Looking for tips on chincillas for small children
2007-02-14 05:45:02 · 7 answers · asked by Michelle G 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
There are no tips for chinchillas and small children because they don't go together, if you want one that's fine, but make sure they have their own room that's completely quiet all day. Your house can never get over 80 degrees or they'll have heat stroke and die. Kids cannot hold them, they don't like to stay still and they are quite fragile, I own 4, and two of them are almost 5 and still considered young as they will live for at least another 8 years. If you want a pet for a 3 year old get a hamster or a guinea pig, keep in mind anything you get can and will bite until it's tamed so she'll have to be patient and not mess with it until then, it takes a few weeks and she'll have to be very still and sitting down any time she holds it. Chinchillas are meant for the more advanced pet owner, it's not something you jump into, supplies alone will cost nearly 400$ and then the animal itself will cost at least 150$ so you're talking a serious investment and a pet that will last many years. A hamster only has a life span of 2-4 years at least with that if she doesn't like it and it dies you're out 20$ on the cage and 9$ for the hamster, plus around another 10 - 20 $ on food and treats. If you have any other questions about chin's you can email me through this, but again I highly recommend buying something other than a chinchilla.
2007-02-14 23:30:40 · answer #1 · answered by tylw85 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a chinchilla owner and someone who's read a number of books on their care, I'd say no. Chinchillas are great pets, but I've never read a book about them that didn't recommend them for children over 13 or 14 at least for a number of reasons. I, of course, assume that your daughter will not be the primary caretaker of the animal, but still, there are a few reasons why it may not be a good environment for a chinchilla.
The main reason I've seen give is that chinchillas are fragile. They can't really be squeezed or dropped in the same ways that an animal like a cat can, and since I just racked up a hefty vet bill for a chinchilla who broke her leg and had to have it amputated, I'm going to assure you that this is not the kind of chance you want to take, haha. In addition, chinchillas do not like to be chased or grabbed at. All the books (and a couple good nips from my early owner days) will tell you that if your chinchilla gets loose, do not chase it and try to catch it that way. This just causes it to get very scared and defensive. A grab while running is easily taken as a threat, and it will nip to get away. Also, chinchilla tails look, especially to a child, like they can be pulled. This is not the case and can seriously hurt the chin.
One other thing I thought of was that chinchillas are nocturnal, so they need a relatively quiet house during the day to sleep. Chinchillas who don't get good sleep are crabby just like the rest of us, and therefore more prone to nipping.
All in all, I think it's generally not a good idea because chins just aren't as durable as bigger, heartier pets. A rabbit may be a better fit simply because they are bigger, but I honestly don't know that much about them, so I'd definitely do my homework before getting into that.
Good luck :)
P.S. Chinchillas can also live 10 to 15 years or more. Whoever said they only live one year was grossly misinformed or had a seriously sick chin.
2007-02-14 06:02:10 · answer #2 · answered by hmx_mail 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, they hqve very sharp teeth and claws. They dont or rarely smell. But they are VERY hard keepers. No joke, a good life span for a chichilla who was kept perfectly with the heat right, food right, and everything is one year. Also if you do decide to get one, they have very very sensitive stomaches, and a change in feed will kill them suddenly. Do not ever switch feeds, ever! Hopefully, if i were you i would get a hamster or mouse, much better for a child
2007-02-14 06:01:01 · answer #3 · answered by Just some country girl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No! Chinchillas are prone to heart attacks if to excited or scared. A small child might have that affect on it. I would not recommend it.
2007-02-14 10:39:11 · answer #4 · answered by bratty brat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
chinchillas are high mantenance, and very fragile. if you would be the one mainly taking care of it, and holding it then it should be fine. chinchillas, i heard, can be unfriendly, and they really do seem to jump a lot. i would look up more info. on them, and decide whether your 3 yr. old understands the responsibilities, and proper handling of a chinchilla, plus i would supervise whenever her and the chinchilla are together.
best of luck on your decision!!
2007-02-14 08:25:37 · answer #5 · answered by ferrets4ever 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chinchillas also have the desire/need to roll in a silicone powder that the dealer will recommend to you. They just like to jump into it and roll and shake it off. Its cute to watch, but it makes a mess.
2007-02-14 05:54:31 · answer #6 · answered by Angelique 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
chinchillas are sweet but they can be high maintenance and not for anyone with allergies, they dont smell and rarely bite, but i had a rescue who was nippy, and they have very sharp teeth. and sharp claws that cant be cut
2007-02-14 05:49:19 · answer #7 · answered by drezdogge 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