Aibu wanting Chinchillas

[Staasaurus]

Try to talk me out of getting them...

Rats are indeed fantastic pets, but they require more effort than, say, a cat. The vet bills can be huge too.

@duvetdayforeveryone

bloody apple auto correct... I meant Dik-dik.

I'm so immature and sniggered when the guide pointed these animals out whilst on safari. Dinky little dik-dik.

@Phormiumjester2 😭

@Morfil

Rats are indeed fantastic pets, but they require more effort than, say, a cat. The vet bills can be huge too.

I used to have rats, absolutely loved them, but my cats really are easier. All caged pets require more involvement than you'd think.

Do they really stanik lots?

Stank

No to any nocturnal animal, what's the point?Guinea pigs are great but I've never seen an animal that poos so much.

They need a huge cage, I watched one in a pet shop, it's cage was about 1m2 and 2m tall. The chinchilla, ran down one side and up the other in seconds. The cage was far too small for him to run about.

I just think keeping anything in a cage is cruel.

I’m in the exotics animal trade and these started becoming widely available in the 90’s. Despite being absolutely gorgeous, looking so friendly and cuddly, being relatively cheap, plus being a perfect size pet for a lot of people being bigger than rodents but smaller than cats and dogs, there’s very good reasons why you VERY rarely go into someone’s house and see a chinchilla.

Not as positive as id thought it wouldbe!

@duvetdayforeveryone Quokka’s are protected and certainly not a suitable to have as pets, in fact it’s illegal!

Chillas are cuter than rats!

Take the information available on here, online and in pet shops with a pinch of salt as its often wrong. Check national chinchilla society for most appropriate guidance in the UK. Main thing is they need cool temperatures, so with the crazy summers we've had, they need to be kept under 23 degrees temp or they will die horribly, so that can mean air conditioning.
Not always cuddly but very interesting to watch, they are shy but inquisitive and very aware of what is going on around them. They have no sense of danger so need to be handled and exercised very carefully. They absolutely do not need huge cages due to how accident prone they are. Falling from a high ledge in a tall cage is catastrophic and happens a lot as they are clumsy.
Hay and wee smells but not too bad, plus they are easier to keep clean than other rodents.

Also they are crepscular, not nocturnal, so most active at dawn and dusk, and will adapt slightly to your routine. They will want to sleep in the day but from 7pm they will be active and ready to play.
The initial cost is high, and they need a lot of toys for enrichment (use only approved suppliers so not much choice, a lot of things marketed at chins is unsafe) but after that not really expensive to keep.. more expensive than your standard rodent though.
Only 1 insurance company covers them but with correct husbandry they will live 10+ years and be very healthy, not needing vaccinations or checkups - but this is all down to correct care. Correct diets, appropriate type and quantity of treats, cage environment, temperature, enrichment etc.
As they live a long time they are a big commitment and need someone dedicated to their care, but they can be wonderful and rewarding pets.
Avoid pet shops and Facebook breeders, contact NATIONAL chinchilla society approved breeders. Lovely bunch committed to maintaining the standards of care and chinchillas in the UK and keen to share knowledge.

Please don't get one.

It's cruel. They don't like being handled during the day. They aren't evolved to live in cages, unlike other small furries.

Just don't.

WhereTheSpiritMeetsTheBones’s advice looks likely to be the best you’ll get on here. I don’t know much/anything regarding Chinchilla care but, if it’s anything like rat ownership, be prepared to sink a lot more time into caring for them than you would for a cat.

I think there’s a perception that caring for small furries is easy, but that is generally not the case (unless you’re being neglectful).

Guinea pigs make great pets. If you want a fluffy pet then long haired guinea pigs - like peruvians or similar - have an extra cuteness about them. If you go for guinea pigs, boys seem a bit more outgoing.

If you really want one look at rescue ones rather than encouraging the trade with breeders.

Don’t know why people are bothering to give useful, detailed advice on here to an OP who’s response has been “Chillas are cuter than rats!”

I'd like an elephant. I adore elephants. But really...

No don't, I had one years ago. They aren't really fans of being handled, need lots of space and don't really like children other pets or noise

I removed mine to a friend who had one. They had the run of a bedroom which was set up for them and she was much happier there

Get a cat

OP, just read the post from @Justwingingit2005 and that will tell you all you need to know:
Too many uninformed d/heads buying Chinchillas with no real notion of how to care for them.
They are intelligent, highly sensitive animals and we buy them, mishandle/mistreat them and rehome them.
Please DON'T buy Chinchillas.
PLEASE.

Seems like OP has done no research at all. Wtf? But, but .....cute. 🙄 😡

They make terrible pets. Get a stuffed toy instead, you'll be able to handle that more.