So you have to tell me, did Mom sit on the heat mat?
How many photographs of pregnant chinchillas lying on heat mats would you like? I can produce quite a few - in fact, I have 2 sprawled out on mats as I type ..............
I am sure there is nothing harmful about using one now,thanks to your friends. But still believe it's unnecessary here, and would think it's just as much so in the USA.
There is absolutely nothing remotely harmful about using gentle heat mats for pregnant, sick, shocked, or elderly chinchillas - in fact, for some it is a life saver - as you have seen on CHINformative, they are used by many people in the UK due to the cages and climate. Breeders have been using them for 20+ years with no problems - kits die here from the cold/damp so heat mats are invaluable. There are also people who use them in the US for various reasons (also posted on CF).
That you don't use them is fine but other people use them with excellent results.
The kits running around in the video didn't seem to want to sit still on it LOL but then baby's only sit still when they are nursing. As you can see now.
Interesting - kits are often found snuggled up on the heat mats while the female rests or goes off for a munch of food. Currently I am watching a female sitting on the heat mat with one kit upside down under her & the other one snoozing on the mat all cozy & warm.
I do think it is easy to dismiss something if you haven't experienced it.