anyone have a chinchilla???

[meg]

i''m picking up a chinchilla tonight. i have never had one before and i was wondering if anyone else has one. its a female, gray, 4 months old. i know about their dust baths, but i was wondering if i would be allergic to it. i kinda am allergic to cats and dogs. do they like to be held at all? anything that i should know? please help?

[sophie24]

Chinchillas are the best pets ever!
You shouldn't be allergic cause they've got different sort of fur - it's really dense which is why they need dust and is really really soft!!!
They're not that keen on being held, even if you handle her all the time from a baby she still may be reluctant but you can handle them and they don't often bite or scratch unless you're hurting them!
You're female should really have company as in the wild they live in colonies so you should really get a second as soon as possible so that she doesn't mind being introduced to a stranger and so that she doesn't get too territorial!
She also needs quite a big cage cause they like to jump around and stuff at night so make sure its big with lots of levels that she can play on. Make sure you have wooden toys so that she can naw her teeth down as well.
A great book to get is An Essential Guide to Owning a Chinchilla by Mirella Poli. It has everything you could possibly want to know!
Hope that helps and good luck with your new pet! the

[aeh.collins]

mine just seems to want to run away. he laughs at night.

[Paula B]

I think you might have a problem here with your allergies. Chinchillas have very fine hair and I myself dont suffer with allergies but if I put my face up to my own chinchilla I get a bit of an itchy nose ..Some like to be cuddled some dont but they are very delicate and fine boned so you must be very careful I dont personally handle mine at all .. But he is my middle room and see all the comings and goings. He spends all day asleep and them wakes up about 7 or 8 oclock in the evening. You can buy chinchilla pellets from the pet store these are the most suitable things to feed your chinchilla. For a treat I give him ONE raisin a week you shouldnt give them any more than this as it can effect their digestion. I also give him a fresh portion of hay every day and clear out the old stuff.. They are really cute and can be quite responsive to you once they get to know you. I am sure you will enjoy him good luck...