The healthiest chinchillas will come from professional breeders that are involved in shows. This stands to reason since these people are aiming to win prizes. Even their castaways are going to be strong and healthy.
However, there may not be any professional chinchilla breeders in your area which means an added expense due to shipping. The next best alternative is another chinchilla owner. Buying from a fellow pet owner gives you someone you can meet first and determine whether they're worthy of your business. Good sellers will also be willing to offer you support and advice (within reason) after your purchase.
Two other options include pet stores and rescue organizations. Pet stores are certainly convenient, but many of the big chains simply don't pay enough attention to their pets. You could end up with a chinchilla that has gone through some hardship. There's also the option of getting a chinchilla from a rescue organization. These people are knowledgeable and will do their best to ensure your chinchilla is healthy, but by their nature, rescued chinchillas may have gone through some hardships as well.
The one place we recommend against purchasing a chinchilla is from a fur breeder. These chinchillas are ones that the breeder is rejecting for being sub-par. This reason alone isn't a problem though. The real problem is that chinchillas from fur breeders have grown up in very small cages with no toys or "play" time. Chinchillas raised in such environments will be more likely than not to require added patience and care from you to become good pets.
Entries (RSS)
August 21st, 2008 at 8:01 am
Jessie,
If your primary reason for taking the chinchillas is that it is a "good deal" we suggest not getting them. The cost of supplies and equipment is a tiny, tiny part of the ongoing effort required to keep a chinchilla healthy and happy.
August 21st, 2008 at 12:13 am
I have found an owner of male chins who wants to give them away with all their supplies for free. However, seeing as how they are very delicate and I have never had one before, but have read a lot about them, I am worried I might make the wrong decision. I don't want to make a mistake I regret by buying an unhealthy one or not taking good enough care of one, but I don't want to miss up on this offer. Maybe I should just get a bunny. What do I do?
June 11th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Tater,
Petco has chinchillas, but the thing is that you dont know if they are 100% healthy and if they are real nice. I would also recommend rescues because you would be saving a chins life and you dont have to worry about finding a breeder a million miles away!!!
August 17th, 2006 at 5:39 pm
I want to also recommend rescues. Just make sure they are creditable. We adopted our first chin, Liam from Monty's Place, he's 100% healthy. The adoption process was like adopting a child and that's exactly what we did. Renee is a beautiful and compassionate human being. I don't know who's luckier: Liam or us. Thank you, Renee!
August 3rd, 2006 at 9:18 am
Monee,
Adult chinchillas can be fine. If they were raised by good owners who handled them from birth, they are very likely to be friendly and not bite. There is, of course, no way to tell without spending some time with the chinchilla.
With a baby chinchilla, the responsibility is on your to raise them right and to give them lots of attention so that they are well-behaved. However, even then, some chinchillas simply won't be as nice as you want them to be. A lot like how some cats grow up unfriendly.