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Cat Information
The Ancient Egyptians were the first civilisation to realise the cats potential as a vermin hunter. They tamed cats to protect the corn supplies that their lives depended on.
There are now over 100 million cats in the Western world and over 100 recognised breeds. Some pedigree breeds are natural breeds but others are the result of breeding.
In the UK and USA there are more cats kept as pets than dogs and 35% of households with cats have two or more.
Female cats reach sexual maturity between 6-10 months of age and male cats between 9-12 months. A cat's pregnancy lasts 62-65 days from conception to delivery and the average litter is 2-6 kittens.
The average life span for an outside cat is only 3-5 years, whereas an indoor cat can live for 16 years or more. Their life expectancy has doubled over the last fifty years.
Cats have more bones than human beings, humans have 205 and cats have 230. They have 4 toes on their front paws and 5 toes on their back paws. An adult cat has 30 teeth, 16 at the top and 14 at the bottom.
The cats hearing is far more sensitive than humans or dogs and they can see six times better than humans in the dark. Their tails are used to maintain balance.
Domestic cats can run at speeds of 30 mph and did you know that they sleep on average for 16 hours a day?
Although we always assume that a cat is happy when purring, they also purr loudly if in pain or distress.
The reason you sometimes see cats eating grass is that it helps to aid their digestion and also helps them to get rid of any fur in their stomach.
Whilst we often associate cats with drinking milk, it can in fact, give some cats diarrhoea.
All cats need taurine in their diet to avoid blindness, they also need fat in their diets, as they cannot produce their own.
A little known fact is that Sir Isaac Newton is credited with inventing the cap flap!
Dog Information
All of today's 350 plus breeds of domestic dog are descended from the grey wolf. It is believed that four distinct forms of the grey wolf contributed to the ancestry of the domestic dog.
Although most dogs are kept as companions some are used for traditional working purposes.
At birth dogs are totally dependent on their mothers, they start to suckle soon after being born. For the first two weeks of their lives, puppies cannot hear of see. After three weeks their eyes open and they start to respond to sounds and by a month old they start to show an interest in solid food. At this stage their first set of teeth begin to emerge, these will be retained for the first six months after which they are replaced by a permanent set.
The bitch will start to spend less time with her litter and start to resent their attempts to suckle. The puppies will then switch to a diet of solids as her milk supply dries up.
To meet their requirements, approximately twice as much food as normal will be needed by the puppies. This should be given three or four times daily, gradually cutting back to a single daily feed.
Most dogs have a life expectancy of 10 years with smaller breeds often living well into their teens.
Rabbit Information
Is a rabbit for me?
Are you thinking of keeping a pet rabbit? Or maybe you already have one. Either way you are one of the millions of pet lovers who think of rabbits as ideal pets. This is not surprising as they are endearing, affectionate animals that easily sway us with their charm. But just like any other pet, keeping a rabbit is a big commitment.
Bunny Basics Although they are different shapes, sizes and colours, pet rabbits are closely related to their wild cousins. Their basic nature and needs are the same as a wild rabbit.
Rabbits are active!
They need plenty of space, a spacious run outdoors or freedom to run around the house for several hours every day.
Rabbits are sociable!
Wild rabbits live in colonies, never on their own. Your pet will need plenty of company either from you, a bunny companion or preferably both.
Rabbits are naturally shy, quiet animals who hate being held above ground level. Gaining the trust of a rabbit takes time and effort.
A good home for a rabbit?
You'll need to keep these basic facts about rabbit nature in mind when deciding how best to keep your pet. Keeping a rabbit alone in a hutch doesn't meet many of the fundamental needs of the species and results in a bored and distressed pet. As a caring owner you'll need to look at alternatives.
Outdoors
Two or more rabbits(provided they are neutered to stop fighting and breeding) living in a permanent enclosure in the garden with suitable shelter.
Two rabbits sharing a hutch at night with daily access to a large exercise run (or garden, if you don't mind your plants being nibbled!) Remember, gardens and runs need to be secure against foxes, cats and dogs! Both these options offer a good quality of life. You would enjoy watching your rabbits behave in a natural way, but you would find that they won't become particularly tame.
