There are a few core questions you should ask yourself to make sure a chinchilla is the right pet for you.

Do you have the time?

Chinchilla's are social, active and intelligent animals. They strive in duel pairs, but when keeping a Chinchilla singly, she will need even more attention from her human companion.

A chinchilla that will run up to you, jump in your lap and start purring is a rarity. Unlike cats and dogs, chinchillas are not really cuddly and  Theycan be shoulder trained with work and do enjoy being pet.

Quick movements and loud noises will scare them. If you buy a chinchilla from a breeder that handles them regularly from a young age, they'll be more inclined to allow you to handle them as they age.

Chinchillas rarely bite unless they mistake your fingers for a treat, or they have been extremely provoked see the choosing a male or female chinchilla article for a full explanation. 

They do explore a lot of the world with their mouths and will nibble on paper, walls, clothing and lamp cords and anything they can get their paws on, see the chinchilla proofing your home article on tips to keep your chin from chewing on harmful plastics and from becoming injured when playing 

Are you a night person?

Chinchillas are considered to be nocturnal by most books, but are actually  crepuscular, which means they are most active in the twilight hours... usually before their human friends have even thought about hitting the snooze button!This doesn't mean that they are not more than willing to play during the day, but at least a few hours during the day, you should keep them in a quite area of the house to rest. 

Are you in it for the long haul?

Did you know that the average life expectancy for a pet chinchillas is between 10-15 years? Unlike pet rats that only live up to 3 years,  pet chinchillas have lived up to 30 years! Keep in mind that your new pet Chinchilla will live longer than many dogs or cats. 

How Big is a Chinchilla? 

Adult Chinchillas are about the same size as a small to medium-sized pet rabbit. On average a chinchilla is somewhere between 8.5-15 inches long including the tail (roughly 3-6inches for the tail). On average, an adult male chinchilla weighs between 0.8 to - 1.1 lbs. The females are generally larger weighing in at up to 1.3 lbs.

How Do you feel about dust?

In the wild, Chinchillas roll, or bathe, in volcanic ash to keep their dense fur from becoming oily. At home, synthetic chinchilla dust helps keep their coats and skin clean and healthy. Unfortunatly, Chinchilla dust has a tendency to get everywhere! So be prepared for clean up at least once a week as your chinchilla will need to have regular dust baths.

Get the Facts

There are plenty of wonderful books available that help you to take great care of your pet chinchilla. On the right are a few that we found to be helpful.