Chinchillas as pets?

[bunnnnnnie!]

Obviously this is a non-rabbit related post, but since it’s in the lounge I hope that’s ok.

Has anyone here ever had chinchillas?  I’m just wondering because there’s actually a chinchilla rescue near me with a LOT of chins needing homes.  I guess they have a quite long lifespan, 10-15 years.

I’ve never really had a chance to be around a chinchilla, so I’m unsure what kind of pet they are.  Are they more the “watch them play” pet, like a hamster?  Or are they more interactive and higher maintenence like a bunny?

I miss West so much, but I’ve always found trying to help another animal in need makes me feel better about the loss.  Never a replacement, but almost as a tribute.

[Elrohwen]

I have a little experience with them, but I haven’t owned one myself. From my experience, they’re a more “watch them play” pet – they are usually much more skittish than a bunny and much more fragile. They need a very specific environment (certain temps, etc). They need exercise out of the cage, but it’s often hard to get them in and out since they can be so skittish.

I think they’re so pretty and I have known people with really friendly ones, but they sound like too much work for my lifestyle. I guess if you got one from a rescue that you knew was friendly with humans, that would make a huge difference.

[Stickerbunny]

I haven’t ever had one personally, but I have known several people with them. They are active, love levels in their habitat and can be friendly, but by nature are a bit skittish, so require a lot of handling to tame. Their bones are fragile, but then so are a buns. They love to chew as well, more like a rodent than a bun and will do a lot of damage. They are supposed to be pretty hard to litter train completely as well, most people say they can only be trained to urinate in the box. And they are adorable.

Now, when people posted about chins as pets on the other rabbit forum I was on for a while, the people there mentioned some danger involved in the two mixing. Not sure what dangers they were concerned about.

[bunnnnnnie!]

Posted By Elrohwen on 03/03/2012 08:51 AM
I have a little experience with them, but I haven’t owned one myself. From my experience, they’re a more “watch them play” pet – they usually much more skittish than a bunny and much more fragile. They need a very specific environment (certain temps, etc). They need exercise out of the cage, but it’s often hard to get them in and out since they can be so skittish.

I think they’re so pretty and I have known people with really friendly ones, but they sound like too much work for my lifestyle. I guess if you got one from a rescue that you knew was friendly with humans, that would make a huge difference.

 

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it.

I’m just not sure what to do.  There’s going to be at least one big move in my future, possibly two (parents are buying a house, may need to live in a rental for awhile beforehand).  So I don’t think another bunny is a wise choice right now, with all of that changing going on.  I’m really lucky with Zeus, because he doesn’t care where he’s at, as long as he has his litterbox, treats, toys, and me. .

[bunnnnnnie!]

Posted By Stickerbunny on 03/03/2012 08:55 AM
I haven’t ever had one personally, but I have known several people with them. They are active, love levels in their habitat and can be friendly, but by nature are a bit skittish, so require a lot of handling to tame. Their bones are fragile, but then so are a buns. They love to chew as well, more like a rodent than a bun and will do a lot of damage. They are supposed to be pretty hard to litter train completely as well, most people say they can only be trained to urinate in the box. And they are adorable.

Now, when people posted about chins as pets on the other rabbit forum I was on for a while, the people there mentioned some danger involved in the two mixing. Not sure what dangers they were concerned about.

Thanks for the info!  I didn’t realize they could be litter trained at all, so even just peeing in a box would be good.

I wouldn’t let a chin and Zeus mix, he’s way too big.  Chin would probably be up on a counter or table, away from King Zeus.

 

[Pandorachik]

