Chinchillas enjoy the game of hide and seek. They have a knack for slipping into the smallest spaces and vanishing. Getting them to emerge from hiding and return to their cages is impossible.
However, you cannot keep them confined to their pen all day. Offering a variety of toys and an exercise wheel isn’t sufficient. As a result, you must let them go, possibly while wearing a harness for a while.
The question of whether chinchillas can wear harnesses may arise. What precautions should I take, and what are my best options?
In this blog, we clearly explain to you the dangers of harnesses and the best alternatives you have.
Keep reading to find out more.
Can Chinchillas Wear Harnesses?
NO is the answer.
A chinchilla should never be attempted to be harnessed at any time. And the reason is that a harness poses a risk to your friend due to their fragile rib cages and weak bodies.
What are the Dangers of Chinchillas Wearing Harnesses?
1. It will Destroy its Ribcage
It’s a common misconception that chinchillas do not have any sternums because they have “floating ribs,” but this is not entirely accurate. Their ribs are primarily made of cartilage rather than just bones, making them far less robust.
Their rib structure makes them vulnerable to bending or breaking bones as they jump around, which can harm their internal organs. Additionally, the harness has a good chance of choking your chinchilla.
2. You Cannot Perfectly Secure the Harness
Chinchillas are renowned for having extremely plush, dense fur. A chinchilla’s body appears much larger than it is, thanks to its hair. You will attempt to tighten the harness when you attach it to your chinchilla.
The dense fur might deceive your eyes; as a result, you risk ending up with a harness that is either too tight or loose.
Both possibilities could be disastrous for your pet.
Best Alternative Options for Chinchillas Harnesses
1. Create a Play Pen for Your Chinchilla
A playpen is one of the best options for time spent outside the cage. A playpen is a small, enclosed space from which a chinchilla cannot escape while not in its cage.
Just be watchful when your furry friend is out playing. Chins are resourceful little creatures with surprisingly high jumps. Your pet could quickly jump out of its playpen and escape if it wanted to.
2. Chin-Proof All Your Rooms
Keeping all the doors and windows closed is the foremost thing you must do.
Your chinchilla might attempt to flee if these openings aren’t correctly sealed. That is a big issue because your chinchilla would either be preyed upon or unable to adapt to changing weather conditions if it ventured outside.
Additionally, you need to tuck away any free wires in the space. All rodents have the ingrained desire to gnaw on roots, like chinchillas who enjoy chewing on objects.
Your pet will chew on power cables because they make it think of roots. If they are connected, they might kill your pet; if not, a torn wire might cause your house to catch fire.
3. Add Toys to Chinchillas Cages
You can fill the cage with a variety of toys for chinchillas. Exercise wheels safe for chinchillas and chew toys are both excellent options. The chinchillas are kept contained in the confines of their cages by means such as tunnels, balls, pumice, hammocks, stones, small bridges, hide, and more.
The secret is to swap out the toys occasionally. Sometimes it’s impossible to avoid doing this: chins gnaw their stuff until they break.
However, it’s also a good idea to switch around your animal’s toys in its cage so it does not get dull with them. It is possible to keep other toys on the side and swap one every week. That will allow your chin to amuse itself independently.
4. Introduce Another Chinchilla
Giving your pet a cage mate is another way to prevent boredom. When kept in pairs of the same sex, chinchillas thrive.
Although chinchillas can live solo, they are only content when they have some companionship, whether you or another chinchilla. Therefore, another chinchilla could entertain your pet if you only have a little free time.
Final Word
Chinchillas have different needs from other pets you might choose to adopt. With chinchillas, some typical activities with other pets are not recommended or feasible.
We strongly discourage you from using a leash or harness for your precious friend to ensure their safety and prevent any irreversible damage you may regret.
Drop any plans for an activity that calls for a harness. Look for other things to do with your chinchilla that you can do without a harness or a leash.
However, if you want to know if your chinchilla can wear a harness, be sure to speak with your local veterinarian.
