Baby chinchillas are adorable, bringing "ooh"s and "ah"s from most people who see the tiny fur balls. Caring for these little tykes begins while they are still waiting to be born, so determining if your female chinchilla is pregnant is important if you want to help her give her babies the best possible care. It is usually difficult to tell if chinchillas are pregnant during the first two months, but by three months the signs should be fairly easy to read.
Step 1
Weigh your female chinchilla on a scale each week and keep track of how heavy she is. If you notice her weight steadily increasing without an obvious explanation, she may be pregnant.
Step 2
Look at your chinchilla's belly. If you notice six red bumps beginning to peek out from her fur, her body is preparing to nurse her babies after they are born.
Step 3
Observe how your girl is acting. Pregnant chinchillas often have mood swings and other changes in behavior. If your chinchilla suddenly changes how she acts around you or other animals, pregnancy hormones could be causing the difference.
Step 4
Keep an eye on the size of your pet's stomach. If you notice she is getting larger around the middle and lying around a lot more than she used to, she might be dealing with the added weight of babies growing inside her.
Step 5
Take your chinchilla to the vet if you think she might be pregnant. Your veterinarian can let you know if your pet is pregnant and give you advice on how to properly care for her and her babies if she is.
References
Resources
Tips
- Ask your vet if you are unsure how to care for your chinchilla during her pregnancy.
- If your chinchilla is pregnant, make sure your cage is large enough to house her and her babies.
Warnings
- Avoid giving your female chinchilla too much food if she is pregnant, because bloat can be fatal.
- Do not press on your chinchilla's stomach to feel for babies. Pressing on her stomach can injure or kill the babies if she is pregnant.
Writer Bio
Lynne Vanders has been writing professionally since 2010. Previously an insurance agent, she has guest written several blogs and been published in "Enchanted Conversation: A Fairy Tale Magazine." Vanders holds a Bachelor of Science in English from Iowa State University.
