Chinchilla Sounds
Chinchillas make a variety of sounds. The most common is a "barking" sound that they make to indicate that they're scared and to warn other chinchillas of danger. On occasion, our chinchillas will bark if there's a particularly loud car going by the house or if there's an unusual noise outside.
Other sounds include a soft cooing that might indicate playfulness and comfort. A very quiet chirping can be heard while the chinchilla is exploring a new place. Some sounds will originate from the grinding of teeth, which they will sometimes do after eating. They also sometimes sneeze audibly, sometimes from the fine dust in their bath.
For a better understanding of the sounds that chinchillas make, check out Michael's collection of chinchilla recordings.
Contact and Communication Sounds
Mating Sounds
Baby Sounds
Protest and Defence Sounds
Rage and Anger
Warning and Alarm Calls (barking chins)
Chewing and Gnawing
Sources:
Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia
my chinchilla makes what sounds like a whimpering noise and im new with owning a chinchilla and i dont know what to do or what it means when he does that, can anyone give me some friendly and helpful advice?
I am curious about a sound my chinchilla started making. It's very close to a ducks quacking and also the same sound the stuffed rabbit I bought when it is squezzed. I took him to a vet and I actually thought it was respitory but the vet did not say it was but gave medicine for him. It's not all the time, just random, like every couple of hours he will do this. Any advice ?
Debra, Chinchillas make strange sounds and noises. If you would like to hear the different sounds that chinchillas make and what those sounds mean then go to this website: http://www.chinchilla-sounds.de/index_en.htm. The guy who recorded these barks will explain what each sound means. I'm thinking that your chinchilla is fine, he is expressing his feelings about something. I think your chinchilla may be lonely. Mine has done the same sound. I got him a female companion. and now he is happy. But, chinchillas will make other sounds. Go to this website and listen to the barks and grunts that are normal for chins.
I have listened to the sounds once before, it's just that the first thing that entered my mind was a respitory problem and he was coughing, hence the sound like a duck. I recongize the barking when he is sleeping. Another thought is that he saw a mouse and was reacting. I have in the past inquired here if chinchillas can thrive as a solitary being in a house but no one responded. I thought of gettig a companion but I live in a studio apatment and one is all I could handle at the moment, plus if I get him a female, I don't really want baby chinchillas as he is not neutered.
Hey I'm wondering if I have to let my chinchilla out everyday? I have a wheel for him and he runs on it. And he also barks at night. Which makes me think that he is hyper and wants to play. I have to go between my moms and dads house so I can't let him out every day. Is there a different option or alternative to letting him out? And what will, make him stop barking?
Ariel, its a good idea to make sure your chinchilla gets at least an hour or so of playtime outside his cage. Chinchillas need exercise and as you know they can leap up very high. Try to give him at least an hour a day. If he is barking at night, it could mean he is lonely or frightened. You may have to put him in another room so you can sleep.
I just recently got a chinchilla like 2 or 3 weeks ago, she sometimes barks at night but what i found that helps her is singing in a soft voice and she stops, you should try it but i mean every chinchillas personality is different.
i have a chinchilla and keeps barking (like a dog)in the middle of the night i don't know what it is doing and why?
Megan, my chinchilla does that too i think sometimes they do that because they are scared or had a bad dream the best thing to do in that situation is to hold them and confort them hope i helped
I've had my chinchilla for about 3 weeks now..he is going on 5 months old. He makes, what you called the decoy sound, when i try to pet him or try to pick him up. Is he warning me not to? he usually jumps to turn away from me while he is making this sound. but then he will come back to my hand and nibble my finger. I'm just not sure if he was doing it in aggression because he doesn't want messed with or what.. and what is the best way to try to pick him up.
there could be a reason that he does not trust u when u got to pet him. Do u have anyu other pets? Because if u do it might hear them moving and get scared at night. Just what i think
also, is it ok to play these sounds for my chinchilla so i can "communicate" with him or will this make him lonely? when I played the grunt he responded by making the same type of noise.
I've had my chinchilla for 15 years now and we get along very nicely.. except when he's out of the cage for a long periods of time and is free to roam the apartment.. he starts to get awfully bossy and then he's normally put back to the cage. Most of the time though he jump to back to the cage by himself and waits in there for me to close the door.
The noises he makes are all the above in the samples and i think that those noises are spot on since i've noticed the situations where he makes those.
PS. My chinchilla, called Pörrö (Fluffy in english) is currently searching the house for that other chinchilla which is making the sounds as i listened those samples
I have had my chinchilla for about two months now. Sometimes my chinchilla will just be sitting in his cage and will randomly make noises that sounds like an owl. When you look at him, he'll stop. But when you look away it starts up again. What does this mean?
Our chinny FatFat doesn't often hide from us. If your chinny is comfortable with you and his environs he will act out as if he is the boss. They will often make noises to gain your attention in the belief that they are in charge and you should pay them attention. Very cute and yet another reason that we love our chin!!!!!
My chinchilla is been wit me for bout six months my friend gave it to me she was with other chinchillas now she has been wit me for the six months and jjust today she started to make noices tha sound like a cry she gets in her house n sounds to me like a puppy when they cry im jst wondering if thas wat it is and why. Thank you
AKTA, IF YOUR CHIN WAS WITH OTHER CHINCHILLAS THEN SHE MOST LIKELY BONDED WITH THEM AND SHE IS PROBABLY FEELING THE SEPERATION ANXIETY AND LONELINESS. THIS I KNOW BECAUSE MY CHIN, "ROXY", HAD A SIATER THAT PASSED AWAY AND ROXY DIDNT DO ANYTHING BUT LAY IN HER CAGE, ETC..
