Magyk
Well-known member
Hi there! My name is Amanda and I have a 5 year old chinchilla named Magyk!
Admittedly, Magyk was an impulse buy and I had no education about chinchilla's before getting her.
We happened by an Odd and Unusual animal auction, and as depressing as some of these events could be, we decided to go inside and have a look around.
This poor little girl was inside a tiny little plastic bug catcher like the ones you see in the dollar store in the middle of the afternoon in a barn, without food, water or even somewhere to hide from the people that were tapping the side trying to keep her awake, and although we didn't plan on getting anything, my parents and I knew we could not leave her in that situation. Especially with her looking so sad and tired (I may not have known chinchilla's, but I knew they slept during the day and the poor little girl kept trying to sleep only to have someone rock her carrier to keep her awake) So we paid the $90 and took home an animal that I was clueless on how to take care of and I have had her for around 4 years now.
So, perhaps a critique on how I am doing is in order?
She gets unlimited timothy hay and some Oxbow Alfalfa pellets every day, a raisin every few days (I know, I know, not good for them but she loves them and doesn't get them too much), plenty of safe wood to chew on, a wheel in her cage, some time out of the cage at night and plenty of cuddles. I've heard that most chinchilla's are not cuddly but Magyk loves to run over for cuddles and climbs all over me. Her cage also has three levels and a dust bath every few days (We live in Calgary so the climate here is very dry).
I often feel bad that we don't have a companion for her but I've heard that if they get plenty of attention from people and are socialised, they are alright. Is this true? Because Magyk has always seemed perfectly healthy, but I still feel bad. Hopefully I'm not depriving her of a better life, but I am trying very hard to make her happy.
Anyways, we are glad to meet you and hope that you won't get too frustrated by my endless questions!
Admittedly, Magyk was an impulse buy and I had no education about chinchilla's before getting her.
We happened by an Odd and Unusual animal auction, and as depressing as some of these events could be, we decided to go inside and have a look around.
This poor little girl was inside a tiny little plastic bug catcher like the ones you see in the dollar store in the middle of the afternoon in a barn, without food, water or even somewhere to hide from the people that were tapping the side trying to keep her awake, and although we didn't plan on getting anything, my parents and I knew we could not leave her in that situation. Especially with her looking so sad and tired (I may not have known chinchilla's, but I knew they slept during the day and the poor little girl kept trying to sleep only to have someone rock her carrier to keep her awake) So we paid the $90 and took home an animal that I was clueless on how to take care of and I have had her for around 4 years now.
So, perhaps a critique on how I am doing is in order?
She gets unlimited timothy hay and some Oxbow Alfalfa pellets every day, a raisin every few days (I know, I know, not good for them but she loves them and doesn't get them too much), plenty of safe wood to chew on, a wheel in her cage, some time out of the cage at night and plenty of cuddles. I've heard that most chinchilla's are not cuddly but Magyk loves to run over for cuddles and climbs all over me. Her cage also has three levels and a dust bath every few days (We live in Calgary so the climate here is very dry).
I often feel bad that we don't have a companion for her but I've heard that if they get plenty of attention from people and are socialised, they are alright. Is this true? Because Magyk has always seemed perfectly healthy, but I still feel bad. Hopefully I'm not depriving her of a better life, but I am trying very hard to make her happy.
Anyways, we are glad to meet you and hope that you won't get too frustrated by my endless questions!