Chinchilla Basics

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We often have to describe chinchillas to people we meet when they learn that we have them as pets. The best verbal description we've come up with is that they have the head, face, and ears of Jerry the mouse from Tom and Jerry, the body of a domesticated rabbit, and the tail of a [...]

Chinchilla Basics

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124 Responses to “Chinchilla Basics”

Chinchilla Lover 101:

Hi, I have 2 Chinchillas and they always love to play together......I love when they run over your legs.....it's a ball of fur rnning over you

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James:

I have two chinchillas, males, and they are so happy and excited all the time. They are excellent friends. I let them out to play, and I can leave the room, but I have to make sure that i've "chinchilla-proofed" the room, i.e removing any item that they could chew on, blocking locations for them to jump up on, and all that. I have found it best to not let them leave that one room, because it's easier to clean and protect. I understand not wanting to let them out without supervision, but if you can do it safely, do it. Chinchillas, or at least mine, need plenty of exercise, and its easier to just prep a room than devote all my time.

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Debra:

Hi, I have one chinchilla and had him so far for 3 years. I wanted to know if they can thrive without any interaction of another chin as I cannot accomodate two. Will they get lonely or will he just be fine and go about and around when I let him out of his cage? Till this day he does not allow me to pick him up but if I have almonds or rasins he will jump on my lap. I think he was mishandled at the pet shop where I got him winces when I pet him even lightly. My main concern is him being in an apt all alone.

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Dana:

I just got 2 female chinchillias for my daughters. They love them already. I have noticed though they do not like being handled for even a short period of time. Does anyone if this will change with time having them? The chinchillas are about 3-4 months old. So the pet store has told us.

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- melissa:
  
  Chinchillas will form a bond to their owners. and LOVE them and ONLY trust THEM
  
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- Diane:
  
  Just keep handling them...being that they are at a young age they will get use to it. After handling them give them a snack. ie; banana chips, or almonds.
  
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- Shelb:
  
  well if you handle them more they will be fine.
  
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abbie:

yes i agree with melissa it is vital that you dont leave your chinchills alone in a room

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Eric Deskins:

i just purchased my chinchilla and dont really know alot about them. i got him a nice cage but he has an entire bedroom that i have devoted to him, is it ok to just let him run free and return to his cage when he wants? should i leave his food inside cage, will he know to go there to eat?

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- melissa:
  
  you shouldnt do that because chinchillas are VERY sneaky and will find something that is toxic to them and chew on it and maybe die so i wouldnt let him out of the cage un less you are in the room with him
  
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- Yuliya:
  
  hi
  I have 3 chinchilla, and i think it`s sad all the time to keep them in a cage all the time, they are very funny animals and like to run and play very much!!!! It just when you let hem out you have to be there all the time before he come back in his cage,and believe he will do it by himself when he get tired, just to pay attention,that he didn`t try to bite nothing. One of my chinchillas is totally fine with that,no problem to me to live her along in the room,but the boy it totally different I have to be there all time.
  So don`t worry and let your chinchilla have some fun sometimes
  
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