Keeping chinchillas properly: Guide for beginners
Chinchillas are often regarded as easy-care pets - in fact, they are one of the more demanding small mammals to keep indoors. In practice, however, they place high demands on climate, space and husbandry. Especially in apartments, heat in summer, nocturnal activity or the actual space requirements are often underestimated. If you decide to keep chinchillas, you are taking responsibility for sensitive, long-lived animals that can live for 10 to 15 years.
Keeping them in a species-appropriate way therefore requires more than a standard cage and some grain food. A sufficiently large indoor aviary, a cool and dry indoor climate, a diet rich in crude fiber and social husbandry in pairs or in a stable group are crucial. This practical guide shows what is important in Switzerland - from minimum dimensions and climate to feeding and common mistakes made by beginners.
TL;DR - the most important points about keeping chinchillas
- Pair or group housing instead of single animals: chinchillas are social animals; plan socialization carefully.
- Aviary instead of cage: multi-level, robust, well ventilated; jumping and racing tracks are essential (from approx. 1.5-2.0 m long and approx. 1.8-2.0 m high as a guide for 2 animals).
- Climate: Rather cool and dry (approx. 15-22 °C, humidity approx. 40-60 %); avoid heat and draughts.
- Diet: hay ad libitum, structured chinchilla pellets, dried herbs; avoid snacks that are very high in sugar or fat.
- Daily sand bath, safe furniture (without plastic), keep an eye on dental health.
- Budget: purchase approx. CHF 600-1,200 (guide value), ongoing approx. CHF 40-80/month depending on region and feed quality.
- In Switzerland: Observe the Animal Welfare Ordinance (TSchV); contact the municipality/canton for information on minimum requirements.
Understanding chinchillas: Origin and natural way of life
Chinchillas come from the high altitudes of the Andes. There, cool nights, strong temperature differences and rather dry air prevail. Their sensitivity to heat and thick fur explain why chinchillas should be kept indoors in a stable, cool climate.
Activity rhythm and behavior
Chinchillas are crepuscular to nocturnal. Daytime rest periods must remain undisturbed. As social animals, they use grooming, vocalizations and smells to communicate. This explains why keeping chinchillas alone can lead to behavioral problems.
Jumping and climbing instinct
The animals like to move around in vertical structures and make short sprints. Several levels with safe landing places, bridges and perches are essential. An aviary provides the necessary combination of running and jumping areas better than a classic cage.
What does species-appropriate chinchilla husbandry mean in Switzerland?
In Switzerland, the Animal Welfare Ordinance (TSchV) defines minimum requirements for pets. A robust, indoor aviary with several levels, stable solid wood boards and claw-friendly, non-slip surfaces is recommended for keeping chinchillas in a species-appropriate manner. As a guide, the minimum length for two animals is approx. 1.5-2.0 m, depth approx. 0.8-1.0 m and height approx. 1.8-2.0 m. Grid spacing of approx. 12-15 mm prevents injuries and escapes.
Practical advice: Choose a draught-free location, avoid direct sunlight; temperature approx. 15-22 °C, humidity approx. 40-60 %. Quiet rooms promote stress reduction. Provide a daily sand bath (low-dust bathing substrate).
Who are chinchillas not suitable for?
- For people with very warm attics or permanently high room temperatures.
- For households with little space for a large indoor aviary.
- For people who are looking for a quiet cuddly toy for the day - chinchillas are crepuscular and nocturnal.
- For owners who do not want to take on a long-term responsibility of 10-15 years.
- For people who find regular cleaning and structured feeding time-consuming.
Chinchillas are fascinating, sensitive animals - but not easy-care starter pets. If you assess their needs realistically and can provide sufficient space, time and climate control, you can create the basis for stable and animal-friendly husbandry.
Equipment: What should be in the aviary?
- Several levels and hardwood perches; safe distances between the levels.
- Small houses/retreat boxes (at least two for a pair), hay rack, heavy ceramic bowls or stable nipple drinkers.
