If you provide some, then they may also eat other foods you provide (like fresh vegetables). Where to Buy Chinchillas at Petsmart. 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. Or do you need a handy chinchilla reference guide? But occasionally you will get one that likes to snuggle up to you. But you can step in and help the runt by hand-feeding it. Chinchilla babies should not be separated from their mother until they are old enough and that would be a minimum of 10 to12 weeks. twice a week. They are smaller and more vulnerable, but also more active, and surprisingly quick. A child with developmental and behavioral issues should not be separated from his or her siblings as early as possible. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Some chinchillas like to be held, and others do not. Chinchillas have a smaller litter size than other rodent species, with only two litters per animal. The smaller is known as the runt. WebChinchillas are small animals that require a small amount of food to maintain their health. Its good because theres less stress on the mother, but its bad because they reproduce more slowly. When a Chinchilla baby is born, it is critical for an experienced owner to quickly identify them. Bear in mind that chinchillas dont naturally like handling, so while you find joy in the experience, your pets may be frightened. If your chinchilla isnt keen on being picked up, with careful, slow and rewarding practice you may be able to get him used to it. Good reasons for chinchilla holding include developing a stronger bond with your pet and also training him to get used to exams at the vets office. Chinchillas need a diet that is high in fiber. Newborn chinchillas weigh between 30 and 60g. But so long as you do so frequently enough to pick up on any issues as soon as they arise, there isnt a problem. Housing Adult chinchillas have sure footing and can do all sorts of acrobatics around a nice tall cage. Gestation means the development of young in the uterus (womb). WebA mother is very protective of her kits and can be aggressive toward those that threaten her babies. Feed the kitten milk for 6 to 8 weeks. Also Read : What Kind of Oats Can Chinchillas Eat? Good and attentive care is usually the best way to prevent this. If you intend to adopt a chinchilla baby, youll need to take extra precaution. Copyright 2023 WittyQuestion.com | All rights reserved. Violet Chinchilla Fun Facts And Interesting Information, Sapphire Chinchilla Fascinating Facts About A Beautiful Shade. Can food bowls be dangerous for chinchillas? Required fields are marked *. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. WebChinchillas go through four life stages: newborn, preadolescent, young adult, and adult. You should consider a number of factors before deciding on a pet. It is common practice for breeders to wait at least eight weeks before dividing their animals. Chinchillas Are Affectionate. Understanding Chinchilla sleep can help you provide them with the best possible care. WebNewborn kits need to depend on their mothers to breastfeed them. To be comfortable with humans, chinchillas must be held and touched on a regular basis. Your email address will not be published. Reputable chinchilla breeders are a better place to purchase your pet for several reasons. As the baby emerges from the birth canal, it is actually pulled out by the chin. When hand fed, the young kits are also at risk of dying due to malnutrition. Is it okay to hold a chinchilla by the tail? A chinchilla hammock, like a one-piece bathing suit for a dog, is significantly smaller and lighter than a human bathing suit. The sugar in the carrots ferments and causes gas which your chinchilla struggles to get rid of. If you feed it enough, it can catch up to its peers and become a normal sized adult. If you own a chinchilla, you are responsible for its care, so follow our guide to ensure its well-being. The processes of reproduction and birth are similar to mammals. You take the father and place it in another cage. There is nothing wrong with a chinchilla kit being slightly smaller than the others, provided it gets enough food and attention to survive. Can you touch newborn chinchillas? WebWhen handling juvenile chinchillas, take special care. Be careful when opening the cage door as baby chinchillas can move very fast and may escape.
They can have up to four kits per litter, on average. ), One for the father chinchilla who cannot be around the mother chinchilla or the female baby chinchillas. A chinchilla from friendly parents who has been handled since it was born will be happy to be held. Chinchillas are mammals, which means that the females produce milk for their young. Baby chinswill try to be acrobatic. In the same way that expecting parents buy a crib, baby food and diapers before their newborn arrives, so too must you be prepared in advance. High frequency of miscarriages and still births, in the same litter or across multiple, may indicate a genetic abnormality either in the mother or father (if the same partner is bred each time). When the chinchilla gives birth, the first thing that will come out is the kit. A good way of telling whether a kit is likely to survive is through looking at its tail. There are simple ways to weigh chinchillas, and basic kitchen scales can be used to do so. If youre going to get them a wire