i have heard they don't really produce smell.
I have a question i wanted to add to this post, I was told that chinchillas are very emotional and too much handling can cause stress and even hair-loss. I was wondering how true this it, and if after they are socialized and bonded to a human companion will they be able to play and be handled for longer? How long and hard is the bonding process with a new chinchilla, and if they are socialized will they be okay to be pet by other people?