Indoors
If you want a closer relationship with your bunny then why not keep him as a houserabbit? In recent years an increasing number of people have moved away from the idea of keeping a rabbit in a hutch outside. Instead they are keeping their rabbits in their homes. Before considering keeping a house rabbit it is essential that you get as much information as possible. Rabbits are easily house trained, once they are neutered. It is better to start with an indoor cage, place a litter box in the corner of it and as soon as your rabbit uses the box consistently, you can give him more freedom. It is natural for rabbits to chew on curtains, furniture, rugs and most importantly electrical wires. Therefore all wires must be concealed so that the rabbit cannot reach them. They can be encased in vinyl tubing by splitting the tube lengthways and pushing the wire inside. Give your rabbit plenty of attention, something safe to chew on and toys, so they are distracted from chewing furnishings
Two rabbits will be very content if you lead a busy lifestyle with less time to devote to them. Many houserabbits will watch TV from the sofa, flop out in front of the fire and run to greet their owners when they come in from work! However, houserabbits are not suitable pets for everyone. Just like cats and dogs, they can be demanding and destructive, especially as youngsters. Even after thorough training and "bunnyproofing" some wear and tear on the furnishings as well as a bit of mess such as pet hair is inevitable.
"For better, for worse" Your rabbit will be completely dependent on you. That means arranging holiday care if you want to go away. He will need affection and attention every day. Houserabbits are a bit like toddlers that never grow up. Can you cope?
"In sickness and in health" Your rabbit will need to be neutered and to have annual vaccinations against VHD and Myxomatosis. Veterinary fees for a rabbit are very similar to those for a cat, so pet health insurancecover is strongly recommended in case of serious health problems.
"Till death us do part" The average life span of a rabbit is 7-10 years. You are taking on your pet for around a decade. If the rabbit is for the children they may be gone before the bunny! Rabbits and children Rabbits can make good family pets if parents respect the needs of the rabbit and the limitations of the children. Adults need to accept all the responsibility of caring for the rabbit. Please do not buy a rabbit solely as a child's pet.
Small children with rabbits need supervision.Rabbits can scratch and bite if harassed. They do not like to be picked up and can easily injure their backs if they fall or are dropped.
Children may not have the patience necessary to establish a relationship with a rabbit It's a good idea to choose a large breed of rabbit if you have young children as they are generally quieter, sturdier and too large to be picked up.
Where to get a rabbit
Why not adopt a rescue bunny? Britain is flooded with unwanted pet rabbits awaiting new homes in rescue centres and if you adopt an adult bunny you can be sure of its personality.
Many pet shops sell young rabbits but if you want a particular breed or colour, locate a reputable breeder via the Pet Plan Rabbit List who will be able to give you advice about your rabbit and show you adult examples of the breed. Wherever you get your rabbit you can be sure that with care, love and respect your rabbit will become a faithful and entertaining friend and member of your family.
Hamster Information
There are many varieties of hamsters, however, the traditional short and long hair are the most common pets. Hamsters are nocturnal, meaning that they are active mainly at night. It is not a good idea to wake sleeping hamsters as they may give your hand a nip! Also, hamsters are solitary animals and should be kept alone as adults. Hamsters are clean, odorless, and entertaining pets, but it is important to remember that they should only be handled in the evening when they are active.
Hamsters have large cheek pouches that they use to transport food from one location to another. Feeding: Any high quality hamster food is recommended. As with all animals, clean, fresh water should be available at all times. While green vegetables such as dark green lettuce and sprouts are a welcome addition to their diet, they should be served sparingly because they have a high moisture content.
Recommended treats include small pieces of apples and carrots. Fresh food that is served and not eaten within 24 hours should be removed from the cage as it will spoil. You can also add small amounts of plain oats (oatmeal) to their food, this is a supplement that adds needed fiber and a treat for the hamsters.
Please remember that adult hamsters should be housed alone, they are solitary animals.The decision on where to place a hamster cage should be made carefully. Hamsters require a quiet place during the day, and a place where they can be noisy in the evening. They should be kept in an area that stays cool, approx. 68 degrees, and with low humidity. If you are using a glass aquarium, please watch the heat and humidity carefully as tanks can tend to get too warm. Kaytee Aspen bedding is the recommended bedding in the cage or aquarium. Also, do not place the cage in direct sunlight or in an area that is drafty. A food dish is needed, although the hamster will just remove the food and stash it in another location. A water bottle, and a small box or house should also be in the habitat. Also, a hamster exercise wheel is a necessity in order to meet the high energy level of this nocturnally active pet. As with all animals, a nervous handler will communicate this to the hamster. All handling should be done as gently and quietly as possible. In general, hamsters do not like to be handled a lot.
