Chinchillas As Pets

You may wish to consider a chinchilla as a possible pet. They are of the rodent family, (but it doesn't seem that way).

Also known as "chins" they have incredible velvety fir, and they resemble a chubby squirrel with Mickey mouse type ears. They are nocturnal, although they do get up and play a lot during the day. Chins are very smart and playful, and I'm told can be trained. They are also very clean, so their cage area doesn't tend to stink as many other types of caged animals can.

I got my first pair of chinchillas, as adults, a proven breeding pair. They were nice enough but they never really did bond with us. We ended up having 3 litters total. They usually have 1-3 babies (also known as kits), and their pregnancy is 111 days (about 4 months), which is very long gestation period for an animal that size.

The babies are born fully formed, "ready to go" you might say. Fully furred, eyes opened, running around. They can even eat adult food almost from day 1, although they prefer to nurse.

Chinchillas eat prepared chinchilla food that comes in a pellet form. They also need 1 raisin a day (which they LOVE!). Every few days it's a good idea to give them a dust bath. You can purchase "chinchilla dust" at a pet store. You put it in a bowl and they dive in, roll and kick up a fuss, and is pure delight to watch. Company always love to watch her take her bath.

The real joy for us came as we kept one of the babies, we later sold mom and dad. She bonded really well with us, she was handled a lot from birth on. She has been one of the BEST pets I've ever had (of any kind of animal). She is playful, friendly, never bites, when she "barks" its a quiet, cute kind of bark. A whole lot of personality and character she is.

Chins are more playful type pets, than a sit down lap type animal. I would recommend getting a baby if you decide to get a chinchilla. They usually run about $100. in the US for a pet, but that price can vary a lot. Try to purchase one from a reputable breeder.

Another very nice quality about chins as pets, is they have no claws or fingernails. They have these little soft pads on the bottom of their feet, so you don't get scratched. I wouldn't recommend them with small children however, as young children could easily hurt a chinchilla.

They have a life span of about 25-30 years. They do need to live indoors, or climate type controlled setting. Chins come in a variety of colors but the standard gray color is the most common, and the other, more rare colors will cost more usually. Because of their very long life span, be sure you're ready for that commitment before getting one however.

I found when I was trying to sell the babies that most people had no idea of what a chinchilla was, or had even seen them. That made it a bit difficult to find homes at times, although with such few babies, this wasn't a problem. The people who did come to purchase a chin had this 1 thing in common: all of them had either owned a chinchilla previously, or had a close friend who did and had been around them. That really says something about this type of animal for a pet.

I would however, if you do decide to purchase a chinchilla, get only one and not a pair. If you have one, they bond much better to their human owner (you), than if you have a pair. That's probably the biggest reason why the original pair never bonded much to us, because they were so closely bonded to themselves.

By Valerie Garner-Mother, grandmother and candle maker / owner of Joyful Designs in Soy. She loves to write on a variety of topics with a warm, and engaging style. http://www.joyfuldesignsinsoy.com

PET NEWS & INFORMATION RESOURCES updated Sun. December / 22 / 2024

Pet ownership is up. So is consumer spending on dogs, cats for the holidays. - USA TODAY
Pet ownership is up. So is consumer spending on dogs, cats for the holidays.  USA TODAY

Passengers say Southwest turned them away for flying with pets at Nashville airport - krcgtv.com
Passengers say Southwest turned them away for flying with pets at Nashville airport  krcgtv.com

Passengers say Southwest turned them away for flying with pets at Nashville airport - WHP Harrisburg
Passengers say Southwest turned them away for flying with pets at Nashville airport  WHP Harrisburg

Southwest Stops Passenger With Pet At Nashville Airport - Simple Flying
Southwest Stops Passenger With Pet At Nashville Airport  Simple Flying

Paws for Pets: Mariah Carey, very friendly girl who loves other dogs and cats! - Yahoo! Voices
Paws for Pets: Mariah Carey, very friendly girl who loves other dogs and cats!  Yahoo! Voices

The Lives They Lived: The Pets They Left Behind - The New York Times
The Lives They Lived: The Pets They Left Behind  The New York Times

