Chinchillas can make wonderful pets!! If handled properly chins can live up to 20 years! Is a chinchilla right for you?!
Before buying--
- One or a pair? It just depends on how much you want your chin to bond with you. **Don't get two males, because they will fight**
- Male or female? Either can make great pets.
- Different kinds or colors: Blue-gray, ebony, silver, black velvet, sapphire, beige, white, afro-violet.
- Tips on purchasing: Chins can be reluctant at first so don't be surprised if it shys away from you. Since they're nocturnal go in the afternoon to pick one out, that way you will see them when they're a little more active. The cost can be as low as $35 but usually ranges from $65-$500 (good breeder prices). Pet store prices are generally around $100.
Basic needs--
- Cages: Buy a multiple level cage as chins like to jump. **Do not buy a cage with plastic coating** Be sure that the cage is large enough for some toys and a wooden or cardboard box for them to hide in and gnaw on.
- Food: Make sure you get a heavy earthenware dish that can't be easily tipped or purchase a hopper. Feed your chin chinchilla pellets (that can be purchased at most pet stores) at the rate of 2 tablespoons-1/3 cup for adults. Pellets should be supplemented with hay. Food generally runs about $5 or less per week per animal. Small pieces of fruit or veggies should be givin 2-3 times a week. **Do Not Feed: cabbage, corn, or lettuce as they can lead to bloat which can be fatal**
- Toys: 15 inch wheels, hard plastic balls (for chasing), boxes and wooden parrot toys to chew on, PVC pipes (Ts and Ys 3-4 inches in diameter), pumice and mineral stones to chew on.
Training--
- Acclimation: Chinchillas can be very shy at first, so be patient. They are curious animals and will want to find out what you're all about. If you keep the cage in a room that is the center of household activities, place a sheet over the cage during the day.
- Handling: Many people who are allergic to other animlas can have chinchillas without a problem. **Never grab chins by their fur because they can release it if caught** Support the front and the rump when picking up your chin. Nibbling on you is their way of showing affection. Not all chins enjoy a lot of handling/holding. If your chin is frightened or angry they can spray urine at you.
- Dangers when on the loose: Since they like to gnaw, everything is fair game, including electrical cords. They are capable of getting stepped on and getting shut in doors. Beware of holes or nooks that your chin might find interesting.
- Other pets and children: Chinchillas are not so great with small children. I suppose they could get along with dogs and cats, but I recommend you never leave them unsupervised.
Health--
- Illness: Chins are very hardy and rarely get sick. Most health problems can be avoided with proper diet and clean adequate housing. Temperatures of 86 degrees F can be fatal.
- Breeding: Gestation is about 111-120 days. Remove the female from the male about 20 days before the baby is born (unless you want her to get pregnant again right after the birth). Put the female into a small mesh one story cage with an open mesh bottom and put newspaper on bottom of cage. She will tear up the newspaper for a nest. Change the papers every 2 or 3 days. For the first few days after birth, cover the cage with an old sheet or large towel to give the female some privacy. Babies are born with eyes open and able to crawl and move. By their second day they can climb. But they are, as yet, unable to discern danger and can fall and hurt themselves. If she has males, it's a good idea to remove them at 8-10 weeks as there have been cases where the male has impregnated his mother.
- Cleaning: One of the most important things for a chin is a bath, BUT not your ordinary bath. Chinchillas take dust bathes. Fill a large container 1/2 way full of chinchilla dust (can be purchased at a petstore) and put your chin in. It will begin to throw dust all over itself (really amusing to watch). The dust keeps their coats from becoming matted. They shed every 3 months so use a comb to help remove old fur. Clean their cage out every week. Chins are practically odorless and do not support fleas or other pests.
- Now in my own opinion I don't recommend breeding for the average pet owner. There are just too many animals out there looking for homes already.
For more information check out my pet resource page!
last updated 2001
A great big thanks to Vince for allowing me to use this picture of Meisha for the background!
And a big thanks to KityKat for making the background!
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