Pet Goddess

As the different colored chinchillas are becoming more common, they are becoming less expensive although some, like the black-velvet, still tend to be a little higher in price. Some colors are more common than others so the price of them will vary. Today, prices for chinchillas range from about $100.00 to $300.00 for the original greys and the more common colors, to $1500.00 to $3000.00 for unusual colored and/or show quality ones.

If you decide to obtain a chinchilla that is of a color other than the original grey, or even more so, if you wish to start breeding mutants yourself, although there are many things you should research, one situation you’ll want to be sure to know of is the occurrence of a “lethal factor” when breeding them.

For instance, the Wilson White and Black Velvet chinchillas carry a genetic lethal factor, thus breeding two whites together will result in 25% fewer kits, and breeding a Black Velvet or any TOV (touch of velvet) color to any other Black Velvet or TOV color will also result in 25 percent fewer kits.

And, if White + White or Velvet + Velvet results from a breeding, the embryo will never develop but be reabsorbed by the mother. It is also believed that this may result in a blocked uterine horn (chinchillas have two horns to their uterus that branch out from the cervix) which could render the mother sterile.

Often, names are made up to describe patterns that show up on a mutant animal. It is important to note that patterns are not colors. For example, mosaics are not mutated colors; the word mosaic only describes the pattern on an animal’s fur.

A mosaic chinchilla is a WHITE chinchilla, and they can have completely different patterns from animal to animal. If you would like to own a “one of a kind” pet, choosing a mosaic chinchilla will provide for more uniqueness than even one of the more unusual colors.

Much more information on common colors and mutated colors can be found in libraries or on the internet if you are looking to learn how to breed and maintain a specific chinchilla color

Posted January 6, 2010 Comments(0)

Chinchillas that were brought from the wild back to America had a medium to dark grey fur; this is the natural, original color of these animals. Over the many years since chinchillas were first brought here, many new colors have come about. These additional hues were created by breeders breeding in different mutant colored chinchillas to acquire specific colored coats. Now, chinchillas’ can be found in many different colors as well as the original grays.

If you are looking for a chinchilla as a pet only, you may not care much about what color it is; any color will do as long as the chinchilla is healthy and even tempered. Remember, the animal itself does not know nor care about the color of it’s fur; what is most important for your pet is a good, healthy, loving life and home. Be sure to learn everything about them and their needs as you can.

A chinchilla of the original grey hue has dark grey along the back, with the sides having a lighter color grey. Now, you can also find chinchillas with fur of beige, and beige with red tints on the body and ears. This color will sometimes have pink on its ears, and the eyes are often a bright red color; this is the form of a near albino chinchilla. A true albino will have no pigmentation (color) whatsoever and the result will be a completely “snow-white” fur along with bright red eyes.

Another color that is even more sought after than the beautiful albino, is the black or black-velvet. There is also a chinchilla that is called violet colored, but it is not purple at all. It is called violet because it is so deeply black that it has a purple tint to it in certain light; this violet color is also more apparent in direct sunlight and is the rarest color of all. A deep blue or a sapphire chinchilla is also a highly in-demand hue seen more in today’s times.

These different colors all came from the continued trial and error on the part of breeders. There are yet still other beautiful colors found in chinchillas. Many years of breeding specific colors to other colors resulted in the mutant hues observed today. Be that as it may, there are only 6 original/accepted colors for a chinchilla.

1. Standard (the original color)
2. White
3. Ebony
4. Beige
5. Sapphire
6. Violet

You can find a listing of many of the “sub-colors” now available at: www.fortheloveofchinchillas.com/mutations

Posted January 4, 2010 Comments(0)

Chinchillas require a lot of roughage. Their diet should be of good, high quality grass hay, along with pellets formulated for chinchillas. You can find the hay and the pellets at your local feed or pet store.

Pet chinchillas are more delicate than many pets and do require their own type of foods. The chinchilla has a very sensitive digestive system that, in the wilderness, requires a high fiber diet of different types of grasses, fruits, leaves, bark, roots and stems, available bugs and grubs. And, in captivity, these needs remain very close to the same.

Pet chinchillas need fresh food every day. A good quality heavy earthenware food bowl is important to keep the food dry and clean, and prevent the chinchilla from tipping the food on to the floor of the cage. Daily fresh water is best provided via a water bottle. Water bottles for small pets can be found at your local pet store.

