Chinchillas are desert-dwelling creatures. Thus they are fearful of water baths and prefer dust baths instead. You could frighten your chinchilla if you try to submerge him in water. Purchase chinchilla sand from a reputable pet store. This sand is fine enough to clean your pet’s coat but coarse enough so it doesn’t create dust and cause respiratory issues. Purchase a chinchilla dust bath or use a shallow plastic container. Put an inch or two of chinchilla sand in the container and place it in your pet’s cage. Hopefully he’ll jump right in and roll around. If he doesn’t, remove the dust bath after about fifteen minutes. Otherwise your chinchilla may use the dust bath as a litter box. Try again another time. Eventually your chinchilla will learn to enjoy the dust bath. Offer the bath several times a week to keep your chinchilla clean and shiny. For more information, contact your Temecula, CA veterinarian. Click here to know more.