If you were to ask a pet chinchilla owner if chinchillas make good pets, you'll probably get an earful of all the care and maintenance they require. Only after getting through a laundry list of items will the owner respond with, "Yes, we think chinchillas are great!" Admittedly, we're the same way.
Responsible pet owners want to make sure that you're truly ready for the responsibility of caring for a chinchilla. Not because we don't want you to have one, but because we care so much about them that we want all chinchillas to live in perfect homes. We've already presented our list of reasons why not to have a chinchilla, so now we're going to get in to the more positive aspects.
- First off, they're really cute combining the features of a rabbit (body), mouse (ears), and squirrel (tail).
- Their fur is the softest thing you'll probably ever touch.
- They're fun to watch when let loose from their cage as they'll run, hop, and bounce off of the walls.
- Once your chinchillas trust you, they will be happy to run over to you and crawl on your legs, arms, and even in to your shirt.
- They don't need to be taken outside like a dog.
- They don't need a huge area to live in like a cat and dog.
- They don't bark when you leave the house, chirp early in the morning, or scratch at your bedroom door at night.
- They don't smell (although the cage can if you don't clean it often).
- Chinchillas are generally healthy animals that usually don't need vet visits.
Can you think of any other items we missed? Feel free to mention them below.
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September 14th, 2007 at 11:41 pm
Tim,
It depends on your definition of play time. You don't necessarily need to "play" with them for any length of time. However, it's good to let them out of their cage every night to run around in a larger space.
September 14th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
I was wondering, how much play time do chins require?
September 4th, 2007 at 7:09 am
Di,
Chinchillas do sleep during the day so a quiet house is best. They will not need attention during this time.
As for chinchilla-proofing a room, the best way is to remove all of the furniture. They will climb and jump on to everything. With the room empty, you can protect the walls and baseboards with thin sheets of wood. Just make sure the wood can't slide or fall and cause harm
September 3rd, 2007 at 9:29 am
Oh and I forgot to ask….how do you chinchilla-proof a room? Like to make sure that it doesnt ruin any furniture? I was thinking of keeping it in my sister's room…she lives at college now, but there's still furniture and stuff in the room. What should I do?
September 3rd, 2007 at 9:17 am
Hi, I'm considering getting a chinchilla, but I have a few questions;
I assumed since they are nocturnal and my family and I are busy for most of the day it would be good since it would be sleeping and therefore not be lonely/get attention…is this true?
And speaking of loneliness, should you get 2 chinchillas to keep each other company? (That would seem lik alot of extra work.)