Hi there,

My daughter (12) would like a chinchilla she has seen loads of them and really likes them. She has read lots of books and seems to know alot about them - I on the other hand know nothing -

Would it make a good pet for her, do they need alot of work, sorry for the questions but I just want to know what I am taking on before I get her one - if I do.

I will not be getting her one for christmas she will get it next year if we go ahead.

Thanks

They do need a lot of commitment, they can live for 20 years. They need a really big cage and free running outside it - but they're also very destructive, they'll eat your skirting boards and walls. In my opinion they're not a beginner's pet.

__________________

Please visit my website and sign my guestbook!

Home of Heidi - JRT x Lancs Heeler
Gerbil boys - Domino, Grub, Cameo, Chalky, Sokiro aka "Socks", Batman, Duma, Mali, Sputnik, Skip, Luka, Woody
Gerbil girls - Pumpkin, Togo, Mottle, Speckle, Luna, Kenya, Chibi, Flick, Waffle, Blaze, Shubie, Foxy, Bunny

Wow, 20 years that is a long time for a small animal.

So in your opinion you wouldn't recommend one then?
What would be a suitable alternative?

a rat"!!!!

lol

they are awsome pets!!

__________________
My Zoo!
Hamters - Millie & Princess.Gerbil-Drexel Mice-Salazar, Chocolate-drop, Snowflake, Monty, The Twins. Rat-Walter Goldfish-Orange Horses- Sinbad, Pinkie & Jasper Dogs- Freddie, Charlie, Suzie & Tacco 60+ CockRoaches, 13 Giant african land snails and 22 Stick insects! R.I.P TO ALL MY BABIES OVER RAINBOW BRIDGE <3

Not sure I like the idea of a rat in the house

Couple of gerbils would be great, they're amazing pets - they behave and look much more like little land squirrels than mice or rats. They live 2-5 years on average, and all you need to house 2 happy gerbils is a fish tank 2ft long, 1ft deep and 1.5ft high or bigger. Get them from a good breeder rather than a pet shop - you'll be more likely to get a longer-lived, friendly and well-bred animal that way. And less chance of ending up with a mixed sex pair and lots of little babies! You always need to have 2 or more gerbils though, unless the gerbil is an exceptional one that's intolerant of others. They live in groups in the wild and get very lonely on their own.

__________________

Please visit my website and sign my guestbook!

Home of Heidi - JRT x Lancs Heeler
Gerbil boys - Domino, Grub, Cameo, Chalky, Sokiro aka "Socks", Batman, Duma, Mali, Sputnik, Skip, Luka, Woody
Gerbil girls - Pumpkin, Togo, Mottle, Speckle, Luna, Kenya, Chibi, Flick, Waffle, Blaze, Shubie, Foxy, Bunny

As she will have already read the chinchilla is nocturnal, at 12 it will be active when she is off to bed.

She didn't tell me that bit!!!!

Lol she's a clever little pup isn't she, your daughter

__________________

Please visit my website and sign my guestbook!

Home of Heidi - JRT x Lancs Heeler
Gerbil boys - Domino, Grub, Cameo, Chalky, Sokiro aka "Socks", Batman, Duma, Mali, Sputnik, Skip, Luka, Woody
Gerbil girls - Pumpkin, Togo, Mottle, Speckle, Luna, Kenya, Chibi, Flick, Waffle, Blaze, Shubie, Foxy, Bunny

I tried this one with my parents too but once they found out about the nocturnal issue they said no.

I still love to look at them though and one day when I am grown up I will have one of my own