subject: The Right Chinchilla For You [print this page] Selecting the right chinchilla is indeed the first step to ensure that your experience as a chinchilla owner would be an enjoyable and a memorable one. There are several options you can choose from. Nowadays, the popularity of chinchillas as pets and as adorable companions is already unquestionable.
As a beginner, your first step should be to consult an expert, who, in this case, is a chinchilla breeder. Breeders and pet stores may charge approximately or closely the same price. However, breeders are still considered as the most credible source of chinchillas, partly due to the longer lifespan of the chinchillas being sold and of the lesser problems and abuses the chinchillas have been subjected to.
Before you decide on bringing home your pet chinchilla, you may also want to assess and feel first the personality of the pet. How it initially reacts to you in your first encounter generally reflects a picture of the chinchilla's personality and social skills. When handled by a new owner, chinchillas may ignore the presence of the new owner or may also show signs of curiosity. Between these two choices, you should opt for the curious and inquisitive chinchilla since they have the temperament of friendliness and warmth. Ignoring a new owner can serve as a predicting sign that the chinchilla may end up as passive and cruel.
While you are in the process of selecting the right chinchilla to bring to your home, you should also consider the general health condition of the animal. Look for brightness, alertness and clarity in the eyes of the chinchilla. If you spot that the ears are red or have excessive amount of wax, the ear of the chinchilla may be suffering from infections. Unhealthy chinchillas also have body organs, including mouth, eyes, nose, anus and genital organs, with discharges. You should also check if the body of your chinchilla has sores or infections. Healthy chinchillas move in a fast but non-aggressive pace. Overgrown or misaligned teeth also manifest that a chinchilla is unhealthy. You should avoid fat and thin chinchillas. Frequently handled chinchillas would also be good pets because of the friendliness and warmth they have been trained to exhibit. If a chinchilla has been used to regular or frequent handling, the pet will grow to be more receptive and appreciative to human touch.
Pet stores, commercial breeders, hobby breeders and rescue teams are considered as the four major sources where you can look for and buy a chinchilla. Getting a chinchilla from a rescue organization is not advisable for beginners who have not had any experience on taking care of chinchillas. Their history of poor and abusive treatment from previous owners highlight the rescued chinchilla's need for a more experienced owner who already knows how to take care of the rescued pets. Chinchillas from pet stores might not also make good pets because of the potential abusive breeding and training these animals have experienced in the pet stores. Indeed, the best alternative is to buy a chinchilla from a breeder, either commercial or hobby.
