{"id":170384,"date":"2022-07-14T15:53:12","date_gmt":"2022-07-14T15:53:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/"},"modified":"2022-07-14T15:53:12","modified_gmt":"2022-07-14T15:53:12","slug":"is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/","title":{"rendered":"Is a chinchilla a good pet?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Is_a_chinchilla_a_good_pet\" title=\"Is a chinchilla a good pet?\">Is a chinchilla a good pet?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Is_a_chinchilla_a_rat_or_mouse\" title=\"Is a chinchilla a rat or mouse?\">Is a chinchilla a rat or mouse?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Is_a_chinchilla_a_rodent_or_mammal\" title=\"Is a chinchilla a rodent or mammal?\">Is a chinchilla a rodent or mammal?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Is_a_chinchilla_a_cuddly_pet\" title=\"Is a chinchilla a cuddly pet?\">Is a chinchilla a cuddly pet?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Do_chinchillas_like_being_petted\" title=\"Do chinchillas like being petted?\">Do chinchillas like being petted?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Why_chinchillas_are_not_good_pets\" title=\"Why chinchillas are not good pets?\">Why chinchillas are not good pets?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Do_chinchillas_bite_you\" title=\"Do chinchillas bite you?\">Do chinchillas bite you?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Are_chinchillas_stinky\" title=\"Are chinchillas stinky?\">Are chinchillas stinky?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Are_chinchillas_related_to_rats\" title=\"Are chinchillas related to rats?\">Are chinchillas related to rats?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Is_chinchilla_a_rodent\" title=\"Is chinchilla a rodent?\">Is chinchilla a rodent?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Is_chinchilla_a_mice\" title=\"Is chinchilla a mice?\">Is chinchilla a mice?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Is_the_chinchilla_apart_of_the_rodent_family\" title=\"Is the chinchilla apart of the rodent family?\">Is the chinchilla apart of the rodent family?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Are_chinchillas_in_the_rodent_family\" title=\"Are chinchillas in the rodent family?\">Are chinchillas in the rodent family?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Is_a_chinchilla_a_rodent_or_a_marsupial\" title=\"Is a chinchilla a rodent or a marsupial?\">Is a chinchilla a rodent or a marsupial?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Can_you_cuddle_with_a_chinchilla\" title=\"Can you cuddle with a chinchilla?\">Can you cuddle with a chinchilla?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Do_pet_chinchillas_like_to_be_held\" title=\"Do pet chinchillas like to be held?\">Do pet chinchillas like to be held?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Are_chinchillas_lap_pets\" title=\"Are chinchillas lap pets?\">Are chinchillas lap pets?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Are_male_or_female_chinchillas_more_affectionate\" title=\"Are male or female chinchillas more affectionate?\">Are male or female chinchillas more affectionate?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Do_chinchillas_like_being_cuddled\" title=\"Do chinchillas like being cuddled?\">Do chinchillas like being cuddled?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Do_chinchillas_show_affection\" title=\"Do chinchillas show affection?\">Do chinchillas show affection?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Are_chinchilla_a_good_pet\" title=\"Are chinchilla a good pet?\">Are chinchilla a good pet?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#What_are_the_downsides_of_owning_a_chinchilla\" title=\"What are the downsides of owning a chinchilla?\">What are the downsides of owning a chinchilla?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Is_a_chinchilla_a_difficult_pet\" title=\"Is a chinchilla a difficult pet?\">Is a chinchilla a difficult pet?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Why_are_chinchillas_not_recommended_for_children\" title=\"Why are chinchillas not recommended for children?\">Why are chinchillas not recommended for children?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-a-chinchilla-a-good-pet\/#Why_is_my_chinchilla_biting\" title=\"Why is my chinchilla biting?\">Why is my chinchilla biting?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_a_chinchilla_a_good_pet\"><\/span>Is a chinchilla a good pet?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Because of their high-strung disposition, <b>they are not usually considered to be good pets for small children. However, chinchillas can be very friendly animals if sufficiently acclimated to human touch as kits (babies), making them excellent pets for patient owners.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_a_chinchilla_a_rat_or_mouse\"><\/span>Is a chinchilla a rat or mouse?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Chinchillas are rodents, and they belong to the same family as mice, rats, squirrels, and other similar creatures. The typical behaviors of rodents are also found in chinchillas, which sufficiently explains why they can be called rodents. Typically, rodents are rightly identified by their teeth and incisors.