AKTA, IT WILL BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF YOUR CHINCHILLA IF YOU BOND WITH HER BY TALKING TO HER, RUBBING, AND PLAYING WITH HER EVERY SINGLE DAY.
I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE NOISE IS BUT YOU COULD BE CORRECT. JUST TRY YOUR BEST TO FILL HER CAGE WITH A BUNCH OF THINGS FOR HER TO CHEW AND/OR PLAY WITH WHILE YOU ARE NOT THERE. KEEP HER CAGE NEAR THE TV SO SHE CAN USE THE TV TO ENTERTAIN HER AND KEEP HER FROM BEING ALONE.
ALSO, MAKE SURE SHE IS NOT IN A TINY CAGE SINCE SHE IS ALL ALONE.
I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU. GOOD LUCK.
NIKKI
do chinchillas have nightmares? my chinchilla is in his cube and lets out sounds when he is sleeping. what does this mean?
my chinchilla makes noises to but everytime i tried to grabb him he just runn away from me or make sounds but i really dont know what they mean its like he's warning me to not mess with him or somthing or he probably dont like me try to grabb him he tries to bite me but im not scared of him because when he bites it dont hurt its just like a little pintch
THE LOUD NOISE IS MOST LIKELY A BARK-WHICH IS A DANGER WARNING.
THE CHIN NIPPING AT YOU ARE WARNING BITES TO BE LEFT ALONE. TRY LAVING YOUR HAND STILL IN THE CAGE AND ALLOWING RGE CHIN TO GET TO KNOW YOU. IT MAY TAKE AWHILE BUT SLOW AND STEADY IS HOW THEY ARE TAUGHT.
REMEMBER, THEY ARE PREY ANIMALS AND ANY FAST MOVEMENTS WILL SCARE THEM OFF, BELIEVE ME, I HAVE 4 AND THEY KNOW ME WELL BUT WHEN I MOVE TOO QUICK, THEY REACT IN FEAR-OF ME.
GOOD LUCK,
NIKKI
Hi.. I just got a chinchilla the other day. He makes a sound that is sort of like a whistle noise.. what does that mean? also, he keeps trying to get out of his cage. I have each door on his cage closed but do you have any other ideas to make sure he doesn't escape? it's almost 2:30 am and I'm terrified to sleep!
HI ANGELA.
HOW OLD IS YOUR CHIN WOULD BE MY FIRST QUESTION BECAUSE IF ITS A KIT IT COULD BE MAKING ALMOST LIKE COOING NOISES AND TRYING TO GET OUT TO LOOK FOR COMPANIONSHIP. AN OLDER CHIN MIGHT BE TRYING TO GET OUT FOR THE SAME REASON OR TO FIND SOMEWHERE SAFE TO HIDE.
IM NOT SURE HOW YOUR CAGE IS SET-UP BUT MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SOMETHING IN THERE SO YOUR CHIN HAS SOMEWHERE TO SAFELY HIDE.
WITHOUT MORE INFORMATION, I HOPE THAT I COULD HELP YOU.
NIKKI
We took our store bought cage and applied chicken wire to the outside of the bars. This serves two purposes: it prevents him from escaping and prevents him from injuring himself. Until he is large enough to NOT slip between the bars this is an ideal and cost effective solution. Me and my wife used zip ties to secure the wire as it is semi-permanent and won't damage the coating on your cage bars thus preventing your chinny from ingesting any harmful coating from the bars.
Our chinchilla "Lessie" made a sound we have never herd before tonight. I think we may have frightened her when we came home. Her cage is in our living room where the front door is and we were kinda loud coming in and within seconds she was making this noise, I instantly thought something was wrong so i scooped her up and held her to comfort her, she seemed strangely calm then when i put her back in her cage she made the sound again. Is there something she is trying to tell me?
Actually, Chins aren't nocturnal. Their habits are based around time of day, so be sure to keep them somewhere, where they can tell the change of day, they're most active around times like twilight and dusk/dawn. So don't let someone tell you that they are nocturnal, because they are not.
ummm...i have a question on noise...are they sposed to make noise??? cause my chinchilla is about five months old and he never makes a sound...and i dont think anything is wrong withhim...but is that bad he doesnt talk???
HI LAUREN.
YOU'RE OKAY. IT'S A PERSONALITY-THING NOT JUST A CHINCHILLA-THING. BESIDES, YOUR KIT IS LIKELY TO ONLY MAKE VERY LOW OR SOFT NOISES WHEN SLEEPING OR DURING AFFECTION UNLESS PROVOKED OR ANNOYED.
GOOD LUCK.
NIKKI
Ijust got my chinchilla her name is marry Jane ( she's not green although that would be sortvod awesome) it's my first chinchilla and I hope ican form a nice relationship with it like her just hangin out with me watching some tv I'm wondering if I could train it to come out of it cage if I call it and it will come to me, iknow it's a dog, but ithink it's possible they learn fairly quickly iv been told.
HI ANTHONY.
MY CHIN, ROXY, WILL COME WHEN I CALL HER. IF I GET OUT THE LADDER AND STAND BY THE CAGE CALLING HER, SHE KNOWS THAT IT'S TIME TO GO INTO "HER ROOM" (THE CAGE). IT ALSO WORKS THE OTHER WAY AROUND. I HAVE A GREEN STORAGE CONTAINER UNDER THE CAGE-WHEN SHE GETS ON THE CONTAINDER AND SITS STILL THAT IS MY QUE TO OPEN THE CAGE DOOR FOR HER.
GOOD LUCK. I KNOW THAT THE OLDER ROXY GETS, THE EASIER IT IS FOR HER TO FOLLOW MY QUES.
HI JAIC.
THEY ARE NOCTURNAL SO WHILE YOUR ASLEEP THEY WILL BE RUNNING ON THE WHEEL, CHEWING ON TOYS, OR LITERALLY JUMPING ALL AROUND THE CAGE.