- Sand bath bowl with fine, low-dust bathing sand, offered daily for approx. 10-20 minutes.
- Safe chew toys (unsprayed fruit tree branches, willow), tunnels and bridges made of natural materials.
- Floor covering: low-dust bedding or wood pellets; no loose plastic parts.
Diet: What chinchillas are allowed to eat - and what not
A balanced chinchilla diet is based on a diet rich in crude fiber. Hay is the basis (ad libitum), supplemented by high-quality, structure-rich chinchilla pellets and small portions of dried herbs. Fresh water is always available. Fruits rich in sugar, fatty seeds and many nuts put a strain on the digestion and liver and should only be used very sparingly, if at all, as a rare treat.
Feeding management
- Hay always available; moderate amount of pellets (approx. 1-2 tablespoons per animal/day as a guide, depending on the manufacturer).
- Change feed slowly over 7-10 days; observe digestion (consistency of droppings, appetite).
- Supply minerals via balanced pellets/hay; salt licks are not usually necessary.
Care and health: What should you look out for?
Health issues in chinchilla keeping concern teeth, digestion, skin/coat and stress management. The daily sand bath supports coat care, but does not replace brushing. Regular weight checks (e.g. weekly) help to detect creeping problems at an early stage.
Early warning signs
- Changed appetite, salivating, refusal to eat (suspected dental problems).
- Soft stools, gassing, inactivity (digestive disorder).
- Itching, bald tail, dandruff (parasites/fungus possible).
- Heat stress: panting, apathy, lying stretched out at > approx. 25 °C.
Advantages of well-planned chinchilla keeping: stable digestion thanks to hay and rest, fewer injuries thanks to solid levels, less stressful socialization, lower vet costs thanks to prevention.
Challenges: Sensitivity to heat, sensitive digestion, high space requirements in the living area, nocturnal activity with noises and particles from the sand bath.
Keeping chinchillas: single animal or group?
Chinchillas are social animals. It makes sense to keep them in pairs or groups as long as there is enough space, retreats and resources available. Keeping them alone can lead to stress, vocalizations and stereotypies. In Switzerland, the Animal Welfare Ordinance (TSchV) sets minimum standards, and the expectations of many specialist authorities are clearly in favor of pair housing; if in doubt, the municipality or canton can provide information on local requirements.
Socialization briefly explained
- Neutral room, two feeding places, two sand baths, several retreat boxes.
- Observation phase, odor exchange (bedding material), increase brief encounters.
- Castration can help in certain constellations; seek veterinary advice.
Equipment and furnishings: Which aviary is right?
A species-appropriate chinchilla enclosure benefits from stable indoor aviaries made of wood/metal combinations. Solid wood with sealed edges, powder-coated grids and bolted levels increase safety and durability. Doors should be large enough to allow the levels to be cleaned and the sand bath/hay rack to be easily removed.
- Plan level spacing so that falls are minimized (intermediate floors with walkways).
- No plastic tubes; better cork tubes, willow tunnels, untreated bridges.
- Grid spacing approx. 12-15 mm; narrower mesh for young animals.
- Running and jumping distance: ideally > approx. 1.5 m in one piece.
Avoid common mistakes made by beginners
- Too small a cage instead of a large aviary: keeping chinchillas requires space in terms of length and height.
- Underestimating the heat in summer; check the room temperature and sunlight.
- Sugar and fat-heavy snacks as a "reward"; leads to digestive and liver problems.
- Keeping animals alone without social partners; stress and behavioral problems possible.
- Plastic parts that can be gnawed on; risk of injury and ingestion.
Checklist for starting to keep chinchillas
- 1Planning the indoor aviary: Determine length, depth, height and levels (note orientation values).
- 2Choose a location: cool, draught-free, quiet, without direct sunlight.
- 3Procure basic equipment: hay, pellets, herbs, sand bath, ceramic bowls, natural wood, retreat boxes.
- 4Consider companionship: pair or small group, plan socialization, clarify castration.
- 5Prepare a health check: Scales, emergency vet number, quarantine option for new arrivals.
