Do Chinchillas make good pets for a ten year old?

[Italiangreyhound]

Do Chinchillas make good pets for a ten year old?

Please?

Any any other info???

A million thanks.

Do you know how long they live?!

You can just search online for this - the experts say not good pets for children

LOL that was what I was going to post!!! Huge commitment due to life expectancy and they need huge cages.

I'd say no ,they live a very long time, ( we got ours second hand when DS was 12 then we passed it on to a friend when we moved when he was 16.... its still alive we hear.. Ds is now 25

you cant handle them easilyy we found ,,and once they get out of thier cage they run like the clappers..

Oh dear, well I did do a google search, like you do and said something like Are Chinillas good pets and I did get a few sites from people saying yes. That can be the trouble, people have different expereicens. But I don't think I said for children! So that may be the key thing.

I just googled how long do they live and it saif 15 years! yes, that isn't ideal because dd is 10 and I don't think she will be caring for them at 25 (she might but then again.....).

The trouble is our cat was a fabulous pet, truly amazing. But I am not sure dd wants another and if we do get another it rules out things like budgies and hamster! I was hoping for something with the appeal of a budgie or hamster but the cuddle factor of a cat??

The search goes on.

Thank you Wolfiefan, 53Dragon, RandomMess and Laska4 what might you recommend (we have a four year old too but he is not that interested in pets and neither is dh, it is for me and 10 year old dd).

Thank you for replying.

You probably could get away with having "prey" pets with a cat if you do get another cat as long as you introduce them properly (if you do) and always supervise. I know quite a few people with rats who have cats and dogs and somehow they live harmoniously!

Would other rodenty creatures take your fancy? Guinea pigs are supposed to be lovely and always recommended on here with kids in mind. Though I'm not sure how cuddly they are and you do need a good bit of garden space.
I have rats and they're fantastic, definitely great for kids if from a good family friendly breeder. Our girls are as likely to bounce around as they are to snuggle into a jumper for a cuddle. Our big boys don't like cuddles though. Anti-social gits. It's usually boys who like cuddles.

I was going to say get a cat - definitely the easiest pet per cuddle But if your dd doesn't want another then how about a pair of rats? They make fab pets and don't live as long as cats and chinchillas.

Thanks guys am starting two new threads to ask two specific questions, if you can advise, please head over!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/super_furry_animals/2335933-Dwarf-Winter-White-Russian-Hamsters-or-Chinese-Hamsters-advice-please

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/super_furry_animals/2335927-Please-can-you-talk-to-me-about-rabbits-novice-asking-questions

Thank you.