Chinchillas are quiet, clean and attractive, and they are also a long commitment with demanding housing needs. The RSPCA says they can live for 10 to 20 years, are shy and flighty, and do not enjoy being stroked or handled. This guide summarises the RSPCA’s chinchilla pages, with enclosure advice from PDSA and Blue Cross, whose figures differ from each other. It is general welfare information, not veterinary advice; a vet should be asked about any change in eating, droppings or behaviour. For other small species, see this site’s guides to hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs.
Company, handling and who they suit
The RSPCA explains that in the wild chinchillas live in colonies of more than 100 animals, so they must not be kept singly as pets. It recommends housing them with one or more friendly chinchillas and giving them chances to interact with friendly people. Blue Cross agrees that chinchillas are not happy alone and that at least two should be kept, and suggests introducing new companions gradually, with cages side by side about 10cm apart so they can smell each other before meeting.
Handling is limited. The RSPCA says chinchillas can learn to enjoy familiar people and being petted but tend not to enjoy being picked up and often struggle. It says they are more appropriate for adults than children, and best for owners who enjoy watching animals. They are prey animals with sensitive hearing, easily startled by sudden loud sounds, and the RSPCA warns against shouting at or punishing them. It also notes that chinchillas can lose large patches of fur, called fur slip, as a defence mechanism, which can also occur in captivity because of inappropriate handling.
Housing: where the sources differ
The RSPCA says the home must be large and secure, such as a secure room or large metal mesh cage, with solid flooring such as wood in addition to mesh, because long periods on wire can damage feet. It asks for lots of horizontal and vertical space to run and jump, branches and solid platforms with no uninterrupted heights greater than 60cm, hay-filled nest boxes and hiding places, and gnawing toys of wood, rope, cardboard and pumice rather than plastic. It adds that experts are still learning how best to care for chinchillas and that there is no single perfect way provided their needs are met.
The charities give different size guidance. PDSA says cages often are not big enough and recommends a large indoor enclosure or a room of their own; if a cage is used, it says it should be at least 2 metres high, 2 metres wide and 1 metre deep. Blue Cross gives a minimum cage size of 90cm by 60cm by 120cm for a pair or trio. The practical reading is that these are floors, not ceilings, and bigger is better, with a safe exercise area outside the cage where space is limited.
For temperature, the RSPCA says to keep chinchillas indoors in well-ventilated, dry, draught-free housing, ideally at 10 to 18 degrees Celsius, because they can become ill in hot, wet, humid or draughty conditions. PDSA gives 10 to 15 degrees and says temperatures over 30 degrees can be deadly, and Blue Cross says a cage should never sit in a sunny window. The RSPCA also says to keep chinchillas quiet and away from dogs, cats, ferrets and other pets. For bedding, it recommends good-quality dust-free hay and warns against cotton wool and other fluffy bedding that separates into strands. PDSA adds that shredded newspaper should not be used because the ink can be toxic.
Dust baths and daily rhythm
The RSPCA says each day chinchillas should be given a shallow tray of clean fine sand or “chinchilla dust” to bathe in, which keeps the fur in good condition, and that the tray should be removed or sieved after use. Chinchillas are most active in the evening and at night and need to sleep undisturbed in the day. The RSPCA says they need 12 hours of darkness. PDSA suggests cleaning in the evening when they are naturally active, and keeping back a handful of clean used bedding so the enclosure keeps a familiar smell.
Diet
The RSPCA says chinchillas’ digestive systems need hay and grass, and that their teeth grow continuously and are worn down by eating grass and hay or grass-based chinchilla pellets; the wrong diet can lead to serious dental disease. Good-quality hay should make up most of the diet and always be available. Pellets are a small daily addition, and treats are limited to small amounts of dried fruit and root vegetables, with nuts and seeds avoided because they are high in fat. Water comes from a bottle checked twice a day. The diet must never be changed suddenly. Chinchillas produce hard, dry droppings and softer ones that they eat, which are an essential part of the diet. If eating or drinking changes, or droppings become fewer, smaller or stop, the RSPCA says to talk to a vet straight away.
FAQs
Can one chinchilla be kept alone?
The RSPCA says chinchillas must not be kept singly, because they live in large colonies in the wild. Blue Cross says to keep at least two.
Are chinchillas good pets for children?
The RSPCA says they are more appropriate for adults, because they are shy, flighty and do not enjoy being handled.
The bottom line
Chinchillas need a 10 to 20 year commitment, company of their own kind, a large, cool, quiet and secure home with solid flooring, safe chewing items, a daily dust bath and a diet built on hay. Advice on exact cage size and temperature varies between the RSPCA, PDSA and Blue Cross, so the larger and cooler end of each range, plus a vet’s view, is the safer guide.
Sources
- Chinchillas, overview and facts (rspca.org.uk)
- Creating a good home for chinchillas (rspca.org.uk)
- Chinchilla behaviour (rspca.org.uk)
- What to feed chinchillas (rspca.org.uk)
- The ideal home for chinchillas (pdsa.org.uk)
- Chinchilla care guide (bluecross.org.uk)