You can also get your chinchilla a hopper type feeder, again obtaining either metal or ceramic. This will discourage your pet from wasting his food by inadvertently, though sometimes purposely, pushing the food up and over the sides. If you see that you have a “food pusher”, while using a bowl, switching to a hopper is going to be your best bet. These are also very nice and convenient to use as you will not have to worry about refilling it daily; just be sure to check it every day.

As mention before, treats can be added to your chinchillas’ daily diet as well. If you find something your chinchilla really likes as a treat then give him a bit every day. Be sure to keep the treat amount to a minimum though as this could upset your little friends tummy as well as promote finicky eating behavior. Treats are a nice way to strengthen the bond between you and your pet and can also be used as a “positive reinforcement” tool for rewarding good behavior. Keep the treats to all natural, unsalted and dye free foods; added sugar, salt and colorings can upset little stomachs and/or cause diarrhea.

Your chinchilla will also need things to chew on daily. These “chew things” help keep his “ever-growing” teeth filed down. “Chewing-stones“ and all-natural chew sticks can be purchased from your local pet shop. You can scatter them around your chinchilla’s cage and/or fill a bowl with them for him to chew on when he wants to. It is best to actually place them in the cage rather than hand them out like a treat as he will be unable to let you know when he feels the need to chew. If not provided, your chinchilla’s teeth will continue to grow, unchecked. This can cause difficulty when trying to eat and his teeth can even grow so long as to cut into the gums. This can not only seriously interfere with eating but can be painful and even cause infection.

If you notice drooling, swelling around the mouth or a sudden lack of interest in food, he may not be chewing as much as he needs to be or you are not providing him with enough of or the types of “chew things” he prefers and he will need to be taken to your Veterinarian for his teeth to be trimmed down. This is an added cost that normally can easily be avoided. Having his teeth professionally trimmed in the place of offering enough, or the preferred things for him to chew on will not only cause your little friend undue stress but also deny him his innate need and desire to chew. Occasionally, you can be doing everything possible but his teeth either grow too fast for him to keep up with or he is one of the few, unusual chinchillas’ that just will not chew the needed amount.

Clean blocks of untreated wood or sterilized and stripped down tree limbs can be added to your pets cage, at no extra cost to you as these are things that can found in or out-side of your own home. A tree limb taken from outside needs to be stripped of the bark, cleaned and sterilized before being offered to your furry, little friend; “un-clean”, this can carry in and transfer to the cage and your pet, unwanted parasites and bugs. Needless to say, this is something that you do NOT want to introduce to his little world.

You can sterilize it by steaming it with a fabric steamer or placing it in the bathtub and running very hot water for several minuets. Another nice, natural piece of wood you could use is a piece of driftwood; be sure to clean and sterilize it as well. Driftwood can be found along river and lake beds as well as the ocean’s edge. One great idea is to obtain a limb or piece of driftwood that is big enough for your chinchilla to climb, play and sleep on as well as chew; it will be an attractive, as well natural addition. Just be sure that it is not so big as to overwhelm the inside of the cage.

Using common sense and the provided guide-lines will ensure that you and your chinchilla enjoy a long, fun-filled and loving life together.