BUT TO SPECIFICALLY ANSWER YOUR Q ""... "make alot of noise durig the night when we are asleep" THE ANSWER IS YES. SOME CHINS MAKE NOISE (DURING THE DAY) WHEN THEY SLEEP.
SIDE NOTE: CHINS ARE HIGHLY SOCIAL ANIMALS. I HAVE 4. I KEEP THEM IN OUR LIVINGROOM AND HAVE MY TV ON A TIMER FOR WHEN THEY WAKE-UP (3:30) AND THEY EACH GET INTO THEIR TV POSITIONS TO WATCH ANIMAL PLANET AND THEN EAT OR DRINK DURING THE COMMERCIALS. ALSO, THEY REQUIRE PERSONAL CONTACT. ALTHOUGH SOME PREFER TO NOT BE RUBBED I HAVE TRIPLETS THAT WILL REMAIN MOTIONLESS WHILE I RUB THEN BY STARTING UNDER THE CHIN OF THE CHIN (LOL).
THEY ARE GREAT AND I MEAN GREAT PETS BUT THEY HAVE NEARLY A 20 YR LIFE SPAN SO YOU MIGHT REQUIRE HOMEWORK, RESEARCH, OR OTHER DECISIONS BEFORE YOU GET ONE OR TWO OR MORE BUT PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT BUY FROM A PET STORE. PLEASE TRY TO RESCUE A CHIN OR KIT IN NEED OF A GOOD HOME FIRST.
THANK YOU FOR HEARING WHAT I HAD TO SAY.
NIKKI
As we're on the topic of noise, I was just wondering if they make alot of noise durig the night when we are asleep. Because I'm considering getting one, however, because i will be leaving it in the living room which has a bed room on the other side of the wall, I really need an response to this matter. Thank you =)
haha yea. i got with Nikki. by the way, i love how ur chinchillas watch animal planet lol. but yea, Jaic, u might want to consider another animal if you dont mind some noise during the night. but, u never no, my chinchilla is somewhat quiet, she likes to juump off the walls of her cage, but every chinchilla is different.
i go* with nikki, haha typo
HI JESSICA.
OH AND IF YOU THINK ANIMAL PLANET IS FUNNY, WHEN MY KIDS COME HOME FROM SCHOOL THEY TURN ON NICK, SO THEY LOVE SPONGEBOB, TOO. IT'S CRAZY.
I DO AGREE THAT EACH CHIN IS DIFFERENT. I HAVE 4 AND NONE OF THEM ARE THE SAME OR HAVE THE SAME TEMPERMENT. ONE OF THE TRIPLETS IS SCARED TO JUMP WHILE THE OTHER 3 ARE DARE DEVILS WITH CRAZY VERTICAL SKILLS AND LEAPING ABILITIES. I CALL THEM BY NAME AND TALK TO THEM AS I PET THEM OR FEED THEM TREATS. I CALL THE CAGE THEIR "ROOM" SO WHEN I CALL THEM TO GO IN THEIR ROOM THEY ARE GOOD-FOR THE MOST PART; SOMETIMES CHASING IS NECESSARY.
THANKS JESSICA.
hey just wanted to say every chinchilla is very different, mine stays in my bedroom because we have three kids and i dont like him spooked, curtains go down at night he stays quiet till morning at 5-6 when i open them. i cant say that for everyone but mines a good boy he was loud the first month or so but i think they all will get into a routine. he runs free throught the house for about 2 hours before bed and just goes in and crashes after his bath. you have to have alot of paitents but the love they give back is amazing!
I just got a chinchilla last Saturday. It stays in its hut most of the time. It won't come up to me or come out when i am in the room. It barks when i am near. I did put my hand in the cage and even though it barked i set a treat down at the entrance of his hut and he took it. How long before i can handle him? I want to enjoy my pet not watch it forever from the cage! It did let me pet him when i stuck my hand into his hut..then barked after i was done petting him!! Can i force the issue and just take him out or will that set him back more?
Ok well i have 2 chinchillas and they were both quite shy! But i kept hand feeding them treats on an outstreched open palm and they took them, i took it slow puttin my hads near them and gettin them used to my smell and hands and then just left the cage door open one day and waited. They came out on their own and then its easier to pick them up. Hold him close to u and stroke him gently. If his fur comes out it means he is stressed so put him back and keep doing the same everyday. The barking could actually him being naughty for your attention! Remember they dont like loud noises or quick movements. Slow is the key! Hope this helps and u can enjoy ur cheeky chilla!!!
Hi my name is sandy .. i just got a new female small chinchilla , the pet guy said shes very sweet and i dont know why if shes scared or indanger , im not sure.. why she keeps barking , and when i walk in the room she would i hide from me and be in a opposite dirrection from me ... im not quite sure wht to do and idk know why shes always hiding behing her purple cave thingy besides in it and sleepin in it well idk its only been 4 or 3 ish hours since i got her
Hey.
The chinchilla will be ok, she is just scared. Sit beside her cage and talk to her in a soft voice, give her treats if she comes up to you. They are just scared of life, that's all.
our chinchilla makes a sound almost like she is gasping. she only does it while sleeping,
Is it a bad dream?
I appreciate your website and all your sounds and details, but your information seems biased, especially your sound description, which are simply logical guesses at your chinchilla's psyche. I wouldn't call your site a guide for chinchilla pet owners, especially in case people looking for more in depth information from scientifically studied sources stumble onto your blog.
Hey =]
Your chinchilla is alerting any other chinchillas that there is danger near by - either hearing a car door slam or a bird or something.