All rodents have incisor teeth that constantly grow. In a captive environment, these teeth can grow to a length that makes it difficult to the animal to eat. To prevent this, an abrasive gnawing material (such as a chew stick or chew treat) should be provided at all times. As stated before, since hamsters are nocturnal they may not be suited for a small child who wants to handle and play with them during the day. Again, hamsters like to live alone and are protective of what they consider to be "theirs." Do not put your fingers in their nest or "special area" as you may have a finger nipped.
A healthy hamster should have a well rounded body, bright eyes, and a blunt nose. Ears should be set well apart and be uncreased or upright when the animal is fully awake. The coat should be even with no bare patches. Baby hamsters are called cubs and are weaned at 3-4 weeks of age.
Gerbil Information
The original gerbil was a Mongolian gerbil which was agouti colored. Gerbils are easily tamed and bite less then their hamster cousins. They have a gentle disposition and are comfortable in a busy and noisy household in that they are not easily scared or startled. In fact, rather than hiding, they are more likely to be standing on their hind legs, looking around to see what is happening. Gerbils are social and are comfortable in pairs, but unless breeding is the goal, keep only the same gender together in a cage. Also, if you are going to keep two together they should be purchased at the same time so that they could be brought up together.
Feed your gerbil any high quality processed food that is appropriate for small animals. Although they drink only small amounts of water, fresh water should still be available at all times. Small pieces of carrot or apple can be served as treats. Vegetables should be offered only in small amounts since they contain a lot of moisture. Too much moisture for these desert creatures can cause digestive problems. Chew toys and treats should be given to the gerbils frequently.
Gerbils will adapt to just about any type of small animal cage. The most critical thing is that the cage allow the gerbil to burrow. This would make a cage with a wire bottom inappropriate. Unlike hamsters, gerbils should NOT have an exercise wheel with spokes in their cage. Gerbils have no control over their long tail and it can easily get caught in the spokes of an exercise wheel. Solid, plastic wheels without spokes can be used. A food dish, water bottle, and small house should also be included. In common with all small rodents, gerbils require careful handling which must be gentle and at the same time, firm. They should be picked up slowly by cupping the body in both hands. Never grip or pick up a gerbil by its tail as the skin is very fragile. Be aware that gerbils have powerful hind limbs that allow them to leap from your hand.
As all rodents, have incisor teeth that constantly grow. In a captive environment, these teeth can grow to a length that makes it difficult to the animal to eat. To prevent this, an abrasive gnawing material (such as a chew stick or chew treat) should be provided at all times to help wear the teeth down. Gerbils are neither nocturnal (active mainly at night) nor diurnal (active mainly during the day.)
Mice Information
First domesticated in China around the 12th century, the fancy mouse has become popular with enthusiasts of all ages. Fancy mice come in an assortment of wonderful colors and markings. Solid colors include black, slate, silver, champagne, red (also known as fawn), white, and cream. They make great pets: easy and inexpensive to keep. Mice are alert, adaptable, and fun to watch. They rely on a keen sense of smell and hearing to perceive the world around them, and are easily frightened. Therefore, they are best suited to an older child or adult who can handle them gently. They are clean animals and are constantly grooming themselves.
A high quality mouse food is recommended. This diet can be supplemented with small amounts of vegetables, fruits, and assorted grains. Appropriate fruits and vegetables include pears, grapes, strawberries, dates, figs, raisins, dark green lettuce, endive, Brussels sprouts, kale and carrots. It is important that you do not feed too much of any of these fresh foods. As with all animals, clean fresh water should be available at all times as mice can dehydrate easily. Housing and Handling: Fancy mice are social and can live together in pairs. But, if kept in pairs, it is best to keep two females together as males may become territorial and aggressive towards each other. Mice are very adaptable and do well in just about any type of metal , plastic, or glass habitat. The cage must have a lid since mice are expert climbers and may find a way out. You should also have a food dish, water bottle, and small house that the mice can use to sleep in. Especially with male mice, the bedding needs to be changed frequently, at least twice per week. Fancy mice thrive best at normal temperatures of 68-72 degrees. Although not as active as hamsters, mice can use exercise wheels as long as they are made solid or with the rungs close together so the tail of the mouse does not get caught. To pick up a mouse, it is perfectly acceptable to stop its forward movement by gently grabbing its tail. After stopping the motion, slide your hand under the body and give the mouse support as you lift it. Mice should be handled with care, their small size means that they need to be handled gently as they are the tiniest pets you may have. Mice do not like to be held snugly. You should let the mouse be aware of your presence before reaching into the cage as grabbing it quickly may frighten it.
