The day to day cost involved in keeping a chinchilla is very little however there is a larger initial cost.

First off is the cost of the chinchilla, which can vary widely depending on where you live and where you get the chinchilla from, and what color you choose.

Typically pet stores charge $150 or more for a standard gray chinchilla; usually more for colored chins if they even sell them. Breeder prices can vary widely based on location, color, and rarity. Breeders often times also take pedigree or fur quality into consideration when pricing the chinchillas, so a show quality chinchilla (or one that comes from show champ parents) may cost more than a non-show line chinchilla. Rescues often adopt chins out at lesser fees than breeders, and sometimes even include a cage which can greatly reduce your start up costs-do realize that rescues do not give away chinchillas for free and the adoption fee helps cover food and any vet visits and care while at the rescue. You can also sometimes find chinchillas in local classifieds, with or without a cage for usually less than the cost from a pet store and sometimes the price may be able to be negotiated.

Besides the chinchilla itself, the cage is the most expensive item needed. A good quality sturdy cage may cost even more than the chinchilla. To cut costs, you can look for a used cage in good condition; just make sure to thoroughly clean it before use. Never sacrifice quality for cost! Also factor in any modifications the cage may need-new pans, wood shelves, or higher sides to keep litter in. A cage already appropriate for a chinchilla or two costs about $230 new.

Every chinchilla should have a hide house of some sort. How many tunnels, hammocks, or other cage accessories you buy are up to you. The more toys the better!

As mentioned above, the continuing cost of owning a chinchilla is relatively low. Food, hay, dust, and litter cost about $30 per month.  Chew toys and wooden shelves will need to be replaced over time. It is hard to predict how often you will need new toys as some chins chew more than others and it will also depend on what type of chew toys you purchase; I’ve had some last a year and others last a few hours.

Veterinarians can be expensive so it is a good idea to have a vet fund especially should an emergency come up; vet visits are not cheap!  Veterinary costs vary widely on location but I’d expect $50 min for regular visit (I’m in the midwest) and at least $100 to walk in the door of an emergency clinic. Tests and procedures can add up quickly. Chinchillas are prey animals so they hide their illness. Once it is noticeable, it has often progressed. The good news is that chinchillas do not require annual vaccinations or even routine visits.

Costs broken down:

total start up costs $510+

on-going costs (food, hay, dust, toys, litter) about $40-50 per month

I would recommend a vet fund of $500 minimum but ideally $1000+

** Note these figures are approximations of the cost of owning 1 chinchilla and may differ depending on your location.**

Ideas for keeping costs down:

Updated 1/2022

61 Responses

  1. I have been browsing online more than 2 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It is pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did,
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      1. Same for me I’ve been wondering how much it would cost to have one of those little bundles of joy and hopefully my parents will get me one for Christmas or my birthday!

  2. I’m still learning from you, while I’m improving myself. I definitely enjoy reading all that is written on your blog.Keep the stories coming. I loved it!

    1. I do too but I am only eleven and can’t afford to get an animal like that and I know they are great animals because I hade one when I was three he passed away just after my dad passed please cross your fingers that I will be able to afford one soon??????

    1. I have 2 Chinchillas. I e had them since 8 weeks old. They are so loving and social. They come right to me as soon as I walk to their cage and when I open it, they crawl right up to my neck and cuddle. My advice is to try and get one as a baby this way you can handle it everyday to get it used to you.

      1. I am trying to convince my parents to let me have a chinchilla and need to have an answer to all of their protests. I have found your article so useful.

  3. This article really helped me I couldn’t find anything about chinchilla costs and this broke it down very well…very helpful

  4. Thanks for the article! Everything looks great! However, I just wanted to point out that any bedding made out of pine or cedar should be avoided. Both can be sharp and may be painful to a Chinchilla’s feet and it can cause respiratory problems if it is too dusty. Pelleted or shredded paper bedding is best for bedding. Everything else looks great!

    1. Cedar definitely should be avoided due to the phenols it releases which will cause respiratory problems. Pine is actually what most breeders use but you are correct in that some of the wood chips can be sharp. You can find small shavings that are not sharp. The small shavings actually move better with the chinchillas moving around and the wet stuff goes to the bottom, rather than being packed down as happens with larger shavings.

  5. I would LOVE to have a chinchilla but i dont know which website to belive!!!!!

    🙁 🙁

  6. I really want a chinchilla, and my parents said they didn’t now because of the bills and stuff, and now that I know the price, my parents might get me one next summer when we move. Thanks for the great info!

  7. Hi, I really need help.

    I want a Chin, but don’t have a air conditioner and my mom doesn’t want a AC.I live in Maine, and sometimes the heat in summer can get to 104°F.Can I keep:A fan, frozen water bottles, granite stones, and ice water for them and will it be OK?
    I’ve always wanted one, but can’t get a AC, so…..
    TIA,
    (Reply ASAP! Please!)

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