I was lookng to buy a pair of sugar gliders and I ended up rescuing a pair of chinchillas I have no idea about caring for them, iv been reading up but still not 100% sure. They were being kept in a hampster cage and after picking them up the lady phoned and informed me that they were one of each sex and the female was more than likely pregnant. Iv now put them into a jenny rat cage but not sure if this is big enough.Can some one please give me a crash course on care and what food they need to have(she was feeding just rabbit food).Thanks

Oh, no! Poor you... Well done for taking them on

If I were you I'd take them to a vet pretty soon, just to check there's nothing wrong with either of them, especially if the female might be pregnant. Most decent-size pet shops will sell chinchilla food - you can get a Charlie Chinchilla mix, or plain pellets which would probably be better for chinchillas that might be undernourished. You also need to make sure they have hay and a supply of fresh water.

When my chinchilla was pregnant, she was fine being fed and handled as normal, but you need to make sure yours don't get stressed. If she's not used to you or to being handled, go carefully with her.

How big is the cage they are in now? Do they have plenty to chew on and a box to hide in?

Becca

Hi i rescued 4 a couple of months ago and thanks to a friend who breeds them had some good advice
They can have
chinchilla food not rabbit food, ours have pellets.
Porridge oats
chew toys
a box for a bed
things to climb on
cuttlefish
I have seen raisins are ok bit ours haven't had any yet.
I hope that helps.
Oh and hay lol

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I've just looked up the Jenny cage, and it looks fine for them for now. I have a domed parrot cage with wooden shelves in, and something like that might be better in the long-term, as there's more space to run and jump around, but that sounds fine for now.

Hi and well done for taking them on ! i have 8 of them, come and join our friendly chin forum at chinwags you'll learn all you need to know on there see you there x

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Thanks for all advise.Do they need a salt block and pumice stone?. I tried to join chiinwags but it wouldnt except my date of ownership format,probably me being thick I will try again.They are both quite friendly and tolerate being picked up. Am I right in thinking you grab base of tail and then one hand under head and then the other supporting chest area? I have not tried this, only just read it.Sounds to like I need 3 hands

right iv joined chinwags Thanks guys, didnt get much sleep last night worrying about the little things.Have now been told there about 1 year old. Will get them up to a vet(when I find one that knowsout chins)ASAP