Chinchilla Questions...

Question

I am looking to get a pet chinchilla but I don't even know where to begin... I know very little about the animal, except that it's cute and I want one. Are they fairly low maintenance pets? Where can I find one for pretty cheap/free? Should I get male or female?

Any help would be appreciated. I have been looking for a small pet for a while and decided that chinchilla is my number one choice.

Answer 1

You need to do a lot of research before getting a chinchilla. First off, they live 10-20 years. Will you still want your furry friend a decade from now? What if you decide that you really don't want a chinchilla after you get one? They are nocturnal, and they will make some noise at night. However, I'm able to sleep through just about everything they do. Chinchillas can be pretty high maintenance at times, but since they sleep during the day you won't have much to worry about. They need their cage cleaned once every week, the need fresh water everyday, fresh timothy hay everyday, they need time everynight to run outside the cage in a chinchilla-proof room, and they need a dust bath every 2 or 3 days. They also need to be kept cool, as tempatures above 80 will kill them. Chinchillas also should be kept in pairs as they are very social animals, living in groups of up to 50 in the wild. Keeping a single chinchilla can easily become lonely and lead to serious health problems. They should be kept in same s*x pairs, as so you don't result in any unwanted babies. Either s*x pair will do just fine. When looking for a chinchilla, please consider adoption first. There are so many unwanted chinchillas out there. You an already bonded pair at a rescue for around $130, with single animal adoption being $60 or $65. Pet stores usually sell them at $150, which is WAY too much. Plus, when you buy from a pet store you have no idea of the animals age or genetics, which can be important. Please do some research before running out to buy one, this is why there are so many out there to adopt.

http://www.petfinder.com//index.html

Answer 2

try your local pet store or go on google and look for breeders in your area. and they aren't high maintenance pets but they aren't low either. plus the things you need to buy for them area little pricey especially ash (what they bath in).

Answer 3

They are low maintenance, but they do require a long time to trust.  They are very skittish animals.  Check petfinder.com to see if any are available for adoption in the area.  There is no major difference between male and female behavior, I have worked with both and both act the same.  The only other consideration with a chinchilla is that you can't hold them...at all, they hate it.  The most cuddle you can hope for is a chinchilla jumping on your lap for a treat.  I do love mine, and will probably always have one because they are so unique.  You will enjoy it, but be aware of these things so that you wont be disappointed.  

Answer 4

Do you want 2 hold this pet if so than i wouldnt reccoumend a chinchilla i would get a rabbit if that is why you want it if you just want it and you dont have 2 hold it than cool get one what i would do is google everything you want 2 know about this animal!

You have 2 give them dust baths not water baths cute but very hard 2 clean up!

Good Luck if you want one!