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_a_chinchilla_a_rodent_or_mammal\"><\/span>Is a chinchilla a rodent or mammal?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Chinchillas are <b>small mammals native to only a small area of South America, although they are also widely kept as pets. They have a unique appearance as they have a short body with short legs, a large head, hairless ears, and a bushy tail.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_a_chinchilla_a_cuddly_pet\"><\/span>Is a chinchilla a cuddly pet?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Chinchillas Are Affectionate.<\/b> While chinchillas prefer not to cuddle, they are still very affectionate with their pet parents. They are naturally curious and enjoy being out of their chinchilla cages whenever possiblesupervised by their pet parent, of course!<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_chinchillas_like_being_petted\"><\/span>Do chinchillas like being petted?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Because chinchillas are so affectionate, petting them is much easier than other small exotic pets. Most likely, your chinchilla will come right up to you and not care how you pet it as long as you are being gentle and respectful.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_chinchillas_are_not_good_pets\"><\/span>Why chinchillas are not good pets?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Indeed, chinchillas are among a long list of animals that many veterinarians advise against keeping as household pets because <b>they pose a health risk to the people who own them. Certain infectious illnesses, called zoonotic diseases, can be transmitted from animals to humans.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_chinchillas_bite_you\"><\/span>Do chinchillas bite you?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>With no escape route available, the chinchilla may bite the threat (often the owner&#8217;s fingers). This type of biting is most common if the pet owner tries to reach in suddenly to grab the chinchilla. Chinchillas have long and extremely sharp front teeth. A bite can be severe, deep and painful.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_chinchillas_stinky\"><\/span>Are chinchillas stinky?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Unlike many household pets, <b>chinchillas are pretty much odor-free. If your chinchilla does leave a smell, either he&#8217;s sick or you&#8217;re not cleaning his cage as often as you should. If your pet&#8217;s body develops an odor, take him to the vet as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_chinchillas_related_to_rats\"><\/span>Are chinchillas related to rats?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Chinchillas are rodents, and they belong to the same family as mice, rats, squirrels, and other similar creatures. The typical behaviors of rodents are also found in chinchillas, which sufficiently explains why they can be called rodents. Typically, rodents are rightly identified by their teeth and incisors.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_chinchilla_a_rodent\"><\/span>Is chinchilla a rodent?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Chinchillas are soft-furred rodents with strong hind legs, large ears and a tail that makes up about a third of their body length.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_chinchilla_a_mice\"><\/span>Is chinchilla a mice?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Patagonian chinchilla mouseConservation statusOrder:RodentiaFamily:CricetidaeSubfamily:Sigmodontinae9 more rows<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_the_chinchilla_apart_of_the_rodent_family\"><\/span>Is the chinchilla apart of the rodent family?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Chinchillas are either of two species (Chinchilla chinchilla and Chinchilla lanigera) of crepuscular rodents of the parvorder Caviomorpha. They are slightly larger and more robust than ground squirrels, and are native to the Andes mountains in South America.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_chinchillas_in_the_rodent_family\"><\/span>Are chinchillas in the rodent family?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Chinchillas are soft-furred rodents with strong hind legs, large ears and a tail that makes up about a third of their body length.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_a_chinchilla_a_rodent_or_a_marsupial\"><\/span>Is a chinchilla a rodent or a marsupial?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Chinchillas are <b>rodents that are native to the Andes Mountains of northern Chile. Often kept as pets, chinchillas are also prized for their luxuriously soft fur and were nearly driven to extinction because of the demand.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_cuddle_with_a_chinchilla\"><\/span>Can you cuddle with a chinchilla?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Despite being an exotic pet, chinchillas have friendly, sociable, and cuddly personalities around humans. Because of this fact, <b>the average chinchilla likes to be held and cuddled. In fact, many chinchillas get sad and depressed if not given enough attention by other chinchilla friends and humans.