My chinchillas do it all night it used to drive me up the wall. Now it's just comforting knowing they are there =]
She will either keep being vocal or just get used to the noises and stop
Hah. Nothing to worry about though =]
Hi, I just got a chinchilla a week ago and at night she makes a weird sound similar to a soft owl call. It's like who who whooooo..... Do you know what that means?
Thanks!
At night, they may "whoot" because theyre hungry
I brought my chinchilla home yesterday, and he let me pet her and she ran around the room happily, and at night my cat wanted in my room so i let him in, and the cages door was closed...and i was thinking that she could get used to the cat, but this morning i let my cat out, and opened the cage door, and reached my hand in the cage and pet her, and than she stood on her hind legs and made a hacking sound as if she was going to vomit, and or cough...it was quiet odd. does anybody know why she is doing this?????
Hmm,
Well, she might have just been sleeping. Mine are just as grumpy and stupid as me in the morning.
She is basically saying gtfo, lol. Spend some time getting used to her before opening the cage. Like, go up and say hi, wait for her to come to you, give her an oat or whatever small treat, like a half a raisin, poke your hand through the cage, and then if she seems still comfortable open the cage and pet her. Take it slowly, how would you feel if you would be locked away and some giant stuck his hand through the bars hehe.
As for the cat, let her in during the day and monitor what the chinchilla is doing. She might get used to kitty in time. =]
Never let kitty out during playtime though unless you know 131% that they are ok.
Cheers
My chinchilla squeaked it was alittle squeek u could barley hear it but im wondering wat it means?
i just played some of the sound clips and my chinchilla responded to the chirps they make when they are looking for each other. he kept running up to the computer making the same noises
hi theresa.
i have 4 chins. my roxie is anywhere between 4 and 6 (rescued so im unsure) and my triplets will be 1 in may 2010 (also rescued).
roxie was tough because im not certain of her past. she wont let me hold her either but she will climb on me and she is never close to my hands. it took me nearly 2 years to accomplish this task with her and it all started with an ice cream cone. see, i had those small basic cones and i put one next to the cage for her to smell and she went crazy after that first bite (also try cranraisains, vanilla almond shredded wheat, or rose hip). once she was used to the crackling sound of the plastic from the cone she would greet me with the cage doors closed. everytime she came close i repeated, in my loving my newborn baby high pitched-voice, "thats my roxie" or "roxie-rox". very slowly she started to associate my tone with her getting a treat. then as she adjusted to that i slowly started to rub her under her chinchilla and then the top of her head, etc..
i hope this story can help you to find away to bond with chilli.
Hey
Just wanted to say good job ^^
I really appreciate the fact that you put so much time and love into this!
Muffin
okay i have 2 chinchillas one is mine one is my boyfriends mine is friendly and nice his is shy we have had them for 4 months now and mine is still in good health however his is missing lots of fur cries all of the time his foot is swelling and now the base of his tail is also swelling. i thought maybe they fought but we watched them very closely and they never fight they are brothers and they sleep and cuddle up together.. his is looking very ruff and i'm worried at what is causing him to be this way..
You chinchilla is sick. Take her to the vet ASAP.
JACKIE -
Your chinchilla may be very ill. You should get him to a vet right away.
I just got my Chinchilla his name is Chilli He is just over a year old. He is very shy and skiddish, when i go to try and pick him up he just runs and makes a squealing nose like im going to hurt him. When i try to feed him a treat he pushes my hand away, just wondering what I can do to get him use to me.
Also Chilli makes a noise like a cell phone is that normal? Every time he thinks were not looking he comes to the cage door then i try to put my hand to the cage and he just runs away? Just wondering what I should do? Thanks for any help I can get.
Before you ask no he was not abused, The guy I got him from has another one the other one is very friendly and not shy at all Chilli has been this way since he has had him. Any suggestions would be great.
Thanks Theresa
Hey, theresa
When I got my chin, it took a while for him to bond with me. Unfortuately he came from a pet store and I think the young workers handled him roughly because till this day I cannot pick him up ( 3 years now) He will come to you and jump on your lap for treats. He allows me to pet him on his head and back but if I try to even softly pet either of his sides, he will make a sound that he does not want to be touched in tha area. He is very affectionate and a happy chin, but he will not let me pick him up "with my hands" except if hes on my foot and I lift it wtih him on it. All chinchillas have different personalities. If he was treated well, it will just be a matter of time. As for me, I have him in a 3 tier cage but I leave it open because I have an issue wtth caged animals. PS Have you given him dust baths yet, that will make him very happy
Well chinchillas do have different personalities.
I'd recommend talking to him as they do react to voice. Do it in a soft loving tone (yes you will look funny and sound crazy an yeah it's perfectly normal).
Give him little treats when he comes up to you so he associates you with something he likes.
Also, I'd wear a big big hoodie for a while, and then try putting him in it, and just let him run around in it while you're watching tv
he will crawl in your sleeves and sit on your chest or lap and try to escape but try to keep him in there for a while unless he is freaking out tons
this way he will get used with your smell more and being in a dark place will keep him calmer., and as well his little brain will think "hmm she didn't eat me! cool!" just watch out he doesn't get too warm, and check his ears once in a while to see if they are red and warm sign of needing to cool down. As well, don't keep him like that for too long and after a while you can even let him on the couch
after doing this a couple of times he won't even try to jump off the couch (never let him do it in the first place, they learn fast)
and he will even come and chill on your shoulder and bark at the guns on tv maybe =]
all chinchillas are different but most skittish chinchillas if spent a lot of time with will be fine
What I also try to do to my chinchillas is immitate their noises back at them
it's really funny if your chinchilla is vocal he will start freakin like uh you speak! haha
I just purchased a baby chinchilla from a pet store, Pearl. Pearl is approximately 6 weeks old. I already have another chinchilla, Penny, who is approximately 5 months old. The 5 month old, Penny, was in with another chinchilla, Rosie, for approximately 2 months. Rosie died approximately a week ago. I took her to the vet to be sure she died of natural causes and not because of an attack, although, Pennie and Rosie got along very well. My problem is that I put Pearl (the new chinchilla) in with Penny (the 5 month old) and Penny seems aggressive. Does a chinchilla go thru a mourning process? How long does it take chinchilla to adjust or accept the other(s)? I have divided the cage in 1/2 and tensions are easing. Is there anything I can do?
