Hair Loss in Chinchillas

Chinchillas are classified as large rodents. They make good pets because of their friendly nature. Their primary attributes include bushy tails, large ears and very soft fur. Since chinchillas were domesticated in 1923 solely for their fur, it is not a surprise that the maintenance of a chinchilla's fur is important and beneficial for the aesthetics as well as the health of the animal. Hair loss problems should be attended to right away.

  1. General Care

    • The chinchilla's fur is very delicate. Keep your pet in areas of low humidity and away from direct sunlight, because the fur mattes in high humidity and high temperatures. Give the chinchilla dust baths one to two times a week in "Chinchilla dust." The dust is made from powdered volcanic ash, which keeps the fur clean, and is available at most pet stores.

    Barbering

    • If the chinchillas are overcrowded, they may chew on their own or another's fur. Females are generally more aggressive than males. This can be prevented by providing chew toys and at least four square feet of space for each chinchilla.

    Fur Slip

    • Fur slip is the loss of patches of fur. If chinchillas are overcrowded, they might fight among each other, which results in fur slip. Another cause of fur slip is rough handling. To prevent fur slip, handle chinchillas gently and provide spacious cages.

    Disease

    • Ringworm, or Trichophyton mentagrophytes, causes hair loss and red lesions on the nose, feet and around the eyes of chinchillas. If you suspect this is the cause of your chinchilla's hair loss, it is best to visit a veterinarian for a prescription of Griseofluvin. An anti-fungal powder added to the dust bath will also work well.

    Malocclusion

    • Other causes of fur loss include what's called malocclusion, or "slobbers." Drooling saliva causes loss of fur under the chin. This condition is caused by mineral imbalance and overgrown teeth. To tell if fur loss is because of malocclusion, check the mouth for sores. Allow chinchillas to chew on wood or mineral blocks to prevent the onset of this condition.