They tend to be fairly clean, odorless, and friendly pets but usually are shy and easily frightened. The fur is extremely soft and beautiful bluish grey in color thus leading to their popularity in the pelt industry. Current color mutations include white, silver, beige, and black. Diet Commercial chinchilla pellets are available, but they are not available through all pet shops and feed stores. When the chinchilla variety is not in stock, a standard rabbit or guinea pig pellet can be fed in its place.
Chinchillas tend to eat with their hands and often throw out a lot of pellets thus causing wastage.
A pelleted formulation should constitute the majority of the animal's diet. Alfalfa hay is not recommended due to its high calcium content relative to phosphorus. Hay is a beneficial supplement to the diet for nutritional and psychological reasons. Grass hay adds additional fiber to the diet while serving as an item for the pet to chew on other than its fur. Any hay fed should be free from mold and vermin contamination.