Idaho Fish and Game euthanizes mountain lion in central Idaho after it killed pet cat - East Idaho News
Idaho Fish and Game euthanizes mountain lion in central Idaho after it killed pet cat  East Idaho News

27 Toys Pet Parents Say Are Their Dog's Or Cat’s Favorite - BuzzFeed
27 Toys Pet Parents Say Are Their Dog's Or Cat’s Favorite  BuzzFeed

Which holiday plants are bad for your pets? - WTOP
Which holiday plants are bad for your pets?  WTOP

Christmas to New Year's: Rough time for pets and their health - KSL.com
Christmas to New Year's: Rough time for pets and their health  KSL.com

Houston pets need a holiday home! Here’s how you can help - KPRC Click2Houston
Houston pets need a holiday home! Here’s how you can help  KPRC Click2Houston

Adorable & Adoptable–Pets of the Week: Daisy - SweetwaterNOW
Adorable & Adoptable–Pets of the Week: Daisy  SweetwaterNOW

PEOPLE Staffers' Pets Pick the New 'Must Have' Products That Made Them 'Happy' This Year - PEOPLE
PEOPLE Staffers' Pets Pick the New 'Must Have' Products That Made Them 'Happy' This Year  PEOPLE

Kids paint rainbow bridge to honor late pets in Barren County - WBKO
Kids paint rainbow bridge to honor late pets in Barren County  WBKO

WAAL delivers holiday gifts to Planeview neighborhood pet owners - KWCH
WAAL delivers holiday gifts to Planeview neighborhood pet owners  KWCH

The Humane Society of SETX explains how to keep pets safe from the cold - 12newsnow.com KBMT-KJAC
The Humane Society of SETX explains how to keep pets safe from the cold  12newsnow.com KBMT-KJAC

State officials encourage owners to help keep pets safe through the holiday season - Michigan Advance
State officials encourage owners to help keep pets safe through the holiday season  Michigan Advance

Keys to keeping your pets in shape during the winter months - KEPR 19
Keys to keeping your pets in shape during the winter months  KEPR 19

Beyond Local: Pets mourn the loss of other pets, too. Here's how experts say you can help them. - The Albertan
Beyond Local: Pets mourn the loss of other pets, too. Here's how experts say you can help them.  The Albertan

Meet Klementine and Armadillo, this week’s CVAS pets of the week - Franklin County Free Press
Meet Klementine and Armadillo, this week’s CVAS pets of the week  Franklin County Free Press

BGWC Humane Society sees adoption boost ahead of the holidays - WBKO
BGWC Humane Society sees adoption boost ahead of the holidays  WBKO

How to keep your pets safe during the winter - FOX61 Hartford
How to keep your pets safe during the winter  FOX61 Hartford

Owners to spend the holiday season with their pets - Woburn Daily Times
Owners to spend the holiday season with their pets  Woburn Daily Times

Mountain lion euthanized in southern Idaho that had killed family pet - Big Country News
Mountain lion euthanized in southern Idaho that had killed family pet  Big Country News

Idaho Fish and Game euthanizes mountain lion near Ketchum after killing pet cat - KMVT
Idaho Fish and Game euthanizes mountain lion near Ketchum after killing pet cat  KMVT

Holiday pet safety tips to avoid an emergency trip to the vet - ABC7 Chicago
Holiday pet safety tips to avoid an emergency trip to the vet  ABC7 Chicago

4 pets die in Moline house fire, officials say - KWQC
4 pets die in Moline house fire, officials say  KWQC

Pets Go Christmas World guide - Sportskeeda
Pets Go Christmas World guide  Sportskeeda

Is your dog anxious? Trainers offer tips to calm them during your holiday party. - USA TODAY
Is your dog anxious? Trainers offer tips to calm them during your holiday party.  USA TODAY

"Pet-tacular Christmas photos - WKRC TV Cincinnati
"Pet-tacular Christmas photos  WKRC TV Cincinnati

Tips to keep your pets safe during the holidays - Yahoo Life
Tips to keep your pets safe during the holidays  Yahoo Life