Fancy mice, as all rodents, have incisor teeth that constantly grow. In a captive environment, these teeth can grow to a length that makes it difficult to the animal to eat. To prevent this, an abrasive gnawing material (such as a chew stick or chew treat) should be provided at all times to help wear the teeth down.
A male mouse is called a buck and a female is called a doe. Babies are weaned at 3-4 weeks of age. A healthy mouse will move quickly and freely grip your finger when it is held. To check for a healthy mouse, look for the following: the coat should be even with no bare patches or scabs, the body should be sleek and smooth, eyes should be large and bright with no discharge, ears should be clean with no reddening or wounds, teeth should be straight and not overlong or protruding, feet and claws should be free of deformities.
Ferret Information
Life span: 8-10 years in the UK
Personality: Playful and curious
Origins: European polecat; the ferret was domesticated by the Egyptians and originally bred to hunt rabbits.
Diet: Commercial ferret foods
Exercise: twice a day (at least)
Housing: A ferret cage and comfortable towels or shirts to lay on
Neuter/spay: A ferret should not be spayed/castrated until it is fully mature. Doing this to such a younger animal causes so much harm and prohibits the body building up the correct hormones which leads to deficiencies in its immunity system and prohibits it from maturing properly and can cause stunted growth, etc.
Visit vet: Recommended twice yearly.
Vaccines: Canine distemper, Rabies, annual boosters
Health problems: None really. Ears do produce wax that makes a ferret susceptible to ear mites; all that's required is to keep the pet's ears clean
Always provide fresh food and water.
Bananas are a favorite treat.
Clean a ferret's cage regularly.
Don't keep your ferret cooped in a cage all day.
Exercise plays an important role in a ferrets health.
Ferrets need specially made "ferret food".
Grooming is easy, bathe in a bathroom sink.
Healthy ferrets are active.
Ill ferrets may show symptoms of lethargy.
Female ferrets are called Jills and males are Hobs. Baby ferrets are Kits.
Kits are born deaf and with their eyes closes. They begin walking at around 3 weeks, at which time their eyes and ears open. By 6 weeks they are weaned on to kitten or ferret food.
Linatone is a ferret vitamin supplement.
Quiet time for sleeping is a must.
Temperatures should be between 65 and 75 degrees.
Undercoats will get thicker in the winter.
Ferrets are descendants of the European Pole Cats, they have been a working animal for a number of centuries. Their main function being the control of pests such as rats and rabbits
Rat Information
Rats are thought to have originated from Asia moving into Europe in 1553 and then into the USA in 1775. They are mammals that belong to the rodent family (the word rodent is derived from the Latin word rodere which means to gnaw). Rats live in burrows and they are excellent swimmers. They have large incisor teeth that are continually growing, necessitating gnawing to prevent the teeth from overgrowing.
The males are larger and fatter than the females, males being approximately 20-25cm from nose to the base of the tail and females being 16-18cm in length. They are nocturnal becoming more active in the evening and during the night. Their average life span is 2-2.5 years and they can live longer, up to 3-4 years has been known.
There are many species of rats throughout the world, the rat domesticated and kept as a pet is the brown rat also known as the sewer rat and is referred to as the Fancy Rat. There can be prejudice against rats due to the spread of plague but this was the Black Rat and it was not actually the rat itself that carried the plague but the fleas that it carried. They are intelligent and affectionate which makes them wonderful pets.
The original colour of the rat in the wild is golden brown, commonly known as Agouti but as rats have been bred over the years a number of colour mutations have occurred. By combining the different colours it is possible to breed a further variety of Agouti and self-colours.
Domesticated rats have been selectively bred for calm dispositions and make great pets. Rats are clean and easy to care for. They have two distinguishing characteristics that set them apart form other small animals. First, they are more intelligent: they can learn their own names and can learn a variety of tricks. Second, they are very social and enjoy human interaction. These qualities make them great pets for children. Rats are fun loving and curious, they are interactive and like to be played with. Because they are social, they should be bought in same sex pairs as they like the company of another rat. Of all the small animals, rats are least likely to bite, although all animals will bite if they feel frightened or scared. Unfortunately, many people do not think of keeping a rat as a pet, but they have been domesticated for thousands of years.
