Wow. Okay, first, I want to say thanks for putting so much effort into writing this big, long post. I will do my best to answer all of your questions. I fully agree with the cat theory, but there are a few twists. First, I heard the cat yell in the middle of the night. I ran into the room to see what the matter was. The cat had run downstairs. (The next day I checked her paw, and it had a little dry blood on it.) I found Bruce looking normal, and checked him thoroughly. I moved his fur to check for cuts, and there were none. I honestly don't think that are cat was trying to hurt him, just see what he was.
The temperature was 70 degrees F.
No, I made sure that he was nowhere near the heating duct.
About the picking up. I read that it is best to slide your hand gently underneath their body, then slowly lift them out. I was the only one allowed to get him out, so nobody did.
He did have a bad heart... or so we think. We never had him examined by a vet, we just buried him. After I thought about it, that is what I thought happened. We might have played with him a little too much. (His personality was laid back anyway.)
I did actually buy that in the pet store, but we showed it to the lady we bought it from, and she said that it was no good, so we took it back. Also, another thing that makes me mad are those stupid plastic balls. They say, "Chinchilla safe!" but they're as about far away from safe as you can get!
I did get dust for Bruce. I read that was not good either.
We didn't have any aluminum.
On the box, it says that the puzzle piece things are made of Loofah.
I do use perfume, but I'm always careful to change my clothes (or take a shower) before holding him. We only use air freshener in the bathroom, which is quite a ways away from where he was.
We did get another chinchilla, and the cat has never bothered it. We do keep the door shut when we're not here. And the shutting in the closet, I was really tired and not thinking straight. It is a big, walk in closet, but I still understand what you're saying. Thanks!
