They tend to be affectionate, curious and social animals that can bond closely with their owners and generally like to be held close and cuddled. Although “chill” is in their name, chinchillas are usually far from it. They are pretty self-sufficient when it comes to keeping themselves entertained. You may think that such a lush fur would need regular baths. My Own Personal Experience. Temperatures just above 75 degrees Fahrenheit—while comfy for humans—can be too much for these little creatures, so they must be kept in a cool and air-conditioned area. Chinchillas make good pets for a patient owner who takes the time to ensure the chinchilla is properly socialized from a young age. 10 Reasons Why Chinchillas Make Amazing Pets, Essential Cat Supplies for Your New Kitten, 10 Surefire Ways to Keep Your Dog Loving You, Scary or Sweet? Therefore, you won’t ever have to worry about fleas either! They are friendly. So, the answer to this will mostly depend on the nature and mood of your pet. With gentle handling from a very young age, most chinchillas will become quite tame and bond closely with their owners, although sometimes they do not like to be held or cuddled. Can the hatch date be determined from the information on the leg band? Most keep themselves well groomed, but many shed during weather changes, which may cause some allergy response. They are naturally curious and enjoy being out of their chinchilla cages whenever possible—supervised by their pet parent, of course! It’s not like you really need ANY reason to get a chinchilla. Being friendly with the owner is an excellent quality for pets. Therefore, chinchillas should never be allowed to get wet at all. Chinchillas are not nocturnal, they're crepuscular. Want to learn more? Fur slip allows chinchillas to be able to release a patch of their fur to escape a situation where they might have gotten stuck in a predator’s mouth or some other narrow space. Also, chinchillas mostly sleep during the day and stay active at night. Chinchillas Are Affectionate. Dogs love us unconditionally. This is especially true for pet parents who work outside their home. As well, chinchillas are highly excitable, and may not be a good pet choice for a highly active child. If you want chinchillas as pets, you should be aware of its basic requirements in order to make them comfortable in your home environment. Check out these pet superlatives for the office pets of Chewy. Kristin's answer: I think any kind of dog would be dangerous to a chin, so I'd keep them apart while they chinchillas are playing outside the cage at … Chinchillas are tiny rodents, who derive their origins from the dry and mountain regions of South America. Chinchillas are one of the least common house pets. If you start training your pet from a young age, things do become way more comfortable. The yoshis don't bother them even though they have access to the caged chinchilla areas, but if the chinchillas were free and one darted past a yoshi… good luck. I’ve got a whole 13 reasons to back me up! Their social personality will keep you entertained all day. They have a deep, velvety coat of hair. Here are my favorite chinchilla cages. Since chinchillas naturally live in ‘colonies’ in the wild, owning more than one in your home won’t be an issue. Despite their sensitive digestive systems, chinchillas do not require very fancy food. Chinchillas as Pets is the complete guide to caring for your pet chinchilla for a long, happy and healthy life. If you offer a lot of love and attention, the chinchilla will do the same. You can easily spare a little while for your furry friend before you head to bed. They will reciprocate similar feelings as to how they are being treated by their owner. If the 12 qualities mentioned above weren’t enough to convince you, this one definitely will. 0. But, at the same time, it also ensures that your chinchilla doesn’t really need 24/7 assistance from you! Every pet parent ever has one thing in common: Well, sorry, ladies and gentlemen! A chinchilla's favorite treat are raisins, and it is fun to watch them eat. Aimed at both prospective and current owners alike, here you can find answers to frequently asked questions such as do chinchillas make good pets?to their dietary needs, housing requirements, how to handle, emotional wellbeing, basic medical care and much more. Chinchillas are small and energetic animals that sleep during the day and are active at night. They also love to run, jump and climb, which is why they prefer not to feel restrained. Most brackish aquariums showcase those few, rare, odd species that have specially adapted to a freshwater and saltwater habitat. If yes, then chinchillas are not a good pet for you. Chinchillas need to “bathe” in dust two or three times per week to clean their fur. Although their thick and soft fur is very lovable, it also makes it much harder to notice any injuries. As an extra bonus, dust baths can even help alleviate stress in your chinchilla pet—that means more fun for them. Chinchillas’ affection for you also encourages them to be more obedient. This leads to health issues which can prove fatal too. Unlike most animals, chinchillas do not get territorial if they have to live with other