How Long Do Chinchillas Live? Chinchilla Lifespan & Life Expectancy
This article is focused on the lifespan of the average chinchilla and what can be done to help chinchillas leave longer.
Chinchillas in the Wild versus Chinchillas Kept in the House
In the wild, chinchillas can live for up to eight years. This is relatively short as they go through a lot of stress just for survival. They have to hunt for their foods, and this can have a toll on their general health.
As the years go by, their natural habitat is getting smaller. The implication of this is it has gotten a lot more challenging to hunt for food. In addition to this, they have to stay away from predators while hunting.
Although chinchillas can live up to eight years in the wild, a lot of them live less than eight years because of the presence of birds of prey, mountain cats, snakes and pumas that prey on them.
Chinchillas in the House
One of the reasons people keep chinchillas as pets is the fact that they can live for long. Domestic chinchillas have a lifespan of up to 20 years. This is two times more than that of chinchillas in the wild. The simple reason for this is chinchillas in the house are preserved from predators. Also, they get medical care when injured.
Chinchillas in the house might have all that is needed to live for long. Some of them, however, die before they are 15 years old.
When not appropriately treated, chinchillas in the house can live for about ten years. So, to ensure that your chinchilla lives as long as it should, you should avoid accidents and also give it the best of medical care.
What Should a New Chinchilla Owner Know?
For a chinchilla to live long, it has to receive the best level of care possible. Due to this, new chinchilla owners have to show a high level of commitment. Having a chinchilla can be likened to having a dog. A lot of commitment is needed.
Chinchillas need time to bond and exercise. Going by this, they should be kept out of their cages for at least an hour every day.
Chinchilla cages should be cleaned every week. Cleaning involves taking out litters and scrubbing the cage with soap. This should be followed by rinsing.
The many things that have to be done to keep the chinchilla cage clean can be burdensome and will require a lot of commitment.
Moving for chinchilla pet owners can also be challenging. Not all house owners allow pets. Due to this, it might be difficult for chinchilla owners to get a new apartment.
How to Care for Chinchilla
Treats
Treats should not be given to chinchillas regularly. This is because they contain a lot of sugar which is terrible for chinchillas
Feeding
Chinchillas should be fed twice a day. Also, it is vital to check the sugar content of their feeds as they can have diabetes when they fed on excess sugar.
Dust baths
Dust baths can help chinchillas stay clean. They can also keep off excess oils out of the skin of chinchillas.