Your pet chinchilla also needs fresh vegetables and fresh hay everyday to provide him with the fiber, vitamins and minerals he needs for good health. Greens, such as carrot tops and lettuce make good extras to round out his diet. Just be sure that pellets make up the bulk of the diet, as too much greens can make him very ill.

He will also need a gnawing block and safe twigs to chew on to help wear down his teeth.It is always easier to encourage your pet chinchilla to eat a good diet from birth. In other words, if the pet gets the needed types of food at a young age, then the likelihood of it feeding selectively or in a finicky manner later in life will be greatly reduced.

Chinchilla pets are ever growing in popularity. Once a person sees a chinchilla that a friend has for a pet, they often want one of their own. These delightful, little creatures are very hard and just too cute to resist, so enjoy your new furry little friend.

Posted December 11, 2009 Comments(0)

Chinchillas can make wonderful pets for the right person. And yes, they can also make great pets for kids. The more the chinchilla is handled from birth, the more playful a pet it will make for your child and family as this helps ensure the Chinchilla will be tame and bond with its owners.

These animals are very active little creatures. Chinchillas tend to be more active at night. Since they are often so active and playful, pet chinchillas need a roomy cage for exercise, as well as a daily scheduled playtime. Chinchillas like tall, roomy spaces to live in. The general rule is the larger, the better for your pet. So, the more platforms they have to jump onto, the happier they will be.

Your pet will also need time outside of the cage to run. This is important for a chinchilla’s well being. Even if they do have a wheel provided in which to run, or a large cage, it does not compare to the enjoyment they get from running free. As they are fast, you must be careful.

Pet chinchillas kept singly will usually do fine, as do same sex pairs especially if they are litter mates. If you wish to breed your chinchillas, once the babies have been born you will want to separate the male from the female, at least until the kits are weaned. A female can become pregnant at a young age or soon after the birth of a litter.

Pet chinchillas are not only adorable, but are very soft, silky creatures and can be very lovable pets. Regardless of what some people may believe , chinchillas absolutely do make wonderful family additions. They are completely capable of bonding and feeling affection for an individual or even an entire family.

Chinchillas are quickly becoming more popular as pets. These quirky little creatures are fun to watch, but do have a few unique needs that need to be met. They can be given lots of attention or very little, and seem to do equally well. If you are looking for an interesting and unique little fur ball of a pet, consider a chinchilla.

Posted December 9, 2009 Comments(0)

Different Guinea Pig Breeds

Many people don’t realize that there are more than twenty breeds of guinea pigs. Most people believe that one guinea pig is just like the next, but this isn’t true. In fact, each breed of guinea pig looks completely different from the others. The most common breeds are the Abyssinian, the Peruvian, the Silkie, the Crested Guinea Pig, the Teddy Guinea Pig, the Texel, and the Coronet.

The Abyssinian is the most common guinea pig, and he has a coat of fur that consists of numerous swirls, which are called rosettes. A pure-bred Abyssinian will have at least eight of these swirls, and they appear in a symmetrical pattern. The Abyssinian often looks like he just rolled out of bed.

The Peruvian has a coat of fur that is both smooth and straight. The Peruvians hair will grow to be several inches long, and will naturally fall to the sides, with a part in the middle. These guinea pigs require a great deal of grooming to keep their hair from matting.

The Silkie is also referred to as a Sheltie. His fur is very long and silky, but it does not fall with a natural part in the middle. The Silkie’s hair falls backward, from his head.

The Crested Guinea Pig is a short-haired animal, but he does have one rosette on his forehead. In this breed, there is also a White Crested Guinea Pig, which is also referred to as the American Crested Guinea Pig. As his name indicates, his rosette is white in color.
Other Crested Guinea Pigs are commonly known as English Crested Guinea Pigs.

The Teddy Guinea Pig is another short-haired animal, but he does not have a rosette, and his hair has a kinky texture, much like a poodle’s hair. He looks much like a well-loved teddy bear.

The Texel is not a common guinea pig. His hair is long and curly, giving him a very distinctive appearance. Like other long-haired guinea pigs, this particular breed requires a lot of grooming to keep his hair in good shape.

The Coronet Guinea Pig is another long-haired animal, but he does have a rosette, which is located in the center of his forehead. He also requires a great deal of grooming.