I have 2! They are absolutely wonderful pets! They rarely need vet care but, when they do, it’s expensive! My 6 year old chin has had 7 visits to the vet(In his life time) and each time it was about $200. They run VERY fast. It’s almost impossible to catch them if they get loose.lol! And they can collapse their skeleton to fit in nooks and crannies. I suggest to buy a good book, and decide then. They don’t need greens daily either. Just pellets and maybe a vitamin. I give mine a piece of parsley once in a while, but no daily salads like bunnies. If any questions, just ask. I will post pics of mine if you’d like. But they need alot of space to run and play. Hope this helps!
~~~~~Bethany♥

[Sarita]

They usually need a very large noisy wheel in their cage and if you are in a small place, it gets loud because they love their wheel.

The guinea pig rescue I volunteered at always had a few pair of chins – they do best in pairs. I found them difficult to catch. They need a cage that is vertical with “landing pads” too. Their enclosures need to be pretty large and they seemed to be quite messy – not sure if they can be litter trained or not, it appears that they cannot be (but I’m not an expert…). They were usually quiet during the day and I think they may be nocturnal…but perhaps their schedule can be adjusted. They also need dust baths I think every other day or something like that.

I always thought I wanted one until I actually had a bit of experience with them. I love the way they look and feel (when I can catch them) but not sure how much I would enjoy them as I’m not sure they are very interactive with humans (which is why they usually come in bonded pairs).

[bunnnnnnie!]

Posted By Pandorachik on 03/03/2012 09:06 AM
I have 2! They are absolutely wonderful pets! They rarely need vet care but, when they do, it’s expensive! My 6 year old chin has had 7 visits to the vet(In his life time) and each time it was about $200. They run VERY fast. It’s almost impossible to catch them if they get loose.lol! And they can collapse their skeleton to fit in nooks and crannies. I suggest to buy a good book, and decide then. They don’t need greens daily either. Just pellets and maybe a vitamin. I give mine a piece of parsley once in a while, but no daily salads like bunnies. If any questions, just ask. I will post pics of mine if you’d like. But they need alot of space to run and play. Hope this helps!
~~~~~Bethany♥

 

So do they need out of cage time, or you just need to make sure they have enough room in the cage to exercise?

Post pics, definitely!  Regardless of what I decide, they’re darn cute.

Sarita; I have a “silent wheel” for my hamster that makes no noise, but I wonder if they make the silent wheels big enough for chinchillas?  I didn’t realize you worked at a guinea pig rescue, neat.

[Elrohwen]

They definitely need out of cage time and the ones I know weren’t litter trained. For me, when I was researching them a bit, that was one of the biggest drawbacks. I love how interactive the buns are and giving them out of cage time is easy because they are so clean and relatively well behaved.

They’re definitely the right pets for some people though, so definitely do all the research you can and they might be right for you.

[Stickerbunny]

You can get a plastic wheel of size, with no spokes etc so they can’t catch in it, but the plastic ones are pretty noiseless compared to the metal ones.

The lady I know who has the most chins keeps 4 in a custom built cage and they aren’t that friendly, but she has one (an all white one, gorgeous!) that is her “heart chin” and friendly and so lives in a three story cage by her computer desk alone. He comes to the bars begging for attention and treats. So interaction with humans does vary by personality and how they were raised. He even plays with her parrots lol Some people harness train them but I would recommend that even less than with a bun, since their bones are so fragile.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4882206_pottytrain-chinchilla.html there is an article on litter training – it’s pretty similar to rabbits. They like to use one spot for urine, so you use that instinct by putting a box in their spot.

[bunnnnnnie!]

Posted By Elrohwen on 03/03/2012 09:23 AM
They definitely need out of cage time and the ones I know weren’t litter trained. For me, when I was researching them a bit, that was one of the biggest drawbacks. I love how interactive the buns are and giving them out of cage time is easy because they are so clean and relatively well behaved.

They’re definitely the right pets for some people though, so definitely do all the research you can and they might be right for you.

If they’re skittish and hard to catch how would one let them out of their cage.. and get them back in??

Sticker; Thanks for the link, I can’t read it right now (at work! ), but I’ll be sure to check it out when I get home.

 

[Elrohwen]

Posted By bunnnnnnie! on 03/03/2012 09:28 AM

Posted By Elrohwen on 03/03/2012 09:23 AM
They definitely need out of cage time and the ones I know weren’t litter trained. For me, when I was researching them a bit, that was one of the biggest drawbacks. I love how interactive the buns are and giving them out of cage time is easy because they are so clean and relatively well behaved.

They’re definitely the right pets for some people though, so definitely do all the research you can and they might be right for you.

If they’re skittish and hard to catch how would one let them out of their cage.. and get them back in??

 

Haha, That’s exactly why they’re not the pet for me! Out of cage time just sounds so stressful with a pet you can’t catch and who poops everywhere. lol

[bunnnnnnie!]

Posted By Elrohwen on 03/03/2012 09:45 AM

Posted By bunnnnnnie! on 03/03/2012 09:28 AM

Posted By Elrohwen on 03/03/2012 09:23 AM
They definitely need out of cage time and the ones I know weren’t litter trained. For me, when I was researching them a bit, that was one of the biggest drawbacks. I love how interactive the buns are and giving them out of cage time is easy because they are so clean and relatively well behaved.

They’re definitely the right pets for some people though, so definitely do all the research you can and they might be right for you.