Any high quality rat food is recommended. This needs to be supplemented with small amounts of fruits and vegetables. Appropriate vegetables include broccoli, kale, bok choy, and sweet potatoes, fruits and vegetables can be fed cooked or raw. Fresh fruits can include the following: grapes, cherries, bananas, apples, and melons. Clean, fresh water must be available at all times.
Your rat's cage should be at least 24" long by 12" side by 12" high. Both aquariums and wire cages can be used, although a wire cage is the best type of housing. It is possible that aquariums can become too warm or damp and rats need a well-ventilated, dry environment. Rats prefer cages with solid, and not wire floors. You should include a next box for your rat and climbing toys as well. Cleanliness will go a long way toward keeping your rat healthy. The bedding should be completely changed at least once per week. When handling your rat, every movement should be made fairly slowly. A rat has poor eyesight, so you should let it take its time to get accustomed to your hand. Use both hands, grasp it firmly but gently around the chest while supporting its back feet with your other hand. Rats should not be picked up by the tail. Rats are tame but need socialization, so frequent gentle handling will convince your rat that you are trustworthy.
All rodents have incisor teeth that constantly grow. In a captive environment, these teeth can grow to a length that makes it difficult to the animal to eat. To prevent this, an abrasive gnawing material (such as a chew stick or chew treat) should be provided at all times to help wear the teeth down.
A male rat is called a buck and a female is called a doe. Babies are weaned at 3-4 weeks of age. To check for a healthy rat, look for the following: the coat should be sleek and smooth with no bare patches, the eyes should be bright with no discharge, the ear should be clean with no reddening, the teeth should be straight and parallel and not overlong, the nose should be clean with no discharge. A sick rat may have a hunched appearance
Guinea Pig Information
This small animal is native to the temperate zones of the Andes Mountains in Peru. They develop an intense affection towards their owners and have been known to whistle and chirp with delight when their owners enter the room. They are gentle animals and make great pets for older children who can handle them gently. They are social animals and enjoy interacting with their owner. Guinea Pig varieties are distinguished by the texture, length, color of their hair, and by coat patterns. The correct name of a guinea pig is "cavy" .This term is usually only used by people who show and breed guinea pigs.
A high quality guinea pig food should always be available. Guinea pigs differ from other rodents in that they cannot store or manufacture Vitamin C. Therefore, it is essential that this vitamin be provided for them in their food. As with all animals, fresh water should always be available. Green leafy vegetables should be fed in limited amounts only. This can include cabbage, sprouts, and dandelions. Carrots, apples, and some soft fruits are also a great supplement to their diet. If you serve any fresh food, always remove any uneaten portion after 24 hours to avoid bacteria growth. You can also serve treat sticks, the guinea pig will enjoy these.
The minimum size requirements for a guinea pig cage is two square feet per pig. The cage can be entirely metal, or a combination of metal and hard plastic. The floor should be solid and not wire. Wire can make a guinea pig's feet tender and their little toes might get caught in it. Guinea pigs require a lot of ventilation, although they should never be placed in a draft area. Aquariums are not appropriate because they can be too small, and they do not provide enough ventilation and can create an environment that is too humid and warm. Guinea pigs are sensitive to fluctuations in temperature and prefer a range between 68 and 72 degrees. They are susceptible to overheating and should not be kept in direct sunlight. A nest box, water bottle, and sturdy food dish are also required. Guinea pigs, although shy, are one of the easiest small animals to handle. All small animals should be handled gently, so that the animal is not frightened. Using smooth and gentle movements, gripping firmly, but not tightly, place one hand across the shoulders with the thumb over and around the neck. The other hand should support the back end of the guinea pig.
All rodents have incisor teeth that constantly grow. In a captive environment, these teeth can grow to a length that makes it difficult to the animal to eat. To prevent this, an abrasive gnawing material (such as a chew stick or chew treat) should be provided at all times. Guinea pigs are diurnal, which means they are most active during the day. In fact, they require very little sleep, needing only 4-6 hours of sleep each night. Guinea pigs are vocal animals and will whistle or squeak to their owners. Guinea pigs are social animals and prefer to live with other guinea pigs. Unless breeding is the goal, it is best to keep two of the same sex together. Most females can live together but only males that have been raised together as babies should be kept together as adults.
Guinea pigs are weaned at 3-4 weeks of age. A male guinea pig is called a boar and a female is called a sow. A healthy guinea pig should have a firm body that is well fleshed with no prominent bones. The coat should be even with no bald patches, signs of wounds, or scratches. The eyes should be bright with no discharge or cloudiness. The ears should be clean inside with no inflammation. The nose should be clean, without a lot of sneezing or discharge. The breathing should be even with no coughing or wheezing.
