Should you keep chinchillas as pets?


Owning a pet is a great responsibility, but it is also a great joy. Having someone to wait for you when you get home is a wonderful feeling. No matter how small your pet is, it will certainly bring you laughter and happy days. However, owning certain pets could be more demanding than others, so you need to keep that in mind when choosing your pet.

Most people consider that having a rodent is easy because they don’t require walks outside or large amounts of space to live. Nevertheless, while white lab mice might get along with smaller spaces, larger rodents like chinchillas are more sensitive and require proper care.

So, should you keep chinchillas as pets? Read below and see for yourself what is this all about.

What you should know about chinchillas

Chinchillas are some of the pickiest and most sensitive rodents. Keep in mind that chinchillas can live up to 15 years, so there is a lot of commitment if you plan on buying one.

They love large crowds so I don’t suggest owning just one. On the contrary, they will feel safer and more comfortable if they have at least one other companion, so my suggestion is to buy at least a pair of chinchillas.

Moreover, chinchillas befriend slowly so you have to have a lot of patience with them. Don’t make sudden moves and let them get to know you better. Small steps and small gestures of affection are the keys to success if you want to befriend a chinchilla. Let them come to you when they feel safe enough and don’t force any bonding in the first week.

Chinchillas are also mainly nocturnal animals, so they might not be the best pets to have around children. They mainly sleep during the day and are active during the night, so make sure your kid understands that before wondering why their pet doesn’t feel like playing with them after they come back from school.

Last but not least, chinchillas are quite picky when it comes to food, and they will need fresh and dry air. So don’t forget to open your windows and feed them with premium food, especially fresh fruits and veggies.

How to welcome your chinchilla

If you decided to own such a pet, the first impression is really important. And no, I’m not talking about grooming your hair and putting on a nice shirt, but mainly how you choose to greet your pet.

This means a suitable cage, comfortable bedding, and gourmet food for starters. Choose large cages so they have enough room to play and run. As a general rule, you should avoid paper bedding and cedar shavings as they are uncomfortable, poisonous, and could lead to serious health problems.


4 essential items for your chinchilla

I enjoy having a cute pet, and that means that I invest some time and effort into making sure that it is happy and healthy all the time. As a new pet owner, I decided that I needed to learn as much as possible about how to care properly for my chinchilla. Here is the advice I have for other people who are considering the possibility to get this type of animal as a pet.

A proper carrier

There are certain things you need to keep in mind when you care for a chinchilla, and one of them is how to travel with them in perfect safety. That means that you need to get a carrier or a travel cage that is small enough to prevent your chinchilla from getting hurt. That is the most crucial aspect of a travel cage explicitly designed for this animal.


Plenty of hay

Your chinchilla loves eating hay, and you should provide access to fresh hay all the time. You may be surprised to see how much hay these small animals need. They do not eat all the stalks, and they can be quite finicky about their hay. That means that most of it will just be wasted. Why does your chinchilla eat hay?

The fiber in the stalks is essential for their digestion. Your pet can get bloated if there is not enough hay in its diet. Also, because chinchillas chew on hay all the time, they give their molars a good workout, another essential thing for their health. Do not overlook this simple aspect; conditions such as bloating and malocclusion for their teeth can lead to their death.

A pumice stone

As rodents, chinchillas have strong front teeth that grow throughout their life. You should consider getting a pumice stone and placing it somewhere your pet can easily access it. In case you want an alternative, a piece of wood would also serve the purpose quite well.

This will help the chinchilla to trim its teeth regularly. Keeping the frontal dentition in good working order is essential for chinchillas and trimming them keeps them at the same length. If there is nothing to chew on for this purpose, chinchillas can fall ill.


A pet brush

The coat of this animal is very soft to the touch and very dense. While that makes these animals cute and lovable, it can also be a source of discomfort if it is not cared for properly. Make sure to get a pet brush from the specialized store in your area, and proceed to comb your pet’s hair regularly. Besides providing a lot of comfort for your pet, you will be able to bond with it, as well.


I got a pet!

There are certain moments in life when you must be prepared for great changes. Just like having a new baby in your family, getting a pet is no different. They need lots of attention and caring besides making sure that the environment you provide is safe and appropriate for its needs.

The first question you need to ask yourself is whether you can commit to the responsibility of owning a pet. For example, if you get a dog, you need to take it out for a walk three times a day. On the other hand, cats need to exercise every evening. If you can’t make time for these activities, maybe you need to reconsider your decision and get a fish instead.

It’s all about getting the pet that is suitable for your needs and how much free time you have to spare. The worst thing you could do is to provide housing for an animal and then realize that you can’t take care of it. The little one goes back to an animal shelter with a broken heart.

Before adopting a pet, you should ask questions and do your own research. Maybe you can find a breeding group or online forum where you can exchange thoughts with other members. A good example is the Chihuahua that is tiny and adorable but can become a real danger when put in the same house with children. Therefore, choose wisely and learn about the species you want to bring under your roof.


Another mandatory aspect is to get a veterinarian’s opinion prior to settling on a certain type of pet that caught your attention. A medical expert can be an excellent source of information just make sure that he or she has a level of expertise in the area that you’re interested. Since you’re about to bring a new member into your family that requires a great degree of medical care, you will develop a lifelong relationship with your veterinarian.

You know how crazy parents get when the newborn is about to be brought home and they worry about the furniture being unstable, the shelves needing a fix or the doorsteps being too high. Well, the same situation applies to animals. It’s crucial to check your home and see if there are any hazards such as countertops, chemical bottles left on the floor, electric cords or small cords that can harm your pet.

You need to be careful with the adjustment period, too. Unlike human babies, that calm down when you give them attention and affection, pets are reluctant and need a secure area where you can observe them from far distance. Find an enclosed space that has a comfortable bed and a kennel that you can close to keep the pet from wandering through your house. After a while, when pets don’t feel in danger, they will get accustomed to their new crib.

Lastly, invest in special treats like toys and all sorts of healthy snacks. If you like fluffy rodents and you bring one to have a playful companion inside your house, don’t forget to get the best chinchilla wheels where he can play all day long.