My chinchilla Reptar has been acting weird lately. He's always ittching and at night he'll make these weird squal like noises. And I've looked up chinchilla noises but there is nothing on what sound he is making. Can you help me?
belindA - Does your chinchilla get regular dust baths? Too few (or too many) could be the issue. I let my chinchilla bathe every 2nd or 3rd day for about 15-20 minutes. (You just reminded me, tonight's bath night!) If this doesn't help, try changing to a different brand of dust. Hope this helps!
My lone male chinchilla made a grunting sound today! I really don't know if it was a calling or a mating sound. The chinchilla recordings were helpful and figured out it was close to a contact sound. I also think he got scared of the sound of the fireworks/ loud sounds he heard outside.
I had a chinchilla years ago and recently got another one both of my chinchillas were fairly quiet except my new chinchilla had a couple of nights where she barked I think she was scared because of the noise in my appartment building other than that she has been very good at night if i hear anything it her running on her wheel or swinging in her hamock.
I have one Chinchilla and he is crazy! The first time he made that nosie it scared me half to dealth! I freacked out and check him for bleeding and broken bones, but no luck. Finally I figured out why6 they do that. He was just scared of my dog.
I haven't bought my Chinchilla yet but have studied them thoroughly. I will have to keep my chinchilla in my bedroom and I need at least 8hrs of sleep at night because of my job. how much noise do they make at night and how can I quiet them?
I too had to keep my chinchilla in my bedroom and needed sleep. I found they do fine, as long as they don't get bored. If they get bored, they'll "chatter" at you to request company. Or, in my case, they'll get the cat going and then laugh hysterically "cackling" at the cat's antics.
I found if I left the tv on really low volume, so I can't hear it but he can, and on CNN or the Comedy Network, then I was fine. I switched to CNN because he was laughing too much at the Comedy Network. He would watch tv most of the night. And I slept fine.
I have a pair of Chinchillas and they usually do fine at night. The only noise I hear from them is usually when one is changing levels in their cage or when the male gets too far from the female in the dark and she starts crying for him (she's a little damding/cuddly thing).
So there you go.
Chinchillas are supposed to be nocturnel, but they also can adjust to your schedule. The sound at night if you have one is either a scared bark (which can be as loud as any small dogs barks) or the gnawing sound( if a heavy or semi-heavy sleeper his shouldnt wake you up). But their wheels might be a tad annoying. But thats about it other than climbing with again if a heavy sleeper or semi-heavy sleeper shouldnt bother you. I have one in my room right now, and she isnt making much sound at all im easy to wake up and she wasnt done that at all since ive gotten her.
Corey -
I think Chinchillas are more crepuscular than nocturnal - but I agree, mine are in my room and they don't bother me at night (and I have a JUMPER!! YIKES!!)
I keep both my boys in my bedroom, and at first they woke me up about once a night, by calling to each other. But, once they'd had time to settle into their new surroundings they were fine. Either I got used to the noise or they quietend down
The only time they wake me now is if Pippin decides to see how many levels he can jump up in one go!
For a wheel I suggest a hard plastic one it is very quiet. It is also safe for them, there is nothing to get their tail stuck in and it is a hard plastic so they don't eat it
i'm trying to decide between a guinea pig, a chinchilla, or a bunny. does anybody know what i should get? can someone tell me their character traits?
Well, I used to have guinea pigs and rabbits as a kid and have a chinchin now and know maybe too much about them
I will talk a bit from my own experience and random facts about what I know about all three:
Chinchillas are nocturnal, rabbits and guinea pigs aren't.
They are all sociable, guinea pigs and rabbits will eat almost anything and chinchillas will eat more specific food, all eat thimothy hay but hte pellets are diffeent and this is very impoartant and a chinchin doesn't get as many treats and it's mostly nuts and DRIED fruit, they have a very sensitive tummy.
Rabbits are cuddly and love to be petted, so do guinea pigs, I like guinea pigs more though because they follow you around and are good swimmers and are just a whole bunch more awesome with their sounds and cuteness. Rabbits are okay some of them bite a lot though and are a little dumb. Chinchillas are great athletes and will jump on your walls and will run around and love you, they will sleep in your hoodie and let you pet them more rarely, but if you take it when it's a baby you can easly teach it to trust you. Oh yes.. chinchillas are intelligent and need to trust you before you can be friends
but I find it to be a very rewarding experience when it actually happens. My chinchilla is laying down beside my laptop right now staring at me in a very relaxed sleepy way which makes me more happy then anything in the world.
One thing with rabbits and guinea pigs is in my opinion that they don't get as attatched as chinchillas. Chinchillas originally leave in large groups and are very sociable animals and need at least 30 mins (I repeat, at least) of love every day or else they get all sad and may stop exercising which is very important for them and such.
Rabbits can be potty trained and I believe guinea pigs can too, don't remember but chinchillas lack the muscle in their rear that keeps them from pooping so they poop a lot. They have a much more sensitive skeleton as they have a floating rib cage
Uhh.. depends on how much time you want to spend with you animal and how much effort you want to put into caring for them, really. A chinchilla needs dustbaths and a lot more stuff that rabbits and GP's go without.
