Chinchilla As Pet

7 Responses

1. Petguy Says:

   I have both, please take all of this information into consideration…

   Chinchillas: My chin’s name is Pepper. A chin is a very unique pet with a lot of specifics. Chinchillas need a large cage, my cage is metal (it has to be metal because they will chew through plastic and wood). They also like a cage with multiple levels. My cage has a main level, a ramp that leads to one perch and a ramp that leads to yet another higher one. The floors are mesh, and the poo falls right through into a pull out tray for easy cleaning. You can line the tray with bedding like CareFresh animal bedding, or newspaper. They also need a shelter of some sort, they like to hide in there, Pepper has a wooden box that is so thick that he cannot chew through it. You can get them hanging houses too, I have a hammock in the cage, he likes to sit in that.
   Chinchillas require a specific diet as well. I give Pepper Oxbow chinchilla diet food, Do Not give chins rabbit food or a multi pet animal food, they do not supply them with all the vitamins and minerals they need. They also need grass hays, I give Pepper Oxbow oat hay, western timothy, and orchard grass hay. They also love a wide variety of treats…anything for small animals, rabbits, chins, hamsters, ect is fine for chinchillas to eat. Chins also like toys, blocks of pine, or pet chew sticks.
   The most unique thing that chins require is the dust bath. They need to roll in dust to keep their fur free from oils and other impurities. You will need a bath house and chinchilla dust. You should let them have access to the dust at least 2 times a week, I let Pepper have his all the time.
   It can be difficult to tame chins. Fortunatly, I adopted Pepper from my neighbor who couldnt keep him anymore, I upgraded his diet, housing, basically everything he had I made a little better. You need to spend a lot of time with your chin, talk to him, play with him, pet his head (he doesnt really like to be picked up or have anything but his head touched.) So as you can see, chins are a lot of work….

   Rabbits: Rabbits should have a large cage, at least 3′ by 2′. Bed their cage with aspen bedding or straw, or straw pellets (oxbow makes a product like this.) Do Not use cedar bedding because this is not good for their sinuses. They can have a multi story cage, but they dont really need it. Their cage should have a solid bottom, however if you have something like a board or box with a solid bottom for them to sit on, then a mesh bottom would be fine. A box or hay tunnel for shelter is good, however rabbits dont need a shelter, but it would be comforting to them.
   Rabbits need a Rabbit Food. Not a multi pet food, RABBIT FOOD. They should also be fed hays as well. They can have a lot of treats like small amounts of veggies and fruits, or small animal treats from the petstore. Rabbits like toys as well, blocks of pine for chewing on, or chew sticks from the petstore. Rabbits should also have a salt lick and mineral wheel.

   Good luck, and choose wisely….
   And remember, your pet should have fresh water atleast everyother day, a bottle preferably, a dish can easily get dirty and the water can get feces or urine in it.

   —–Brandon (aka PetGuy)

   Posted on May 30th, 2010 at 6:17 am

2. Q&A Says:

   Both would be the same…
   But i think a chinchilla would cost more

   Posted on May 30th, 2010 at 6:17 am

3. Crestellia Says:

   I have a chinchilla and think you would be in over your head unless you are used to dealing with them, they are a handful and not what you will expect they are naughty and not cuddly, also lots of work, dust baths, molting, even water can be a hasle. I think a bunny would be better there sweet, cudly, and ADORABLE!!

   Posted on May 30th, 2010 at 6:17 am

4. Jen Says:

   I’ve never had a chinchilla, but I do have a lop eared bunny, she’s no mini though! My bunny is very friendly. She does not like being held though but she will hop over to you and let you pet her all day. I did litter train her which was not very difficult. She is also hysterical! she will be sitting there one minute then jump like 3 feet in the air and do these funny turns then sprint somewhere. She also looovvveessss my dogs! My bunny does not stay in her cage though, only to eat, she has her own room.
   Now to the disadvantages. Every morning she throws her food bowl so even in a cage, it may be messy. She also sheds quite a bit, you’d be suprised. And I am assuming that you will it out of the cage and play with it frequently (which they need) so keep a very close watch, THEY WILL CHEW EVERYTHING!!
   As far as their lifespan, I read that they live on average about 8 years. I know that indoor bunnies live longer than outdoor bunnies and the more she gets exercise and love the happier she’ll be increasing her lifespan.
   I know that you do not want to hear this but I am in college to and also live in an apartment. Especially being a freshman, I would reconsider getting an animal. You will want to party and be hanging out with all your new friends and may not beable to give the animal the attention it needs. I kniw you really want it but ask yourself if it’s fair to it. Goodluck!

   Posted on May 30th, 2010 at 6:17 am

5. liddie9999 Says:

   i think they’re both adorable but i have a rabbit and hes not always still unless you get them neutered. if you do rabbits can live up to 12 years. which is almost as long as a chinchilla. chinchillas are about $400 for everything and a rabbit more like $150 so it also depends how much u want to spend on it.

   Posted on May 30th, 2010 at 6:17 am

6. Matayeos Says:

   who told you chinchillas arnt friendly there one of the most socialable anaimals on the planet they like to come see you when you get home and they love to play with you they like it when you scratch them they sit on your shoulder and like to be held its true chinchillas are very long lived but rabbits live to be like 12 so that almost if not more than half your life it doesnt seem like a long time when you read it but it is

   in my opinion chinchillas are better if oyu have a lot of money and time so i would go with them but there a lot more high maintinance than rabbits so look up at least 3 chinchillas care sheets and borrow a book on chinchilla care from the library i think youll get the info you need and rabbits are much easier to care for than chinchillas

   Posted on May 30th, 2010 at 6:17 am

7. Ally Says:

   i would get a mini lop they are a lot better

   (Y)
   (o.o)
   (")(")o

   Posted on May 30th, 2010 at 6:17 am

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