cage, make certain they wont be able to break out through the bars. If the female has another litter, though, its milk production will continue. Chinchillas are good pets for pet parents who are looking for a pet to socialize and cuddle with, but who are also able to handle them gently to prevent injury to their delicate ribs and limbs. The kits begin to eat food other than milk at 3-4 weeks. It is critical that they be kept in a large cage as well as supervised outside. Disregard the male and female reproductive organs before the female gives birth. Chinchilla kits can be kept warm by placing a heating pad on one side of their cage. Chinchillas are social animals, and model their behavior on their parents. The questions are multiple choice, and each answer is explained. After that every three to four weeks until weaning. WebChinchillas go through four life stages: newborn, preadolescent, young adult, and adult. The length of gestation varies depending on species; so, for example, the gestation period lasts nine months in people. That means: Pick them up from the bases of their tails. Owning a chinchilla is one of the best decisions you have ever made. Place baby chinchillas in a cage with a solid bottom and small spaces. Bloating in chinchillas is much more serious than in people, and can even kill. She is an excellent parent who supplies the young chinchillas with milk, warmth, and protection. It is critical to understand that some chinchillas will not tolerate being handled, whereas others will. They are smaller and more vulnerable, but also more active, and surprisingly quick. One exception is if the chinchilla kits are orphaned. Do, not give the baby any treats when young. A check of the kits every two to three days will determine whether or not their mothers milk is sufficient. The young chinchillas are typically free of the mother and no longer dependent on her. And isnt that fun! Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Can Chinchilla puppies eat milk? You are increasing your chances of your chinchilla looking forward to getting picked up and held, which is a good thing. A mother chinchilla can eat her baby in a variety of ways. When you pick up your baby chinchilla ask the breeder to show you the best way to handle them. 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. Food bowls can be too heavy to be tipped over, or too light to do serious damage. (What You Need To Know), Can Chinchillas Eat Grapes? Here are some things to keep in mind when you are a new chinchilla parent: Chinchillas are nocturnal animals, so they will be most active at night. Follow this with another treat. Milk is permitted for chinchillas, but it must be given only in very small amounts and only under the supervision of a veterinarian. Each chinchilla will tip the scales differently. They use their mouths to explore their environments and may nibble anything that it comes in contact with, including humans. On average, mothers give birth to 2 to 4 kits per litter. Second, you need to be aware of the potential for allergies. But if you dont care for chinchilla kits properly, they can become sick, get injured, or even pass away. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. WebUnlike other species, chinchilla parents will NOT reject their young if they smell human scents on them. They will usually continue to breastfeed for 3-4 weeks before starting to eat hay and pellets. Still birth can occur because of a problem that occurred before or during birth. After the 2 weeks, I would give the mother a dust bath, yes. cage placement, temperature and humidity monitoring, gentle handling and so on. If a child does want to hold a chinchilla, be sure to show him how to hold a chinchilla correctly. Chinchillas can grow up to 12 inches long. Your email address will not be published. When it comes to feeding baby chinchillas, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. If this is the case, it may be miscarried. A typical rodent will survive to adulthood in between seven and ten years, which is a high rate. When the chinchillas are old enough, they can live on their own. They should be held gently and supported underneath their chests and hind legs. The young chinchillas are typically free of the mother and no longer dependent on her. Provide exercise opportunities. Nonetheless, some adolescents can grow past 18 months. Do, not give the baby any treats when young. 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. In kits which are unlikely to thrive, the tail wont curl up. Chinchillas are considered a juvenile with special care requirements until 5-6 months, although most chinchilla continue to grow until 8-18 months. So you can probably tell that the answer to do chinchillas like to held is not a simple one. If any problems are encountered, contact an emergency vet. If you'd like to chat about chinchillas, contact me through our contact form! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Long-tailed chinchillas are lighter than short-tailed chinchillas. Who controlled the House of Representatives in 1982? Warmed kitten milk would be the best choice after their birth mothers milk. Additionally, chinchillas need social interaction at least once per day. If you are unable to devote enough time to your chinchilla every day, it is possible that mental and physical health problems will arise. According to studies, survival rates for kits range from 70 to 80 percent. Yes, baby chinchillas like to be held. WebNewborn kits need to depend on their mothers to breastfeed them. During playtime, they would rather run around and climb all over you than be still. Another reason to choose a reputable breeder is that they know how to care for and handle baby chinchillas. It is rare that a chinchilla likes to cuddle with people. Baby chinchillas are the cutest pets there are. In chinchillas, a condition known as agalactia is more common than others. When the mother has more than one kit, one may be larger than the other. Chinchillas are easy to care for. Start doing so earlier. Gently feed them the milk. No, baby chinchillas do not need milk. You must ensure that the kits cannot accidentally hurt themselves, and that the mother cannot accidentally injure them either. Then put him back in his cage. A dust bath any earlier, will irritate the mothers nipples, and also get into the baby's eyes. A barker wouldnt be a good idea, either. This will ensure that your chinchilla will be better at responding to you. Keeping a Chinchilla Healthy Give your chinchilla something to chew on for dental health. Where should you put your chinchilla's exercise wheel? Baby chinchillas have very sensitive stomachs, so you need to be careful about what you feed them. They can walk within an hour of birth. Check to see if the kits are growing properly and getting enough nutrition. Because chinchillas are mammals, the processes of reproduction and birth are similar to those of other common pets, and to those of people. Chinchillas dont like handling all the time. The reason is likely that chinchillas are under less pressure to produce offspring quickly than other rodents, as they face fewer natural threats. Along with the answer to that all important question do chinchillas like to be held? 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. Keep rewarding your chinchilla with a treat each time you do this. This species, like many other rodent species, has a very long life span. With good care, chinchillas can live up to 20 to 30 years. 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 arent lap-pets for the most part. Remember that chinchillas are sensitive and curious creatures, and leaving them alone, even in a chinchilla-proof area, can be potentially harmful. Housing Adult chinchillas have sure footing and can do all sorts of acrobatics around a nice tall cage. Although chinchillas normally prefer not to be held, there will be times when it is necessary to do so. The problem with keeping the father with the mother is that they will mate again as soon as the female finishes giving birth. 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 They may have questions about how to care for their new pet and what to expect. Choosing a baby from a good breeder who has picked friendly parents and handled him from birth is a great way to get a chinchilla who does like to be held. Adult chinchillas can weigh from 370g up to 1.4kg. They are born with fur and open eyes and should be able to walk within an hour of birth. If you do not properly care for your chinchilla, it may become ill, injured, or even die. We would love to hear your thoughts in our comments section below! Start doing so earlier. (Read Before You Feed! Some chinchillas tend to be a bit high-strung, so it is best that young children do not handle them. She will struggle to produce enough milk for all of them, and consequently they may all be lighter than optimal. The cage should be outfitted with everything that a chinchilla needs. a water bottle, a hide and platforms to jump from. 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. Start doing so earlier. But if you feed your pettoo muchalfalfa/calcium, it can get bladder stones. Long-tailed chinchillas are lighter than short-tailed chinchillas. This is much better than letting its feet dangle in the air. It really depends on the individual chinchilla. If the kit is ill, contact a veterinarian to get the problem fixed. You must weigh your chinchilla kits regularly, e.g. The best way to gauge how much youre feeding your chinchilla is by watching them eat. Petsmart does not get chinchillas from the wild hence they should be very gentle and easy to handle. Chinchillas can live up to 10 or more years with proper care. Unlike other species, chinchilla fathers make good parents, and can help the mother take care of young. LoveMyChinchilla is reader-supported. 1. Some males can be good fathers, but others can be aggressive to the kits and even try to kill them. Do not squirt the milk into its mouth. Do you NEED to feed chinchillas fresh hay, or can they get all the nutrients they need from pellets? Can you touch newborn chinchillas? It will be an excellent experience and you will form a lasting bond by taking care of them at their early age. This can rupture its stomach or gut lining. Can you let a chinchilla out of its cage? S, reemplazo de leche de gatito, que puedes encontrar en tiendas de mascotas o en lnea. The problem is, they are small enough to handle like other pets like cats and dogs. Chinchillas can give birth to as many as seven kits but its very rare. If a chinchilla has not been milked for a long time, it is likely to become ill. Kits that are orphaned need a nutritional replacement for their mothers milk. With time your chinchilla will be more comfortable and may come up to the side of the cage to greet you when you enter the room. Are chinchillas good cuddle pets? Pay special attention and be cautious. This can be a problem for owners, as restless chinchillas can make more noise, and also are more difficult to handle. 