But even if a chinchilla is a lot more work, I find it to be a lot more like a dog. My chinchilla for example protects me (barks at people and birds, I know silly) and he loves me and cries if I don't give him attention. Guinea pigs love to sit on your shoulder too but they are bigger and they can't estimate heights so they may leap to their death, (little point there about not living them on tables and such). I don't know... I don't like rabbits because in my opinion they just sit there and don't do anythng but chew on your couch which is annoying. They are cute and fluffy I guess but hey, chinchins have the softest fur in the world. I sugest that you look them up and research more about their diets and needs and figure out for yourself what is best. I hope this will help you a bit, and hope you make the right decision so that you can love your animal and not end up dumping him like half of the owners that are responsable.
Oh yeah, one more thing, I think rabbits live 5 years and guinea pigs around 3 though I'm 90% sure I'm wrong but chinchillas live up to 17 years. So it all depends on how commited you are. I advise and beg you to research a lot about the animal you are going to get as they do not deserve shitty living conditions and a sad life.
Hope this helped
Muffin
(sorry if any typos, I'm basically blind from tiredness hah)
Guinea pigs make GREAT pets. Rabbits smell and I've never had a chinchilla but I had a guinea pig named Milly until last November 16th. But I had her since 1st grade.
Ummm. well i have 2 chinchillas because i didnt want my first one to stay lonely. so if u want 2 get them at the same time cuz trying to put them together afterwards is quite a task. and they both r a real handful but they r sooo dang cute. my friend had a bunny and it wasnt very active. Chinchillas r but ussually after like 6pm since they're nocturnal. i've havent owned guinea pigs so can't help u there.
Well, my chinchin Otto is the friendliest little guy in the world. He changed from a nocturnal creature to my loveable careful daytime companion that knows when it's not apropriate to run on his wheel because he wakes me up and so on. He doesn't like to be held much but he is always sleeping in my hoodie and comes with me to work and everywhere. If I don't play with him he starts making this weird crying like noise, kind of like a whining dog, and then this high pitched weird short sounds. I sometimes copy them and do them back to him and he does them again. If I randomly do them to him he replies and I guess we are talking? Is that weird?
Oh and anothe weird thing. Are they supposed to hump everything in their way I haven't heard of anyody complaining about htis before but he humps literally anything: cloths, bags ,my hand, hats (actually I have this gray fake fur hat he has a huge fetish for and hunts around the room), anything you can think of really... I don't want my baby to lose his balls.. but... any ideas on how he will stop humping stuff? x.x
hi, i got to chinchillas, two girls infect. They look diffrent from the one in your picturs, darker, less furry tail and they were cheaper.
In the pet store they said it's a desert chinchilla "DIEGO" or "DEGO"... you know what i'm talking about?
anyway, I haven't heard them making any sound yet, only squeaking one time. I must mention that i have them for 3 days only
I'm pretty sure you have have degus, not chinchillas. Look them up on Google and/or Wikipedia to be sure.
Degus need different pellets than chinchillas, so make sure you verify them as soon as possible!
I'm sorry but this is a little worrying, how can you not know what animal you have? Take better care of them, man, we fuck around with them enough keeping them in cages and such.
Hello, I have a male 1 year old chinchilla who is paired with another 1 year old female. I have had them for about a week, and just yesterday he started making an odd bird-like sound. It's pretty loud. He does it when randomly when he is sitting down looking relaxed and not moving at all. It's 4 - 5 loud chirp-like noises. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what they mean?
He also, when around females, makes a clicking/screaming noise.
One of our 2 male chinchillas throws its dung. Is this normal?
my chinchilla has been making these weird sounds in the middle of the night it's like this crazy jungle scream like from out of a movie or something. why would he be doing this?
My Chinchilla makes one to two barking sounds every morning, and I'm not sure why. There's no traffic to be heard, and my dogs don't make any noises that early in the morning. They aren't even anywhere around her most of the time! So I'm not sure what she's afraid of.
Hopefully one of you out there will be able to answer my question! If you have multiple chinchillas, I'm sure you and I have shared the same problem.
A year ago I brought a male chinchilla home to accompany my female chinchilla who is 6 months older. So, for the few months prior to his arrival, she was used to be alone with me and has since become very territorial over any space so therefore, they're in seperate cages. I have them facing each other in hopes they'll get along well enough to mate at some point or to at least get along, but nothing for a year! Anytime they're out in the bathroom together they're chasing and fighting. Poor, shy male is losing his fur because he gets stressed so easily.
What's a chinchilla owner to do? Will they eventually get along, but how much damage does it do them to be chasing each other like that?
i have a chinchilla that is about 2.5 years old. last summer her sister died of a heat stroke and i have been considering getting a second chin, so give her a companion. i know how much she enjoyed her sisters company and she had always lived with other chinchillas so when her sis died she was really lonely for quite some time....i think shes used to being alone now, but sometime i think she would be happier with a friend. so my question is...if i get a second chin...i was going to get a girl, dont want a bunch of chins, but should i get a baby, or one about her age...i was thinking of adopting one somewhere, is it risky to put two adult chinchillas together. how is can i best get them used to eachother. any advice would be great....and another thing....my one chin, she is very shy, always has been, she's playful when shes awake, but she doesnt want you to touch or hold her....she'll climb on you, but then hops away again once you pay attention to her. any tips on getting your chinchilla to be more comfortable around you and more cuddly?
I have a chinchilla who does the warning bark quite a bit when I'm away. I have to leave on occasion and he really doesn't like it. Worse off the family is afraid of him. I've tried to give them lots of pointers on how to keep him calm, but something about me being gone doesn't sit well with him. What should I do?
NLC,
We've never heard of a totally silent chinchilla. However, it could very well be that your constant presence is constant reassurance. Our would only bark when we weren't in the room with them. Once we'd go into the room, the barking would stop.
