What to Consider When Adopting a Chinchilla

Chinchillas are just so cute. Who wouldn’t want these South American rodents as pets? Topping out at just two pounds, chinchillas are known for their super-soft fur and climbing abilities. Their big ears and chubby cheeks make many children beg to have them as pets — however, chinchillas are a big commitment. 

They aren’t exactly beginner pets, because they live anywhere from 15 to 20 years and require specialized care. And despite their cuddly appearance, they don’t like to be handled much by humans, let alone held. They’re also nocturnal, meaning that they’ll need to be kept in a quiet room during the day. 

Chinchillas can become expensive, too, requiring a special cage, a particular diet, dust for dust baths, wooden toys, and exotic veterinary care (because some local vets will not know how to care for them). They can make great pets, but any potential pet parent should know exactly what they’re getting into before bringing them into their family. 

Are you ready to adopt a chinchilla? 

Let’s say you’re convinced that a chinchilla will make the ideal family pet for you. After all, they’re so adorable and seem like they’d make the perfect companion, because they do bond with their pet parents (though not in the same way that cats and dogs do). 

But did you know that they’re extremely fast? If they escape from their cage or the room you keep them in — and get out into your wider home— it’s going to be a huge, stressful event to find them. Chinchilla care also requires you to keep their room below 70 degrees, because they’re prone to heatstroke at 80 degrees. 

And from where can you even adopt a chinchilla in the first place? We’ll get into all of this, below.  

Special considerations when adopting a chinchilla

Although chinchillas might tick several dream-pet boxes for you, you should make sure that you can provide them with proper care. We consulted Michael Trapp, Vice President of California Chins, a chinchilla rescue organization, to find out more specifics on what potential pet parents should take into account.

Lifespan

Trapp says that chinchillas can live about 15 to 20 years. You might find that shocking, because many rodents only live one to four years. But a chinchilla can live as long as a cat, and you’ll want to be 100 percent certain that you’re prepared for a chinchilla to be a forever family member in your home.

Social needs

Chinchillas are nocturnal animals, with some being most active at dawn and dusk. So it would help if their pet parent were more of a night owl. Chinchillas are independent pets, especially when compared to dogs and cats. They like some attention from their humans but don’t want to be smothered with it — and they often don’t like to be held or handled. 

As to whether or not your chinchilla might want another chinchilla in their cage is up for debate, according to Trapp. “That depends on the chin,” Trapp says. “We have chins that love having casemates and others that prefer to be an only chin, and do not want to share their human’s attention.”

Exercise and mental stimulation

Chinchillas sleep quite a bit. But when they’re awake, they need room to run, jump, and chew for at least 30 minutes per day. They require large cages — at least four feet by three feet — to run around in, a wheel to help burn off energy, and plenty of toys to keep them mentally stimulated. 

Chinchillas should have their own designated room (sans chewable power cords), because if you let them run all over your home, you might have trouble getting them back in their cages. “While chinchillas do not look like it (since most of the time, they are seen sleeping), they are fast, parkour experts that can jump six feet while bouncing off the walls like a ninja and with opposable thumbs, [and] can climb ladders making one’s entire house open for exploring, test-chewing, and pooping,” Trapp says.

A chinchilla’s teeth continuously grow, so this pet needs a lot of toys to chew on to grind-down their teeth, including a pumice block. But overall, they don’t need quite the level of exercise or entertainment that a dog does. 

“Chins can make great apartment pets, assuming they are allowed there,” Trapp says. “They do not need walks every day, and they do not need to be out of their cage — assuming they have a good cage layout — unless one wants to interact with them.”

Food

Chinchillas are plant-eaters and eat Timothy hay by the barrel-full. There should always be a ton of hay in a chinchilla’s cage, so they have plenty to munch on. The chinchilla diet should also consist of food pellets that help them get proper nutrients. Sometimes, a chinchilla can eat fresh fruits and veggies, but pet parents should ask their vet if their pet should be consuming a specific type of fruit or vegetable. 

Local regulations and permits

Although chinchillas are generally considered legal pets, according to Trapp, you should check local regulations. Chinchillas can sometimes be considered exotic animals and might not be allowed in certain states or towns. In some cases, a pet parent might need to get a permit to have a chinchilla. Failure to comply with local regulations and rules might mean that your chinchilla gets confiscated. Renters with pets might also run into some issues with finding a landlord who allows them, because chinchillas are known to be big chewers. 