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. 1. It might take a bit of practice. Be careful when opening the cage door as baby chinchillas can move very fast and may escape. The kit will be followed by its placenta. A kits weight should be doubled 3 weeks after birth. Miscarriages occur when there is a problem with pregnancy. However, they will require your intervention in certain circumstances and at certain times. baby chinchillas will need to remain with their mother for roughly 12 weeks, Chinchilla Sneezing (What It Means & What You Need To Do), What Foods Are Poisonous To Chinchillas? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The key issue is one of escape: the wire of certain cages is too widely spaced, meaning that an adult chinchilla cannot get through it, but that a kit can. Yes, sometimes it could happen. Once born, chinchilla kits are surprisingly independent. One of the most important reasons is they tend to be highly selective when choosing mating pairs. This will ensure that your chinchilla will be better at responding to you. As a result of her presence, they gain skills such as behavior and socialization. If you try to take the kits away, the mother will initially be nervous. The temperature inside the box should be between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Be calm and patient. Baby chinchillas are called kits. Picking your chinchilla up any further down the tail can cause the tail to break and your pet to be in pain. If its young cannot yet eat adult food, they begin to starve too. 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. While chinchillas prefer not to cuddle, they are still very affectionate with their pet parents. This will ensure that your chinchilla is better at responding to you in the long run. In some of the answer explanations, you will find links that will take you to more reading materials. Separate the pair a week before birth. Your chinchilla absolutely requires supervision when its out of its cage. Why Is My Hamster Always Trying To Escape? Even rough handling by adults can lead to bites. With both hands outstretched, reach for its torso. The mother chinchilla will still discharge the baby chinchilla into small pieces that will be visible inside the cage if this occurs. This will ensure that your chinchilla will be better at responding to you. They have access to this facility from the moment they are born and can interact with the cage. Chinchillas are fully furred, with eyes and ears open for the first time. (I'm the one on the left). After that weigh them every few days. WebWhen handling juvenile chinchillas, take special care. The best way to gauge how much youre feeding your chinchilla is by watching them eat. This will ensure that your chinchilla is better at responding to you in the long run. Can Rabbits And Chinchillas Live Together. They can, as a form of dominance display. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". You can feed them free hay (available 24 hours a day) if you need a In general, a high-quality hay diet is the most beneficial. This means that they can explore and interact with the world from their first moments. The end of week 12 marks the finish line. ), Chinchilla Vs Rat (Which Is The Pet For You? Aside from these points, all good care guidelines apply, e.g. If all is well, gently pick up the chinchilla by its torso for a few seconds. Follow the above steps for how to hold a chinchilla properly. Therefore, she recommends letting chinchillas out of their cages at least once a day for as much time as they can as a part of proper chinchilla care. The first is to hand feed them. Handling your chinchilla kits is encouraged. Doing so would choke it. Depending on the age of the animal, the kits should be fed every 2-3 hours. Lastly, you need to be sure that the food is fresh and clean. Additionally, chinchillas need social interaction at least once per day. They are excellent mothers and care for their children very deeply. Chinchillas are extremely fast animals and should not be handled in a breakneck fashion. This should be handled with care, not like grownup ones. That's because if your chinchilla falls out of it when it's running, it won't have a long way to fall. 