This seems like a silly question but... Have you ever had a 'mute' chinchilla? My chinchilla, Marty, is an extremely active, healthy guy. But I have NEVER heard him make a single noise. Not even a soft grunt or anything. Literally, no sound what-so-ever. Its a little bit weird.
I sleep in the same room as his cage, and spend the majority of my free time in the same room on the computer. I would say I spend over half of my day in Marty's room... but never has he made the slightest noise. At first I wrote it off as a personality trait. Figured he was just a quiet guy. But after so long I have never heard a peep, it makes me wonder if there is something physiologically wrong with him.
It is a little irritating because I cannot always tell what mood he is in. Like if he is running around his cage excitedly, I cannot tell if he is just hyper or agitated about something.
I have the same problem with my chinchilla.. you already now the answer? what is the problem with our chins?
Francisco
Hi!
I recently adopted a pet chinchilla from a friend of mine who rescued it from the pet shelter. It was taken to the shelter by a store owner who said it had been running around the neighbourhood and in and out of stores. It was finally cornered and caught and was discovered to be very cuddly.
My friend had it for a couple months and then I took it. I lived on Vancouver Island for about a month with it, travelling at times for my job (a friend watched it). Then I moved to Calgary and travelled with the chinchilla via plane. They wouldn't let me take him in the cabin with me, so he had to go under the plane.
When we got home he started making squealing noises from time to time. And I noticed he was covered in urine immediately after the trip, so I'm thinking he got really scared, either by the noise or the experience, and did that urine defense move. But he's still really cuddly, if not more "needy" than before.
So when I cuddle with him he'll crawl into my hoodie and lie with me in there on the couch. From time to time I'll hear a noise, but it's more like feeling a noise and the only thing I can liken it to is purring. Do chinchillas purr?
Also, he gets exercise in a big ball that he goes in and then he runs around the house in that, often following me and placing it carefully between both my feet (so cute!). Is that enough exercise for him?
We had to leave his cage behind (too big) and so he currently lives in the travel carrier I brought him in, getting time each day in his sand bath, and every minute I'm home he's either in his sand bath, in his ball, or in my hoody. He really seems to hate the carrier, but he's tolerating it. I'm planning on getting him a real cage when I move to my permanent address in ~ 15 days. Is that too long to use the travel carrier?
Also, once I get my permanent place I'll be bringing home my black lab dog (so gentle and loving with all things) and my cat. My dog is 3 yrs old and my cat 10 and they both think they own me. Any suggestions for making the transition easier on all of them?
Also, do chinchillas wear leashes? It would be easier to have him out of the ball if I could put a harness on him and he could crawl around on me while I walk around.
lol I guess I have a lot of questions! Loving this site so far, thanks for sharing so much!
Rebecca.
Rebecca, I've been bonding with one of my boyfriend's chinchillas, and over the weekend, for the first time, I felt the little guy vibrating under my hand/against my chest as I held and petted him. It was just like purring, though more of a feeling than a sound. He was all cuddled up inside the robe I was wearing and seemed super happy. So, yes, I guess chinchillas DO purr! You and I are lucky to have chinchillas that love us!
Susan
I have had a new Chinchilla for three weeks now and at night when she is in her cage she sometimes whines like a dog, usually four times in a row and quietly, and sometimes chirps. She also seems to be trying to look for a way out of her cage all the time.
Every day she is let out for a few hours and she just runs and hides behind the sofa.
Please help me, I think the Chinchilla is sad.
Oliver
Steve,
Unless your chinchillas are chasing each other or fighting, I wouldn't worry about the situation you described. It sounds like they each have their preferences. Barking noises are common and we often hear them with no apparent reason. But what scares us and what scares a chinchilla are different so we assume they're hearing some noise off in the distance.
I recently bought 2 male chinchillas and they make sort of a welcoming humble sound. However sometimes my gray one (Odin) will make sort of...like a bark noise...But nothing is happening to him..im very confused as to what he does it for...his brother Thor appears to have the cage to himself, Thor always uses the wheel, and Odin never uses it, Thor sleeps in the house and Odin sleeps on top of it, but they sometimes cuddle together... Is Odin unhappy because Thor uses most of the cage?
Marriah,
That is very unusual. We've haven't heard of that problem before. Have you tried moving the cage to another location to see if there is something causing the sneezing in the current location? You might also want to consider a full cage cleaning. If you've switch the type of bedding you use, that too could be a problem.
My chinchilla is doing alot of sneezing, and I mean ALOT. About 3 times a min on average. What could it be?
Raisins not reasons LOL sorry.
Don't forget all chinchillas are going to be different so sounds will be a little diff. Also OFFER (raisins) to the chinchilla it will help her trust you more.
Kristy check the sounds It may sound like Protest-Sound (http://www.chinchilla-sounds.de/bedr_e.htm) I was told chinchillas are very Skittish pets mine was scared of my load voice and fast movements . Keep talking to it so it gets use to your voice and don't move fast around it also give her some space until she is use to the new home, say 2 weeks then start to SLOWLY! Interact with her.
Don't forget all chinchillas are going to be different so sounds will be a little diff. Also OFFER reasons to the chinchilla it will help her trust you more. Most of them love reasons I call them chinchilla crack (like cat nip). Don’t give her more then 2 or 3 a day to much sugar for a chin.
If you still think she is unhealthy take her to a vet MAKE sure the vet knows about chinchillas exotic pet vet doesn’t mean they know anything. Chins do die fast so watch carefully ask the (pet store/breeder) you got your chinchilla from they should tell you a good vet.
Need anymore help if I can answer I will do my best but remember I am no pro just an owner for a little over 6 months but I have looked up a few things
.
