[Z.chu]

I was thinking of getting this pan
http://www.bassequipment.com/Cages/Ferret+Pans/default.aspx

Or would wood be better?

Un treated pine is ok for shelves? I have not bought any yet.

As for toys, house and chews I also have no got any.

 

[jess32247]

1.Bass Pan (I have to paint this yes?) -- Nope, don't paint it. It's not necessary to have one, it helps keep the poops in but doesn't catch all of them. You can make a boarder around the bottom of the cage using wood or fleece, also.

2.Dust (not sure what kind is best) -- I use blue cloud from petco.

6.Litter: NO CLUE! I hate wood shavings, they make me sneeze! -- some people use fleece liners. I change mine out every few days then wash them at the end of the week.

7.Litter pan: a metal pan? -- Glass baking dishes work fine too, and are cheaper.

8.Ceramic Tiles on top of fleece? -- Not need to put fleece on top of ceramic tiles, some chinnies like to sit on them to cool off.


9.Wood shelves -- Hanger bolt, wing nut, and washer. KD pine!

10.Food bowls (Ceramic of stainless steel?) -- doesn't matter.

12.something for dust baths -- some people use cat liter boxes, plasic "shoe box" bins, or the things you can buy at the petstore. I don't reccomend those tall standing creamic ones.

14. Chews: those little colorful wood things?
15: toys: ???? -- You can prepare your own wood and make your own toys out of them.

Here's some threads you should check out: http://chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15265

Sounds like theres still a lot for you to learn! The search botton up top helps a lot, too!

 

[Z.chu]

Yes I sure do! I never thought about owning a chinchilla, as they are almost imposable to find down here (south Texas) I had only seen one once as a small child. I was planning on getting some rats (hence the critter nation) but I saw a ad for some chinchilla's and it got me thinking about them! Now they are really sounding appealing. the fact they live 10 times longer then a rat is also a plus ;D

I have been prowling the forums for a few hours now and my eyes are kinda hurting lol.

The one thing i notice is it seems most chinchillas are nothing like the one I met today. he was so sweet and cuddly... I am worried I will get one of those that doesn't want to be touched at all.

 

[Godofgods]

The one thing i notice is it seems most chinchillas are nothing like the one I met today. he was so sweet and cuddly... I am worried I will get one of those that doesn't want to be touched at all.

Every chin is different. And on top of that, often times behavior can change as they get used to you/bond to you. Or just by growing up.

three small examples; my first male i took in was so stressed out that when i first had him at home, he would freak out and bark like crazy if you even walked NEAR his cage. - After time, working with him and bonding, he is the friendliest chin outa all 5 of mine. I cant imagine a chin being more friendly.

His son however really does not like being touched at all. His two year bday is coming up this Oct, and he has just recently started to want a scratch occasionally. He even walked right out of the cage into my hands. Which blew my mind, because they all dislike being picked up/held.

On the other hand, their was this younger chin in the store one day that this other group was planning on getting. So i stopped and talked with them about it for a while. And even handled the chin a bit. Utterly amazed at how friendly he was from the start.

So three instances of friendly chins, all very different. Every chin is truly their own personality.