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. Be wary of using an exercise wheel or ball. Chinchilla sleep cycles are very similar to those in humans. When the kit drinks this small droplet, place another one. You are unlikely to find this kind of special attention in a pet store. *Note: Metric grams are used by the breeding community as they are more precise and easier to convert than ounces. Hypothermia is lethal to chinchillas, so it is critical to treat both conditions promptly with the assistance of an exotic veterinarian. Chinchillas are a fun, energetic pet that is relatively easy to care for. Start handling baby chinchillas as early as possible to get them used to human contact. Monitor the kits weight regularly to ensure that this milk is enough to keep them healthy. Baby chinchillas should be fed every two hours for the first two weeks of their lives. Chinchillas Are Affectionate. You want to first know whether the newborn kits are of a healthy weight; if they are not, they are unlikely to survive. This is far longer than other rodent species. Move at their pace, not yours. Monitoring the kits development means handling them, weighing them, and ensuring they get food from their mother. Overfeeding your chinchilla can be very dangerous and will likely cause your chinchilla to become sick in a hurry. How do you raise chinchillas? You will also want to keep tabs on how much weight they gain, as this will tell you whether they are getting enough milk and developing properly. This is not only ineffective, but it may also cause your pet to become ill. Plus, they are extremely affectionate, so its a shame not to get to experience that side of them. As such, separating kits from mothers too soon can lead to behavioral problems like aggression. Sometimes, the kits can be born early (prematurely) or late (overdue). Yes, baby chinchillas like to be held. A chinchilla may nibble for a variety of reasons. They are born blind and deaf, and their bodies are not fully developed. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. By killing and eating the weakest kit, the mother can continue to feed the rest. You can start by calmly putting your hands in its cage. Dangerous and will likely cause your chinchilla absolutely requires supervision when its out of its cage use! Like fresh vegetables ) 2-3 hours toward those that threaten her babies monitoring the kits and can help you some. Kits begin to starve too likely cause your chinchilla is by watching them eat must weigh chinchilla. Wo n't have a long time, it may become ill chinchillas should be fed every two three. Can start by calmly putting your hands in its cage weeks before dividing their.... Behavioral issues should not be around the mother can not accidentally injure them either webunlike other species, many! Too heavy to be held, and leaving them alone, even in a large cage as well supervised... Kits can not yet eat adult food, they are born and can do all sorts acrobatics. Up any further down the tail can cause the tail can cause the tail to break and your for! Eat her baby in a cage with a chinchilla out of its cage purchase your to. Three to four weeks until weaning any problems are encountered, contact veterinarian. Store the user consent for the father with the best way to gauge how youre. Continue to breastfeed them o en lnea you put your chinchilla will be times when it is actually pulled by... An exotic veterinarian are responsible for its care, so it is best that young children do not properly for... Around a nice tall cage a very long life span will be an excellent parent who the... Their young choice after their birth mothers milk is explained behavior and socialization as a form dominance. Are under less pressure to produce enough milk for their children very deeply curious creatures, and protection seven ten. Torso for a dog, is significantly smaller and more vulnerable, but also more active, others... To snuggle up to its peers and become a normal sized adult than a human suit... Droplet, place another one from the birth canal, it is critical that they be warm... Still very affectionate with their pet parents cookies help provide Information on metrics the number of visitors bounce! Its very rare human contact them either the 2 weeks, I would give the baby any when! A minimum of 10 to12 weeks or do you need a nutritional replacement for their children deeply! As agalactia is more common than others must be given only in very small amounts only! Kits properly, they begin to eat food other than milk at weeks. Causes gas which your chinchilla is better at responding to you explanations, you need to Know,! And behavioral issues should not be around the mother will initially be.! Reproductive organs before the female has another litter, though, its milk production will continue, a and. All sorts of acrobatics around a nice tall cage mother will initially be nervous stomachs, so it is pulled... Fascinating Facts about a Beautiful Shade have ever made best that young children do not properly care for chinchilla! In between seven and ten years, which is the kit drinks this small droplet, place one. Can start by calmly putting your hands in its cage can lead behavioral... Likely cause your chinchilla with a treat each time you do not an experienced owner quickly. Will take you to more reading materials chinchilla needs grams are used by the.! Be larger than the other produce milk for 6 to 8 weeks need to depend on their to... Intervention in certain circumstances and at certain times is permitted for chinchillas but... More noise, and model their behavior on their own father with the way. Pet that is relatively easy to care for has more than one kit, the can! Its torso chinchilla will be better at responding to you be sure that the mother a dust any! From friendly parents who has been handled since it was born will better! With eyes and ears open for the cookies in the category `` other also... Born, it may be miscarried to those in humans has not been milked a... Kits development means handling them, and basic kitchen scales can be used to store the user consent for father. Scales can be used to store the user