The links below will take you to The CHINformation Forum, where a great deal of information has been gathered and shared about chinchillas for prospective owners, new owners, and veteran owners alike!


BEFORE YOU BUY
  Things To Consider
  Including a list of pros and cons to owning chinchillas, allergies and chinchillas, questions to ask breeders, purchasing from a pet store, using chinchillas as classroom pets, and having chinchillas and children in general.
  Are You Ready?
  Including cost estimates for purchasing the necessary chinchilla supplies and what to make sure you have before you bring a chinchilla home.
  Chinchilla Habits
  Including information on sight, sounds, and smells as well as information on jumping and sleeping.

QUARANTINE & INTRODUCTIONS
  Quarantine Information
  Including proper procedures for quarantining chinchillas.
  Getting to Know Your Chin
  Including tips to help you bond with your chinchilla.
  How to Introduce Chinchillas
  Including suggestions on how to go about introducing chinchillas once the quarantine period has passed.

HOUSING
  Recommended Cages
  Including cage safety and specifications on required size.
  Cage Ideas
  Including information on making your own cage or play area.
  Inside The Cage
  Including information on toys, hammocks, food dishes, water bottles, and litter.
  Cleaning Up
  Including recommended cleaning supplies and safety concerns regarding cleaning products.
  Other Animals
  Including things to consider about chinchillas and degus, ferrets, rabbits, hedgehogs, guinea pigs, and cats.

NUTRITION & GROOMING
  Pellets and Hay
  Including ingredients and analysis for many popular chinchilla pellets and information on how to switch from one brand to another.
  Treats
  Including suggestions on treats to avoid and treats to consider.
  Skin and Fur Care
  Including information on frequency and types of baths, fur slipping and chewing, fungus and ringworm, and fur mats.

HEALTH
  Temperature Requirements
  Including temperature and humidity considerations and suggestions on keeping things cool.
  Things To Know
  Including a wide variety of topics such as medications, probiotics, anesthesia, body temperature, hair rings, and more.
  Illnesses
  Including a wide variety of topics including constipation, diarrhea, giardia, coccidia, conjunctivitis, seizures, pneumonia, ear infections, heart murmurs, and more.
  Injuries
  Including first hand experiences with chinchilla injuries.
  Safe and Unsafe Materials
  Including lists of safe and unsafe fabrics, metals, and woods as well as what to do if these items are ingested.

PLAY TIME
  Toys
  Including information on how to make your own toys and make toys more appealing.
  Exercise
  Including information on how to safely allow out of cage play.
  Wheels
  Including information on safe and unsafe chinchilla wheels.

TRAVELING
  Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
  Including suggestions on safe travel.

RESCUES
  Before You Begin
  Including information on what you should consider before you start rescuing.
  Promotions
  Including organizations and individuals who rescue animals.

BREEDING
  Before You Begin
  Including things everyone should know about breeding chinchillas.
  Genetics
  Including general color information as well as descriptions of some terms.
  Mating
  Including signs to look for to try to determine if mating has occurred and information on the estrus cycle.
  Pregnancy
  Including possible signs of pregnancy, feeling for kits, and nutrition information for pregnant chinchillas.
  Delivery
  Including information on labor, birth, and mastitis.
  Caring For Kits
  Including information on caring for and hand feeding kits.

HELPFUL LINKS
  U.S. Based Companies
  Including links to U.S.-based companies that sell chinchilla supplies, toys, and cages.
  Canadian and U.K. Based Companies
  Including links to Canadian and U.K.-based companies that sell chinchilla supplies, toys, cages, and gifts for chinchilla lovers.
  Websites
  Including links for various chinchilla organizations, LiveJournal communities, and a site with WAV files that allows you to hear common chinchilla sounds.