Essential chinchilla care tips

Feed him well

Chinchillas are vegetarians, but that doesn’t mean they should be left to eat all night. They also need to be fed the correct food. Their diets should consist of high-quality grass hay and small amounts of chinchilla pellets. You can provide them with unlimited grass hay, but don’t overdo it with the pellets. Seeds, nuts and most fruits contain high amounts of fat and sugar, so these are frowned upon as far as chinchilla diets are concerned. The occasional rodent-friendly treat also has its place in their world, and great options include herbs and green vegetables like basil, kale and watercress.

Keep everything (including your pet) clean

Chinchillas love cleaning themselves in dust baths. Take your chinchilla out of his cage and allow him to take a dust bath (with specialised sand) two or three times a week. These little guys instinctively know what to do with a sand bath, so if you’ve never treated them to this before, just sit back and watch them enjoy their hygiene routine.

Don’t cramp their space

Chinchillas love space, but it’s always better to opt for a cage that’s wider instead of one that’s taller in length. If you can find something in the range of 800mm wide x 500mm long and 600mm high, it should be ideal. The best material for a chinchilla’s cage is steel since they’ll gnaw straight through plastic and wooden cages. You also want to ensure that your pet has enough gadgets within his cage to keep him occupied. Some ideas include safe chew toys, hide-boxes and solid exercise wheels.

Make time for some TLC often

Your chinchilla will thrive if you give him as much love as often as possible. Interactive playtime is encouraged, if possible, for up to an hour every day. Chillies are friendly, loving and super-intelligent animals that’ll bring you heaps of joy if you provide them with the right kind of care!

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Best low maintenance pets for super busy pet owners

1. Rats

These guys have a bad reputation, but it’s just because people assume they live in sewers. But the truth is that domesticated rats are nothing like wild rats. Since they groom themselves and can have a great nature, they’re actually very neat pets. Rats love interacting with humans, plus they’re super smart and can even learn the odd trick or three. As social animals, rats just need a friend or two, food, freshwater and some exercise outside of their cage every now and then to lead happy lives.

2. Guinea Pigs

Like rats, guinea pigs are fairly easy to look after, but unlike other small animals, they’re much more laid back and also less likely to bite the hand that feeds them. Guinea pigs are sturdy little fellas, making them a great pick for families with younger kids that can’t properly handle more fragile animals. These low maintenance pets are very affectionate and can be great companions.

3. Hamsters

Although these little critters don’t enjoy being handled as much as rats or guinea pigs, hamsters can still make great pets. These active rodents don’t require a huge amount of effort from their owners in order to stay happy and healthy. You’ll need a cage, somewhere they can exercise, food and freshwater to keep them in their happy place. Keep in mind that hamsters are nocturnal, so they spend most of the day sleeping, which can be frustrating for younger kids.

4. Rabbits

Although rabbits require more TLC than guinea pigs and rats, they’re generally not too demanding. You’ll have to provide them with fresh food and water, space to exercise, and of course, clean out their cages at least once a week. Rabbits can make adorable pets and will always keep you entertained and feeling loved, as long as it’s on their terms. It’s wise to remember that the fluffier the rabbit, the more maintenance it requires. So if you’re looking to invest minimal effort, steer clear of the fluffiest ones.

5. Corn Snakes

Some people are terrified of snakes and don’t even consider what great pets they can really be. Corn snakes are harmless, super gentle and don’t require effort from the owner’s side. The only downside to owning a pet snake (of any kind) is that you’ll have to feed them with dead (or live) mice. Corn snakes will curl up on their owners or warmth and if you’ve had them from a young age, they’ll get used to being handled on a regular basis. To get the party started, you’ll need to invest in an appropriate cage for your snake. As far as maintenance goes, the obvious things like freshwater, food, and a source of heat to keep them warm enough will suffice.

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Njom Njoms is a family business, inspired by the owners’ seven bunnies and two guinea pigs. It was their love for their own small animals that inspired them to start their line of South African small pet products. The team produces an extensive range of products and foods for small animals, including Treats for a Cause, staples like bedding, herb mixes and toppers, dried fruit treats, willow chews and gnaws, and a wooden and woven range of products.

Entertainment and snacks all in one

The willow rings and willow balls are great for bunnies because these are interactive treats that your rabbits can play with while also having a snack. For some extra entertainment, you can add some fresh herbs into the willow balls.

They also have a wide variety of different hay toppers. Each topping option is different and provides something special to your bunny’s hay. The Bunny Buffer Mix is a dry herb mix that includes a variety of different herbs and leaves including willow leaves, rosemary, lavender, and a little rosehip and thyme. They also have a Willow Mix, which contains dried willow leaves and twigs, which is like a healthy candy for small animals. Willow has antibacterial functions and also contains tannins that can support normal digestion. Plus these toppers are high in fibre too!

Sweet treats for little pets

The Njom Njoms range of organic dried fruits is perfect for natural treats. These fruits are organically grown with no pesticides before they are sliced and air-dried without preservatives, Sulphur, or any other nasty additives. Of course, these are treats that are high in natural sugars, so they shouldn’t be fed on a daily basis.

It’s pretty much safe to say that this South African brand is not only providing a more cost-effective solution for small pet owners, but they’re also supporting the local market, which is always a win for all parties involved.

To order some of their cool products or even just get to know the brand a little better, be sure to check out their Facebook page.

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