The Myths of Playtime
Unfortunately you may have heard some of the myths below from fellow pet owners, breeders or petshops regarding playtime. These are all totally false and damaging to the care and well-being of chinchillas. Sadly this results in some chinchillas becoming confined to their cages, missing out on the exercise they need and deserve as a result of false scaremongering.
It is a sad fact that some people today have become so far detached from nature they seemingly forget that chinchillas in the wild did not live in cages, nor spend their entire existence in a space no bigger than a ferret nation cage. Chinchillas are naturally full of energy and allowing them to move freely in a space bigger than their cage is the very least we can do, given the freedoms we took from them when capturing their ancestors from the wild.
It is a sad fact that some people today have become so far detached from nature they seemingly forget that chinchillas in the wild did not live in cages, nor spend their entire existence in a space no bigger than a ferret nation cage. Chinchillas are naturally full of energy and allowing them to move freely in a space bigger than their cage is the very least we can do, given the freedoms we took from them when capturing their ancestors from the wild.
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This video shows a chinchilla's eagerness to come out for playtime the very second the cage door is opened!
Their actions really do speak for themselves. No matter how hard some may try to justify that chinchillas just want to sit confined to a small cage all day, this clip proves otherwise. You can find everything you need to know about providing a safe playtime environment in our Importance of Playtime section. |
# MYTH 1: Chinchillas do fine in a tiny cage and playtime isn't necessary
This helps to make chinchillas more sell-able and ease the guilt of current owners who may no longer have the time to devote to their chinchilla.
You only have to watch a chinchilla popcorn with sheer delight from their daily playtime to know this isn’t true. Unfortunately rodents are often marketed as being "easy" pets and the notion that chinchillas can be kept in the smallest cage and don't require any exercise helps them to appeal to a much wider audience than if the true extent of their care was revealed.
No wild animal was born to live in a small cage and whilst they can't talk to us, this does not mean we should neglect their needs. Yes chinchillas may naturally be prey animals so you should provide spaces for them to hide and feel secure both within the cage and playtime, but being prey animals does not mean they always want to hide in a confined space with no other option!
You only have to watch a chinchilla popcorn with sheer delight from their daily playtime to know this isn’t true. Unfortunately rodents are often marketed as being "easy" pets and the notion that chinchillas can be kept in the smallest cage and don't require any exercise helps them to appeal to a much wider audience than if the true extent of their care was revealed.
No wild animal was born to live in a small cage and whilst they can't talk to us, this does not mean we should neglect their needs. Yes chinchillas may naturally be prey animals so you should provide spaces for them to hide and feel secure both within the cage and playtime, but being prey animals does not mean they always want to hide in a confined space with no other option!
# MYTH 2: Chinchillas will overheat and/or have seizures during playtime
This is probably one of the most common myths and scares many owners so much they don't want to risk it, just in case. It is true that like humans and many other species, a minority of chinchillas do suffer seizures - usually due to genetic issues or complications from a poor diet, such as too much sugar.
As flashing lights may trigger a person with epilepsy to have a seizure, playtime, including many other things, may trigger not cause, a chinchilla with this health condition to have a seizure. Should your chinchilla experience seizures you should take them to an exotic vet and follow any advice you are given to manage their condition.
However for the vast majority of chinchillas, this isn't an issue and there is no need to limit their playtime due to the health condition of a small minority. Humans can also suffer with unexpected seizures, yet the majority of us would think nothing about driving a car or riding as a passenger. Imagine if you suddenly had a seizure out of the blue at the wheel? The consequences would be far more catastrophic than a chinchilla having a seizure during playtime, yet this is something we risk on a daily basis! Just as we don’t stop our daily activities avoid all potential triggers of health conditions we don’t suffer with, please apply the same common sense when letting your chinchilla have playtime.
Chinchillas will also not overheat as long as they are kept at a safe temperature (20C/68F or lower), this must be observed at all times and not just during playtime.
As flashing lights may trigger a person with epilepsy to have a seizure, playtime, including many other things, may trigger not cause, a chinchilla with this health condition to have a seizure. Should your chinchilla experience seizures you should take them to an exotic vet and follow any advice you are given to manage their condition.
However for the vast majority of chinchillas, this isn't an issue and there is no need to limit their playtime due to the health condition of a small minority. Humans can also suffer with unexpected seizures, yet the majority of us would think nothing about driving a car or riding as a passenger. Imagine if you suddenly had a seizure out of the blue at the wheel? The consequences would be far more catastrophic than a chinchilla having a seizure during playtime, yet this is something we risk on a daily basis! Just as we don’t stop our daily activities avoid all potential triggers of health conditions we don’t suffer with, please apply the same common sense when letting your chinchilla have playtime.
