Chinchilla Health Issues (Diseases, Conditions, & Common Illnesses)

Chinchillas are tough little critters who are mostly actively jumping in their cages and having a blast with their dust baths. Give them an uninterrupted supply of hay, fresh water, a couple of chew toys, and a roomy crib, and they’ll happily popcorn their way through life.

But what about their health concerns? Do chinchillas catch a bug easily? Can they die from certain conditions or just out of the blue?

In this article, we’ll break down the nitty-gritty of chinchilla health issues and give you a better understanding of their well-being. Knowing the ins and outs of their potential health stuff will help you give your chin the best care ever, ensuring you two can hang out for as long as possible.

We know you’re eager to keep your chinchilla happy and healthy, so let’s take a closer look at the most common health issues that can affect your fluffy friend.

Chinchilla Health Issues

Chinchillas make excellent pets because of their adorably fluffy looks and low-maintenance lifestyle. They don’t want you to take them for a walk or cuddle them for hours. Plus, healthy chinchillas can stick around for years and years, unlike other small pets such as guinea pigs or hamsters.

However, this doesn’t make chinchilla parenting a no-sweat job. These little fluffballs can get sick, and what sets them apart (and makes things a bit tricky) is their talent for hiding their troubles until they become a full-blown crisis.

As a responsible chinchilla parent, it’s on you to get clued up about the possible health hiccups that might hit your furball. Knowing the early warning signs of trouble and taking swift action can make all the difference.

In the next section, we’ll look at chinchilla health concerns divided into three main categories:

• Chinchilla Diseases
• Chinchilla Illnesses
• Chinchilla Conditions

Chinchilla Diseases

Diseases are pesky issues caused by nasty germs or some abnormal changes happening inside your pet’s little body.

Sadly, chinchillas are prone to a handful of diseases that can significantly impact their health and well-being.

Dental Disease

Chinchillas are teeth-growing champs. Their teeth can grow about 2-3 inches a year easily. If we look at the makeup – there’s a set of one upper and one lower front teeth (incisors) and four upper and four lower cheek teeth (molars and premolars) on each side of a chin’s mouth. All these teeth are open-rooted and grow non-stop. For this reason, dental issues are a lifelong concern for pet chinchillas.

Why only pet chinchillas?

Well, wild chinchillas eat a lot of coarse hay in their natural habitat. All that chewing keeps their teeth in shape. But pet chinchillas (most of them) munch on tons of dry pellets instead of hay. They don’t chew enough, causing their teeth to overgrow.

Overgrown teeth can cause malocclusion. It’s a fancy word for when chinchilla teeth start smacking each other in the mouth because of misalignment. When that happens, there’s no room for them to grow longer, and they get stuck in the gums and jawbone. Ouch! 

This leads to nasty sharp edges forming on the teeth, which can cut up the chinchilla’s tongue, cheek, or lips.

Plus, those overgrown teeth can get infected and turn into abscesses. The poor chinchilla might have difficulty eating, lose weight, and drool uncontrollably. Some chinchillas also indulge in fur chewing because of teeth issues.

If you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms in your pet, take him to a vet. They’ll file sharp teeth edges, pull out any infected teeth, and prescribe anti-inflammatory medicines for your poor baby’s pain.

Also, increase the amount of hay in your chin’s diet and give him plenty of chew toys to wear down his teeth.

Respiratory Infections

Chinchillas, like all other rodents, have super-sensitive respiratory systems. They can easily catch a respiratory infection from other affected chinchillas, dusty environments, or even cold drafts.

Chinchillas with respiratory infections might start wheezing, have a runny nose and eyes, sneeze, cough, act sluggish, or lose their appetite. Some signs are more severe than others. If you notice any odd behavior in your pet’s breathing pattern, it’s best to call the vet. Ignoring these infections can lead to pneumonia, which can be deadly.

The vet will hook your chinchilla up with antibiotics to make things better. Sometimes, they’ll even give your little buddy some fluids and do a bit of force-feeding to keep them hydrated and well-fed.

What can I do to make things better?

For starters, keep your pet’s home dust-free, well-ventilated, and comfortably warm. It’s also a good idea to avoid overcrowding in the crib. Get a bigger cage if you have two or more chinchillas living together.

In the case of respiratory infections, prevention is always better than cure.

Gastrointestinal Stasis

A chinchilla’s digestive system is like a high-speed fiber-processing factory. When your pet eats lots of fiber-rich food, it zooms through his system quickly, making room for more food. This speedy digestion and the constant cycle of eating and pooping is what keeps your chin healthy.

When your chinchilla stops eating because of dental issues, stress, or a sudden change in diet (like too many treats), its digestive system slows down. Plus, the microbiomes (good bacteria) in his belly start acting up because they aren’t getting enough fiber to munch on.

