Degu vs 
Chinchilla: Which Pet Should You Get?
Torn between a degu and a chinchilla? Here's an honest side-by-side look at cost, care time, space, and kid-friendliness — using the same data that powers our pet quiz.
Quick answer: For most families, a degu is the easier choice — it costs less per month and is more kid-friendly. Pick a chinchilla if you want a longer-lived companion. Neither is better overall — it comes down to your family's space, time, and budget.
| Degu | Chinchilla | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $15–$35/mo each · ×2 minimum ✓ | $25–$50/mo each · ×2 minimum |
| Space needed | A home with no yard | A home with no yard |
| Daily time | Some | Some |
| Cuddle factor | Some cuddles | Some cuddles |
| Handling | Gentle, supervised handling | Gentle, supervised handling |
| Awake when | Awake in the daytime | Night owl |
| Company | Needs a friend | Needs a friend |
| Experience needed | Some experience | Some experience |
| Lifespan | 6–8 years | 10–20 years |
| Kid-friendly | ★★★★☆ ✓ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Allergy-friendly | 🤧 No | 🤧 No |
👯 Degus need at least 2 and Chinchillas need at least 2 — the monthly figure is per animal, so budget for the whole group. The ✓ above compares the cost of keeping each pet the way it should be kept.
Choose a degu if…
- you want the lower monthly cost (about $30–$70 for the 2 they need vs $50–$100 for the 2 they need)
- you want a pet that's awake when your kid is (the chinchilla sleeps through most of the day)
- younger kids will help with care (4/5 vs 3/5 kid-friendly)
- you'd rather start with a shorter time commitment (6–8 years vs 10–20 years)
Choose a chinchilla if…
- you want a friend who'll be around for years (10–20 years vs 6–8 years)
Degu at a glance
A degu is the daytime answer to the hamster problem: a smart, chatty little rodent from Chile that's wide awake during the day, loves company, and genuinely learns to know its people. Degus need a friend of their own kind, a big chew-proof cage, dust baths like a chinchilla — and one famous rule: no sugary food, ever. In return you get 6–8 years of squeaky, curious, pocket-sized personality.
Chinchilla at a glance
Chinchillas are unbelievably soft, playful, and long-lived. They bathe in special dust instead of water and need a cool room because they overheat easily. They're active and acrobatic but don't love being squeezed, so they suit patient older kids and families.
What really makes them different
Daytime chatterbox vs. midnight acrobat
Degus and chinchillas are close relatives from the same part of South America, and both need company of their own kind, dust baths, and chew-proof metal cages. The daily rhythm is the real difference: degus are awake in the daytime, right alongside your family, while chinchillas do most of their zooming at dusk and after bedtime — a common disappointment for younger kids.
Cost, care, and commitment
Chinchillas are the bigger commitment on every axis: they can live 10–20 years to a degu's 6–8, they overheat above about 75°F so many homes need summer cooling, and their plush coats need more careful dust-bath routines. Degus add one rule of their own — absolutely no fruit or sugary treats, because they develop diabetes easily. Both are quick, bouncy animals that prefer sitting on you to being tightly held.
🧠 Test your knowledge
❓ Common questions
Are degus or chinchillas better pets for kids?
Degus, for most kids — they're awake in the daytime, social, and interactive. Chinchillas are wonderful but crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk), longer-lived, and fussier about heat, which suits older keepers better.
Can degus and chinchillas live together?
No. They're related but different species with different diets and needs, and they can hurt each other. Keep each with same-species companions instead.
Do degus and chinchillas both need dust baths?
Yes — both keep their coats clean by rolling in special dust or sand a few times a week, and neither should ever be bathed in water.
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