Behavior

No one wants a mean pet.Actually that's not true. I should say no normal, well-adjusted person wants a mean pet.I'm going to assume you're that kind of person and you're considering a chinchilla.You may have heard or read somewhere that chinchillas can be mean.I have no idea where that comes from.My chinchilla has never been mean and it is exceedingly rare … [Read more...] about Are Chinchillas Mean? (Absolutely Not, Plus 7 Tips)

When you first purchase a chinchilla, it is only natural to wonder if they are affectionate.Because they probably won't seem that way in the beginning.Or maybe you haven’t even purchased a chinchilla yet, but you are curious about the bond you might form and the affection they may show as time passes.This is normal and a question that comes up frequently.But the … [Read more...] about Are Chinchillas Affectionate? (7 Ways They Show Affection)

I always laugh when I hear this question.I can't help it.The reason I can't help but laugh when someone asks if chinchillas can jump, is that "jump" doesn't begin to describe it.Chinchilla jumping abilities are insane!Seriously, this is the one thing that surprised me the most when I first got my chin.But as cool as these crazy jumping skills are, they can … [Read more...] about Can Chinchillas Jump? (+How To Prepare For Chinchilla Jumping)

Is your chinchilla suddenly grinding his or her teeth?First of all, do not panic.This behavior is not especially unusual.And most of the time, it is nothing serious and something you can easily remedy.But it can also indicate a more serious problem.Keep reading to learn the primary reasons chinchillas grind their teeth and what you should do to remedy the … [Read more...] about Why Do Chinchillas Grind Their Teeth? (4 Common Reasons)

Chinchillas need time out of the cage to play and socialize.At least 30 minutes every single day. Ideally, an hour.But there are a lot of potential dangers for a chinchilla outside the safety of its cage.So you need to thoroughly chinchilla proof the room you will use for playtime.The first big danger that probably pops into your mind are electrical cords.Do … [Read more...] about Do Chinchillas Chew Wires? (Yes & How To Protect Them)

Some things you just don't think of before adopting a pet.The kind of lighting they prefer is probably one of them.I know I never considered it until the day I brought my chinchilla home.Then I realized I didn't know if I should leave a light on overnight or not. And if so, how bright should it be?Can chinchillas see anything in the dark at all?Can they … [Read more...] about Can Chinchillas See In The Dark? (Don’t Make Drastic Changes!)

Chinchillas are rodents and rodents are not considered overly smart.They are certainly not as intelligent as dogs, pigs, or dolphins, for example.That should be obvious.Their small heads can't contain a brain nearly as large as the brains of larger animals.But how do they compare to other rodents, or other smaller animals?Keep reading to learn just how smart … [Read more...] about Are Chinchillas Smart? (13 Examples To Prove It)

Chinchillas have a reputation as exceptional climbers.In fact, if you read chinchilla forums and FB groups, you've probably seen stories of chins getting into all sorts of trouble due to their climbing.So is it true? Can chinchillas climb as well as they say?And if so, what can you do to prepare for this?A tiny animal with amazing climbing skills can be a huge … [Read more...] about Can Chinchillas Climb? (Yes & Here’s How To Prepare)

Do you hear noises in the dark?Noises coming from your chinchilla's cage?At some point, every chinchilla owner wonders what their chinchilla does at night.What do those noises mean? Is your pet up to no good?You might be imaging all sorts of things. But the truth is, chinchillas do far less than you probably think.And none of it is overly exciting or … [Read more...] about What Do Chinchillas Do At Night? (You’ll Be Surprised)

Can't we all just get along?It is only natural, if you have several pets, to want them to all get along with each other.And you've probably seen videos on YouTube of that exact situation.Perhaps a giant dog is cradling a tiny chinchilla as they both sleep.If you want to make this happen for yourself, I strongly advise against it.Chinchillas can get along … [Read more...] about Do Chinchillas Get Along With Dogs? (Avoid This Big Mistake + Tips)