Life Span
Chinchillas have an incredibly long lifespan, especially for rodents. With proper care a chinchilla can live between twelve and twenty years old. Most average around fifteen years.
Health Considerations
Chinchillas are not recommended for first time pet owners. Although adorable, they do come with quite a few innate health issues and a veterinarian experienced in treating chinchillas should be found before purchasing. Three issues common to chinchillas are their sensitivity to temperature, liver disorders, and dental damage.
Chinchillas come from the mountainous Andes where the normal climate is very cool. To cope with this, they have evolved their coveted coat as protection. Due to the density of this coat, chinchillas are able to hold on to their body heat quite well. Owners of chinchillas may fail to consider how this should effect cage placement and activities. Owners should avoid keeping their pets in direct sunlight and allowing them to play for extended periods of time (extra caution should be taken during summer months). Overheating happens very quickly and chinchillas are especially susceptible to heat stroke. To combat this you should buy a marble tile (they are available at most pet stores) and freeze them, as this will give your chinchilla a cool place to sit.
Chinchillas also have genetic liver issues that potential owners should be aware of. The conditions hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver), bacterial hepatitis, and liver cancer are common in chinchillas. Common symptoms that an owner should be on the look for are anorexia, lethargy, seizures, and constipation. Although some of these conditions can be treated, liver damage in chinchillas is irreversible so the sooner it is detected the better.
Bumblefoot can also be a problem, especially for chinchillas that live on wire floors. Bumblefoot is caused by a bacteria getting into a cut on the foot and can turn into painful abscesses. To avoid this you should make sure your chinchilla has a clean cage and plenty of soft and solid surfaces to sit on.
Chinchillas come from the mountainous Andes where the normal climate is very cool. To cope with this, they have evolved their coveted coat as protection. Due to the density of this coat, chinchillas are able to hold on to their body heat quite well. Owners of chinchillas may fail to consider how this should effect cage placement and activities. Owners should avoid keeping their pets in direct sunlight and allowing them to play for extended periods of time (extra caution should be taken during summer months). Overheating happens very quickly and chinchillas are especially susceptible to heat stroke. To combat this you should buy a marble tile (they are available at most pet stores) and freeze them, as this will give your chinchilla a cool place to sit.
Chinchillas also have genetic liver issues that potential owners should be aware of. The conditions hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver), bacterial hepatitis, and liver cancer are common in chinchillas. Common symptoms that an owner should be on the look for are anorexia, lethargy, seizures, and constipation. Although some of these conditions can be treated, liver damage in chinchillas is irreversible so the sooner it is detected the better.
Bumblefoot can also be a problem, especially for chinchillas that live on wire floors. Bumblefoot is caused by a bacteria getting into a cut on the foot and can turn into painful abscesses. To avoid this you should make sure your chinchilla has a clean cage and plenty of soft and solid surfaces to sit on.
If you have a male chinchilla then you will need to look out for a hair ring. A hair ring happens when fur gets wrapped around the penis and the chinchilla is unable to remove it himself. If it is not removed it can injure or even kill your chinchilla. You should check for this every month.
Dental issues can be a serious problem for chinchillas. Like most rodents their teeth are constantly growing. You should check on your chinchilla's teeth regularly and provide them with chew blocks and good quality hay to wear them down.
Dental issues can be a serious problem for chinchillas. Like most rodents their teeth are constantly growing. You should check on your chinchilla's teeth regularly and provide them with chew blocks and good quality hay to wear them down.
Your Chinchilla and You
Next you must consider if the chinchilla's personality is suited for you. Who doesn't want a soft and cuddly friend that will sit for hours on your lap as you nuzzle and scratch his cute little face...The chinchilla doesn't, that's who! Chinchillas are not "lap pets". In the wild they are prey animals and that has instilled within them an almost constant flight response. They are very slow to respond to socialization methods (although with great time and patience it can be done). They are constantly on the move and only rarely, and briefly, will they actively seek out some snuggle time with their owner. Also, if something hurts or frightens them once they will almost never want to associate with that object or person again. The chinchilla should be considered an "entertainment" pet. They will spend hours bouncing off walls, talking, and being little acrobats...so sit back and enjoy the chinny show!
