Do Chinchillas Make Good Pets?
Loneliness has never been a problem for Yoshi, my pet chinchilla. By and large, these supersoft creatures get along well without a companion — assuming you’re willing to serve as the animal’s family. When I bought Yoshi, the breeder said that if I wanted a pair, purchasing young chinchillas of the same sex (litter mates preferably) was ideal, as the chins would likely bond and reside peacefully in a single cage. Plus, there would be no chance of an unwanted pregnancy. Although I personally believe the little guys make terrific pets, especially for folks with animal allergies (they don’t produce dander), these rodents don’t appeal to everyone. They can be jumpy and too nimble for small hands to control. And while affectionate, these diminutive fur balls aren’t as cuddly as kittens or guinea pigs. Chins warrant a fair amount of extra maintenance, too. Because they have a lot of lanolin in their fur, the animals need to “bathe” every couple of days in a special dust that penetrates their