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_pet_chinchillas_like_to_be_held\"><\/span>Do pet chinchillas like to be held?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>And, with gentle handling from a young age, most chinchillas can become quite tame and bond closely with their owners. But <b>don&#8217;t expect them to like being held and cuddled like many dogs and cats. They usually don&#8217;t, though they&#8217;ll often express their affection for you in other ways.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_chinchillas_lap_pets\"><\/span>Are chinchillas lap pets?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It is rare that a chinchilla likes to cuddle with people. <b>They aren&#8217;t lap-pets for the most part. Most of the time, they prefer to explore!<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_male_or_female_chinchillas_more_affectionate\"><\/span>Are male or female chinchillas more affectionate?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Male or Female Chinchillas Harris, neither gender of chinchilla is notably more suited to life as a pet. Since <b>both male and female chinchillas make pleasant pets for most, you don&#8217;t have to rule out individuals of either sex.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_chinchillas_like_being_cuddled\"><\/span>Do chinchillas like being cuddled?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While <b>chinchillas prefer not to cuddle, they are still very affectionate with their pet parents. They are naturally curious and enjoy being out of their chinchilla cages whenever possiblesupervised by their pet parent, of course!<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_chinchillas_show_affection\"><\/span>Do chinchillas show affection?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>If your chinchilla wants to display affection, it will spend time close to you. It can let you pick it up, or it may sit near you on your shoulder or lap. However, if it doesn&#8217;t like you, it will avoid. When you let it out of its cage, it will not sit or stay near you and instead turn away to do its things.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_chinchilla_a_good_pet\"><\/span>Are chinchilla a good pet?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>To answer the question, <b>yes, chinchillas make good pets! They require minimal attention, they&#8217;re clean (although messy), and sleep while you&#8217;re at work. Chinchillas are not nocturnal, they&#8217;re crepuscular. This means that they are most active during the hours of dawn and dusk.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_downsides_of_owning_a_chinchilla\"><\/span>What are the downsides of owning a chinchilla?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This <b>can be messy, and some owners might have allergic reactions. Expensive  Chinchillas cost far more than small rodents like hamsters or gerbils. Their cage, food, dust, wheels, etc. will run the cost up even more.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_a_chinchilla_a_difficult_pet\"><\/span>Is a chinchilla a difficult pet?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Like any pet, chinchillas have their own unique needs and are considered an intermediate pet in terms of care, meaning <b>they are harder to care for than the average pet but aren&#8217;t the most difficult pet to take of daily.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_are_chinchillas_not_recommended_for_children\"><\/span>Why are chinchillas not recommended for children?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Although they&#8217;re gentle, chinchillas can be very agile and quick, and <b>they may not be appropriate for young children who aren&#8217;t able to handle them safely, Dr. Quesenberry says. They need a diet of chinchilla pellets and hay, with vegetables as a treat.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_my_chinchilla_biting\"><\/span>Why is my chinchilla biting?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>A frightened or angry chinchilla will bite.<\/b><b>This can happen when a chinchilla is new, pushed too far, not properly socialized, mistreated, or fighting with another chinchilla. A chinchilla bite can be quite severe and is very painful. As soon as possible, thoroughly clean the wound and apply an antibiotic ointment.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Is a chinchilla a good pet?Is a chinchilla a rat or mouse?Is a chinchilla a rodent or mammal?Is a chinchilla a cuddly pet?Do chinchillas like being petted?Why chinchillas are not good pets?Do chinchillas bite you?Are chinchillas stinky?Are chinchillas related to rats?Is chinchilla a rodent?Is chinchilla a mice?Is the chinchilla apart of the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[622],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-170384","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pet-care"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170384"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=170384"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170384\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=170384"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=170384"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=170384"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}