All this drama leads to a condition called GI stasis. This is when things in the gut stop altogether. It’s like a traffic jam in your chinchilla’s tummy. Because chinchillas can’t burp or vomit, the food in their stomachs starts fermenting. This produces gas, making your chinchilla feel bloated, crampy, and uncomfortable – just like us when we have a tummy ache.

Signs of GI Statis include:

• Lack of appetite
• Lethargy and weakness
• Sipping less water
• Hunched posture
• Changes in poop size and quantity

If you notice these symptoms in your chinny, take him to the vet right away. If left untreated, GI Statis can be fatal.

Urinary Tract Infection

Chinchillas can get UTIs, just like us.

UTI is a bacterial infection that affects your chin’s urinary tract. What happens is bacteria from your pet’s poop or bedding enter his urinary tract through his urethra. The bacteria feed on the sugar in your chin’s urine, grow, and cause all sorts of trouble.

UTIs can be super painful and uncomfortable for your pet. They might make your chinchilla pee more often than usual. He’ll also have trouble peeing – starting and stopping frequently, dribbling, and straining to pee. You might even notice some blood in his urine. Sometimes, chinchillas will rub their bellies against the cage and stretch while peeing.

UTIs are usually treated with antibiotics, but if there’s a blockage, your vet will need to remove it surgically.

As for your part, scoop out the poop from your chinchilla’s cage daily, keep the bedding clean and dry, and make sure your pet is getting plenty of water to drink.

Bacterial Infections

Chinchillas are prone to two common bacterial infections that can wreak havoc on their organs, including their lungs, spleen, liver, and colon.

Since the bacteria that cause these infections have different variants, you’ll need a vet’s help to diagnose and treat them.

So, what are these bacterial infections? Let’s find out.

Pseudomonas

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a rod-shaped bacterium that makes up about 42% of your chinny’s gut bacteria. So, it’s present in their poop as well. When you don’t keep things tidy in your pet’s cage, the bacteria get the upper hand.

Pseudomonas can cause severe issues like depression, infertility, death of a fetus, ulcers on the eyes or mouth, and puss-filled blisters. In worst cases, it can also take your pet’s life.

Chinchillas with weak immune systems, like kits, are more prone to the infections caused by this bad guy.

Although a dirty cage is a prime culprit, chinchilla babies can also get the infection from their infected mama and other chinchilla pals. It is contagious! So, separate the affected animals from the healthy ones to prevent an outbreak.

Listeriosis

This is another common disease in chinchillas that’s contagious to humans and other animals. It’s caused by the bacteria listeria monocytogenes, found in contaminated food and water, poop of an infected chin, and dirty cage and accessories.

If your fur buddy catches the bug, he’ll suffer from:

• Severe constipation
• Prolapse of rectum
• Loss of appetite
• Blindness

This bacterial infection can kill – first one and then all your chinchillas. So, it’s best to catch it early and treat it aggressively with antibiotics.

What can I do to prevent listeriosis?

• Wash your hands before handling chinchillas
• Remove uneaten food from the cage daily
• Keep the cage clean and dry
• Use a suitable disinfectant to wipe down any surfaces in contact with your pet’s waste

Chinchilla Illnesses

An illness is a state of poor health or feeling unwell, which may or may not be caused by a disease.

So, what are some common illnesses that can affect your furry pal? Let’s discuss.

Heatstroke

Chinchillas are very sensitive to high temperatures because of their dense fur. It is why they’re more likely to suffer from heatstroke than other animals. A chinchilla with a temperature above 80°F (27°C) is boiling!

So, on hot summer days, make sure your pet has access to clean water and a cool, dry place to chill out. You can help by adding an ice pack or frozen water bottle to his cage.

Heatstroke can cause panting, a rise in body temperature, and eventually death if not treated immediately. But if you take action quickly enough and cool your chinchilla down gradually with hydration therapy, cool water enemas, and tepid water baths, he should make a full recovery.

Reproductive Problems

Male and female chinchillas both can suffer from infertility issues. The factors that can cause such problems are:

• Malnutrition
• Genetic abnormalities
• Infections
• Hormonal imbalance
• Low sperm count

An infertile chinchilla doesn’t show any interest in mating, has a ragged coat, feels lethargic, and has weight issues.

If a poor diet is the cause of the issue, improving your pet’s nutrition by adding a vitamin supplement and switching to a high-quality pellet diet should help. However, if the problem is due to infectious diseases, your pet will need antibiotics.

Chinchilla Health Conditions

Health conditions in chinchillas can be mental or physical. Most are caused by environmental triggers like high stress or poor diet.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common health conditions chinchillas can suffer from.

