My son wanted a cat for many year's but I am so allergic. The other day we happen to stop by the pet store, oops! There was the cutest baby lion head rabbit. My son with his HUGE eyes said, please mom...... I am a sucker when it comes to animals...... so we now have adorable Spike. Which turns out to be a girl LOL Yesterday my daughter walks into the pet store because she wants a bunny. Long story shortened, she now is a proud owner of an chinchilla. I have no idea what to do with this wacky thing. They are both in love.... My kids want to mate the chinchilla. Guessing that could be health class??? LOL Now that means getting another chinchilla. My son wants to go back today and get a friend for his buuny. Lord willing its the same sex I guess we now have "class room" pets...... Has anyone raised these? Suggestions please. I think I have the bunny under control. She even hangs out in the kitchen while I cook dinner. She is cute hopping around but I have no experience with a chinchilla.
Better you than me, lol!!! We've got two dogs, and have had various hamsers/mice over the years. But I've subbed in a high school Biology class, and they had LOTS of pets! My favoriite was the Prarie Dogs. HOWEVER, I was in the middle of teaching, and the rabbit came hopping up the aisle. I figured the kids were pranking me, but it turned out that it was routinely let out each morning, and put back at the end of school. If it got out of the room, someone in the hall would notice it, pick it up, and bring it back into the classroom.
Why can't all schools be like that, Jackie?! I have not raised--or even owned--a chinchilla, but a friend had one. I remember it was very important to give them a place for a dust bath. Dust and the dusting...uh...house? can be purchased at any pet store. Another thing she seemed concerned about was proper nutrition. She fed Mazuri brand food (a division of Purina Mills) and supplemented vitamins in its water if I remember correctly.
I have had a chinchilla for almost 2 years and they Are supper easy to take care of. They chew on wood, so if you let it out make sure you don't leave anything for it to chew on where it can get to it. Chinchillas can not get over 80 degrees or they will die!!! They are cold weather animals, therefore, they should only be let out of their cages for around 30 mins and put back in with cold water in their bottle. Also they shouldn't be given tap water, bit give bottled distilled water(as well as your bunny). Plenty of hay and about 2 table spoons of pelleted chinchilla food a day( there is a food at walmart that is safe for rabbits and chinchillas. Not all rabbit feed is safe for both). Here is a helpful sight from a chinchilla rescue! www.nolachinrescue.webs.com/
Okay so the dogs have accepted the bunnies. I sm struggling with the chinchilla, not feeling the same love. I feel like a heal but I wish I could return it. I know the kids are gonna get tired of it and I don't want to snuggle it and love it. Please pray for us. That either I fall in love or the store will take it back. Right now I sm praying for the store to tkae him back.
If it is a baby, the store might take it back. We took our guinea pig to the pet store to see if they would find him a home. The man told me they always take returns and turn ins as long as they are babies. I guess the adults often kill the babies. I do not know if it is the same with chinchillas but it is worth finding out.
Most chain pet stores( such as Pet Smart) have a 14 day no questions asked return policy. It's worth calling and asking, if nothing else.
After much persistence they gave us store credit for the chinchilla. Whew - that was not a good fit! The bunnies are working out great. The dogs have accepted them now they need to get use to each other.
chi chis ( I SHARED A ROOM DURING MY SUMMER TRIP WITH A CHINCHILLA) ARE nocturnal they love to play, need to stay cool and my friend has a big cage for hers
I don't know if I could even try out chinchilla's but those bunnies sound like tons of fun! We have been having fun with our new hermit crab, but not nearly as exciting as bunnies!!
The bunnies are sweet and love to snuggle. I let them run around while I cook dinner. Yesterday I heard this really loud thumping noise. It was my dog trying to hop next to it. Totally hysterical.
My 6 yo soooooooo wants a bunny for his 7th birthday. My DH says that they are "worthless animals" because they don't do anything but just sit, hop around and poop. He likes animals but as far as pets go, he only likes dogs.:roll: praying he changes his mind.
bunnies make a mess... keep sweeping or vacuuming they dont call it a rabbit trail for nothing.--just saying
I will agree with your husband to a point. They don't do a lot. But in saying that they don't require a lot. Ours were raised by a little girl so when we got them as babies they loved to be held. They are great little snugglers. Even giving out kisses. I only allow the bunnies to explore when I am there and they are only allowed in rooms where there aren't any wires for computers or tv's. I love that they don't require as much as my dogs. I don't have to walk them, even in the rain. Their poop is contained, we are even potty training them. One has the nack the other one is only 8 weeks old so she will need time.
Your dh is sooooo wrong! We have lots of pets and we got our first bunny in November and we adore her. She hops around the house all day (and poops:lolbut she has quite the personality. She chases the cats, chases us for banana treats, demands to be let out of her cage, sticks her head under our hands so we'll pet her, and plays with toys she finds lying around the room. She's entertaining, soft, and adorable. It took a while to get used to bunnies being very different than cats, but we're now huge fans of bunnies as house pets.