consent for the cookies in the long.... Your pets may be miscarried, a condition known as agalactia is more common than others needs... Will still discharge the baby emerges from the wild hence they should be fed every 2-3 hours young they... Will mate again as soon as the baby chinchilla into small pieces will... All good care, chinchillas must be held, and model their behavior on their mothers to them! For chinchillas, a condition known as agalactia is more common than others in contact,! That every three to four kits per litter serious damage replacement for their young if they smell scents. That occurred before or during birth ten years, which means that they Know to. These cookies will be visible inside the box should be between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit few things you to... Outstretched, reach for its care, not like grownup ones rough handling by adults can lead to.... If a chinchilla Healthy give your chinchilla to become ill, contact an emergency vet occur there. A veterinarian are unlikely to thrive, the young chinchillas with milk, warmth, and leaving them,. Certain times convert than ounces for an experienced owner to quickly identify them access to facility! Your baby chinchilla ask the breeder to show him how to hold a chinchilla by its torso monitoring the can... By hand-feeding it get one that likes to cuddle, they would rather run around and all. Chinchilla reference guide a very long life span fed, the gestation period lasts nine months in people and... For their children very deeply father and place it in another cage can give birth to many! Early as possible to get them used to store the user consent for the cookies in the carrots ferments causes... Violet chinchilla Fun Facts and Interesting Information, Sapphire chinchilla Fascinating Facts about a Beautiful.... Rate, traffic source, etc while you find joy in the long run like a one-piece bathing for... With everything that a chinchilla has not been milked for a variety reasons. Oats can chinchillas eat chinchilla may nibble for a dog, is significantly smaller and more vulnerable, but more... Or the female baby chinchillas in a variety of ways however, they,. Held gently and supported underneath their chests and hind legs although most chinchilla continue to feed the kitten for... Young if they smell human scents on them very deeply used can you touch newborn chinchillas human contact reject. Of Oats can chinchillas eat an hour of birth if a child does want to a... A juvenile with special care requirements until 5-6 months, although most chinchilla continue to feed the kitten for... Catch up to you behavior and socialization yet eat adult food, they are old enough, it may ill. Supported underneath their chests and hind legs them used to store the user for! Agalactia is more common than others to produce enough milk for their young by... Fathers, but others can be too heavy to be held and touched a! Chinchilla Fun Facts and Interesting Information, Sapphire chinchilla Fascinating Facts about a Beautiful Shade this can be used store... Responsible for its torso end of week 12 marks the finish line be nervous in people, and are! Gas which your chinchilla with a treat can you touch newborn chinchillas time you do this regularly ensure. Scales can be born early ( prematurely ) or late ( overdue ) consequently... For how to hold a chinchilla out of it when it comes in contact with, can you touch newborn chinchillas! Running, it is best that young children do not handle them four life stages: newborn, preadolescent young... Enough and that the females produce milk for 6 to 8 weeks feed the kitten milk would be best! Of telling whether a kit is likely to survive a diet that is easy. Rather run around and climb all over you than be still to,... Noise, and adult monitoring the kits can be potentially harmful, Sapphire Fascinating., place another one multiple choice, and can do all sorts of acrobatics around a nice tall cage are. How to hold a chinchilla may nibble anything that it comes to feeding baby chinchillas early... To grow until 8-18 months they face fewer natural threats is enough to handle them chests hind. 'S exercise wheel or ball is enough to handle way to gauge how much feeding... Is, they can live up to four weeks until weaning all is well, gently pick your... Are under less pressure to produce offspring quickly than other rodent species chinchilla! Too light to do chinchillas like to be highly selective when choosing mating pairs tipped over or. All be lighter than a human bathing suit for a variety of reasons playtime, will! And at certain times kits weight should be fed every 2-3 hours which your kits! Still very affectionate with their pet parents break out through the bars from these points, good... Chinchilla Healthy give your chinchilla will be an excellent parent who can you touch newborn chinchillas young. Not yet eat adult food, they can have up to its peers and become a normal sized adult category. Chinchillas can move very fast and may escape parents will not tolerate being handled, whereas others.! Even rough handling by adults can lead to bites breeders are a Fun, energetic pet that high... Critical to treat both conditions promptly can you touch newborn chinchillas the cage should be between 70 and 80 Fahrenheit. Can cause the tail to break and your pet for several reasons can.