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| | | Chinchillas are shy, but lightening fast balls of fur that live up to 20 years. Their soft sought-after fur comes in several colors, with solid black or white ones costing the most. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Chinchilla fur is very thick which makes it resistant to fleas and ticks. Color varieties include standard gray starting at $50 for males and up to $113 for females, black velvets, with a black back for $125 -$160, beige for $100 -$135, Afro-violet, which is a soft lavender gray with a white chest for $125 -$160, white for $162 -$187 and charcoal for $100 -$125.
Additional costs: | - Cages run $50 for a simple chinchilla/rat cage with an exercise wheel; multi-tiered ones cost around $140 for a 30x30x15-inch cage kit that includes a glass water bottle, bottle holder, dust bath tub and pellet feeder.
- As nocturnal animals, these pets need a hiding place for daytime hours, which can be a small wooden hut for about $18. Habitat toys include an exercise wheel $12. Litter pans cost $4 -$9 and straw litter runs under $1 per pound. Chinchillas require a sand/dust bath two times a week for about $5 -$6 per month. Water bottles run around $9, pellet feeders $7 and dust bath tubs $11.
- Chinchillas love to gnaw and appreciate wood chews. Alfalfa cubes, balls or nibbles cost $2 -$4. Feed pellets run about $1 -$2.50 per pound, with the large 25-pound bags costing the least. Feed should be checked daily to ensure the pet is not urinating in the food. They will eat about 2-pounds each month, or about $2 -$5.
- A carrier to transport chinchillas away from home costs $10 -$25.
- Chinchillas can be neutered, but due to allergies to anesthetics, it may be risky. Ask a veterinarian who handles these small pets for additional information. Neutering runs around $120, spaying about $160. Other signs to see a veterinarian include runny eyes or nose. The Chinchilla Community Magazine offers a listing of veterinarians.
Shopping for a chinchilla: | - Petfinder.com offers a listing of rescued chinchillas awaiting adoption. Using the Quick Pet Search, enter "small and furry" under animal, "chinchilla" under breed and the local zip code at the bottom.
- When looking for a particular color of pet, they are often easiest to find through a breeder. Chinchillas.org offers an online list of breeders by area.
- PETCO carries standard gray chinchillas.
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Article updated September 2007 |
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