How to Groom a Chinchilla

The very thick, dense fur of chinchillas needs care to stay in good condition. Chinchillas take care of their grooming themselves. However, you need to provide dust for them to bathe at least two or three times a week. Additional grooming is only necessary if the chinchillas develop knots in their fur or you are preparing your pet for a show.

Things You'll Need

  • Cloth
  • Towels
  • Chinchilla dust
  • Dish pan or chinchilla dust bath
  • Long toothed comb
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Instructions

  1. Dust Bath

    • 1

      Wipe off any urine spatters on the chinchilla with a dampened cloth. Pat the fur dry with a towel.

    • 2

      Prepare a dust bath using chinchilla dust according to directions in a dishpan, other large bowl or customized chinchilla dust bath.

    • 3

      Allow your pet access to the dust bath once the fur is completely dry. Put the dust bath in the cage or in an exercise pen.

    Combing

    • 4

      Place a towel across your lap. Chinchillas can be house-trained, but rarely is the training a complete success. It is advisable to protect your clothes when handling them.

    • 5

      Let the chinchilla climb onto you. Chinchillas do not enjoy being picked up, but tame ones will clamber on you.

    • 6

      Comb out any knots carefully. Leave the rest of the fur alone. It is quite easy to damage your chinchilla or remove too much fur if you are inexperienced in grooming chinchillas.