Pet Chinchillas

So, you've decided you want to add a Chinchilla to your family? That is wonderful. Chinchillas make excellent pets. Once you get their care down, they also become low maintenance pets, but only once you learn how to care for them properly. The beginning can tend to be a bit overwhelming for some. Owning chinchillas can be very challenging, and time consuming but over all a very rewarding experience. 

Are Chinchillas good pets for Children?

Chinchillas are a long term commitment, living 15-20 years with excellent care and love. That is a BIG commitment a child to make on their own. It has to be a family commitment. Both parents should be committed and willing to pay for supplies and vet care if it is ever needed. 

We personally do not suggest Chinchillas to be sold or purchased as pets for children because as children grow and age many loose interest in their pet Chinchilla, or grow and move out to attend school leaving their pets behind. We don't feel that is fair for a loyal pet to be left behind once a child ages. 

Of course, everyone is different, not every child will grow to leave their chin behind. As a parent though, when you purchase a chinchilla for your child you too are making the 15- 20 year commitment to care for the pet too. So be sure that you are ready for that. 


Another thing to consider is that Chinchilla's have a delicate skeletal system. They have thin bones that break easily when mishandled, and floating rib cages that bend with pressure. Children are known to squeeze for a firm grip, that causes broken ribs and internal lacerations in Chinchillas. So we never suggest chins for young children for this reason. 

Are  Chinchillas good pets for owners with allergies?

There is a myth that chinchillas are hypo-allergenic pets, but that is just a myth. They do produce a dander, but not a very strong one. Most owners don't have a allergy problem with the chinchilla itself, but many seem to have respiratory issues with their dust. 

The dust bath is an important part of owning a chinchilla and can't be 100% avoided.  Chinchillas need the dust to clean themselves, so it's a hygienic necessity since you can NOT bathe them in water. It's also a mental thing - how would you feel if you were never allowed to bathe? ew. 

Owners with dust issues can try dust with bigger grains, or have a family member dust their pets in a well ventilated area. Air purifiers and good upkeep like dusting also seems to help. 

Another common allergy is to some of the hays that chinchillas eat, and again, hay is important. It's a staple in their diet to keep them healthy and to keep their teeth trimmed. Some hays affect owners more than others, and that you will have to determine on your own. 

Owners get around this by learning which hays cause issues, and serving an alternative ( there are lots to choose from ) or by serving hay cubes instead. That eliminates 70% of the dust and pollen that comes from the hay. Plus, it also eliminates a lot of mess chins make! 

Are Chinchillas Affordable? 

The start up cost can be intimidating for some, and it does vary on your location, but the good news is that it is OK to start with the basics and add on slowly. Some things are necessary and others are optional. You can check out or New Owner Check List if you need help finding out what you need. The start up cost excluding the cost of the chinchilla can vary from $200 - $500. 


One cost that gets over looked often is the vet expenses. Chinchillas are Exotic Animals and need vets who are knowledgeable about their medical needs and care. Because this is a specialized field the cost is higher. Simple vet visits can easily cost $150 all together, and more complicated procedures can exceed $1,000 easily. So it would be wise to apply for Care Credit or have a savings account just for possible vet expenses. 

Can I keep a Chinchilla with my other small pet? 

The simple answer is no, chinchillas are social creatures but it can be hard enough getting them to bond with a member of their own species as it is. Chinchillas require a specific diet most other rodents don't, making meal times difficult in mixed-species habitats. 

Not only is diet a concern, but safety is too. Like us animals have their own ways communication, language if you will. The wrong tone or wrong body language can result in a fight that could result in injury or death in one or both animals. That would be devastating. Chinchillas, like many rodents, are very delicate. It's best to keep things simple. 

Other pets like rabbits, cats, and dogs should definitely be kept away from your Chinchilla. Rabbits posses powerful back legs that can break a chinchilla's ribs very easily. Cats and dogs are predators that will, by nature, make a prey animal such as a chinchilla feel very uneasy.  Even the most docile cat or dog can be driven by instinct and injure or kill your Chinchilla. These animals are also known carriers of the deadly bacteria Pasteurella which can be fatal for your chinchilla. 

The smartest choice would be not to allow mixed-species interactions for the safety of all your pets. 

How many Chinchillas should I get, and what sex?

Chinchillas are social by nature, and do enjoy having company. Wouldn't you? We'd like to suggest purchasing same sex siblings who were born and weaned together, or 2 young same sex kits who were weaned together if you're looking for young chins. 

If you're looking for adults or seniors, ask the breeder or rescue for a same sex pair. Often they're able to accommodate this request, and it's much easier and safer than trying to bond chinchillas later on. 

We suggest same sex chinchillas to avoid unwanted or indiscriminate breeding. The sex you choose is up to you.

Other Considerations! 

Are chinchillas clean?

Chinchillas themselves are very clean pets when cared for properly. A foul odor coming from the animal would indicate an infection. An odor from the cage would mean it needs to be cleaned more frequently ( 1-2x a week depending) 

Chins are clean, but their bedding, hay, and small pellet-like poops do get around! Fun fact, chins poop about 200 times a day! 

