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 squirrel. Of course such a description is fairly limiting. Luckily, we can post pictures on the web so here's what a "typical" chinchilla looks like.
Color
The above chinchilla is grey which is the most common. Chinchillas also come in beige, black, and with hints of purple. The most expense variety are purple, but as far as we know color makes no difference when it comes to behavior or longevity.
Size and Weight
Chinchilla adults are about the same size as a small to medium-sized domesticated rabbit. On average a chinchilla is somewhere between 9-11 inches long not including the tail. On average, an adult male chinchilla weighs between 0.8 to - 1.1 lbs. The females are generally larger weighing in at up to 1.3 lbs.
Life Expectancy
A pet chinchillas can live 10-15 years with some living up to 20 years. That's a long time compared to a typical pet. As such, you should be prepared for such a long term commitment. For the most part, chinchillas don't require regular veterinary visits despite their long life. This is especially true if you keep their environment clean. However, there's certainly nothing wrong with taking them to a vet yearly.
Temperament & Behavior
Unlike dogs, chinchillas are not really cuddly and don't respond to their names. They will however jump and crawl on you if you sit in their vicinity. Sudden moves and loud noises will scare them. If you buy a chinchilla from a breeder that handles them regularly from a young age, they'll be more inclined to allow you to handle them as they age.
Chinchillas won't bite unless they smell food on your fingers. They will sometimes nibble on clothing and belts. They are quite curious and should have as many places to climb in to and on top of as possible. Cardboard boxes with holes cut in them are ideal for this purpose.
Possibly the most important thing to note about chinchilla behavior is that they're nocturnal. They wake up in the early evening and remain awake until the morning.
What Do They Eat?
A chinchilla's diet is fairly basic. The primary food is pellets, very similar to those given to rabbits. Chinchillas also need to eat cubes of hay. And finally, they need to be given a portion of a vitamin enriched seed mix. Distilled water is recommended to avoid problems with bacteria in tap water that doesn't affect humans.
Allergies
Chinchillas do not have dander which is what causes most people are allergic to when it comes to pets. People who are allergic to cats and dogs are still able to have chinchillas. Note that chinchillas eat hay and must bathe in a fine dust both of which can trigger allergies.
Cost
The price of a chinchilla varies depending on the color. A standard grey chinchilla from a breeder typically sells for around $75. From a pet store, the same chinchilla would cost $99-$125. And of course there are the costs associated with a cage, food, and bedding.
Place in the Animal Kingdom
Chinchillas are rodents and are part of the Chinchillidae family. There are two species: Chinchilla brevicaudata (short tailed chinchilla) and Chinchilla lanigera (long tailed chinchilla). It is the long-tailed species that we keep as pets, but both species are very similar. Like other mammals, chinchillas are warm-blooded.
Sources:
The Chinchilla Club
Entries (RSS)
August 16th, 2006 at 9:44 am
Do chinchillas have to stay in their cage when you're not holding them, or can you put them on the ground and let them walk freely for a little while? Like can you put them down outside, or would they run away?
August 16th, 2006 at 10:02 am
Kacy,
Chinchillas don't need to be in their cage all the time. In fact, the more time you give them outside their cage the better. They like to run around a lot.
We don't advise that you put them on the ground outside. They will most certainly run away and you will unlikely be able to catch them.
January 13th, 2007 at 1:57 am
What is the draw to having chinchillas as pets? Other animals are cuddly, intelligent, loyal, affectionate, and so on. Are chinchillas affectionate? Can you teach them things, like you can with a rat? They are obviously extremely cute, which is reason enough to own one, but what are other general, attractive characteristics of chinchillas?
January 13th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Alex,
Chinchillas aren't really cuddly. You can certainly hold them, but they're not likely to sit on your lap like a cat and they can't be trained like dogs. We like them because they:
1) don't need to be taken for walks
2) can be put in to a cage i.e. don't need to roam the house
3) are cute as you said and have incredibly soft fur which is a joy to touch
4) require little care when we travel without them
5) will come over and sit/jump on you when you sit in their general vicinity
They're not the ideal choice for all pet owners, but they're a good fit for us.
April 17th, 2007 at 7:19 am
Hey I'm just wondering if chinchillas are destructive in your home if you let them around the house a lot e.g. curtains, couch materials etc. And how hygienic are they? Can they be house-trained?
