New Possible Owner

[Cassiechinlove225]

Hi! I've been thinking about getting 2 chinchillas for awhile now but have some concerns. One is the temperature problem. We do have air conditioning but I know my parents won't let us run it all summer long. So my only thought is the basement which is cool and has a dehumidifier but is an unfinished basement with only 1 window cement floors and rock walls (I live in an old farm house). I just want to make sure they would be comfortable down there and with not a lot of light would they mind that? If they would be okay down there in the summer that would be awesome but In the winter (here's my next question) I would want them in the spare bedroom next to mine so I'm closer to them. But would changing their location from summer to other months make them stressed out? They would still be in the same cage though. Any info would be awesome, thanks!
One more thing if anyone knows. I have an 8 year old Boston terrier who has never had another animal in her home would that make her stressed? I would keep them separate all times but don't want my dog uncomfortable in her own home.

 

[Godofgods]

Chins are temp sensitive. You need the ability to keep the temp around 70 or lower all year round. Temps at 75 can kill some chins from over heating. Things like fans will not help either because they do not sweat. So a fan would just be throwing hot air in there face all the time. Plus chins shouldnt have a draft on them. Can cause URI's.

I doubt a chin would stress a Boston terrier out to much. But it would depends on the dog i guess. Dogs, like chins, like ppl, are all different. However its a good idea to not have the dog and chins in the same room/near each other any way. Not matter the breed or personality, dogs are by nature predators, and chins prey. It only takes one moment for a dog to do something that can kill a chin. And it can happen faster then a person can react. There have even been several cases where a dog or cat injured or killed a chin while it was still in its cage. As a result, i personally dont like any dog/cat in the same room as my chins at all.