Chinchillas need  Air Conditioning. 

The best home can fall completely short if the correct temperature is not sustained YEAR ROUND. 55 -65 degrees F is ideal for a chinchilla. 70 degrees F and up can prove to be dangerous for some chins who may have thick dense fur. Chins with low fur density may survive warmer temperatures but all and all will still be uncomfortable. 

Fans will provide no relief for your pet, because Chinchillas do not sweat. Fans cool certain mammals when it evaporates sweat from the skin. 

Chins are not generally snugglers. 

A chinchilla - Generally speaking - is not a up-front cuddly family pet. 

They prefer to bond to 1 person, and are more of a "look at me" type of pet. Some do tolerate mild handling and petting while in or out of the cage. 

Some also tend to enjoy a chin scratch here and there, but the majority will not sit with you or allow you to snuggle. 

Chins are fun to watch run around though! Some chins can become more docile and affectionate in time with consistent handling and bonding, but this can take as little as a few months to a couple years! 

Should I get a Rescue Chinchilla, Pet Store Chinchilla  or Purchase from a Breeder?

The choice of where you purchase your pet is totally up to you. Some options are more available than others.  Those who prefer to give a rescue chinchilla a loving home should contact a local rescue to find their pet. Even breeders sometimes have rescues that they have taken in as owner-surrenders or from horrible situations. It never hurts to ask. Some families take peace of mind knowing they purchased their family pet from a reputable breeder, and feel confident that their pet should live a long healthy life due the to ethical breeding for strong quality animals. So the choice is yours. 


Other families opt to purchase from pet stores, sometimes it's impulse, availability or just a result of not knowing of rescues or reputable breeders. We ask that this ( and online garage sale sites ) to be a last option. These animals are usually not well socialized, have genetic issues, or simply are sick. It's not that these animals don't deserve loving homes - all animals do- but many pet stores do not provide the correct care or supplies to their animals, and purchasing from them only funds them and enables them to continue the cycle. Another animal will fill the empty cage and the cycle of neglect will continue, so please, exhaust all options before purchasing from a pet store. 


Online garage sale sites are often riddled with Back Yard Breeders. A BYB is generally someone who uses animals to turn a quick profit, often breeding whatever animals they can get their hands on to produce "cute" popular mutations, with no regard for health, quality, or where the animal may end up. These distasteful practices are the cause for so many ill and "unwanted" chinchillas. You should never purchase from a BYB, and if you find one who has sick, injured, or neglected animals we suggest you notify your local animal control and the Humane Society right away ( and even your local reputable breeder if you have one ). This way the animals can get help, the BYB is stopped, and you are doing the right thing. 


A common misconception is that breeders don't care about the animals or are just in it for the money. Real, honest, hard working Chinchilla breeders work tirelessly to breed only the healthiest animals they can. Quality comes before quantity and way before profit. The truth is, there is little to no profit in Chinchilla Breeding. Most breeders break even or barely make more than what they invested that month, but turn around and invest that money back into their herd for new supplies, bloodlines, or repairs. Many breeders also tend to board other people's chinchillas while they're on vacation, or take in owner-surrenders when a family no longer can/wants to care for their pet. Those animals are never bred. Same goes for whatever rescues that they may take in, and rehome for a loss once treated and healthy. When you purchase from a reputable breeder, you're encouraging the responsible breeding and improvement upon a beautiful animal. You're telling back yard breeders to beat it. You're showing you care where these animals end up in 10, 20 years. 

What about Rescue Chins? 

It's true, some rescue chinchillas do have medical or physical issues. Some are born with genetic defects like malocclusion or heart murmurs,  others have birthing or fighting injuries that could have resulted in damaged ears, eyes, tails, or paws. Regardless, these animals still need love. They're not "broken", they're unique and deserve a chance just like any other chinchilla does. Rescues have a variety of animals, and almost always have a chin that will fit your needs / wants. 

  • Kits - Owner surrenders, or born at the facility when a pregnant female is surrendered.
  • Adults - Owner surrenders, store surrenders, or rescues.
  • Seniors - Owner surrenders, store surrenders, or rescues.
  • Medical Cases - Many are often overlooked, but to an experienced home a rescue may adopt them out. 
  • Neurological issues - Stressed fur chewers or chins who need extra TLC.
  • Amputees - Chins surrendered or rescued due to a broken limb or infection from neglect or a fight. 
  • Sanctuary animals - Chins with extreme physical or medical limitations that the rescue deems them non-adoptable for their safety.


Though these animals may look different, or have special requirements they still deserve a loving home. Adults deserve a second chance, Kits can be a guilt-free start, Seniors are not as long as a time commitment, Medical / Neurological chins are very rewarding for experienced owners, Amputees still get around and Sanctuary animals are a commitment free option. 

If you need help finding a chinchilla-specific rescue near you feel free to reach us on our contact page.