April 17th, 2007 at 7:31 am
Oceana,
Chinchillas are very destructive. They will chew on any wood and all wires. They also can't be house-trained.
May 17th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
What about odor? Do they have an odor? Also, what are their bathroom habits? Are they messy in this area? I heard they were compared to a rabbit. I know rabbit have hard and somewhat odorless pellets, but they urine a lot and the male rabbits will even spray out of their cage. Please advise as my daughter has fallen in love and I want to know what I am getting into before I agree.
Thanks,
Shawn
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Shawn,
Chinchillas are a lot like rabbits. Their droppings are hard and dry. Their urine develops an odor after a while and they won't necessarily urinate where you want them to. Chinchillas themselves are pretty odor-free.
May 29th, 2007 at 7:27 am
Roughly, after chinchilla is purchased and also cage etc, how much do they cost to keep a week?
Is it just the basics such as bedding and food that need to be bought?
May 29th, 2007 at 9:33 am
Amy,
The expenses are rather small. They just need food and bedding as you guessed. We haven't kept track of the weekly costs, but it seems every few months we spend $30 or $40. You do have to be prepared for unexpected expenses should you need to go to a vet.
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:59 am
hi,
i have a femal chinchilla and i got it from a friend but she bites for no reason at all. like when i stick my hand in her cage to get her water,and food dish she hisses sometimes or when i try to pet her through the cag on acations she bites so how do i get her to stop biteing because she had bite my baby cusin?
And when its hot out she likes to curl up in a ball is that because she injoying that heat or is it to hot for her?
p.s i would like it if you did re-write me to tell me what to do
August 5th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Nicole,
We're guessing your friends weren't good with the chinchilla. They were probably too aggressive with it and so it learned to bite to defend itself. Sorry, but we don't have any advice for teaching her not to bite. Perhaps you could put something on your fingers that tastes bad to chinchillas, but is safe so that she will learn not to bite.
Chinchillas don't like heat at all. Temperatures over 75 degrees are not healthy. You need to keep your chinchilla in a cool room preferably with an air conditioner to maintain the temperature when it gets warm out.
August 20th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Ok, im looking into owning a chinchilla. I have a couple questions. How often do you change that cage(clean)? and with the dust bath's, after they are finished using the dust do you then throw it out? or do you save it for the next day?
August 20th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Kris,
Your cage cleaning schedule will depend a lot on how big the cage is. Assume that you'll be cleaning out weekly though. The dust can be re-used a few times as long as it remains clean. You'll eventually figure out how much your chinchillas use per session and then only put that amount in so there won't be anything wasted.
August 26th, 2007 at 12:25 am
hi i'm also looking into buying a chinnchilla the only space i have left in my bedrroom is right in front of my window i live in las vegas so it is generly hot most of the time but i keep my blinds closed and fan on. would it be good to put the chinchillas cage there?
August 26th, 2007 at 8:43 am
Taylor,
Unless the room has A/C so that the temperature can be maintained below 75 degrees, it doesn't sound like you have a good environment.
September 1st, 2007 at 11:43 pm
I'm trying to convince my parents to get me a pet chinchilla. So far, from what I've read, chinchillas are apparently 'odorless'. However I was just wondering if chinchillas really are great pets? Also, are they generally quite messy? And finally, about how long would I have to spend with my chinchilla daily?
September 2nd, 2007 at 11:30 am
Lauren,
Chinchillas don't smell, but their cages do if not cleaned often. In addition, they are messy as they will chew on anything and everything, shed fur, and do their "business" everywhere much like rabbits and guinea pigs.
September 29th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
What is the chance for chins to get along with other rodents? hamsters, g pigs, or how bout ferrets? or cats? rabbits? living in the same quarters?
September 29th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Monster,
Chinchillas may get along with rabbits or guinea pigs, but given that they all eat different food, we don't advise using the same cage. Cats and ferrets aren't safe in our opinion.
October 2nd, 2007 at 10:28 am
I need help! my parents might buy me a chinchilla and I might be allergic so help me if I'm allergic to guinea pigs am i allergic to chinchillas to?
