Chinchillas as Pets
Chinchillas are lively, curious critters who are fun to watch and play with. They are a joy to feel, easy to care for, and generally make great pets. If you're thinking about getting a chinchilla (aka chins or chinnies for short), there are many things to consider first.
What's a Chinchilla?
Chinchillas are rodents, originally from the Andes Mountains in South America. They have large ears, like a mouse, and a tail like a chipmunk's, but their fur is totally unique. You've got to feel it to believe it. They are about 8 to 12 inches long from nose to base of tail when they stretch out fully. They weigh about one to two pounds when full grown. Chinchillas typically live from 10 to 15 years. However, with proper care, some have lived over 20 years!
Because of their incredibly soft fur, chinchillas are popular in the fur industry. It takes about 100 animals to make a coat, so they nearly went extinct in the wild due to trapping. Those of us who love them as pets are glad that the popularity of fur is declining. Today, as faux furs have become popular, you can even get fake chinchilla fur.
Why a Chinchilla?
Chinchillas are small and do not require much space. They make great pets for apartment dwellers. They are pretty easy to care for. All they need is daily food and water, a dust bath at least twice a week, and weekly cage cleanings. They are not too expensive to keep, once you have made the initial purchases.
Chinchillas are clean animals by nature. They love their dust baths! And they groom themselves and each other daily. They don't have an odor, as long as their cage is kept clean. They don't carry any diseases that can be passed to healthy people. (Immunocompromised people are at increased risk.) They don't require any vaccinations.
Chinchillas are usually very friendly, but this depends on how much they have been handled. Even if they are not very tame at first, if you are patient and gentle, they will warm up to you. (My chins Snowy and Noel are proof of that!) They are smart, and can be trained to use a litter pan. Some owners have trained them to come when called, or to open their cage door on command!
Why not?
Whenever you consider a new pet, you should consider how it would fit in with your lifestyle. Chins are nocturnal, which means they sleep all day and are active at night. This may a pro or a con depending on your lifestyle. If you get home late at night, and don't have time to interact with them, they will feel neglected. Chinchillas are small, so they are somewhat fragile. They may not survive in a home with other pets or small children.
The initial purchase price of chinchillas is steep. A single animal usually costs 75 to 150 dollars or more, depending on its color and show quality, and whether you are dealing with a breeder or a pet store (mark up). In addition to your new friend, you'll need a cage, food dish, water bottle, bath house, food, and bath dust at the very minimum. I would also recommend buying an exercise wheel, some chew toys, and some raisins or other treats. Depending on the type of cage you get, you may need bedding. Pine or aspen shavings work well. NEVER give anything made of cedar to your chins, as it can be poisonous.
Chinchillas are considered exotic pets. It is not always easy to find a vet who is familiar with them. Although they rarely become ill, when they do, it is often serious and requires a knowledgeable vet. It is important to find a vet as soon as you get your chin. You don't want a 3 a.m. emergency and have to search for a vet!
Where do I find a Chinchilla?
You might occasionally run across one in a pet store, but I don't recommend buying one there. As I mentioned above, chinchillas are exotic pets. Many pet stores don't know much about them. Sometimes they mislead people as far as food and care, and this can be dangerous. Besides, pet stores always mark up prices.
A reputable breeder is your best bet for getting a healthy chinchilla. Good breeders love their chins and are happy to give you all the information you need to take good care of your new pet. To find a breeder near you, try visiting the websites of the Chinchilla Club or Chinchilla Breeders Online. More links can be found on my Links page.
For More Information
Websites: Check out my links page for a few good websites.
Books: I will only provide reviews here of books I have personally read. More books about chinchillas can be found by searching Amazon.com or another online bookstore. Unfortunately, your local bookstore is almost certain not to have any books about chinchillas. Please check back here periodically, as I plan to expand my chinchilla library in the future!
1. A Step By Step Book About Chinchillas, by Horst Kuhner. This is an excellent basic book for first time chinchilla owners. It thoroughly covers all the basics you need to know to keep your chins happy and healthy. It's a little old, published in 1987, but not really out-of-date. Approximate price: 6 dollars.
2. Joy of Chinchillas, by Lani Ritchey, Elizabeth Cogswell, and Roxanne Beeman. This is an excellent book for any chin owner, from novice to expert. The veterinary advice is priceless. Highly recommended, despite the high price. The authors are currently working on a new edition. Approximate price: 25 dollars.
3. Chinchillas: A Complete Pet Owner's Manual, by Maike Roder-Thiede. A very thorough guide to owning pet chinchillas. It is laid out well to be an easy read. A good value. Approximate price: 7 dollars.
4. Chinchilla Ranchers Guide, by Bernard Koch. Written in 1976, it is somewhat outdated. I found it to be full of typos, and generally disappointing. It is meant more for fur breeders than pet owners. However, it contains very thorough health information (not surprising, since the author is a veterinarian). Approximate price: 11 dollars.
5. There are several publications available from the Chinchilla Club. I have not yet
finished reading them for review. Check out their store at Cafepress.com.