Thinking about chinchillas

[rhoma]

Hi.

I currently have three degus, but I'm thinking of also getting some chinchillas.

Obviously they'd be kept in a separate room, etc, and have a separate diet and cage.

I'm aware they live for much longer, which is absolutely fine.

I have two dogs - they are trained to stay downstairs, and the chinchillas would be kept in the spare bedroom. (With a lot of attention.)

I'd be planning on getting two females or two males.

Could someone tell me the main differences between chinchillas and degus? Also, my degus have adapted to sleeping in the day, when they were always awake at night before. Can a chinchilla also be encouraged to sleep at night? My degus are pretty friendly now I've tamed them- they love being stoked, when it suits them. Would you say chinchillas are more tame or less so than degus?

Thanks.

If things go to plan, I'm hoping to get the chinchillas in August, when I come back from my holiday. I just want to do as much research as possible first.

[moletteuk]

We don't have so many chinchilla people on the forum so it might take a little while to get a response. I would just urge you to think carefully with them having such a long lifespan and I think you are still at school? When you are starting out setting up your own home or going to university it could be difficult to find a suitable home for you and degus and chinchillas, many rented homes do not accept pets.

[natnat899]

I find chinchillas more difficult than degus, they like routine, which unfortunately is lacking in my life; where as my degus are happy to go along with anything. They are adorable creatures though, and once you have a bond with them it is really special. My two are very much like children, toddlers even - Peanut loves attention and food, if he doesn't get what he wants he will get grumpy and possibly has a temper tantrum, it is pretty funny to watch! You have to have eyes in the back of your head, they will try to chew everything and are incredibly inquisitive. Chinchillas can jump much higher than degus and I find are usually more resourceful in trying to "explore" (or escape).

As to a chinchilla being asleep during the night, it may be possible if you have a strict routine in place, because they are usually most active during dusk and dawn, but in the end it comes down to the chinchilla.

Peanut likes being stroked on his back and will sometimes groom my hand. Pickle likes to be scratched under his chin or ontop of his head, and most of the time he likes to groom me or sit on my hand. You need to find out where they like to be touched and where they don't like to be touched, it will vary with each chinchilla - some may not even like being stroked. If you get yours from a good breeder, the chinchilla should be used to handling.

I have posted a few links below, though I would highly recommend researching chinchillas yourself

gzifa.co.uk
www.chinformative.com
www.chinchillas-and-degus.co.uk

[kaliska]

We have 7 adults, 1 kit with 1 established breeding pair and 1 we just put together. Mine are always awake for some time in the afternoon and most of the evening. Animals rarely have a schedule like humans where we have our entire sleep time all at once. They will sleep a few hours, eat some food and beg for attention, sleep a few hours.... Sometimes they come out during the late morning/early afternoon that is their most common sleeping time, make it to the food dish, and then fall asleep partially standing on it. Chinchillas can sleep anywhere in practically any position and often with their eyes open. Mine can do fine without routine but if you establish one they will expect it. They may match being awake while you are home and if you feed them (or give treats) at a given time most days they will be very insistent you should feed them at that time even if you do it at another time during the day. They usually score an extra treat when that happens. If you don't establish a routine mine don't expect a routine.

Chinchillas are attention demanding. Aside from a few exceptions mine like to be where there is activity. They people watch and dog watch in our house. They actually like the dogs and will lure them into coming near the cage. I had one that would fur chew if not where she could see everything. I did rehome 2 that didn't get along with our busy, animal filled, household. That's 2 out of like 20 we have had or have. Chinchillas always want something to eat, chew on, out of cage, more fresh hay.... They will not happily sit in the same cage design day after day. New items are needed and preferably all wood. Toys are rotated. They will go nuts for a big complex parrot toy (plastic free). The last time we got a 3' long toy for our favorite male he spent 2-3days just circling it with his brain fried because he couldn't figure out where to start. When he finally came to a decision it was promptly destroyed over the next few days.

For the most part people in the US do not feed them any fresh foods. This is not consistent between countries and I give mine tiny bites of things I'm going to feed the guinea pigs as well as fresh flowers. They love flowers and online sites sell a variety of dried ones. Sticks, rosehips, and flowers make good healthy treats. Sugar free cereal is also sometimes used. Raisins are no longer considered suitable for chins and no fruit, fresh or dried, is really suggested anymore. There is an exception for the occasional goji berry.

Goji berries are great for teaching chins to stay near/on you but it's of no guarantee. They will soon take off and cover the whole room in seconds. You can't really have them out for long except in a very chinchilla proofed room. You can convince well tamed chins to stick around for a short time by gently turning them back toward you but they will just keep getting more and more wound until it gets too difficult to contain them. Cords go "chomp" and are often in 2 pieces before you can move.

Heat is a major problem. They need to be at least below 75F, many say below 70F. At higher temps exercise needs restricted or they can overheat and seizure. Some breeders have issues with blood sugar swings that can also cause seizures with exercise. Chins should have pellets available 24/7 along with hay. They do not overeat on a good pellet that isn't full of junk food.

[moletteuk]

Welcome to the forum Kaliska, thanks for the helpful post

[rhoma]

Thank you everyone, that very helpful.

I am aware chinchillas live for so long, and when I do eventually move out I'm going to have to find a place that allows pets anyway, due to the fact my two dogs will have to come with me!

Will definitely do some more research, chinchillas are appearing to be more different from degus than I thought.