Pets of the week - Davis Enterprise
Pets of the week  Davis Enterprise

Can dogs eat cheese? Here are the types that are safe for your pet. - USA TODAY
Can dogs eat cheese? Here are the types that are safe for your pet.  USA TODAY

Pasadena Public Health Issues Tips to Protect Pets Against Bird Flu - Pasadena Now
Pasadena Public Health Issues Tips to Protect Pets Against Bird Flu  Pasadena Now

Family, pets displaced after tree falls on home in Takoma Park - Yahoo! Voices
Family, pets displaced after tree falls on home in Takoma Park  Yahoo! Voices

Rescued Pets Movement need your help to clear the clinic this holiday season - CW39 Houston
Rescued Pets Movement need your help to clear the clinic this holiday season  CW39 Houston

Pet-proof your holidays: 8 seasonal hazards and their pet-safe solutions - WBAY
Pet-proof your holidays: 8 seasonal hazards and their pet-safe solutions  WBAY

How Southwest Airlines Is Managing the Holiday Travel Surge With New Pet Guidelines Promising Smooth Journeys - Travel And Tour World
How Southwest Airlines Is Managing the Holiday Travel Surge With New Pet Guidelines Promising Smooth Journeys  Travel And Tour World

Pet Simulator 99 Gargantuan Update (Update 39): Gargantuan Pet, new Huge Pets, and more - Sportskeeda
Pet Simulator 99 Gargantuan Update (Update 39): Gargantuan Pet, new Huge Pets, and more  Sportskeeda

Pets of the Week sponsored by Dr. PAWS - Scranton Times-Tribune
Pets of the Week sponsored by Dr. PAWS  Scranton Times-Tribune

Super Pet Expo in Edison to draw thousands Jan. 3-5 with new features, social media celebs - My Central Jersey
Super Pet Expo in Edison to draw thousands Jan. 3-5 with new features, social media celebs  My Central Jersey

An Idaho pet owner let the cat out. Minutes later, a mountain lion grabbed it - AOL
An Idaho pet owner let the cat out. Minutes later, a mountain lion grabbed it  AOL

Pet of the day, Dec. 21, 2024 - WRAL News
Pet of the day, Dec. 21, 2024  WRAL News

Need a cat in your life? How about dos gatas? Meet Quatro and Cinco - The Ledger
Need a cat in your life? How about dos gatas? Meet Quatro and Cinco  The Ledger

How this organization is helping pets find fur-ever homes - WFLX Fox 29
How this organization is helping pets find fur-ever homes  WFLX Fox 29

Skylar - Frederick News Post
Skylar  Frederick News Post

WAAL delivers holidays gifts to support pet owners - KWCH
WAAL delivers holidays gifts to support pet owners  KWCH

Giving pets as a Christmas gift - WTOK
Giving pets as a Christmas gift  WTOK

Thinking of adding a new furry family member? Here's what to consider. - Houston Chronicle
Thinking of adding a new furry family member? Here's what to consider.  Houston Chronicle

I Spoke to an Animal Communicator and Learned My Dog Thinks I'm an Anxious Mess - POPSUGAR
I Spoke to an Animal Communicator and Learned My Dog Thinks I'm an Anxious Mess  POPSUGAR

Polite dog rings own doorbell, patiently waits for owner to let him in - Newsweek
Polite dog rings own doorbell, patiently waits for owner to let him in  Newsweek

Colorado Springs pet related information and events starting Dec. 21 - Colorado Springs Gazette
Colorado Springs pet related information and events starting Dec. 21  Colorado Springs Gazette

Show me your cat: why pets are community heroes - Financial Times
Show me your cat: why pets are community heroes  Financial Times

Pet Talk: Em-bark-ing on a holiday getaway, tips for traveling with pets - Shawnee News Star
Pet Talk: Em-bark-ing on a holiday getaway, tips for traveling with pets  Shawnee News Star

Pets with Potential: Meet Brittany, Gerault, Yennifer, and Ivy - WCAX
Pets with Potential: Meet Brittany, Gerault, Yennifer, and Ivy  WCAX

