Ear Care for a Chinchilla

Chinchillas are a small type of rodent from the Andes Mountains in South America. They grow to about the size of a rabbit and have soft, bushy coats. Chinchilla's have long been bred for their silky coats, which can be made into affordable fur clothing. However, chinchillas have also been bred as exotic pets in many parts of the world. Chinchillas require very specialized care in captivity, and owners should be especially careful with maintaining their large, delicate ears.

  1. The Importance of Ears

    • Chinchillas have evolved their bushy coats over generations to survive their native habitat: the high mountain ranges of the Andes. They're built for far colder temperatures than humans are normally comfortable with. Because of this, chinchillas are prone to overheating in even a moderately temperate home. Chinchillas lack the sweat glands of a human, or the ability to pant like a dog. Their only way of relieving excess heat is to increase blood flow to their ears, which act like a radiator to shed heat.

    Cleaning

    • Chinchillas clean themselves by rolling around in specially designed dust baths that mimic the volcanic dust of their natural environment. This special volcanic pumice can be purchased from pet stores, and your chinchilla will bathe in it instinctively. But that doesn't mean you can leave all of your chinchilla's hygiene to it. Chinchillas can build up dust and dead skin in their ears, so they need to be cleaned periodically. Pour some mineral oil onto a soft cloth and gently wipe the ears clean. Look into the ear canal for dark spots indicating ear mites: a type of parasitic pest. Consult your vet if you find mites have infected your chinchilla.

    Injuries

    • The relatively large ears of a chinchilla are very delicate and can become injured easily. The ears may be cut or torn in the bars of a cage or exercise wheel, or during a fight with another chinchilla or predatory animal, such as a dog or cat. Apply antibacterial cream to any wounds on your chinchilla's ear to prevent infection. Over-the-counter antibacterial ointments will do, but for serious injuries -- ones that require stitches -- you should consult your vet.

    Infection

    • Ear infections are a common ailment for chinchillas. Your chinchilla will display behavior such as pawing and scratching at its ear to indicate an infection. Head tilting is another common behavior of chinchillas with ear infections. Look into your chinchilla's ear for drainage if it begins to show signs of infection. An ear infection will require a visit to your vet for medication.