I've looked at other questions, but I still can't decide. What would you pick? What are price differences? If you take them out of their cage, can they get away if the room isn't "chinchilla/guinea pig proof"? Are they friendly? How active are they? I have a hamster, but that won't really affect my choice. And getting a chinchilla might be hard where I live, so should I try to find one, or just go with guinea pig? I mean, it's not that I want one more than the other, I just can't decide.
2006-12-21 04:24:22 · 7 answers · asked by Kristin 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Hello
I have three chinchilla's. Here are some things that might help =O ) If you are looking for a pet who you can hold and play with chins don't like to be held for long periods and if you happen to get one that doesnt want to be held at all they will squirm and when they are scared or trying to get away their fur slips. ( this is when a whole patch of fur just sheds right off). Yes if your house isnt chin proofed they will get into things chew on things and go underneath things(we found out that ours like the fridge the hard way) = O ) Keep in mind that a guinea pig cant jump high like a chin can so they are easier to hold and catch if they get out. Also you can put a guinea pig in a big hamster ball, some people choose to also put their chins in there I dont just because chins hop like a bunny they dont walk and the ball really restricts their normal movement. You dont have to bathe a guinea pig but you do have to give your chin a bath house with dirt in it every few days or their fur will be full of oily knots. I love my chins but do keep in mind they are quite a bit of work. If you are purchasing a chin here are the things you will need. A chin cage wich should be at least three feet tall and have a ledge for them to hop up on. These can run you a $100 or more.
A ceramic food dish. $1.50-$5.00
Hay $4.00 and a ball to keep it in the cage $5.00
A water bottle.$3.50
Something for them too sleep in $5.00-$25.00.
You may choose to purchase a wheel which is $25.00.
Bath house $16.00
And Bath Sand $6.00.
Bedding $3.00 (never use cedar).
Treats$2.00.
Toys$5.00 each.
Chew Toys $2.50-$5.00.
And grass mats for them to lay on if the cage is wire $4.00
Those things are the minimum of what you will need. I love my chinchilla's but I would only recommend them to you if you do a lot of research first you should keep in mind that a well cared for chin can live around ten+ years. For this reason a lot of chins end up in rescues when people no longer want them. Oh and I forgot. The chin itself will be about $150.00 min from a pet store and if you know a breeder a male standard grey which is the most common type will be about $90 and a female $100. A guinea pig costs about $20.00 at pet smart. Do some research online because only you can decide whats best for you I hope some of this info will help you decide. Good Luck
2006-12-21 04:54:15 · answer #1 · answered by cardinalchik 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion, get the chinchilla. Guinea pigs are the biggest pain in the *** there is for a pet...they smell terrible, make way too much noise, and can breed faster than any rabbit I have ever know!!! The only good thing about a guinea pig is that it is cute (and that is only if it is still in the pet store window!!)
2006-12-21 12:34:20 · answer #2 · answered by dragondave187 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Where I live (UK) a chinchilla costs £99 (though I'm not sure about guinea pigs). Erm...gosh, I guess it really is up to you to choose...perhaps the one that lives the longest? Or maybe choose a chinchilla cos I've heard that guinea pigs like company, and housing two pigs are better than one...?
2006-12-21 12:28:11 · answer #3 · answered by angel_of_thought 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would get a guinea pig. chinchillas bite and are only active at night. guinea pigs can be shy but they will get use to you, but thats also the same with chinchillas so it's really up to you. they both live around the same lifespan if you take good care of them, about 6-8 years with very good care.
2006-12-21 12:28:10 · answer #4 · answered by me : ] 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My teen daughter has a chinchilla. It is one of the most unique animals. Very low odor, very playful, very soft, and very friendly! We let him out of his cage 2-4 hours a day, but it has to be a chinchilla-safe room. He hops on our shoulders, laps, and is very curious.
If you can imagine an animal that is a combination of a soft bunny and a soft squirrel, that is what having a chinchilla is like.
The spunkiness of a squirrel, but the softness of a bunny. can't beat that!
(make sure you read all you can about chinchillas first, they require dust bath, special foods, they can't get wet, etc)
2006-12-21 12:33:51 · answer #5 · answered by just me 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
a piggy, they are much more cute than a chinchilla.
2006-12-21 12:33:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a ferret
2006-12-21 12:27:01 · answer #7 · answered by Reivax 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