Chinchillas will also not overheat as long as they are kept at a safe temperature (20C/68F or lower), this must be observed at all times and not just during playtime.
# MYTH 3: If you ever see your chinchilla lying down after playtime, it means they're in danger
Although chinchillas may seem to have an limitless supply of energy, they do need to rest sometimes too! Chinchillas can tend to have a habit of sleeping in positions that make your heart stop for a second as you check they're not dead! This is common whether they have been out of their cage or not - it's just positions that are comfortable for them!
You only need to worry if your chinchilla is unresponsive, i.e. doesn't move when you gently disturb them, or they're in an environment that's too hot for them (must be 20C/68F or lower for playtime).
If your chinchilla ever becomes unresponsive or suffer seizures, you should seek urgent advice from a knowledgeable vet. Unfortunately seizures are a medical condition that some chinchillas do suffer with, sometimes genetic or other times as a result of improper diet - but please remember playtime is not the cause!
You only need to worry if your chinchilla is unresponsive, i.e. doesn't move when you gently disturb them, or they're in an environment that's too hot for them (must be 20C/68F or lower for playtime).
If your chinchilla ever becomes unresponsive or suffer seizures, you should seek urgent advice from a knowledgeable vet. Unfortunately seizures are a medical condition that some chinchillas do suffer with, sometimes genetic or other times as a result of improper diet - but please remember playtime is not the cause!
# MYTH 4: Chinchillas don't know when to stop and will run themselves to death
Chinchillas are intelligent animals and will simply not run themselves to death. Chinchillas in the wild would not have had a human there to limit the amount of time they were allowed to move around for!
This is often met by the counter argument that chinchillas in the wild had shorter lifespans. Of course longer lifespan in captivity is actually due to the absence of predators, not suffering food or water shortages, vet care if they are sick or injured and protection from environmental elements - not because they need to be stopped from moving!
If chinchillas had such an anti survival instinct they chose to kill themselves by running until death for no reason, they would have become extinct a very long time ago!
This is often met by the counter argument that chinchillas in the wild had shorter lifespans. Of course longer lifespan in captivity is actually due to the absence of predators, not suffering food or water shortages, vet care if they are sick or injured and protection from environmental elements - not because they need to be stopped from moving!
If chinchillas had such an anti survival instinct they chose to kill themselves by running until death for no reason, they would have become extinct a very long time ago!
# MYTH 5: Playtime is dangerous and hurts chinchillas
Playtime is not dangerous for chinchillas as long as you only allow them to explore in a chinchilla safe area. Chinchillas cannot electrocute themselves, fall down the toilet, eat poisonous substances, get trodden on, fall from a height, get eaten by the dog etc if you don’t expose them to these risks in the first place!
Hindsight is a wonderful thing and whilst some chinchillas have been hurt in accidents their owner never imagined would happen, the fact remains that this mistake, no matter how genuine, occurs out of human error and is not the fault of the chinchilla.
Therefore please ensure you fully chinchilla proof and supervise the area your chinchilla is allowed to play in. You would not let a young child play in an area that was dangerous, so please take the same level of care and attention with your chinchilla as well.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing and whilst some chinchillas have been hurt in accidents their owner never imagined would happen, the fact remains that this mistake, no matter how genuine, occurs out of human error and is not the fault of the chinchilla.
Therefore please ensure you fully chinchilla proof and supervise the area your chinchilla is allowed to play in. You would not let a young child play in an area that was dangerous, so please take the same level of care and attention with your chinchilla as well.
# MYTH 6: Chinchillas are scared during playtime and just looking for somewhere to hide
Unless you are doing playtime totally wrong, such as putting a chinchilla in an open area where they can't return to their cage and chasing them around so they are literally running for their life, then this is not true.
As long as you remember to have a quiet environment with places to hide and a cage to return to when they want, then you can rest assured that your chinchilla is coming out because they want to.
Typically you will find chinchillas come out to explore when they are most relaxed. Any noises such as a loud TV or unfamiliar sounds will usually result in them staying in their cage due to their natural prey instinct.
As long as you remember to have a quiet environment with places to hide and a cage to return to when they want, then you can rest assured that your chinchilla is coming out because they want to.
Typically you will find chinchillas come out to explore when they are most relaxed. Any noises such as a loud TV or unfamiliar sounds will usually result in them staying in their cage due to their natural prey instinct.
# MYTH 7: Chinchillas should not have playtime in Summer
Summer is far too long of a period not to allow playtime - chinchillas must be kept in an environment that's at a safe temperature all year round.
Keeping them in a room that is dangerously warm and hoping they will not move around in their cage is very dangerous and not a suitable alternative to air conditioning! |
# MYTH 8: Allowing playtime is humanising a chinchilla
Caring for your chinchilla’s needs is not humanising them or projecting your emotions onto them, it’s all part of the responsibility of having a pet. What is projecting human emotions onto your chinchilla, is expecting them to understand they must forgo playtime because you’re too busy or too tired to do this anymore.