Bumblefoot

Bumblefoot is an infection of the footpad in chinchillas. It’s usually caused by bacteria and can be triggered by injuries, rough surfaces, or poor hygiene.

A chinchilla with bumblefoot will have swollen, inflamed footpads with redness and scabbing. The poor baby will also have difficulty walking or show signs of pain when you hold him.

Topical ointments can make things better. But prevention is your best bet. Give your chinchilla sufficient out-of-cage playtime and keep the bedding pee-free.

Stress

Chinchillas are skittish munchkins. They can get scared at the most normal things like a creaky door, your neighbor’s loud music, or even a sudden movement.

Stress is bad news for chinchillas. It can cause them to shed fur (fur slip), not eat, hide in their cage all day, and become unresponsive to their surroundings. Sometimes, a drastic change in temperature can also stress out a chinny.

So, make sure your pet has a safe and quiet place to retreat when he needs it. Keep the cage in a low-traffic room of the house and respect his boundaries.

Can chinchillas die from stress?

Yes, they can. Stress lowers their immune system and makes them more susceptible to diseases and infections.

Ringworm

Ringworm, despite its misleading name, isn’t about worms at all. It’s a contagious fungal infection that can pass between chinchillas and even humans through touch. Sometimes, hay, water, and stress can trigger an outbreak, too.

If your chinchilla has this condition, you’ll notice hair loss in circular patches on his body. The skin will also look reddish and scaly. Plus, you’ll notice your furry friend scratching himself more than usual.

Can chinchillas die from ringworm?

Nope! It’s creepy but not deathly. Your vet will prescribe a medicated shampoo or ointment to treat it. Just make sure you take precautions not to get infected yourself.

Signs Your Chinchilla Is Dying

It’s never easy to watch your adorable whisker puff slowly decline in health. But as his caretaker, you have to make sure the little guy is comfortable during his final days. You’ll only be able to do so if you know he’s suffering and is about to die.

How do I know if my chinchilla is dying?

Here are a few chinchilla dying symptoms that may indicate your pet is nearing the end of his life:

• Lack of appetite
• Reduced water intake
• Difficulty breathing or loud breathing
• Reduced fecal production
• Labored movements or inability to move
• A rough or unkempt coat, sometimes due to self-neglect
• Any unusual discharge from the eyes, nose, or mouth

Do Chinchillas Die Easily?

Nope, chinchillas don’t die easily. Although they have sensitive tummy tracts and fragile skeletal structures, with proper care, they can easily live up to 10-20 years.

By proper care, we mean giving them chinchilla-appropriate food, a cozy home with the right temperature, and routine health checkups.

Here are a few more things you can do to ensure your pet chinchilla lives a long and healthy life as your companion:

Chinchilla-proof your home. No exposed cords, no poisonous plants, no gaps they can squeeze into.

Learn proper handling techniques. Always support their hind legs, never pick them up by the tip of their tail, and don't let them fall.

Keep track of what your chinny is eating. Some foods can cause bloat and kidney problems in chinchillas. These conditions can get fatal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Do Chinchillas Die Suddenly?

Chinchillas are good at hiding when they’re feeling weak or sick. They do so because they’re prey animals, and showing vulnerability makes them an easy target for predators. So, if your pet chin dies suddenly, it’s probably because of a disease or accidental injury that went undetected.

Do Chinchillas Die in Water?

Chinchillas have dense fur that traps moisture and catches fur fungus. Plus, staying cold and wet for long can kill a chinchilla from hypothermia. So, avoid bathing your chin or even letting them play in the water.

How Do Chinchillas Die?

Besides the health issues mentioned above, chinchillas can also die of old age, accidental injuries, and birthing complications. They’re also prone to seizures and heart murmurs as they age.

Conclusion

Chinchillas, although hardy animals are prone to certain health issues.

Since chinchilla teeth are always growing, dental disease is one of the most recurring health conditions in chinchillas.

GI stasis, respiratory problems, and UTIs are other health issues that might affect your little munchkin’s quality of life.

Of all the chinchilla health issues mentioned above, bacterial infections and heatstroke are the ones that can cause sudden death in chinchillas.

If you want your chinny to live a long and happy life, keep an eye out for changes in his behavior, appearance, or appetite. Also, give your pet a comfortable and cozy home, and keep up with health checkups and proper grooming.

Did you find this article helpful?

At Oddly Cute Pets, we strive to provide comprehensive guides on chinchilla care to our readers. If you’re looking for more information on chinchilla parenting, browse through the other articles on our website. We’re sure you’ll find something interesting.

Thank you for reading! Keep loving those little fluff balls with big personalities.