Do Chinchillas Get Along With Cats? (Critical Info)

Chinchillas and cats have a few things in common.

Both are ridiculously cute and they have soft fur you can’t stop touching.

But when it comes to their natural instincts, they are complete opposites.

Chinchillas are prey. They run away and hid from everything.

Cats are predators. They hunt smaller animals. Like chinchillas.

Does this present a problem if you have a cat and a chinchilla together under the same roof?

Chance are it will. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about chinchillas and cats and how they get along.

 

Do Chinchillas Get Along With Cats?

No, chinchillas do not get along with cats. Cats are predators and chinchillas are potential prey.

Chinchillas are rodents, and cats are mammals. Cats instinctively enjoys hunting smaller animals like rodents and they can end up causing harm to your chinchilla.

But hold on my friends.

That answer above only helps about 75% of you reading. The answer does have caveats, and it is 100% possible for a chinchilla and cat to co-exist.

While the friendship may never flourish, it’s still possible.

First and foremost, a chinchilla getting along with a cat, and a chinchilla and a cat co-existing, are two completely different things with different answers.

It’s not likely that a chinchilla and cat will ever become bonded friends or companions. At least, I haven’t heard of it happening.

Part of this is strictly because they are two completely different species with brains programmed to act in opposite manners.

Chinchillas are naturally inclined to hide and be more reserved. This is true even as a domesticated pet.

This doesn’t mean that a chinchilla acts in this fashion with their owners once they have established trust.

However, in general, a chinchilla will use a nest box often and find comfort inside of these accessories inside of their cage.

A cat, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. Cats have a natural inclination and desire to hunt rodents.

Let’s take a closer look at the difference in the personality traits of a cat and a chinchilla.

 

Chinchilla Vs Cat Personality Characteristics

If you are going to own both a chinchilla and a cat as a pet, it helps to know what these animals have in common and what drastic personality differences they possess.

Let’s first start with the chinchilla. Here are 5 key personality traits that will help us understand these rodents.

 

Chinchilla Personality Traits

• Timid, reserved, scared and shy
• Preyed upon in the wild
• Easily stressed
• Potential to overheat
• More prone to run away and hide

Now, let’s do the same for our feline friends. Here are five important traits to understand about the cat.

 

Cat Personality Traits

• Naturally hunt rodents
• Curious and inquisitive
• Predator in the wild
• Not as easily stressed
• More sporadic behavior

Alright, now that we have that out of the way, I’m sure you are starting to realize some of the challenges you may face when attempting to allow your chinchilla and cat to hang out in the same room.

Again, the above characteristics are simply for painting the picture. Cats and chinchillas can still co-exist, and I will explain how further down into this post.

 

Are Chinchillas Good With Cats?

Chinchillas may get along with cats or be comfortable in the same room as a cat depending on the cat’s demeanor and personality. So its possible for a chin to be good with a cat.

That said, even though a cat and chinchilla can get along, it does not mean that they should ever be left to interact with each other unattended or unsupervised.

That’s the easiest way to explain that question. You will be more comfortable with that answer after reading the remainder of this post.

I’m trying to make it 100% clear that it is possible for a cat and chinchilla to get along, but never be friends. Basically, they get along in that they simply leave each other alone.

You won’t see a chinchilla cuddling up in your cat’s lap, but you also shouldn’t have to deal with your chinchilla attempting to bite your cat and vice versa, as long as the personalities mesh.

Chinchillas are friendly pets but it is still difficult to find a perfect harmony with these two species.

 

Can Chinchillas And Cats Live Together?

Yes, chinchillas and cats can live together. If you introduce a chinchilla and cat to each other slowly to allow them to adjust to the environment, smells, and behaviors, a cat and chinchilla can live together.

If you have a cat and a chinchilla living together and getting along, we still strongly recommend supervision when both animals are out and active in the same room.

Nonetheless, it’s entirely possible to accomplish this. With supervision and some patience, you can own both of these animals. Especially if you a cat with a calm demeanor and a naturally social chinchilla.

If you plan to do this, be sure to read one of the last sections of this post a bit further down about the importance of monitoring these two pets during specific interactions that they may have with each other.

 

Will Cats Attack Chinchillas?

This is a fantastic question to ask. As chinchilla owners, we wouldn’t be providing the best care possible if we weren’t careful to research these types of questions before disaster potentially strikes.

So, will cats attack chinchillas?

Yes, a cat can and will attack a chinchilla. If your cat has an active personality opposed to a calm temperament, and is not introduced slowly to the chinchilla, then the cat will likely attack it.

A cat left unsupervised may enter it’s hunting state of mind at any time, causing an attack on your chinchilla.

 

Chinchillas With Cats: Monitoring Everything Is Key

Okay, as promised, we need to cover some essential tips you need to follow if you plan on letting your cat and chinchilla coexist.

First and foremost, understand that the monitoring and babysitting of these two animal interactions begins on day one. The first few days are also going to be most informative and telling for you as the owner.

The same happened to me when I was bonding my dogs and chinchilla in an attempt to allow my dogs and chinchilla to co-exist.

Start with slowly allowing your cat near your chinchilla cage WITH supervision. Don’t let the fact that a cage is separating these two pets cause you to drop your guard.

Your cat is still a hunter and will terrorize or attempt to threaten your chinchilla by flexing its hunting muscles at your chinchilla.

This may include hissing or pawing/clawing at the cage. It can’t get to the smaller creature, but it can still cause a great deal of stress for your chinchilla.

I also highly recommend ensuring that you have a good nest box inside of the chinchilla cage. It’s a must-have accessory that allows your chinchilla to run away and feel safe inside of its cage.

Without a nest box, your chinchilla may become even more stressed and feel as if it has no escape, which can cause panic, fur slips, and even overheating, which can ultimately be fatal.

Now, let’s assume that the cage introduction goes well.

I would classify this process going well if your chinchilla is not pacing, overheating, or going crazy.

Hopefully, your cat is simply not interested in your chinchilla and understands it’s just another animal under the same roof.

If this is the case, you have the green light to move on to phase 2.

Phase 2 involves having your chinchilla out of the cage in the same room as your cat. But you still should not be placing them right in each other’s faces.

Simply interact with your chinchilla in the room so that the cat can begin to understand that your chinchilla is your pet and a member of the family.

After doing this enough times, you should clearly understand if this is pushing your cat’s limits or if your cat seems like it is chomping at the bit for an opportunity to attack your chinchilla.

After enough times of doing things in this fashion, simply allow them out together and see how it goes. But you absolutely need to always be in the room with them.

You would be surprised how much behavior changes when an animal can sense that the supervision is no longer present. Remain in the room and never leave these two animals unattended.

 

Chinchillas And Cats: Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, cats and chinchilla can indeed co-exist, and thousands of people have done it without issue.

Just always keep in mind, this doesn’t mean they will be friends or that you should allow them to interact with each other without supervision.

It’s simply not a good idea and not something you should ever attempt. I wish you the best of luck with your chinchilla or your new cat!

Chinchillas make for fantastic pets. They are easy to care for and a beautiful animal. But cats are also great pets and no one should be forced to choose between the two.

Share your thoughts on cats and chinchillas coexisting.

Who here have both animals living together without issues?

Does anyone have any further information they can provide the readers to help them with the process?

Be sure to share your thoughts, concerns, and stories by dropping a comment below.

As always, Chili and I appreciate you stopping by and reading. Thanks again, and we will see you next time.