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Do you see that furry animal? Yes, the chinchilla that you have been eyeing for quite some time now.
It is an animal that will get you smitten instantly, and its elegance will keep swirling around your mind until you get to own one.
With their affordable maintenance costs, things can only get better.
But do you know how to keep it healthy? Can you keep away fleas, and is it susceptible to these fleas? Well, a few insights into this will suffice.
Can Chinchillas Get Fleas?
One of the biggest, yet valid concern people will always have, is whether chinchillas are vulnerable to fleas.
The truth is that, like any other animal, chinchillas can get fleas. However, thanks to its furry, dense coat, this is relatively unlikely.
Typically, this dense fur means that fleas could readily suffocate in it.
While there are arguments against this school of thought, most owners back it.
It would be fair to say that the fleas will have a hard time accessing the chinchilla’s skin, exposing them to malnourishment.
However, fleas barely give up. That means they will try to access various less furry places.
For instance, the inner ears, belly, tail, and thighs will be the right places for these fleas to attack.
The face and the legs will also be readily accessible for fleas.
How do Chinchillas Get Fleas?
There is no denying that chinchillas can get fleas from other household pets.
Whether they are dogs or cats, the effect will often be the same. It will be fair to mention that chinchillas barely go out, meaning they will hardly get the fleas from wild animals.
For this reason, be careful with the pets that get out more often, especially cats.
For instance, if your cat interacts with animals infested with fleas, it could pass the same to your chinchilla.
Also, there is a chance that the chinchilla could pick these fleas from abandoned bird nests.
There is no denying that such birdcages could be home to various fleas that affect animals and birds.
One last place that could breed fleas in your home is upholstery and furniture.
As long as your items are affected, it will be almost impossible for your chinchilla to escape this trap.
Whether it is your clothing or carpet, these pets will be susceptible to fleas.
For this reason, you might want to consider minimizing interactions with wild animals and being in relatively unhygienic places.
Signs That Your Chinchilla Has Fleas
Perhaps you are worried that the dense fur on chinchillas will make it hard for you to spot fleas. It is a valid concern.
But various aspects go into proving that your favorite pet has pests and fleas. While it could be hard sometimes, identifying an infected chinchilla is a relatively straightforward process.
Here are the tell-tale signs that you need to take action.
- Flea dirt
Flea dirt will always be on affected chinchillas. This dirt comprises the excrement produced by the pest, and it comes as dried blood.
Usually, the flea dirt will be in the form of specks on the pet’s fur, making it look relatively untidy.
- Skin patches
There is no denying that contact with fleas will subject any animal to skin irritation.
Chinchillas are barely an exception, as they will keep scratching themselves and even biting.
You will scarcely miss on their increased aggression.
- Loss of hair
Various fleas could subject your chinchilla to loss of hair.
Besides, these fleas could suck too much blood from your pet that hair loss becomes inescapable.
Once you note these signs, there is a chance that fleas could be in the offing.
However, it will be fair that you do not fall for false signs.
There are times when itchiness is a reflection of dust baths and not necessarily fleas.
Remember, these dust baths could readily expose your pet to increased irritation.
Flea Treatments for Chinchillas
Unfortunately, there is hardly any preventative medication for fleas when it comes to chinchillas.
For this reason, people will be ready to scramble for prescribed medications for their cats and dogs.
Some could opt for a flea collar on their chinchillas, which has proven to be a little poisonous to most pets. However, generally, these are not the ultimate solutions.
In most cases, it would be best for you to visit a vet in such instances. You will get the right dosages, including ivermectin or selamectin.
Various studies highlight the potency of these two treatments in addressing fleas and parasites. As if that is not enough, you will no longer need to worry about side effects, as they have none.
- Safe Flea Treatments for Chinchillas
Fleas will often contribute to ill-health, and addressing them on time will be the only way out.
The best solution will often be reliance on medical expertise. Whether you get selamectin or ivermectin, you will be good to go.
As long as they are in the right dosages, you will be sure of the fleas dying much sooner.
Safe treatments, therefore, will be those provided by a qualified vet. They understand which drugs will not have adverse effects on the chinchillas, as it is a small animal.
Did you know that hygiene is the safest way to avoid fleas? Take the time to clean any pee, poo, or shavings wherever your pet spends most of its time.
This way, the chances of flea infestation will remain relatively limited. You could also offer regular dust baths, as they could help. However, if your chinchilla is uncomfortable with these baths, avoid them.
- Unsafe Flea Treatments for Chinchillas
No one looks forward to compromising the health of their pets even further.
For this reason, understanding which flea treatment is unsuitable for your chinchilla will be invaluable.
While most people might be tempted to get flea treatments from drug stores, this is an ill-advised move.
These drugs might work for your other pets, but they could end up causing fatality to chinchillas.
Remember, these chinchillas are relatively small, and handling them with care will always suffice.
Over the counter flea treatments will undoubtedly take a toll on them.
It will also be suitable to avoid flea collars. While these collars’ popularity has grown so much in the recent past, they are not the best.
These flea collars have proven to be poisonous to dogs and cats. Well, imagine how long it would take to put a small animal such as a chinchilla to its death.
FAQs
Can Chinchillas Get Fleas From Cats?
The straight answer to this is yes. Interactions between different animals have proven to be one significant way of transferring pests and fleas.
Cats and chinchillas are no exception. Typically, these chinchillas can get fleas from any household pet, as long as they are close.
Since chinchillas barely leave the house, cats and dogs will be the only source of interaction.
Does Chinchilla Dust Kill Fleas
You must have heard how potent Chinchilla Dust Kill tends to be.
From ensuring that the fleas barely hold to suffocating them, Chinchilla Dust is all that you could ever need.
This dust comes in handy in ensuring that the fur becomes too slippery for the fleas to hold.
Besides, as the chinchilla rolls in the dust, most of the fleas end up falling, leaving your pet as healthy as it should be.
Conclusion
you can barely overlook the detriment fleas cause chinchillas.
While they are rare guests on the pet’s fur, they will often be there.
Unless you understand how to handle them, you will end up with a skeletal pet in the long run.
It is for this reason that observing every insight mentioned above comes in handy.
