Chinchilla Care Guide By Lianne McLeod, DVM Lianne McLeod, DVM Lianne McLeod, DVM, is a small animal and exotic pet expert with over a decade of experience writing about veterinary care. After caring for animals in her veterinarian practice, Lianne went on to study biology and research water quality and chronic disease at the University of Saskatchewan. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 11/14/25 Credit: undefined undefined / Getty Images Chinchillas can make wonderful pets for the right person, but before deciding on a pet chinchilla, familiarize yourself with their unique characteristics and all aspects of their care. 01 of 08 Is a Chinchilla the Right Pet for You? Credit: Ales Veluscek/Photodisc/Getty Images As lovely as chinchillas are, they are not the right pet for everyone. Find out about the unique characteristics of chinchillas, and their pros and cons as pets, to help decide whether a chinchilla is a right pet for you. 02 of 08 Choose a Healthy Chinchilla Chinchilla. Credit: GK Hart/Vikki Hart/Getty Images Avoid taking home a chinchilla that shows common signs and symptoms of illness, stress, or other problems. While some health problems can be hidden, anybody can do a quick check for some common signs of illness or other problems. While there are no guarantees, avoiding chinchillas with obvious signs of problems gives you have the best chance of taking home a healthy chinchilla. Since many diseases are contagious, it is safest to also avoid chinchillas with cage mates that seem ill. As a bonus, you can also get clues about a chinchilla's temperament while doing a quick health check. 03 of 08 Choose a Chinchilla Cage Credit: Melanie Dawn Harter/Getty Images Being active animals, chinchillas need a large, roomy cage, ideally with multiple levels. It's best to have a cage set up and ready to go before you bring your chinchilla home to make the transition to your home that much easier. In addition to the cage, you will need accessories including a nest box, water bottle, dust bath, and some toys to chew. 04 of 08 Feeding Chinchillas Credit: Icealien/Getty Images Chinchillas need a good-quality diet meant for chinchillas to stay healthy. Their digestive system is designed for foods very high in fiber, so a good high fiber diet and plenty of grass hay is the cornerstone of a good chinchilla diet. Feeding them an inappropriate diet can cause serious digestive upsets and health problems. Treats can be used with careful moderation; like some people, chinchillas have a sweet tooth and may prefer to eat things that aren't good for them. Continue to 5 of 8 below 05 of 08 Dust Baths for Chinchillas Credit: David Goehring/flickr/CC By 2.0 It takes regular dust baths to keep your chinchilla's thick, soft fur in good condition. Chinchillas should never be bathed in water. The fine chinchilla dust provided for a dust bath penetrates the thickness of the chinchilla's fur and absorbs oils and clears away dirt. Not only do dust baths keep their fur in tip-top shape, but chinchillas also seem to enjoy having a vigorous dust bath. 06 of 08 Taming and Handling Chinchillas Credit: Icealien/Getty Images It can take some time to get any chinchilla used to your hands and being handled, especially if they are older and haven't been handled much. Some chinchillas will never really like to be held much (they'd rather be exploring, or they may prefer to climb on you rather than being restrained), but being able to handle and interact with your chinchilla will enhance your relationship with them. 07 of 08 Toys for Chinchillas Credit: feedough/Getty Images Chinchillas like to chew, run, jump, and hideout. These favorite activities can be kept in mind when choosing chinchilla toys. Providing a good variety of chew toys is not just fun for your chinchilla, it also helps keep their teeth in good conditions. Many chinchillas also enjoy a wheel, but it is extremely important to choose a safe wheel large enough for chinchillas. 08 of 08 Keep Your Chinchilla Safe Chili exploring the room. Credit: Lianne McLeod Chinchillas love to explore, but they are very curious and biting into objects to see if they are edible. Due to their natural curiosity, ensure any room is thoroughly chinchilla-proofed before allowing them out of the cage, and always supervise them closely. A handy checklist and tips about chinchilla-proofing can help keep your chinchilla safe. Also, consider other pets you may have in the home. FAQ Can chinchillas be kept in pairs? Chinchillas are social animals and can often benefit from having a companion. However, it's important to ensure they get along well and do not display aggressive behavior towards each other. How often should chinchillas have dust baths? Chinchillas typically need dust baths 2-3 times a week to maintain their fur quality and hygiene. What are some signs of a sick chinchilla? Signs of illness in chinchillas include lack of appetite, lethargy, wet fur or eyes, and abnormal behavior. Explore more: Small Pets Chinchillas