If they’re skittish and hard to catch how would one let them out of their cage.. and get them back in??

 

Haha, That’s exactly why they’re not the pet for me! Out of cage time just sounds so stressful with a pet you can’t catch and who poops everywhere. lol

LOL!

 

[Pandorachik]

Posted By bunnnnnnie! on 03/03/2012 09:20 AM

Posted By Pandorachik on 03/03/2012 09:06 AM
I have 2! They are absolutely wonderful pets! They rarely need vet care but, when they do, it’s expensive! My 6 year old chin has had 7 visits to the vet(In his life time) and each time it was about $200. They run VERY fast. It’s almost impossible to catch them if they get loose.lol! And they can collapse their skeleton to fit in nooks and crannies. I suggest to buy a good book, and decide then. They don’t need greens daily either. Just pellets and maybe a vitamin. I give mine a piece of parsley once in a while, but no daily salads like bunnies. If any questions, just ask. I will post pics of mine if you’d like. But they need alot of space to run and play. Hope this helps!
~~~~~Bethany♥

 

So do they need out of cage time, or you just need to make sure they have enough room in the cage to exercise?

Post pics, definitely!  Regardless of what I decide, they’re darn cute.

Sarita; I have a “silent wheel” for my hamster that makes no noise, but I wonder if they make the silent wheels big enough for chinchillas?  I didn’t realize you worked at a guinea pig rescue, neat.

 

You can get put a cage inside a pen! Or put them in a pen. Thats what I do.

And a silent wheel is what I have. They make no noise. Another name for it is “Flying saucer” right?

[Pandorachik]

They can be litter trained too, alike bunnies.

[Stickerbunny]

http://www.chinchillachronicles.com/chinchilla_exercise.html another article on out of cage time and how to get your chin back into the cage

[Pandorachik]

I have an account on a website, it’s like BB for chinchillas! It’s called Lucky’s place. It helped me alot!

[bunnnnnnie!]

Posted By Pandorachik on 03/03/2012 09:56 AM

Posted By bunnnnnnie! on 03/03/2012 09:20 AM

Posted By Pandorachik on 03/03/2012 09:06 AM
I have 2! They are absolutely wonderful pets! They rarely need vet care but, when they do, it’s expensive! My 6 year old chin has had 7 visits to the vet(In his life time) and each time it was about $200. They run VERY fast. It’s almost impossible to catch them if they get loose.lol! And they can collapse their skeleton to fit in nooks and crannies. I suggest to buy a good book, and decide then. They don’t need greens daily either. Just pellets and maybe a vitamin. I give mine a piece of parsley once in a while, but no daily salads like bunnies. If any questions, just ask. I will post pics of mine if you’d like. But they need alot of space to run and play. Hope this helps!
~~~~~Bethany♥

 

So do they need out of cage time, or you just need to make sure they have enough room in the cage to exercise?

Post pics, definitely!  Regardless of what I decide, they’re darn cute.

Sarita; I have a “silent wheel” for my hamster that makes no noise, but I wonder if they make the silent wheels big enough for chinchillas?  I didn’t realize you worked at a guinea pig rescue, neat.

 

You can get put a cage inside a pen! Or put them in a pen. Thats what I do.

And a silent wheel is what I have. They make no noise. Another name for it is “Flying saucer” right?

Oh that’s a good idea.  I could do a pen with NIC grids or something.  Do they jump very high?  Does your pen have a roof on it?
 

[Pandorachik]

