by Angie Pollock

Created on: July 26, 2009

Chinchillas are one of the least demanding creatures to groom. They rarely emit any odors and due to their thick coat (80 hairs per follicle), parasites are normally never a problem for these animals. However, a chinchilla does need regular combings and baths to rid their fur of excess moisture and oil. But the baths that a chinchilla requires does not entail water and bubble bath.

Chins bathe in a finely ground powder or dust that is similar to volcanic ash which their wild ancestors of the Andes utilized for cleaning their fur. Available at most local pet stores, "chinchilla bath" is inexpensive and can be purchased in large quantities. This dust is supplied to your chinchilla and she goes to work giving herself a dust bath.

The dust needs to be placed in a container that is large and deep enough for your chinchilla to flip around in but small enough to fit through the cage door. Two convenient ideas for a "bathtub" include a bread loaf pan or a large jar placed on its side. Some owners simply put the chinchilla dust in a "people" bathtub and let their pets go at it. Place at least two inches of the bathing powder in your chinchilla's bathtub and place the tub inside the cage.

Only a few rolls in the bath are all that is needed for your chinchilla to clean its fur. Five minutes is the general rule for the length of time to leave the bath inside the chin's cage. If left longer, the chinchilla will practically live in the dust container and will soil any dust left that they didn't throw out during their bath. The bath dust can be reused as long as your chinchilla hasn't soiled the dust. Two dust baths per week should be adequate to keep your chinchilla's fur healthy. If the fur feels damp, lies flat, or separates easily then extra baths may be required especially during weather with high humidity levels.

It may be tempting to provide dust baths more often which can lead to skin irritations. Extra dust baths are generally not harmful for a chinchilla but should be limited if your chin appears to be scratching excessively. Fuller's earth is a common product used for a chin's litter. Many owners have noted that using Fuller's earth and giving daily dust baths almost always have led to dry skin on their pets.

It is important to not substitute any fine powders for chinchilla dust especially lime powder. Only use dust that you are completely sure is safe for your pet. Some owners have bathed their chins in water but most chinchillas do not like getting their fur wet. A water bath should only be done if your chinchilla should become excessively dirty or soiled.

Combing should be done on a regular basis to remove old fur. Special chinchilla combs can be purchased at most pet stores. Combing is easily done by placing a towel in your lap (to catch excess hair) with your chin placed on the towel. Use a wide-toothed comb first, starting at the tail and working towards the neck. The tummy fur doesn't need combed on a regular basis. After completing this process, re-comb with a fine-toothed comb to remove any remaining loose hairs. Combing shouldn't be done following a dust bath. Either comb just before a bath or several days after. The tail can be trimmed with scissors if it appears too bushy or becomes stained. Your chinchilla's nails should not need trimmed. Their thin nails protect their fingertips and typically wear on their own.

Chinchillas are tidy creatures and self-groomers, including kits. Chins are one of few pets who actually enjoy their baths and owners enjoy watching their small companions rolling and flipping in their bath. Just a couple of times each week is all your chin will need to keep their coat in tip-top condition.

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