Chins in Texas (Houston area)

[KSims1868]

Okay there prob is NOT a bigger "newbie" to Chins than myself. I am acquiring a new family member (1 year old Chinchilla) from my neighbor because they have 2 already and the 3rd is not fitting into their household. They are giving me everything (cage, toys, extra food, bedding, etc...) that they bought for this little guy, and I'm already familiar with him because our kids are good friends. I'm over there regularly and have handled him myself as have my kids (almost daily for several months), so he won't be going to complete strangers. He's very easy going and seems to be accepting of new people...but again...I don't know jack squat about them!!

I'm reading a LOT and learning as much as I can today before picking him up after work this afternoon.

My biggest concern initially is this temperature requirement. I know they have not kept their home at 70* and they have not had any other additional cooling source/AC/fan on their Chins. My house is usually around 77-78* inside (hey...I'm in SE texas and it's HOT here). So...what's the deal with this 70* warning I keep reading about?

 

[Smidgeyy]

If it gets over 75 degrees, chins can have a heat stroke and it can kill them.

I would purchase a window AC unit and put it in whatever room you keep him in.

 

[KSims1868]

If it gets over 75 degrees, chins can have a heat stroke and it can kill them.

I would purchase a window AC unit and put it in whatever room you keep him in.

Window units are NOT allowed in my neighborhood. I'd get a fine from the HOA prob before I even had a chance to install it. I have a very strict HOA here.

 

[obcsed]

Our Texas heat is deadly for chins. AC is required. They can handle over 70 for a time as long as they are not active like during the day but in the evening and during the night, below 70 is a must. It is the price of living with a chin.

 

[lightningturtle]

I actually just left Houston a few weeks ago, and yes, it's hot. That said, chins HAVE to be kept cool. As awesome as they are, if you can't keep at least one room at or below 70 at all times, you should reconsider adopting the little guy.

Consider this: in your 75+ degree home, try spending the day in three layers of your hottest clothing (lets face it, nothing we Texans have is that warm) to understand what a chinchilla would go through.