Help me please

[ChinnieGal12]

So I am going to get a chinchilla soon, and there are some questions that i have.

Well one of my questions is: What should i do? My sister doesnt reasearch them but i do. We both want just one and she isnt reasearching. I tell her the new facts every day.

So she was looking at stuff the other day, and she said, oh look i want to get this for the chinchilla! I looked and she wanted to get a run about ball. I said No. Would you want to overheat in pee and poop? and she said, we would know if it peed, and i said they hop and they dont run. She said no they dont i reasearch them. she is always on her i phone but then she is just on twitter.

Then i told her that they could hit there feet and chew on it and all of that and she said they wouldnt. I said no they would and walked away. Then she tells me: I want this wheel, its so cool. It was a plastic wheel and it had a spoke and it was so small it would break its poor little back.

She also comes up to me and says Can we play with it when we bring it home? And i said no we have to let it settle and she was like no we dont.

She wants to also train it to be the way she wants. she doesnt understand that its not easy and that it wants to be the way it wants to be. She is so mean about it to. She wont ever leave the fact alone that i know more about chinchillas because i am always on the computer studying them and all of that, and she is older and she is bassically saying its a robot and we are aloud to do what we want with it.

Its living and its really not something easy to train. She doesnt under stand that and she bothers me with it and she will never do what i tell her she needs to do when my mom tells her that. she is 15 and i am 13 what should i do about this :bump1:

 

[Kansas City Chinchillas]

Ask her to visit this forum and read about requirements of chins.

 

[VolunteerChin22]

Well given that you are both minors I think maybe the best thing to do is sit down with your parents and outline what you have researched and get everyone agreed on care/housing/etc, because if you were to contact me about a chin I do not sell to minors without talking to the parent and I know a lot of other breeders have the same policy.

One of the things I am looking for as a breeder in placing a chinchilla is that everyone in the family is committed to proper care if they are going to interact with the chin. It doesn't sound like your sister is really interested in caring for the chin but just in it for a cute fun pet. That doesn't mean you all couldnt or shouldnt get a chin, but it does tell me she's going to get bored when the chin isnt cuddly and fun like she thinks it will be so likely you or your parents will become the primary care takers. Chins can be trained but within limits. They are not a dog or a cat - they are not cuddly animals by nature and they dont exactly do what you tell them to.

It would probably help for you all to visit a reputable breeder in your area to observe the chins and ask questions. That may help everyone get on board if they hear it from a trusted source. Sometimes sisters (and husbands ) don't listen to people closest to them but will listen to others. Worth a shot !

And you are right on the ball, wheel and playtime. kudos to you for being responsible!

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

First I would make sure your mother is 'on board' and understands what you have to do. Then with your mother's backing your sister will have to listen. Have you mom read the FAQ about chin care so she knows about the proper care. When your sister says something you know is wrong. Print out the correct information and show your mom.

 

[kerri101]

I agree having your mom involved would be great and its very good that you are doing all this research before you decide on getting a chinchilla!!! they can live 15-20 years so a lot of time is involved and planning and having the right materials is an important step....by researching the way you are you will have good safe chin appropriate supplies and not have to waste money and have your chinchilla get hurt by having the wrong stuff

 

[Lillybabe]

I agree with everyone else. Talk with your parents. You are going to need their help on this. They need to be committed too. What if the chin/s need vet care? Some of the items for them are expensive. Your parents have to understand that not everything with a chinchilla picture on the label is safe for them and cheaper isn't always the best bet. Also things like the temperature of the house are very important and you can't really control that yourself. Everyone in the house needs to understand why things need to be under 75 degrees.

Also, you need to think about what will happen when you enter high school and then continue to the work force and/or college. Chinchillas live a long time. Are your parents fine with caring for your pet for four years while you go to school? Will you be able to find a place that will allow you to keep them? Do your parents own a home or rent? Make sure it is legal to have a chinchilla where you live. There are a few places where chinchillas may not be legal and if they are legal they may have limits on how many you can have. Especially if your parents rent you'll need to worry about this. You are right to be concerned about your sister's disinterest. The thing is many people just get pets for themselves without thinking about all the care an animal needs.

 

[louiekim]

I'd tell her to start taking it seriously. I'm 16 and I did my research too and it pays off. She doesn't seem too mature to take on the responsibility. I've had my chinchilla for almost three days now, and he's still cautious around me, so your sister is absolutely wrong when she says you can play with him once you get home. And i also agree with involving your parents. They play a huge part, especially financially. With the vet fees, and money for food, supplies, a cage, and bedding etc, you're going to have your parents understand how much money will go into your chinchilla. I hope things work out for you, and I also hope the chinchilla will be under your care instead of your sister's, because even though you re 13 you seem to be doing your research, which shows that you actually have an interest in making your chinchilla happy and healthy. Good luck