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Here's the most important question: Where are the raisins?

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THESE QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED RIGHT ON THIS PAGE:

THESE QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED ON OTHER PAGES:

	Are chinchillas good pets for kids?		Do chinchillas make good pets?
	Will a chinchilla get along with my other pets?		What are some of the different chinchilla colors?
	Is it best to have just one chinchilla, or more?		What kind of cage do they need?
	How do I choose the right chinchilla?		What do I need to know if I decide to breed my chins?
	What about grooming?		How much do they cost?

For plenty of useful information on nutrition, care, and illness visit ChinBin's "Chinchilla Health" page

Are Chinchillas good pets for kids?

No! Here's why: they need to be left alone during the day; they generally don't like to be held or cuddled; they could be easily injured; they may nip; they could easily become ill as a result of getting too many snacks. An older child (10 - 13 years old) could understand and respect a chinchilla's special needs and learn plenty of responsibility and compassion along the way. This said, I have heard of and met quite a few very responsible and compassionate young children who are wonderful chinchilla owners! Return to questions

Will a chinchilla get along
with my other pets?

It is not advisable to house any other animals full time with chinchillas due to diet and sleep considerations. Guinea pigs and rabbits can be part time companions (especially if no food is offered), but chinchillas need their daytime sleep and need to stay on their regular diet, as do the other animals.

YES	MAYBE	NO
Quiet birds Quiet, well-trained dog Mellow cat Guinea pig, dwarf rabbit	Usually quiet birds Quiet, untrained dog Mellowing cat Standard rabbit	Noisy birds Noisy, hyper dog Wild cat Mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters

Is it best to have just one
chinchilla, or more?

One chinchilla can be easily housed and cared for, and if the owner has plenty of time to really interact with him, he can certainly be a happy chinchilla. That said, I feel it's important to acknowledge that chinchillas in the wild live in herds. They are social animals and, with the right companions, seem to be happiest in the company of others. The wrong companion, on the other hand, can get on the other's nerves and lead to behavioral disorders like fur biting and urine spraying. Once a good pairing has been established (see Chin Friendships) you will probably have buddies for life. The main problem that gets in the way of a good chinny friendship is the presence of members of the opposite sex (FIGURES!). A pair of females with a male around = pregnant females = defensive mamas = trouble (even going so far as to attack the babies of another female or even the other adults in the cage). A pair of males with a female around can become aggressively competitive. A mated, opposite sex pair, once again, can lead to the hormonal mama problem, but is not usually a problem with just a pair rather than a trio. Male chinchillas usually make great dads. Housing any animals of the opposite sex together is only a good choice once you understand and accept the responsibility that goes along with breeding
(see Breeding and My Philosophy).

How do I choose the right chinchilla?

Obviously, you are going to want to buy a chinchilla that makes a good pet. Some of them don't, so observe them closely before buying.

CLEANLINESS
First, make sure that the cage the chin is in is clean. There should be no foul odor. If it is a wire cage, the wire should have no rust and there should be no accumulation of loose hairs in the wire sides. A solid bottomed cage should have clean, fresh shavings, and any shelves should be cleaned of excess feces and urine. Food dishes and water bottles should be clean. The presence of climbing structures, chew "toys", and a wheel is a good indication that the chins physical and emotional needs are being met, increasing the likelihood that he will be of good temperament.

HEALTH
Next, observe the chinchilla for any signs of illness. This can be hard to do during the chins daytime, sleeping hours. It's best to observe her in the early evening hours when she is waking up and becoming active. She should active, not lethargic or huddled in a corner. She should have a good appetite, willing to take a snack (perhaps a raisin) from the owner/breeder or even from you. Avoid a chin with crusts and scaliness around the nose, eyes, and ears as this is a symptom of a skin fungus. The droppings should be almost dry, uniform in size, rounded and oval. They should not be soft, skinny, small, or inconsistent in size. A nasal discharge and/or watery eyes could indicate the presence of a cold. Goopy eyes, drooling, and slow or exaggerated chewing motions often are caused by irremediable tooth abnormalities which usually result in the starvation of the animal. Whitish incisors are a sign of malnutrition while a dirty anal region indicates diarrhea. Also, an underweight chinchilla will have prominent ribs, vertebrae, and pelvis and should be avoided.

TEMPERAMENT
Last, but not least, is the consideration of a chinchilla's temperament. Chinchillas are, by nature, rather nervous. They have to be to protect themselves from predators. But, you should be able to put your hand slowly into the cage and then just be still. After the chins initial uncertainly he should relax a bit and then be willing to come up and at least stiff at your hand. A slow movement toward him now shouldn't send him into a panic. Offering a raisin is a good way to make friends and observe temperament. He may not want to be held by you at first. Chinchillas are very knowledgeable about and more comfortable with the people they are used to. It may take him a while to trust you, and you should be willing to invest that time, but if he is very skittish, barking, even spraying urine (a disgusting habit with humans - acceptable as a normal form of communication with other chins, within reason) without any sign of settling down when you put your hand in the cage, it's probably best to avoid this one.

COLOR/GENDER
Perhaps you are wondering which color or gender is best to buy. I've found so much variation here that I can't comment, other than to say that my mellowest chins have usually been boys, while I can make no generalization about color in relation to temperament.

What about grooming?

It is extremely easy to maintain the incredibly soft, fluffy fur of a chinchilla. All that is necessary is a daily dust bath in a special volcanic type dust that is finer than bird sand and has no substitute. I have mixed it in with very fine scoopable kitty litter to keep the dust down, but find that it's important to maintain a high percentage of dust : litter to maintain that beautiful fur coat. The dust spreads (and consequently gets wasted) quite easily so it's best to put it in a deep container, slightly larger than the chinchilla. Leave it in the cage for only about 15 minutes in the evening hours and be sure to sift out any feces daily.

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Last updated February 2001

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