Aside from these breeds, there are other guinea pigs. Another well-loved breed is the hairless guinea pig, which is completely bald. Other guinea pigs include the Merino and the Alpaca. So, as you can see, there really are many different breeds of guinea pigs, and each one is unique.

Posted December 1, 2009 Comments(0)

Selecting a Guinea Pig 2 

So, what should you look for when you go to the guinea pig breeder?  When you first arrive at the shelter or the breeders, the first thing  you will want to note is how well the guinea pigs have been cared for. Are the facilities clean? Are the males kept separate from the females? 

What is their overall attitude and body language as you look at your potential new pet? Guinea pigs are social creatures, but typically they will be shy at first. Therefore, you can’t judge how well a guinea pig has been handled by handling it yourself. Instead, you need to see the person who the guinea pig is used to being handled by. Is it calm and happy with this person? Or does it squeal and flip its body to try to get away? 

Next, you want to inspect the guinea pig. Does his coat look healthy? Look past his fur, to his skin and make sure that there are no sores, flaky skin, or fleas present. His body should feel sturdy and rounded. If it doesn’t, this could be a sign of illness. At the same time, you want to be sure that a female isn’t pregnant. A good breeder or someone knowledgeable about guinea pigs will be able to quickly determine this and should not give you the guinea pig without letting you knot its exact condition.  

As with any other type of pet, the chances are good that you will be drawn to a particular guinea pig because of appearance rather than personality. You may be attracted by his coloring or the texture of his fur, but ideally, you will spend some time watching the guinea pigs, and choose one based on his behavior or attitude. In most cases, this is more important than his colorings, unless you plan to show the guinea pig. Also check, are his ears smooth, rounded and perky? Are his eyes shining and alert? 

As mentioned earlier, it is a good idea to get two guinea pigs of the same gender. Two females will get along famously, and be lifelong friends. Two males will also get along and be friends, but there tend to be more disagreements between males than there are between females, and you might have to keep separate cages close to one another to avoid aggression but still given them the companionship they crave. 

Another thing to consider is the age of the guinea pig.  Getting babies which have been properly weaned is a good idea, as the two will grow-up together as family members, whether they came from the same litter or not.  

If you do get young litter mates, be sure to take them out to play separately at times and not always together, at the same time. Doing so will insure that they assimilate with you and not just to each other. 

Also, your new, furry little friend will, like many animals, become “closer” to the person who handles and feeds him. So, when it’s time for  a trip to the vet’s office (annually is usually adequate) this “special person” should be the one to do the handling, as it will provide some comfort and less stress to him during the examination.  

Be sure too that you fully understand his nutritional needs, because a guinea pig fed only greens will  become seriously ill! Find out from the breeder or shelter what food the guinea pig has been eating, and ask if they sell it or you can take a sample away with you until you can go shopping for it once you get home.  Fresh water, changed daily, is also very important, as is appropriate bedding. Again, the shelter or breeder can give you some to take with you so that the guinea pigs do not need to be traumatized with too many changes all at once. 

Selecting a guinea pig can seem a complicated process, but following these simple steps should lead to you selecting the right guinea pig for you and your family. Just remember, once you get it or them home, make sure to give your new pet/s lots of love and attention! 

Posted October 31, 2009 Comments(0)

After a lot of thought you have decided to get a pet guinea pig. Now, all you need to know is how to select the right guinea pig for you and your family.  

Like most pets, just any old guinea pig from a store won’t do. You also need to know how to select a healthy guinea pig. And, you need to decide if you want a long haired or a short haired one. 

Keep in mind that, much like a dog or cat, guinea pigs do shed, so regular grooming will be needed. Most seem to enjoy being brushed. 

The biggest problem that many people run into is not understanding how to determine the gender of a guinea pig. This can lead to problems, especially if you are getting more than one guinea pig, which is advised. The first thing to realize is that you are not alone, and you cannot depend on pet store staff members to know how to determine the sex of guinea pigs either. 

Please note that you should avoid buying your guinea pig from a pet store. A pet store is more likely to buy their pets from “mills” and much like puppy mills, these animals are often over-bred, and kept in horrible conditions.  

Your best bet for getting a healthy guinea pig of the correct gender you want is to work directly with a reputable and professional breeder, or with a guinea pig rescue organization. 