October 2nd, 2007 at 10:30 am
Person,
There's no way to know if you're allergic.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
i love all rodents im a teenager and have alot of free time to exercise my gerbils and chin and you NEED to be patient if you want your chin to feel comfortable with you and not run away at the sight thats wat i have to say with my experience
October 14th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
I just bought my chinchilla today, he's incredibly cute. We bought him from a breeder but he was kinda lonely looking in the cage and in the back away from the other 4 but when we got him out, he attached to me and i couldn't resist him… I'm now worried that he isn't going to become active and run around in his cage like normal… Should I be? I can't find this on this website or any other website. Can anyone suggest a good book also, I have read reviews that people say the book they bought was incredibly inaccurate. Thanks!!!
October 14th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Alicia,
Give your chinchilla some time to adjust to his new surroundings before becoming worried.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Okay, so I am a first time chinchilla owner, and I am definately having a problem at the moment. One (out of the two I just recieved) is quite the curious pet, and used to love climbing on me, or even just nibbling for fun. Now, that same chinchilla is running away from me quite frequently and tends to bite me (to the point it drew blood…twice…after I told it no..and I was not abusive, just holding it)when I pick it up to go back into its cage. Is this going to be a constant behavior now? or should I just be patient and let it come back to me? It's very mischevious and will not come to me to go back into the cage.
October 20th, 2007 at 6:48 am
Whitney,
That is strange behavior. We haven't heard of chinchillas changing so drastically and so quickly. We unfortunately don't have any quick fixes. If you purchased your chinchillas from a breeder, perhaps the breeder can provide some insight having raised these particular chinchillas.
November 17th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
can you feed carrots or celery to a chinchilla
November 17th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
Katie,
We have a page on safe and unsafe foods for chinchillas.
October 13th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
I had my wonderful chinchilla for 5 years so far and when i got her she was about 5-6 weeks old. She has been the most wonderful pet and friend to me. but about a week or two ago shes been acting strange. she takes all the food out of her dish and when i take her out of her cage she doesnt come near me like she used to. I am getting worried that something is wrong or is it i havent played with her enough. (i been busy since school started and havent had much time to take her out to play)
October 14th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
I am not an owner, but I was looking into it. Wouldn't it be possible that if it was a female the Chinchilla might at that age begin to go into Heat..want to mate and maybe even clear an area or make a nest? Cats and Dogs do.
October 15th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I just brought my Chinchilla home, he's a rescue from the local SPCA, and he's terrrified! He just sits in the corner of his cage staring at the floor, and not moving. Is this normal? There is evidence that he played last night, as he chewed his apple sticks I left for him.
Is there anything I can do to make things easier for him during the transition period?
October 15th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Stephotography,
There's no sure fire way to calm your chinchilla. The more time you spend in the room and the more patience you show, the more likely you'll succeed. One thing to keep in mind is that you should avoid chasing your chinchilla as much as possible. The includes trying to catch him in his cage. Use food or treats (in moderation) to build trust.
October 26th, 2008 at 12:52 am
Stephotography Says:
October 15th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I just brought my Chinchilla home, he's a rescue from the local SPCA, and he's terrrified! He just sits in the corner of his cage staring at the floor, and not moving. Is this normal? There is evidence that he played last night, as he chewed his apple sticks I left for him.
Is there anything I can do to make things easier for him during the transition period?
Chinchilla's are naturally noctural. Give him some time to adjust and go up to his cage & talk to him everyday even if it's just for a few minutes. If there's room in his cage get some of the bird perches because they like to jump onto & chew on it. They love collard greens and just give him time to get to know you. I loved having Chinchilla's!
November 13th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Do Chinchillas shed their skin as a safety response when being attacked in the wild? And if they do, does it grow back?
November 13th, 2008 at 7:51 am
Toby,
Chinchillas will "release" their fur. They don't shed their skin.
November 20th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
stephotography
I just read that you are not supposed to keep just one chinchilla. they are used to company. if they are all by themselves they either behave like yours does or they get aggressive. so maybe you just get another chinhilla to keep yours company ..
December 10th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I read somewhere that if you pull on a Chinchilla's tail they could die. I don't think that is possible. Can someone tell me if it is real or not. Thanks.
December 18th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
I have one chinchilla and he is okay.
They are very sensitive and it will take a while to become adjusted to you.
December 18th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
I know that they do like company, though.
December 19th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Chinchilla will not die if you pull their tail, but it can be very easily BROKEN OFF, they are very fragile and their bones break very easily. Yes, they do enjoy company but if you find that your chin is feeling depressed, you can buy a stuff toy to keep them company, BUT remove it if they start chew it because they might eat the stuffing inside and get sick!
Keeping one chin is fine, they just need a lot of attension.