Just yesturday I got my chinchilla at Petco. She's a female, and she's pure black. Well, she kept me up all night making this high-pitched wheezing sound... Do you think there might be something wrong with her? What could it be?
I read some where that you can put the agressive chinchilla in a small cage inside of the other to show that the chinchilla is being punished and let the less agressive one roam free in the larger cage. It may help it may not, also blowing on the agressive one might work but be carful it didn't work with mine and made him unhappy and shy away so I stopped. Sounds like your agressive one may be joulous or is trying to be the alfa female.
Wish I could help out better but I am still learning myself waiting on a ? myself so please do not take what I say is correct its just to offer opion.
I have two female chinchillas both are about five months old. One of them has changed in her behaviour. She seems to scrape at things that get in her way and she tries to bite the other one but only when they are out of their cage. Also, she used to let me pick her up but when I try now she just tries to get away. She cannot be pregnant because they are both females I have double checked this....Could it just be 'Time of the Month'?
Hello, I have had a Chinchilla for about 6 months now. I let my friend watch over him 2 months ago when I went to go visit my new niece. When I came back he started barking and jurks his head up like a spaz (sounds like the defense bark)
when I try to pick him up and when I move him. But if I stay still or let him run around on my shoulders or stomach he has no prob's I can even pet him with no prob its only when I act like I am going to pick him up.
I think my friend picked him up to hard and he is scared of being picked up any way of getting him to stop spaz barking?Sorry had to rush write the ?
He has a big cage I only have 1 chinchilla I feed him correctly and give him dust baths and he has alot of chew toys.
Anna,
Males and females can get along with each other. Most problems come about when you mix genders.
I was reading your site and i was wondering if two male chinchillas get along. These two are littermates if that makes any difference.
Melinda:
I am just reading this site for the first time, so I apologize for responding so long after your post. Is your chinchilla still squealing?
I've had chinchillas for 5 or 6 years now, and have a total of 4 males (2 standard, 2 ebony). In recent weeks, my boys have done some squealing also, like they are in pain. I came to investigate and sometimes smelled something "funny." I realized they were having gas and set out to figure out what I needed to stop feeding them. (Their droppings were normal.)
It turned out that once I stopped feeding them dried apples, the squealing (and the "funny" smell) has stopped. I'd always been told that dried fruit was fine to give chins--just not too much. They used to get one piece a day. However, after a few days without the apples, I gave them each a SMALL piece. There was more squealing from someone that night. I will not be feeding the poor things dried apples anymore.
If your sweetie squeals again, I'd look into the foods (particularly the treats) she is getting. Be careful not to change her diet too suddenly, though. Hope this helps!
Debra,
We've never heard of chinchillas snoring. Not sure that means there's a problem though. Any other odd behavior? Is your chinchilla eating and drinking normal amounts?
Hi,
I want to know if chinchillas snore. My chinchilla makes snoring sounds and when I first heard it I thought it would be a breathing problem but it only makes this sound when it sleeps. Is there any need for concern?
Melinda,
Thanks for the kind words. We always like to hear that people have found the information here useful.
The sound you described is an odd one. We've heard "barking" noises, teeth-grinding noises, and short squeals. None of those sound like what you described though. The short squeals are common for our chinchillas in the morning as they're going to sleep in the wooden box we keep in their cage. It's short-lived and seems to be more of "get off my tail I'm trying to sleep" kind of sound.
Hi there! I am a big fan of your website - you helped me put my chinchillas together! They're still very happy living together (two girls), but I had a question about a sound one of them (I assume) makes, usually at night.
I used to think it was because she was lonely or something - she made the sound before I got her a cage friend, but she still makes it. It's a really loud squeal - it's kind of prolonged (maybe a couple seconds long) and I have no idea what it's from; I've never seen her actually make the sound and I think she only makes it in the dark. She seems to be very normal otherwise - social, enjoys raisins and dust baths, eats fine, etc.
Any ideas?
Annette,
The only noise we know of that is loud enough to be heard from a different floor is what chinchilla owners call a bark. Not at all like a dog's, but a bark nonetheless.
It is usually done when a chinchilla fears something and wishes to emit a warning to other chinchillas. Ours make such sounds sometimes when the TV is loud or when there's bad weather. Sometimes they bark in the middle of the night for unknown reasons.
There isn't too much you need to do. Poking your head in to the room and speaking using the same tone you use when feeding or playing with them should provide all the re-assurance needed.
My chinchillas "laughs". He has not done it in a long time, but he did it today. One time I noticed it while it looked like he was sleeping. Is this a happy or distressed sound? He does it when he is alone (he has his own room in our house) and it is always during the daytime. It is very loud, I have heard from downstairs. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Oh, my sister's chinchilla does it also, but a lot more often.
What does the laughing sound mean?
Thanks so much!
Andrea,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. We were on vacation last week and only returned yesterday.
The sound you're describing isn't one we're familiar with. Every sound we've heard was one we could identify via records on the web.
Not being interested in the dust bath does seem worth of concern. Besides raisins, there's nothing that our chinchillas are interested in more than their dust bath.
I've had my chinchilla for 2+ years now, and she (today) started making these sad chinchilla sounds - they seem like reverse hiccups or something, where she will do a quick cough/sneeze out and then make the "sad sound" on the inhale. She doesn't do it with every breath, but maybe ~1 every 30 min. I thought that maybe she was upset at me for ignoring her (I haven't paid as much attention to her for the past few weeks on account of a new job), but then she didn't show much interest in her dust bath either which she usually loves. This isn't indicative of a more serious condition, is it? I've checked sound boards, and I can't seem to find her "sad sound" anywhere, though it sounds closest to the "protest sound" but I'm not bothering her!