Chinchillas are adorable, exotic pets. They're a lot of trouble, though. Maintaining their high-piled fur is very challenging because it's prone to matting and tangling. And they require special diets that feed mostly from fresh hay and produce such as apples, oranges, and carrots. Plus, their short lifespans – males have an average lifespan of just 4 years and females go for 2 years – make it easy to overspend!u003cbru003eu003cbru003eChinchillas are wild animals, and unless their owner has experience owning one, they can become too accustomed to being kept indoors. They need their natural environment to thrive – which means a good-sized cage with enough room for several chinchilla dens, plenty of toys and perches, and outdoor access. And owners need to be on hand at all times to monitor the situation and provide enrichment.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eA chinchilla needs about 1-3 hours of daily time spent time for play. They enjoy having itchy things, such as wool and fabric balls, shredded newspaper, and dried leaves to chew. They also love protein-rich treats like nuts, seeds, and birdseed. If you cannot provide this inadequate quantity it will make your chinchilla more likely to become bored into shredding her materials on her cage floor or barfing up a hairball due to an upset stomach (chins don't usually get enough of their natural diet).u003cbru003eu003cbru003eChinchillas are rascals and will try to get out of their cages. They can be readily trained to use a litter box (or pee pad if you choose not to provide one in the cage). Their long bodies allow them to get through a tiny opening, such as those at the bottom of the cage door. If your chinchilla gets loose frequently, you must keep a close eye on her – she can go missing for days or weeks at a time.