chinchillas in the same environment. Pet Central goes through how to help an injured field mouse in a safe way. Owning a chinchilla does come with some responsibilities. Chinchillas Do chinchillas make good pets for young children? They also don’t produce as much dander as other pets—which is great for pet lovers prone to allergies; plus, fleas and mites have little to no interest in their naturally impenetrable fur. They are very active and playful. “Since chinchillas are a prey species, it is not uncommon for them to get caught in the mouths of predators in the wild,” explains Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, owner of the Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics in Bedford Hills, New York, and director of pet health and nutrition at ZuPreem. These animals are a bundle of energy, fun to be with, and fairly easy to care for. This makes them the ideal pet for people who are animal lovers. It would be very mean of me to call any pet bad per se. Simple things like playing with the pet, offering food, and talking to it speed up the process overall. Similarly, if you got a chinchilla when you were a bit older, you can grow old with it. If you are willing to spend the money and time, it takes to give the care these cute, furry rodents need there shouldn’t be a problem. The Ultimate Killifish Guide – Size, Type, Lifespan, Feeding, Tank mates, Cherry Barb Guide – Types, Lifespan, Feeding, Tank mates, There must not be any valuable or harmful items within a chinchilla’s reach if it is out of its cage, A child must never be near a chinchilla unless an adult is present to supervise. Chinchillas have long hind limbs which are adapted for leaping. Instead, feed your chinchilla quality chinchilla pellets supplemented with plenty of fresh grass hay. People usually call me by the nickname “Joy” because they think that I am …keep reading, Fluffyplanet.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com We do not provide veterinary suggestions. The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Here is my Chinchilla dust bath guide that teaches everything you need to know about grooming these pets. Chinchillas have an average lifespan of 10-15 years and can even live up to 20 years! Chinchillas typically live in colonies or “herds,” which is actually what you call a group of chinchillas. Are you thinking about becoming a new pet parent and adding a small, furry friend to the family? Once they begin to recognize their owner, they will genuinely start getting attached. Personally, adopting three chinchilla’s was one of the best decisions in my life. Here is a list of infections and diseases you must keep an eye out for: To ensure your chinchilla’s health, schedule regular visits to the vet. Chinchillas are fantastic pets. When these first came to be looked after in the UK as a pet they were pretty much unheard of – many people thought a chinchilla was a type of Mexican dish! It isn’t something a busy person cannot adjust in their schedule. A chinchilla pet is perfect for a committed parent who wants companionship for years to come. Here’s what you must keep in mind before you proceed to make the final decision of getting a chinchilla. I’ve had plenty of chinchillas and now I have two again. Not only this, their hair quality is amazing too. If anything, they’ll only feel more comfortable and peaceful amid others of their kind. What they do need to clean themselves are dust bathes. Also, never ignore the smallest of changes in the chinchilla’s behavior or appearance. Chinchillas don’t need to be bathed at all! I hate to break it to you, but chinchillas are actually the best. Despite all of this, they quickly get bored, and you need to replace all previous options with something new and innovative. Are chinchillas good pets? The average lifespan of a chinchilla in the wild is 10 to 15 years. That definitely makes chinchillas the best pet ever! Since they won’t be interested in playing with you alone for a long time, you can continue on with other important things without the worry of a nagging pet. A lot of activity or yelling around a chinchilla can cause the animal to become stressed. Native to the Andes Mountains, these plush pals are endangered in the wild—but before you fret with fear—you will be pleased to know that they continue to thrive as pets! But, if you’ve made sure to provide the best diet and environment, your pet may even live for up to 20 years! This provides a safe and easy-to-clean enclosure for your furry friend to roll around to her heart’s content. Yes, chinchillas are good pets for children. I've heard that chinchillas make good pets, but also that they tend to get lonely. This is why they aren’t recommended pets for homes where there are kids. Chinchillas in breeding are meek, calm animals without an unpleasant odor. The beautiful lush fur does come with a downside: It makes chinchillas very sensitive to temperatures. Chinchillas definitely aren’t good with dogs. They are generally very hyper but, they usually prefer to be in their own space, without being restricted in someone’s hands or lap. While chinchillas prefer not to cuddle, they are still very affectionate with their pet parents. A non-socialized