In these groups, you can be sure that there will be someone who can properly sex guinea pigs, so that you end up with what you expected, so you do not end up with two males who could potentially harm each other, for example, due to male aggression. 

Posted October 29, 2009 Comments(0)

One question we get quite often from readers is how to introduce two new dogs to each other when they intended to adopt a new addition to the family.

One of the best ways of doing this is to have them meet on the street as if they are just passing by, and then walking together and going home. If you have a cat, try to make sure that they do not meet each other too abruptly, but are kept in separate rooms where they can become aware of each other without any danger to either pet.

By introducing them on the street, most of the time they will not get too fiesty outdoors, or feel too territorial. They will feel less need to protect you and their home. If you use a crate, you can also make sure that the new arrival has one as well, so that no one feels compelled to share or be too sociable if they don’t wish.

Remember that a crate is not a punishment at all, but the dog’s den where he can feel safe and secure, a room of his own.

There will also be a big difference in attitude depending on if they are two girls, two boys, or a mix. All but Bedlington terrier females do not tend to get too territorial or aggravated towards each other, so they should be fine. Any snarling and growling should be 2 girls so they should be taken as a serious warning sign that they should not be allowed to go too close.

If the new dog is a replacement for a bereaved pet, the other advice we want to give you is that even though the dogs might be the same breed, and even look identical, no two dogs are alike, so make sure you do not have any unfair or unreasonable expectations in this situation. The personalities and relationships will not be the same, but the good things is, they might be even closer!

Another helpful hint is to feed them separately for a while too, plus keep toys separate and so on, especially if they get snarly with each other.

And remember, you are the boss and alpha so it is up to you to make it work, which, if you have confidence, it will.

If you are adopting now, just think of what a kind thing you are doing, rescuing a dog that needs a home, especially in this economy. Best of luck with your new family member!

Posted October 19, 2009 Comments(0)

Once you have decided upon a particular pet, whether it’s a puppy, kitten, or other animal suitable for young children; even before the animal comes home for the first time, parents need to sit down with the children and talk to them about responsibility and care of the new pet. 

You will need to buy the basics for the pet, so have everyone help so they know the basic essentials of caring for the pet. 

Some kids are unreliable when it comes to new pets.  For the first few months they pamper the pet, play with the pet, and thoroughly enjoy the new addition to the family.   

Inevitably, however, as children grow, they become bored with the pet, and the responsibility of taking care of it falls in the parents’ lap.  

Owning a pet is a permanent commitment that an entire family has to agree upon, and it is for the life of the pet, not just for when it seems convenient.  

Pets offer so much unconditional love, it is unfair to do any less in return.  All they want in return is to be dutifully cared for, fed, walked, hugged, and loved.   

They can bring immense joy and happiness to a family, provided they are ready to share their lives with the pet. 

Which is why deciding if your family is ready for a pet requires thoughtful consideration, research, and an open dialogue among all family members.  Everyone in the family needs to contribute to the wellbeing of the pet, so everyone in the family needs to be part of the decision making process as to whether or not your family is ready for a pet.

Posted January 25, 2009 Comments(0)

Once you have gone through the pet questionnaire which we gave you in part 2, if all of the answers are satisfactory, then the choice of where to get your new pet comes next.  

Some pet owners prefer acquiring a kitten or puppy from a breeder, while others may decide that a shelter is more suitable.  Keep in mind, however, that both kittens and puppies are the first to be adopted, and it may take a while before you find a suitable pet in a shelter.    

On the other hand, if you are prepared to take what is deemed a young, or young adult dog, you might only get your choice faster, but also a dog that in most cases does not need so much training from scratch.   

It should be noted that some pet stores carry puppies that are purchased from puppy mills.  If at all possible, select a pup from another source, as most of puppy mill puppies have health problems that unscrupulous pet shop owners will never reveal to you. In addition, you will be helping to free all the dogs being treated cruelly in this barbaric industry. 

If you decide on another type of pet for your family, there are other important factors which you should consider.  There are some pets that carry diseases.   

The following group of pets should not be considered when there are small children in the home: turtles, reptiles, ferrets, or exotic animals of any type.   

Before deciding on any pet, ensure that no one in your family is allergic to animals in general or cats in particular. Studies have shown that more people tend to be allergic to cats than any other animal.

Posted January 23, 2009 Comments(0)