Chinchillas do not have the same range of emotions as humans, which is why their enjoyment comes from running in a playpen and exploring various hideouts - something which would be dull to even the most easily pleased person!
Realising that your chinchilla's needs stretch further than just food and water (after all, they are not a plant!) does not mean you are spoiling them or humanising their emotions. It means you're being a responsible pet owner who's looking after all of their needs and not just the absolute minimum to stay alive!
Chinchillas do not have the same range of emotions as humans, which is why their enjoyment comes from running in a playpen and exploring various hideouts - something which would be dull to even the most easily pleased person!
Realising that your chinchilla's needs stretch further than just food and water (after all, they are not a plant!) does not mean you are spoiling them or humanising their emotions. It means you're being a responsible pet owner who's looking after all of their needs and not just the absolute minimum to stay alive!
# MYTH 9: Chinchillas aren't like dogs and don't need exercising
It is correct that chinchillas shouldn't be forced to exercise and should never be put on a leash and walked.
However, the free playtime we're talking about is completely different to taking a dog for a walk.
Playtime is the chinchilla's opportunity to move around in a safe space larger than their cage as they please. This is not forcing a chinchilla to exercise and should not be confused with that.
However, the free playtime we're talking about is completely different to taking a dog for a walk.
Playtime is the chinchilla's opportunity to move around in a safe space larger than their cage as they please. This is not forcing a chinchilla to exercise and should not be confused with that.
# MYTH 10: Chinchillas don't "play" & as food is provided in captivity they don't need to move around
Just because chinchillas do not need to search for food and water in captivity does not mean all their instincts and energy are taken away and that they want to sit still in a tiny cage not moving.
Think about humans, nowadays we can have food and pretty much everything we need delivered to our door - does that mean you'd be happy to be confined to one very small room forever? What about dogs, there is no need for them to go out to hunt anymore so does this mean they don't enjoy a walk or a run in the garden?
In terms of chinchillas "playing" this is largely due to individual interpretation of the word. Chinchillas definitely enjoy playtime and most get very excited when they see their playpen being set up. Whether you want to call it playtime, exercise, freedom to explore or whatever you like, is entirely up to you - but the truth remains it's still a vital process for chinchillas to have.
Think about humans, nowadays we can have food and pretty much everything we need delivered to our door - does that mean you'd be happy to be confined to one very small room forever? What about dogs, there is no need for them to go out to hunt anymore so does this mean they don't enjoy a walk or a run in the garden?
In terms of chinchillas "playing" this is largely due to individual interpretation of the word. Chinchillas definitely enjoy playtime and most get very excited when they see their playpen being set up. Whether you want to call it playtime, exercise, freedom to explore or whatever you like, is entirely up to you - but the truth remains it's still a vital process for chinchillas to have.
# MYTH 11: Holding your chinchilla and letting them climb on your lap is a substitution for playtime
Whilst it's great to spend time interacting with your chinchilla and with that beautiful soft fur, who wouldn't want to pet them (!) - handling a chinchilla does not substitute playtime.
Cuddling a chinchilla is often largely for your benefit not theirs, chinchillas do not necessarily need to be held. For some, it is a very stressful experience and only something’s that’s carried out when they require examination or medical care.
Playtime on the other hand is something all chinchillas should be allowed (apart from the very small minority with a medical condition preventing this). Sure, enjoy time holding your chinchilla and having them climb on you, but please don’t do this at the expense of the playtime they so need as well.
Cuddling a chinchilla is often largely for your benefit not theirs, chinchillas do not necessarily need to be held. For some, it is a very stressful experience and only something’s that’s carried out when they require examination or medical care.
Playtime on the other hand is something all chinchillas should be allowed (apart from the very small minority with a medical condition preventing this). Sure, enjoy time holding your chinchilla and having them climb on you, but please don’t do this at the expense of the playtime they so need as well.
# MYTH 12: Playtime is for the owner's benefit not the chinchilla's
Actually in most cases the exact opposite is true! Whilst there may be an initial novelty of watching your chinchilla have playtime, for many this soon wears off and often we'd prefer to spend our evenings relaxing in front of the TV or cuddling the chinchilla, rather than supervising their playtime!
However knowing that playtime is something your chinchilla needs to keep happy and healthy, it's important to ensure their needs are met - even if this is something you don't always feel like.
However knowing that playtime is something your chinchilla needs to keep happy and healthy, it's important to ensure their needs are met - even if this is something you don't always feel like.
