Chinchillas (Animal Planet Pet Care Library) by David Alderton

Author:David Alderton [Alderton, David]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Chinchillas
Publisher: Tfh Pubns Inc
Published: 2007-07-31T16:00:00+00:00

Time spent grooming offers an opportunity to build the bond of trust with your pet.

A Time to Bond

Regular grooming can help with the taming process, especially with a young chinchilla. It also helps to strengthen the bond between you and your pet. Because these small creatures are so affectionate and cuddly, it won’t be hard for you to find time to spoil your chinchilla with some regular pampering. Both you and your pet will be the better for it!

The Expert Knows

Self-Grooming

Chinchillas will groom themselves using their front paws to wipe their faces after eating certain foods such as sweet apple. You may find that certain foods such as carrot juice may stain the fur slightly on this part of the body, but these effects will only be temporary. You should not wash your chinchilla’s coat, however. If it does become wet for any reason, allow it to dry off naturally; do not put your chinchilla in a warm place. He will find this uncomfortable and could even suffer from heatstroke as a result.

Teeth Trimming

Do not attempt to cut your chinchilla’s teeth yourself unless you have been shown how to do this by your vet and are confident that you can follow her instructions. Otherwise, you could make the situation worse.

If you trim your pet’s teeth at home, you’ll need a suitable pair of clippers for the task. Scissors should never be used because they will not be strong enough to cut through the tooth. Also, their size is not appropriate, simply because you can inflict injury trying to use them directly in front of your squirmy chinchilla’s face.

The Expert Knows

Grooming for Good Health

A regular grooming routine can help you maintain your pet’s health and appearance. When you groom your chinchilla, take time to inspect his body and overall condition:

• Monitor his weight: Does he feel too thin, too fat, or just right?

• Examine your pet’s coat and body: Are there any bald spots or any unusual lumps or bumps since you last groomed him?

• Check his teeth: Are they in good condition, or are they overgrown?

• Check his eyes, ears, and nose: Does he have discharge from any or all of them?

Knowing what’s normal for your pet and noticing changes in his appearance and routine are the first steps in maintaining his health. If you find something unusual, contact your veterinarian. It’s much easier to treat minor problems before they become serious health issues.

Family-Friendly Tip

Grooming Sessions for Kids

With adult supervision, a child can help with grooming chores by gently restraining the chinchilla or combing his coat while you hold your pet. Older children can help by preparing the dust bath once they have seen how much powder is required. They can also watch over the chinchilla as he bathes. Afterward, they can assist in the cleanup by removing the bath container and cleaning and storing all of the grooming supplies so that they will be ready for the next grooming session.

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