Local climate 

Unlike many other pets out there, chinchillas have specific climate needs. They can suffer from heatstroke if they’re kept in temperatures above 80 degrees, because of their thick fur. They’re happy and healthy in temperatures under 70 degrees with low humidity, so pet parents should endeavor to keep their room as cool as possible if they live in an area that is routinely warm. 

Chinchillas also can’t really get wet. They don’t take baths like dogs. Instead, they need dust baths. “Weekly dust baths only need to be [around] 15 minutes, and we recommend the bathroom tub/shower, so the bathroom fan keeps the dust in that room and not the rest of the house,” Trapp says.

What are the downsides of owning a chinchilla? 

Chinchillas might appear somewhat simple to raise, but there are a few negatives to consider as well. 

Vocalizing 

The chinchilla seems like it might be a quiet animal, but they’re actually very talkative. They bark, squeak, and make all manner of noises to communicate. If you want a silent pet, the chinchilla is not the one for you. 

Crepuscular and nocturnal activity 

Chinchillas are nocturnal and crepuscular, which means they’re active during dawn and dusk. They generally want attention at night. So if you’re someone who likes a pet to play with while the sun is high in the sky, we recommend seeking an alternative. 

Sensitive to temperature extremes

As mentioned above, chinchillas don’t handle the heat well, but they also don’t handle extreme cold temperatures either. This is why they can’t be bathed in water: Their fur is so thick that it’ll take forever to dry, and they can’t regulate their body temperature well. They need to be kept in a carefully curated, low-humidity environment. 

May bite 

Although they seem petite enough to make good pets for children, we emphasize caution — because chinchillas can bite. “In general, we would say ages eight and up,” Trapp says. Children need to be taught how to handle the chinchilla, and why they’re different from a cat or dog. 

How much does a chinchilla cost to care for? 

“Monthly costs would amount to food, bedding, and chew toys,” Trapp says. “Everyone is different, but in general, chinchillas are low-maintenance pets — but anything can be made high-maintenance and depends on where one shops for supplies.”

A safe estimate for regular chinchilla upkeep costs is around $50 a month. But because they are exotic pets requiring specialized vet care, their medical costs could skyrocket to thousands of dollars. 

How much does a chinchilla cost to adopt? 

Chinchilla adoption costs can vary depending on where you adopt them from. These costs range from $40 on the lower end and $75 on the higher end. 

Where can I adopt a chinchilla? 

You can inquire about chinchilla adoption at your local animal rescue. But because they are technically an exotic pet, they might be harder to find. You can likewise look on sites such as Adopt a Pet to find adoptable chinchillas near you. 

Commonly asked questions

Are Chinchillas easy to take care of?

Trapp, who works with chinchillas, says they are relatively low-maintenance pets. “Daily care is pretty easy: Just ensure that the chin is happy and healthy, has water in the bottle to drink, food to eat, and the temperature is below 80 degrees.” 

Can you adopt a chinchilla? 

Yes, you can adopt a chinchilla. They can be harder to find, but sometimes pet parents are not ready for all of the responsibility that a chinchilla requires, or they don’t mesh well with the pet’s lifestyle. Start your search for adoptable chinchillas at Adopt a Pet. 

Do Chinchillas need to be spayed or neutered? 

Adoptable chinchillas who aren’t already spayed or neutered don’t necessarily need to be. But they should be adopted in same-sex pairs, if paired at all.  Spaying and neutering aren’t recommended for chinchillas unless it’s medically necessary, especially for females. Because of their small size and the lack of exotic-savvy vets out there, surgery can be risky, and complications are more likely.

References

“Adoption Fees and Applications - Animal Shelter | Seattle.gov.” www.seattle.gov, www.seattle.gov/animal-shelter/find-an-animal/adopt/adoption-fees-and-applications.

“Bringing Home Your First Rodent.” VMBS News, 4 Apr. 2013, vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/bringing-home-your-first-rodent.

“Exotics: Small Mammal.” Veterinary Hospital, 2025, hospital.cvm.ncsu.edu/services/exotics/exotics-small-mammal.

‌“Small Enrichment, Big Difference: How to Care for Small Mammals.” Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, 3 Dec. 2021, nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/small-enrichment-big-difference-how-care-small-mammals.

Very, Chinchillas. “Chinchillas: Very Furry Rodents That Can Make Great Pets, Expert Says.” Tamu.edu, 13 Mar. 2007, stories.tamu.edu/news/2007/03/13/chinchillas-very-furry-rodents-that-can-make-great-pets-expert-says.