Pet chinchillas vary in price with much of the cost determined by the chinchilla's color. The rarer or more difficult it is for a particular color, the more expensive the chinchilla will be. And while costs will also vary from breeder to breeder and from pet store to pet store, we've compiled a list that we think will give you a good idea of the potential price tag.
These prices are based on what breeders actually sell their chinchillas for.
Standards
Standard - $75
Black velvet - $125
Beiges
Hetero beige - $125
Homo beige - $150
Beige violet (hetero) - $195
Beige violet (homo) - $195
Brown Velvet - $175
Whites
Pink white (hetero beige) - $150
White (white mosaic, silver mosaic) - $125
Ebony whites - (see "EBONIES")
Tan whites - (see "TANS")
Ebonies
Light ebony or e.c. (hetero ebony) - $125
Medium ebony (hetero ebony) - $155
Dark ebony (hetero ebony) - $195
Extra dark ebony (homo ebony) - $245
Light ebony white - $150
Medium ebony white - $175
Dark ebony white - $195
Extra dark (homo.) ebony white - $215
Violets
Violet (homo violet) - $175
Solid Violet (wraparound, ebony violet) - $195
Tans
Light tan - $150
Medium tan - $175
Dark tan - $195
Light tan white - $150
Medium tan white - $150
Dark tan white - $175
Chocolates
Chocolate - $195
Chocolate white - $175
You might also want to take a look at our post on chinchilla colors.
Sources:
The Dust Bath (site no longer up)
AZ Chins
Entries (RSS)
July 10th, 2006 at 1:49 pm
This Wednesday is my birthday and I have been wanting a chinchilla for 2 years, but mom says I won't be able to take care of it because of school. My mom says that they're not worth the price but I beg to differ. How can I talk her into it within 2 days?
July 10th, 2006 at 2:02 pm
Birthdaygirl,
Chinchillas can make wonderful pets, but they do require a lot of work. They're bigger than many pets such as gerbils, guinea pigs, and mice. As such, they require more cleaning, a larger cage, and a couple of hours a day to run around outside of their cage.
Also, chinchillas can live for a long time: 10, 15, and even 20 years. If you are close to going to college, your mom will need to take care of your chinchilla while you're away which is probably not a good idea.
Please take a look at our article about why not to have a pet chinchilla and be sure that you are ready for the commitment they require.
July 11th, 2006 at 3:46 pm
My mom won't let me get a chinchilla or anything in the rodent family because she says they carry diseases and they smell. I cant change her mind. How can I tell her that she is wrong about them?
July 11th, 2006 at 5:15 pm
Brittany,
Chinchillas don't smell any more than any other pet. Of course their cage will if you don't clean it regularly.
As for diseases, a healthy chinchilla will remain disease-free. You just need to buy it from a reputable breeder. Even traditional disease-carrying rodents such as rats would be fine if you buy them healthy and keep them in a healthy environment away from other animals.
August 3rd, 2006 at 9:56 pm
Chinchillalover,
We recommend keeping travel to a minimum and only in dire circumstances. Unlike a cat or a dog, chinchillas are nocturnal so they sleep during the day and, without sweat glands, they must be kept within a safe temperature range. So, travelling can be hard (and sometimes deadly) for a chin. Plus, they tend to scare easily which can be hard on them emotionally.
August 6th, 2006 at 2:00 pm
I can't convince my mom to get me a chinchilla for my birthday because she says they're too much work and have too many problems. Even though I take care of the family dog and my hamster just fine. How can I convince her to let me get a chinchilla?
August 16th, 2006 at 10:10 am
It's 16 days till my birthday and I really want a chinchilla. My mom says they are too much like rats though (which i don't think they are). What can I tell her about chinchillas that will make her think that they're not like rats?
August 16th, 2006 at 1:08 pm
Kacy,
Sorry, but you're on your own for this one. We can answer specific questions, but if someone doesn't like the look of a chinchilla there is little we can do.
However, we do think chinchillas can make great pets. They do require quite a bit of work and space. More than smaller pets like gerbils. And one very important thing to remember is that they live 10-15+ years. That's a long time and you need to be prepared for that kind of commitment.
August 29th, 2006 at 9:59 pm
My mom bought me a chinchilla because I held one and she simply fell in love with the thing. I counted it as a present because i was going into sixth grade. Anyway, my dad I were thinking that she could eat some lettuce but we didn't know if it was safe.
August 30th, 2006 at 7:51 am
Don't feed your chinchilla lettuce. It doesn't have the nutrients your chinchilla needs and is mostly water. It would be much better if fed the proper chinchilla pellets and hay.
September 1st, 2007 at 2:32 pm
I have been wanting a chinchilla since I was seven years old. My mother say she wants one but we have a cat. I said I would keep it somewhere away from the cat but the cat is everywhere. Even when i close the doors. the only place we can put the chinchilla (that is if we get one) is the bathroom. But the bathroom is hot and really small. And I have read that chinchillas need somewhere that is not hot. And if i put it in my room the cat will surely get it. and my bother's room is the same way. Everybody in the family wants one. But we aren't sure if we should get one. help me!
September 1st, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Redwall,
Your concerns are valid. Heat and chinchillas don't mix. It sounds like you shouldn't get a chinchilla.
August 25th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
My class has two chinchillas and i get to take them home with me this weekened. I am going to leave them out in the garrage (they will be in a cage and our garrage is huge) and it sometimes gets hot in there. Should i place a fan near the cage to keep them cool?
August 25th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Carly,
A fan won't cool your chinchillas. They don't sweat so a fan will basically just blow hot air around them with no cooling effect. Better to bring them inside or you could end up killing them.
August 26th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
A family friend left a chinchilla at our house to care for him, while she moved to Wyoming, not wanting to bring him with her. We love the chinchilla dearly, but we often take vacations and feel that we can no longer care for him properly. What should I do?
August 27th, 2008 at 5:22 am
Karin,
If your concern is what to do with your chinchilla while you're on vacation, consider a pet sitter. With a large enough cage, wheel, food, and water, a pet sitter wouldn't have to visit too often.
November 28th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
I'm looking to adopt a Chinchilla but before i make the leap, i'd really like to know what it will cost monthly. I have so much love in me that caring for anything is never a problem. i just want to make sure i can do it monetarily. Of course i will get a book on how to care for the chin and read it prior to getting one, but i'd like to know this as well so i'm prepped!
alright, please feel free to get back to me soon with your answers.
thank you so much!
December 13th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Anyway i can get one a little cheaper? And dio they live longer then hamsters? ( i thought they do, But i need to know.)
December 14th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Jackie,
Chinchillas live a long time — 10+ years. They require much more of a commitment than hamsters or guinea pigs.