We believe that people should make an informed decision before taking on the responsibility of caring for a chinchilla. Here are reasons to NOT get a chinchilla as a pet.
- Chinchillas are crepuscular which means they may not be awake when you are and they may make noise while you are trying to sleep.
- Chinchillas need attention, but they don't like to be picked up. This makes them less than ideal for young children.
- Chinchillas need to have their cage cleaned frequently for their own health and to keep it from smelling.
- Chinchillas will chew on everything including baseboards, doors, furniture, and wires. If you can't chinchilla-proof a room, you're going to be in for a lot of maintenance.
- Chinchillas can live up to 20 years which means a long-term commitment.
- You can't leave your chinchillas unattended for days while you travel.
- Chinchillas don't travel well. Their skittish nature means that travel will cause them stress.
- Chinchillas can overheat and die under conditions that you would find tolerable.
And in case you think we're anti-chinchilla (not true), check out our list of reasons to own a pet chinchilla.
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September 13th, 2007 at 9:30 am
Do you know of anyone who has a chinchilla in a classroom setting. I teach high school biology and I am looking for another pet.We had a hedgehog but he recently pass away. Thank you.
September 12th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
I live in Alberta Canada where nine months out of ten are cold but the summer months ten to be quite warm. I have a portable air conditioner that could be used to keep the room the chin is in at a reasonable temp. but is it harmful to have an air conditioner used around the chin on a regular basis during the summer?
Thank-you
September 3rd, 2007 at 1:18 am
I just wanted to respond to the dorm room question. I had a chinchilla before I moved away to college, and couldn't bear to leave him at home. I took him with me and kept his cage under my lofted bed. I would let him run around the room (with ridiculous supervision of course) and he was fine. Though, I didn't have many people in my room and my roommates loved him. I guess it could depend on a lot of things, but Thumper was fine in my dorm
August 10th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Jessica,
68 degrees is fine. Don't worry about it being too cold at that temperature. Remember, these friends of ours are furry and made for cold weather.
August 10th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
I keep my apartment pretty cold, thermostat around 68 most of the time. Is that too cold for a Chin? I know to keep the little guys away from drafts (so, not in front of an air vent, or on the floor near it), but again, I worry that my place might be a little chilly.