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Environmental stress can distress your chinchilla in many different ways. This type of stress results in either behavioral or health concerns. Your pet can experience the following: anti-social behavior that comprises of biting, fighting, spraying urine, fungus, or irritation of the eyes. Your pet can also feel anger towards other chinchillas, biting the fur, gnawing on their cage or even depression.

Transition Time

Giving your pet this transition time is essential and very important because if they came from chaotic surroundings, they would have to learn to unwind and if they came from boredom surroundings, they must have time to settle in to handle noise in a timely manner.

Like any other animal, a chinchilla has its own needs that should be addressed, both physically and psychologically. Some extensive research should be made in order to learn the type of food they need to eat, the living conditions they are comfortable with, and more.

Cage

When it comes to a pet chinchilla’s home, make sure that the cage used to keep the chinchilla is big enough for the creature to move around in.

To learn more read this article on chinchilla cages.

Exercise

Pet chinchillas require regular exercise and recreation. You can place an exercise wheel inside the cage so that the chinchilla can do some physical exercises whenever they feel the need. Pent-up emotions that aren’t released contribute to a stressed chinchilla and will be bad for the little animal’s overall health.

Read more about chinchilla wheels and exercise items in our chinchilla shopping list.

Vacation

Some time away from the cage (not less than 30 minutes a day) is also needed in order to satisfy the animal’s roaming instincts.

Toys

Throw in some chew toys, and your pet chinchilla can keep itself occupied whenever it’s feeling bored. The cage should also be closed up when no one’s around in order to give the chinchilla a sense of security.

Changes

Pet chinchillas don’t adjust really well to change. It’s in their nature.

New living conditions, a new owner, interaction with other chinchillas – all these things need to be done gradually so as not to shock the chinchilla. Sudden or drastic changes in the creature’s environment can easily lead to stress.

A pet chinchilla can feel overwhelmed by what’s going on around them.

Yes, Your Chinchilla Can Die From Stress!

The severe stress that comes with the outpouring of unfamiliar and threatening stimuli may even lead to death. The effects can be gradual, so it’s imperative for any chinchilla owner to monitor the temperament of his pet every chance he gets. Chinchillas that are always hyperactive are the ones prone to stress-related shock.

Chinchillas are creatures of routine, which is why they don’t respond well to new situations and new stimuli.

They have a capacity for coping up and adjusting, but only in small doses. Temperament to change can vary from chinchilla to chinchilla, though health and age can have some influence. Older chinchillas also tend to become more territorial than the younger ones, which is why they have a tendency to bite other chinchillas whenever it feels that its supposed territory is invaded.

To give your pet chinchilla a sense of well-being, you have to introduce new types of stimuli to keep it amused.

Other than chew toys and an exercise wheel, you can place it in front of the television or even play some music. This will be enough to keep your pet entertained. But if your beloved chinchilla still shows signs of boredom and stress, make some adjustments until a change in temperament for the better is made apparent. The key is to be patient and observant about your pet’s behavioral patterns.