First of all, since you are only 14, are your parents on board with this choice of a pet??? You will be at their mercy for money for special fleece items/treats and possible vet visits.
Yes, my parents are on board with this choice of a pet. I have told them about the possible costs of vet visits, and they said that when there is an emergency, they will always be willing to help out and pay.
Are you sure that a chinchilla is the right pet for you???
I think so. I understand that chinchillas are not pets that want to cuddle with you. I am not looking for a pet that will. I know they are fragile and they can get scared very easily by any sudden noise.
I know that it takes a lot to care for a chinchilla. I know how to care for a chinchilla, and I am prepared.
Are you ready for a commitment of up to 20 years??? It's not OK to just get a chinchilla because it's "cool", and it's not fair to the chinchilla to have to be rehomed when the initial attraction wears off, or when you go off to college.Most dormitories will not allow any type of pet, caged or otherwise.
I know that there is a very long term commitment when it comes to chinchillas. I would rather me be the only one caring for my chinchilla than having my parents, etc. help out.
My parents and I have discussed it, and when I go to college for the first year, they are willing to take care of my chinchilla, and then for the next years, I am going to try and live off-campus and find an apartment that will allow chins.
Most importantly, do you have an emergency Exotic vet who is competent in chinchillas lined up in case you ever have an emergency??? Vet visits for Exotics can be pretty expensive; more so if they are an emergency.
I know that vet visits for exotic pets can get very expensive. My parents have said that if there is an emergency, then it will be taken care of and paid for.
As for the actual vet, I have a list of exotic vets in my area and we have been going to one every day or so and talking with the vets. When it comes time to get the chin, we are going to decide on one vet
Do you have a chin safe cage that does NOT have any plastic in it??? You will need kiln dried pine for ledges or shelves.
I am planning on getting a Quality Cage Mansion or Townhome for my chinchilla. It also comes with a few kiln dried pine shelves, and I plan on using them.
Do you have a source for quality chinchilla chow and fresh timothy hay available???
Yes. I am going to get Oxbow chinchilla pellets and loose Timothy hay around the time that I am going to get the chinchilla.
Do you have air conditioning in your house/apartment??? Chins need to be kept at temperatures of 70 degrees or less; any hotter and they can develop heatstroke and possibly die. Again, will your parents be willing to pay the extra amount on the electric bill if they are more the type to keep it at 75???
I do have air conditioning in my apartment. I am going to put my chin in my room and see how it goes, as my room is always the coldest in my house anyway.
I am the type of person who likes winter more than summer, well, the weather anyway.
My room usually stays around 70º, and when I get a chin, I am planning on keeping the room around 64º-68º.
Would 70º be okay? Or would it be too close to the point where they overheat?
One of our members, Kara (Mistywaterwoman on here) has created a great website with good information to read about before getting a chinchilla for a pet. Here's the link:
http://www.freewebs.com/mistywaterwoman/
It's a lot to think about, but there are too many unwanted chinchillas in rescues and on Craigslist to add any more to that sad statistic.
I hope this helps you...
Thank you! The website is very helpful!