Also remember, there are plenty of chinchilla rescue organizations with chinny's looking for a good home. So please consider one of the organizations, or a reputable breeder when adopting.
Canadian Chinchilla Rescue - Etobicoke, ON
Ladybird Animal Sanctuary- Burlington/Hamilton, ON (Often have Chinchillas)
Petfinder- Great site to find rescued pets of all kinds in your area!
Rabbit and Small Animal Rescue- 3 locations, MI
Second Chance Chins- Davisburg, MI
Also remember, there are plenty of chinchilla rescue organizations with chinny's looking for a good home. So please consider one of the organizations, or a reputable breeder when adopting.
Canadian Chinchilla Rescue - Etobicoke, ON
Ladybird Animal Sanctuary- Burlington/Hamilton, ON (Often have Chinchillas)
Petfinder- Great site to find rescued pets of all kinds in your area!
Rabbit and Small Animal Rescue- 3 locations, MI
Second Chance Chins- Davisburg, MI
Male or Female?
Sexing of chinchillas is rather complicated. Adult male and female genitalia look very similar. The females' anus and urinary opening are closer together and the urinary opening is commonly mistaken for a penis. For proper determination of sex, please take your chinchilla to a reputable pet store or veterinarian. Also remember, there are plenty of chinchilla rescue organizations with chinny's looking for a good home. So please consider one of the organizations, or a reputable breeder when adopting.
Canadian Chinchilla Rescue - Etobicoke, ON
Ladybird Animal Sanctuary- Burlington/Hamilton, ON (Often have Chinchillas)
Petfinder- Great site to find rescued pets of all kinds in your area!
Rabbit and Small Animal Rescue- 3 locations, MI
Second Chance Chins- Davisburg, MI
Canadian Chinchilla Rescue - Etobicoke, ON
Ladybird Animal Sanctuary- Burlington/Hamilton, ON (Often have Chinchillas)
Petfinder- Great site to find rescued pets of all kinds in your area!
Rabbit and Small Animal Rescue- 3 locations, MI
Second Chance Chins- Davisburg, MI
There is little difference in temperament between male and female chinchillas. Female chinchillas are known to be more territorial (especially with males) and can spray urine when they feel threatened.
Spaying/Neutering?
Spaying or neutering a chinchilla is not necessary. The only reason you should consider spaying or neutering is if it is medically necessary or in the case of extreme aggression issues.
Multiple Chinchillas?
The best friend for a chinchilla is another chinchilla. If you have not bought them as a pair, you can get another chinchilla and attempt to bond them. Chinchillas recognize each other by scent so it is important to mask the normal odors of the current chinchilla with a drop of cologne so that the new pet will feel as though they are meeting on neutral territory and fighting will be minimized. Keeping the chinchillas is separate cages, place them beside one another and slowly bring the cages closer together over the course of two weeks. As the scent fades, the animals will become accustomed to each other's smells. If everything seems to be going well, attempt to have them out for a play together. If all goes well, you may attempt to keep them in the same cage. However, If you have tried this and still find that they are not getting along, there is a method that may be helpful called "smooching". Smooching may be done by placing both chinchillas in a small cat carrier where they will need to climb over each other, causing them slight stress. This is a more advanced technique and should only be done as a last resort, but it is quite effective. This method bonds the pair through a shared stress experience and familiarity. The stress should not be great as you do not want an accident or for them to overheat. Do not let this go longer than 10 minutes. Afterwards they should be placed into their new permanent cage together with plenty of spaces for them to hide and at least one dust bath.
Chinchillas and other pets
It is important to remember that chinchillas are prey animals. Being around dogs, cats, ferrets and large birds can stress them out. That being said, all animals are individuals. Cats are generally seen as being able to be with chinchillas better than most other animals. In general, chinchillas do best if they are the only pet in the household or around quiet, mellow animals. Chinchillas should never be let out without supervision, especially with other animals around.
Because of a chinchilla's specific housing needs, they should not be housed with any other species either.
Because of a chinchilla's specific housing needs, they should not be housed with any other species either.