Posted By bunnnnnnie! on 03/03/2012 10:14 AM

Posted By Pandorachik on 03/03/2012 09:56 AM

Posted By bunnnnnnie! on 03/03/2012 09:20 AM

Posted By Pandorachik on 03/03/2012 09:06 AM
I have 2! They are absolutely wonderful pets! They rarely need vet care but, when they do, it’s expensive! My 6 year old chin has had 7 visits to the vet(In his life time) and each time it was about $200. They run VERY fast. It’s almost impossible to catch them if they get loose.lol! And they can collapse their skeleton to fit in nooks and crannies. I suggest to buy a good book, and decide then. They don’t need greens daily either. Just pellets and maybe a vitamin. I give mine a piece of parsley once in a while, but no daily salads like bunnies. If any questions, just ask. I will post pics of mine if you’d like. But they need alot of space to run and play. Hope this helps!
~~~~~Bethany♥

 

So do they need out of cage time, or you just need to make sure they have enough room in the cage to exercise?

Post pics, definitely!  Regardless of what I decide, they’re darn cute.

Sarita; I have a “silent wheel” for my hamster that makes no noise, but I wonder if they make the silent wheels big enough for chinchillas?  I didn’t realize you worked at a guinea pig rescue, neat.

 

You can get put a cage inside a pen! Or put them in a pen. Thats what I do.

And a silent wheel is what I have. They make no noise. Another name for it is “Flying saucer” right?

Oh that’s a good idea.  I could do a pen with NIC grids or something.  Do they jump very high?  Does your pen have a roof on it?
 

It would be a good iidea to make it abou 3 or 4 ft. high. Some climb more than others I guess. Mine don’t, my friends does. If yours climbs, put a roof or top on it .

 

[Sam and Lady's Human]

I wouldn’t have bunnies at the same time as chins. I had 2, they shared a room with me and were a lot of fun, but they do poop everywhere and from my experience and research are difficult/impossible to potty train. I’d feel bad about having to keep my chins in a cage while the bunnies get free reign of the house :/

[LBJ10]

I’m sorry I’m late to this post. I owned 2 chinchillas before I had the buns. A boy and a girl. First things first, chinchillas are much more like rabbits than people might think. The crave attention, they can become jealous of one another, they love to chew on everything, and YES you can litter train them. They aren’t as great with the poop in the litter box as bunnies can be, but mine would pee in their litter box and nowhere else. I was so easy to clean their cage. I’m not sure what everyone means by chinchillas being skittish. Mine were absolutely fearless. They loved to come out and explore, they loved teasing the dog, and they could care less about the vacuum. They would always come to greet me when I would come in the room and they loved their raisin treats. My boy was much more affectionate than my girl. She was kind of a little diva at times. He was a sweetie. I never had trouble picking him up and holding him. They would be allowed to come out to play in their room, but they didn’t have free run of the room like the buns do now. They would come out to play and their favorite thing to do was bounce off the wall. Oh and the door because it made a noise when they bounced off that. They loved that. When it was time to go back, it would really depend on if they were ready to go back or not. I could tell them it was time for bed and shoo them to their cage and they would get in. It usually didn’t take too much effort. If they wanted to be stinkers though, they would occasionally play “keep away”. But if you refused to play by chasing them, then they usually got bored and got in the cage anyway.

Some things to consider:
They do need to be kept cool. If they get too warm, they don’t handle it very well. We would keep a fan in their room to cool them down if they got too worked up playing. You could tell if they were hot because their ears would turn pink.

They need an exercise wheel. The traditional wheels are not recommended since a lot of chinchillas are too big for even the largest ones and they can potentially injure themselves. Ours had a Flying Saucer wheel and it cost about $50.

They need dust baths. The dust can get everywhere and is hard to get out of carpet. It is NOT good if you have asthma. I found that out. o_O

The danger of chinchillas and rabbits is that rabbits can potentially have Pasteurella. Some rabbits can be carriers and show no symptoms. Pasteurella is deadly to chinchillas.

It is very hard to find a vet that is chinchillas savvy. They are even more delicate than rabbits in a lot of scenarios.

[Stickerbunny]

Ah, thank you LBJ, I knew there was some health concern but I couldn’t remember what it was between the two animals.

I think by skittish a lot of people have experienced the same thing as most non-bunny people see – a skittish chin that hasn’t been handled a lot, or is just shy of humans they don’t know. Then there are like all animals the shy ones, that prefer not to be handled, even like with our buns. The lady I know with them has four who were rescues who are shy about people, but love each other, then one that is a sweet heart. Just like I have Stickers the leave-me-alone bun and Powder the cuddle monster.

[LBJ10]

My girl wasn’t crazy about being held, but once you got her she would hold still. My boy was such a sweetie though. Like I said, they would come to me when I would come in. When I say that, I mean they would pop out of their house and run to the top platform in the cage. I would open it and my boy would give me kisses. What I mean by kisses is that I would pucker up my lips and he would come press his nose in them. Hehe! He was so cute.

My chinchillas were definitely not skittish. Like I said, they were fearless. I think you’re right though, some are probably people shy like some rabbits are people shy. Mine did love each other as well. They were very affectionate toward one another. They snuggled, groomed each other, etc etc. If raisins were involved though, my girl would get very pushy. She’d use her little hands to push his face away. It was so funny.

[Pandorachik]

LB: Ah, thankyou for finally explaining it all! and I actually have a great chin savvy, and a rabbt savvy 30-50 mins away form me!

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