Can Dogs Eat Carrots? - Country Living UK
Can Dogs Eat Carrots?  Country Living UK

Pets Page: Columbus Animal Care Services - The Republic
Pets Page: Columbus Animal Care Services  The Republic

Lesser-Known Holiday Pet Safety Risks Every Owner Should Know - Woman's World
Lesser-Known Holiday Pet Safety Risks Every Owner Should Know  Woman's World

Heartland Pets feat. Fable 12/20 - KFVS
Heartland Pets feat. Fable 12/20  KFVS

Paws, Pets, and Metal: Derelict drummer Tommy McKinnon’s cats debate metal vs. jazz - Metal Insider
Paws, Pets, and Metal: Derelict drummer Tommy McKinnon’s cats debate metal vs. jazz  Metal Insider

Year-ender 2024: Pets who ruled social media in 2024; you are missing out if you are not following these cats and dogs - Hindustan Times
Year-ender 2024: Pets who ruled social media in 2024; you are missing out if you are not following these cats and dogs  Hindustan Times

Little Girl Gives Pet Chickens the Ultimate Spa Day Makeover & It Overflows Wth Love - Parade Pets
Little Girl Gives Pet Chickens the Ultimate Spa Day Makeover & It Overflows Wth Love  Parade Pets

Traveling with pets this holiday season? Here are essential tips - WCTI12.com
Traveling with pets this holiday season? Here are essential tips  WCTI12.com

Bedford County Sheriff's Offices issues missing pet scam warning - Smith Mountain Eagle
Bedford County Sheriff's Offices issues missing pet scam warning  Smith Mountain Eagle

Cold Weather Pet Tips: How To Keep Animals Safe During Winter Months - news9.com KWTV
Cold Weather Pet Tips: How To Keep Animals Safe During Winter Months  news9.com KWTV

Green Country animal shelter discusses pet adoptions during holidays - KOKI FOX 23 TULSA
Green Country animal shelter discusses pet adoptions during holidays  KOKI FOX 23 TULSA

What to know before gifting pets this holiday season - Wink News
What to know before gifting pets this holiday season  Wink News

Free microchipping for Will County pets during December - The Herald-News
Free microchipping for Will County pets during December  The Herald-News

Kids paint rainbow bridge to honor late pets in Barren County - WBKO
Kids paint rainbow bridge to honor late pets in Barren County  WBKO

Lack of doggie day care rules leaves many pet owners in the dark - Stateline
Lack of doggie day care rules leaves many pet owners in the dark  Stateline

Keep pets safe this holiday season: 9 tips for a happy and healthy celebration - The Register-Guard
Keep pets safe this holiday season: 9 tips for a happy and healthy celebration  The Register-Guard

Why these robot dog owners prefer them to real pets - CNN
Why these robot dog owners prefer them to real pets  CNN

Crews respond to Moline house fire, 4 pets die, officials say - KWQC
Crews respond to Moline house fire, 4 pets die, officials say  KWQC

Mobile animal shelter director hopes to find more pets a home ahead of Christmas - WKRG News 5
Mobile animal shelter director hopes to find more pets a home ahead of Christmas  WKRG News 5

Foster Mom Warns of Major Red Flag to Look for When Rescuing a Dog - Parade Pets
Foster Mom Warns of Major Red Flag to Look for When Rescuing a Dog  Parade Pets

Dozens of pets flown into PDX in hopes for a better life - nbc16.com
Dozens of pets flown into PDX in hopes for a better life  nbc16.com

This secret Central Park tree pays tribute to hundreds of beloved NYC pets - New York Post
This secret Central Park tree pays tribute to hundreds of beloved NYC pets  New York Post

Pets of the Week - Kingsport Times News
Pets of the Week  Kingsport Times News

FDA issues recall on popular dog treat sold in 19 states that can kill pets - The Independent
FDA issues recall on popular dog treat sold in 19 states that can kill pets  The Independent

LA County aims to keep people and pets together in rent-stabilized housing - Los Angeles Daily News
LA County aims to keep people and pets together in rent-stabilized housing  Los Angeles Daily News

