How to Comb a Chinchilla

Chinchillas are rodents that are native to South America. They have long tails, big ears and a thick coat. Pet owners need to groom their chinchillas every so often. The grooming process includes brushing away any loose hair and providing a dust bath to treat the coat of a chinchilla. The grooming process is not always easy since chinchillas are known to be energetic and active.

Things You'll Need

  • Chinchilla brush
  • Chinchilla dust
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Instructions

    • 1

      Buy a special chinchilla brush. It may or may not be available at pet stores, but it is available online. This brush looks like a large comb that humans would use, but it has been modified to better fit the body form of a chinchilla. The brush has fine little hairs that will help remove any excess hair and improve the coat's appearance.

    • 2

      Brush the chinchilla's fur gently with the special brush, removing any loose hair. Gently try to brush through any hair that has become tangled. Once a week is the most a chinchilla needs to be groomed, and they can be brushed less than that. A chinchilla may become agitated and try to escape during the grooming process. If this happens, let it go and try to brush it again the next day.

    • 3

      Avoid giving a chinchilla a bath or using water during grooming. Water will cause the fur to clump and can cause problems with the coat.

    • 4

      Purchase chinchilla dust. Chinchilla dust or blue dust will take the moisture out of the hair, making it much softer and smoother. This treatment will make it much easier to brush in the future. Dust baths should be provided at most twice a week. Put a large bowl or container that is tip resistant into the cage. Place the dust into the bowl, and the chinchilla will instinctively roll around in it, helping its fur and providing an amusing sight. A dust bath can be used as an alternative to brushing.