chinchilla can often be skittish and anti-social making them a less desirable pet but a social chinchilla can make for an affect… Chinchillas aren’t good with dogs. Answer Save. Chinchillas bathe in a … Some allergy sufferers do own chins and deal with it but if you aren't prepared for that then you should not get a chin. Chinchillas are good pets for the right person. However, due to their … That way, your furry friend will never get bored or lonely. By and large, these supersoft creatures get along well without a companion — assuming you're willing to serve as the animal's family. The fur is impenetrable for fleas and ticks because it gets way too hot underneath the thick layer of hair. Any lack of responsibility in this matter could lead to accidents or an early death for your chinchilla. You know how you teach your pet fun tricks to amaze your friends, but when it is show time, the pet ruins everything by being overly shy? Following these steps can ensure a chinchilla will be a good pet for children. Chinchillas do make good pets for the right person. This does make it challenging for you too. Remember to always ask a veterinarian for help regarding all of your pets. These small animals have a very accurate internal clock. How To Handle A Chinchilla? You will have to be readily available around them every day to build this sense of familiarity. You’ll notice that they will always be doing pretty much the same thing around the same time every day. Watching a chinchilla bath is totally worth it though. But, I’m sure you’ll agree on one thing with me: Anti-social pets are not fun to own at all! They are naturally curious and enjoy being out of their chinchilla cages whenever possible—supervised by their pet parent, of course! Are Chinchillas Good Pets? It also hurts deeply when you have to lose it. They Love Food. I got to learn things I never expected about these delicate creatures and like most anybody I … So, are chinchillas hard to take care of with other animals? However, thick fur also comes with the susceptibility to overheating. Chinchillas are athletic. This means, despite their small surface area, they still have more hair than most other creatures. A bonded chinchilla will be more social and is more receptive to being held than one that hasn’t had the chance to bond. Chinchillas are small rodents native to South America found in rocky, arid areas in the mountains. To keep her looking and feeling her best, it’s recommended to bathe your chinchilla pet at least two times a week in an all-natural dust bath. Though we mentioned that chinchillas prefer to be reclusive for the majority … Having a good chinchilla cage is important to keep predators at bay. The animals gave me a whole new challenge to overcome. Just go to your nearby pet store and touch a chinchilla. Chinchillas have a very defensive nature. Let’s start with Chinchilla as pets pros. Obviously, chinchillas are mortal, but they can live with you for almost two decades if they are kept safely in a cage. The thing with chinchillas is that although they have a very easy personality, they are a tad bit harder to care for. They require minimal attention, they’re clean (although messy), and sleep while you’re at work. With a chinchilla, you can head to work without feeling guilty, knowing that your furry friend is happily resting in her chinchilla hut, which will be perfect for a playtime romp once the sun goes down. You won’t have to worry about scaring your pet if you’re hosting a party. Chinchillas are also small, cute, furry pets that you can play with in a variety of ways. Majority of their meals should consist of roughage. 1 month ago. You must schedule the training sessions at a time when the chinchilla will be most interested in learning. This means that you can create a strong, long-lasting bond with your chinchilla. Therefore, she recommends letting chinchillas out of their cages at least once a day for as much time as they can as a part of proper chinchilla care. Do chinchillas smell and get dirty? It is practically impossible for a chinchilla’s thick fur to dry. Relevance. Learn... Here’s how to find the best dog Halloween costumes for your pack of spooky pooches. While chinchillas may be part of the rodent family, along with mice and hamsters, they require some specialized chinchilla care and have a personality that’s all their own. They are actually a rodent that hails from living in the Andes mountains in South America. Chinchillas are known to grow around 50 hair in every single hair follicle. Chinchillas don’t require a lot of complex foods, but it’s important to stick to their modest yet essential dietary needs. Chinchillas aren’t nocturnal, but they are crepuscular. Owning certain animals is a lot of hard work. In the case of chinchillas, this brings forth serious health-related issues. In fact their fur coat is so velvety that the best thing about getting your new pet will be holding it. Your pet will fully enjoy the party with you! Chinchillas. They are active and playful and, with gentle handling from a young age, most chinchillas become quite tame and can bond closely with their owners. Chinchillas are highly social. 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