Moving With Chinchillas
Unlike many other mammals, chinchillas are extremely sensitive to climate change and other environmental alterations. They are sensitive animals that can get distressed easily. So, if you are planning on a long distance move, take very strict precautions when moving your chinchilla.
First of all, before the move, keep your daily routine the same right up until moving time. Leave behind only the chinchilla(s) and supplies for the animal. The day of the trip, put the chinchilla in its cage along with some items from its cage and food. Putting items it is familiar with in the carrier will help comfort the animal.
Load the chinchillas into the car last so they can be the first to unload when you reach your destination. If the temperature outside is going to be hot, make sure you have a car with air conditioning. Chinchillas can become over heated very easily and die from the heat. Keep them in the cool house until right about time to move. Never leave a cage or carrier with a chinchilla inside out in sun even for a few moments.
Place the cages where someone can watch them at all times or at the least periodically during the trip. If the animals begin to get upset or hot, pull over and take care of them immediately. You don’t want a chinchilla emergency when you are nowhere near a vet.
Have the air conditioning already turned on and the house cool at the new location if it is hot there as well. If you have a quiet room, place your chinchilla there until the commotion is over. Then you will have a happy chinchilla.
After moving in, place a box full of sand outside its cage and let it take a bath. This is a playful time for a chinchilla and will allow you and your pet to relieve the stress of your move.