Reasons to/to not Own

Reasons for owning a Chinchilla

• For being a rodent, a chinchilla can live an amazingly long time! Their life span can range from 10-15 years, in some cases, up to 20 years. Therefore, this pet is not like a hamster that will be gone three years from now.
• Chinchillas are a rather inexpensive pet to maintain for basic care.
• Chinchillas come in many different colors, and have very diverse personalities.
• Some chins like to held and will sit in your arms, but this requires you working with them on a daily basis!
• Chinchillas are very cute and cuddly with very soft fur.
• Chinchilla may poop everywhere, but it can be easily brushed or picked up.
• Chinchillas will be quiet during the day.
• Chinchillas CAN NOT get fleas or ticks.
• Chinchillas need no vaccinations.
• Chinchillas produce almost no odor. If there is an odor, it is normally due to soiled bedding.

Reasons for NOT owning a Chinchilla.

• Chinchillas chew on everything! You need to keep them away from wires, plastics, anything you don’t want to be chewed on! This means you need to provide them with adequate chew toys in their enclosure.
• Chinchillas can live a rather long time frame! That means someone must be committed to the life of the pet.
• Chinchillas can range in price from $100-$600, depending on color, conformation and blockiness.
• Chinchillas are nocturnal, so they WILL be up at night making noise.
• Chinchillas can not be trained in the sense that a dog can be trained.
• Chinchillas poop EVERYWHERE!!!
• If you chinchilla needs vet treatment, it can be rather expensive.
• Very few chins are lap pets.
• Chinchillas, especially if kept singly, require a lot of attention to keep them tamed.
• Chinchillas become stressed if around a bird, dog or cat, so they must be housed away from other pets.