Nutrition, Treats, Teeth and Health

         This is  Kiwi; I got him from a local breeder in October, 2011. Unlike most chinchillas, he is very calm and enjoys cuddling. Chinchillas are not usually known to be too cuddly; although sometimes they enjoy recieving a little scratch behind the ear. These nocturnal animals love running, jumping off walls, chewing and hopping around.  Because of this, it is necessary for them to have a safe place to play. This means there should be no wires, cedar, easily swallowed items, or anything that could be hazardous to their health lying around. (Believe me they will chew through absolutely anything and everything available.)
         In order for your little chin to have the correct nutrients to grow and play, he needs a balanced diet. This includes pellets, fresh hay, fresh water and the occasional treat. Acceptable treats your chinchilla are: raisins, dried fruit, rose hips, some commercial treats, oats, cheerios, some veggies, nuts, and seeds. But remember they should only have between 2-3 treats a weak! Also be sure to place things in the cage for your chinchilla to nibble on. Chinchilla's teeth never stop growing, so they constantly chew so their teeth can wear down to a reasonable length. Remember a healthy chin is a happy chin!!:)