Chinchilla behavior is one of the things that makes them unique in the animal kingdom. Chinchillas are nocturnal, which means that they sleep during the day and come out at night. If your cage has a place for them to sleep, and there is more than one in the cage then it is not uncommon for one to sleep in it and the other to sleep in front of it as if standing guard. They are very intelligent and can and will adapt their sleeping patterns to you. When you are away they sleep and when you get home they always seem to wake up at that time as they want to play. They love running around and playing and hopping just about anywhere. It is important to allow them to run around on a daily basis. When you do get them out it is also important to make all wires and other things that care harmful to them out to reach. Make sure any areas that they can get themselves into are closed in. Usually the best place to allow them to run in, is in an empty room if possible. Part of their running is normally to bounce off of walls. They will stand facing the wall run towards it and jump just before it and kick off of it. They are also excellent jumpers and have been known to cover 2 meters in a single bound.
Normally chinchilla are healthy but their are circumstances under which they can have health problems. One of the main keys seem to be to keep them from having these problems. However because chinchilla have some special needs some of these methods of prevention may not be obvious. One thing that is very important is to make sure that before you get a chinchilla that there are vets in your area that are knowledgeable of them. If this is not possible then it may be necessary to find vets within reasonable distance that know about them. This is very important as if they require medical attention you'll want to make sure they get it. If you have a chinchilla and don't know of any vets that know about their care then then try asking around. Of course one of the best methods for keeping a chin healthy is to avoid certain things that can harm them. Their diet is critical in sustaining good health, poor diet (as with degus) is a common cause of health afflictions. Try to avoid sugary foods, they cannot digest sugar too well so it's best to give any thing with sugar sparingly if at all. For example many many chinchilla owners will give their chins a raisin or two daily as a treat which has been observed to be fine. What is important to remember is that a raisin is a treat and is not part of the normal diet, so for the sake of the chins health it's best to keep it this way. Raisins have been reported to act as a laxative for them (in the way chocolate does for a lot of people (perhaps this is the result of the lack of ability to properly assimilate it?)). If your chinchilla is constipated then I have been told that giving them a raisin or two or three can help to fix em up. A common health problem is diarrhea . This can be the result of too much treats like raisons (especially prunes they are a no-no). The most common indication that they have this problem is there droppings becoming soft and sometimes even green. If this happens then try decreasing the amount of treats that they receive. There is also the possibility that it could be caused by something else in their diet. If decreasing or eliminating treats does not help and it does not appear to be a diet problem then you should seek professional help. Another common health problem is problems with teeth. Because chins teeth grow continuously like any other rodent they must have a way to file them down to keep them from growing too long. Many people report that pumice stones are of great help. Pumice stones can usually be acquired from body shop types stores. You must make sure that a chins pumice stone has no dyes or chemicals, it should say all natural or something like that on the label. They will enjoy chewing at the stone and it does seem to help their teeth quite a bit. Should their teeth have problems that require medical attention then common symptoms and drooling and watering eyes, if a pumice stone does not get rid of these symptoms then they need to be taken to the vet. This is where it's critical for a vet to be fully knowledgeable of chinchilla care and treatment. Should the teeth need to be operated on then they need very specific anesthetic amounts as they are extremely vulnerable to too much of it. Finally one easy way to see how a chins health is to check the color of it's teeth, a chinchillas teeth should be deep yellow or orange. This is normal and is not the result of tooth decay. A chinchilla with white teeth is a sick chin and the cause of it's sickness needs to be immediately looked into.
A chinchillas diet is perhaps the most important part of it's life and could certainly be the biggest factor in the quality of it health. Chinchillas like their kin the degu are not capable of digesting sugar. Too much sugar can lead to diarrhea and even diabetes. As a result it is important to feed them a diet that does not have sugar in it. They do require vitamin c however so they need a diet that does not include sugar but does include c. A good diet is chinchilla pellets mixed with guinea pig pellets, and timothy hay. The guinea pig and chinchilla pellets have plenty of vitamin c and other vitamins. The timothy hay provides needed 'ruffage' as well as bedding material for them as they like to use it to make nests. For treats many people will give them a raisin a day. Raisins do contain sugar, but only one a day should be fine. If you find your chins developing diarrhea then decrease the raisin amount or eliminate it.