# MYTH 13: It is impossible to chinchilla proof a playtime area
Chinchilla proofing a playpen or play area is not complicated or difficult, it can just take a bit of planning, effort and consideration sometimes.
The easiest way is to start with a totally empty playpen (minimum 3ft high with bar spacing less than 1 inch) and only put items in that are suitable for the chinchilla, such as safe wooden toys. That way you don't risk any unsafe items being in there that you may have forgotten to remove. Take a look at our guide here to make sure your playtime area is safe.
The easiest way is to start with a totally empty playpen (minimum 3ft high with bar spacing less than 1 inch) and only put items in that are suitable for the chinchilla, such as safe wooden toys. That way you don't risk any unsafe items being in there that you may have forgotten to remove. Take a look at our guide here to make sure your playtime area is safe.
# MYTH 14: Playtime causes chinchillas to become underweight
If a chinchilla loses weight from introducing playtime then this indicates that the chinchilla was heavier than their natural weight previously.
If you are free feeding high quality pellets and timothy hay, your chinchilla should not be underweight. If you do have concerns that your chinchilla is too thin please take them to the vet, as it could be a sign of a serious underlying issue.
Please remember playtime does not cause malnourishment, there are many chinchillas who have daily playtime and are over 1000g. However not all chinchillas are built to be this size, some are just engineered to be much smaller.
If your chinchilla is naturally of a smaller build you must accept this is the way they are - limiting their movement because you want a big, round fluffy chinchilla is not fair or healthy. Some are just not destined to be that way.
If you are free feeding high quality pellets and timothy hay, your chinchilla should not be underweight. If you do have concerns that your chinchilla is too thin please take them to the vet, as it could be a sign of a serious underlying issue.
Please remember playtime does not cause malnourishment, there are many chinchillas who have daily playtime and are over 1000g. However not all chinchillas are built to be this size, some are just engineered to be much smaller.
If your chinchilla is naturally of a smaller build you must accept this is the way they are - limiting their movement because you want a big, round fluffy chinchilla is not fair or healthy. Some are just not destined to be that way.
# MYTH 15: Chinchillas are den dwelling animals so they don’t want to leave their cages
Chinchillas are prey animals and as such they like spaces to hide, particularly when they are sleeping or something has startled them. However, to suggest a wild chinchilla would have spent their entire life in a space no bigger than a cage is completely untrue.
It would not be possible for them to find a mate and all the food they need to survive in such a small space. Plus with no one to clean up after them, they’d literally be sitting in mounds of their own waste after just a few days!
As mentioned previously, just because pet chinchillas do not need to go out in search of food to survive, does not mean they lose all their energy and want to spend their life confined to a small cage. You should instead provide places where your chinchilla can hide and let them come out as they choose during playtime.
It would not be possible for them to find a mate and all the food they need to survive in such a small space. Plus with no one to clean up after them, they’d literally be sitting in mounds of their own waste after just a few days!
As mentioned previously, just because pet chinchillas do not need to go out in search of food to survive, does not mean they lose all their energy and want to spend their life confined to a small cage. You should instead provide places where your chinchilla can hide and let them come out as they choose during playtime.
Where do these myths come from?
1. Time and effortOne of the main reasons chinchillas aren’t given the playtime they need is the time, effort and cleaning up afterwards playtime involves. It is far easier to try and tell yourself your chinchilla doesn't need playtime, than feel guilty about not allowing them the exercise they require. This is why you must really consider if you’re able to give an animal the care required over the course of their lifespan before committing to them. However you can help minimise the effort required by getting into a good routine and using an easy to set up playpen as explained in the importance of playtime. |
2. Misunderstanding surrounding seizuresThere is some genuine misunderstanding around seizures, some people hear about another chinchilla suffering from seizures and jump to the conclusion that all chinchillas should never have playtime - even though the vast majority don't even have that medical condition! In almost all species, humans included, a minority unfortunately do suffer from seizures. However we need to put this into perspective, you should not be afraid to leave your bed in case you suddenly suffer a seizure and get hurt. Nor should you deny your chinchilla playtime in case they suddenly develop seizures out of the blue! Seizures are a medical condition that are not caused by playtime. Playtime, amongst other things, may trigger seizures, but do not cause it. Causes of seizures actually include being fed an improper diet too high in sugar, or sometimes are just a condition the chinchilla was born with. |
3. Breeders have too many chinchillas for playtimeMany breeders do not offer playtime due to the sheer numbers they have, plus wanting their chinchillas to devote all their time and energy to breeding. If a chinchilla is having playtime, that is time lost they could spend mating instead. Therefore it would be difficult for a breeder to say playtime is a necessity when they're unable to offer it themselves. However it should be remembered that breeders have different objectives to pet owners. Just because exercise may not be offered to a breeding herd, does not mean pet chinchillas need to go without playtime too. |