Willow Praise Church’s pet food distribution responds to community’s needs - News-Herald.com
Willow Praise Church’s pet food distribution responds to community’s needs  News-Herald.com

What Our Pets Can Teach Us About the True Spirit of Giving - The Wall Street Journal
What Our Pets Can Teach Us About the True Spirit of Giving  The Wall Street Journal

‘Pet Pals TV’: Celebrating service animals - WISH TV Indianapolis, IN
‘Pet Pals TV’: Celebrating service animals  WISH TV Indianapolis, IN

Can dogs have cinnamon? Know if the spice is toxic to your pet - USA TODAY
Can dogs have cinnamon? Know if the spice is toxic to your pet  USA TODAY

Shelter pets looking for a home this holiday season - WNEP Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
Shelter pets looking for a home this holiday season  WNEP Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

Clarion County Adoptable Pet of the Day: Chilly Willy - exploreClarion
Clarion County Adoptable Pet of the Day: Chilly Willy  exploreClarion

Tiny White Kitten with Different Colored Eyes Is the Cutest Christmas Surprise - Parade Pets
Tiny White Kitten with Different Colored Eyes Is the Cutest Christmas Surprise  Parade Pets

Residents safely escape Moline house fire but four pets perish - WHBF - OurQuadCities.com
Residents safely escape Moline house fire but four pets perish  WHBF - OurQuadCities.com

Paws & Claus: Vote Now For Your Favorite Holiday Pet Photo - FUN 107
Paws & Claus: Vote Now For Your Favorite Holiday Pet Photo  FUN 107

Google overhauls ad policies for CTV and PETs - Search Engine Land
Google overhauls ad policies for CTV and PETs  Search Engine Land

Four pets killed in Moline house fire - WQAD Moline
Four pets killed in Moline house fire  WQAD Moline

Joybound People & Pets urges holiday adoptions - danvillesanramon.com
Joybound People & Pets urges holiday adoptions  danvillesanramon.com

Springfield Haitians eating pets rumor named 'Lie of the Year' by PolitiFact - The Columbus Dispatch
Springfield Haitians eating pets rumor named 'Lie of the Year' by PolitiFact  The Columbus Dispatch

Meet Beverly, one of many adoptable pets at AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport - Local 5 - weareiowa.com
Meet Beverly, one of many adoptable pets at AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport  Local 5 - weareiowa.com

VCA: Tips for Keeping Your Pets Safe During the Holidays - KATU
VCA: Tips for Keeping Your Pets Safe During the Holidays  KATU

'It is a pretty big problem': Avoid sharing these holiday foods with your pets - FOX 17 West Michigan News
'It is a pretty big problem': Avoid sharing these holiday foods with your pets  FOX 17 West Michigan News

Golden Retriever's Annoyance Over Wearing New Christmas Sweater Is Priceless - Parade Pets
Golden Retriever's Annoyance Over Wearing New Christmas Sweater Is Priceless  Parade Pets

New book on pet cemeteries examines our deep bond with our pets - Times Daily
New book on pet cemeteries examines our deep bond with our pets  Times Daily

Local shelters give residents advice on getting pets as gifts - WQAD Moline
Local shelters give residents advice on getting pets as gifts  WQAD Moline

Corgi Puppy Breaks Out of Kennel to Check Out Christmas Goodies Like a Regular Houdini - Parade Pets
Corgi Puppy Breaks Out of Kennel to Check Out Christmas Goodies Like a Regular Houdini  Parade Pets

Fox Valley Humane, Pawffee Shop urge adopters to think before taking a pet home for the holidays - WGBA NBC 26 in Green Bay
Fox Valley Humane, Pawffee Shop urge adopters to think before taking a pet home for the holidays  WGBA NBC 26 in Green Bay

A couple and their pets escape early morning house fire in south Jackson - WAPT Jackson
A couple and their pets escape early morning house fire in south Jackson  WAPT Jackson

No injuries, pets lost in house fire - Tallassee Tribune
No injuries, pets lost in house fire  Tallassee Tribune

News13 Pet of the Weekend: Nessa - WBTW
News13 Pet of the Weekend: Nessa  WBTW

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Chinchillas As Pets

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