Chinchillas as Pets – Cages for Pet Chinchillas

Chinchillas are small rodents native to South America, often found in rocky, arid mountain regions. They are best known for their incredibly soft, thick, luxurious fur. In the wild, this fur protects them from the elements, but in captivity, it can make them susceptible to overheating. This must be considered when deciding where to keep your chinchilla. A cooler, quiet area of your home is the ideal place for their chinchilla cage.

The Cage

The larger the cage, the better. A minimum floor space of about 24 by 24 inches is recommended, and a tall cage is preferable. If possible, choose a tall cage with shelves and ladders for the chinchilla to climb. Wire is the best material for cages, as chinchillas chew and destroy plastic easily, so avoid plastic cages or accessories.

The tray can be lined with wood shavings; avoid cedar shavings, and use hardwood shavings like aspen instead of pine. Newspapers are another option. Many chinchilla cages have a wire floor, which is nice for cleanliness but can be hard on chinchilla feet so they are best avoided. Wire floors or shelves can be covered with wood to provide relief for the chinchilla’s feet. A wooden nest box should also be provided.

Where to Put the Cage

Place the cage in a quiet area of the home where human activities won’t disturb or stress the chinchilla during the day. The cage should also be located in a cool, draft-free area and should not be exposed to direct sunlight to prevent overheating. In summer, monitor temperatures to ensure they do not exceed 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius). If you don’t have air conditioning, placing a shallow pan of ice cubes in the cage or draping a damp towel over part of the cage may help.

Place the cage on a table or stand to help the chinchilla feel secure, as they can be intimidated if you have to lean over the cage to interact with them.

Water Bottles

Glass water bottles are ideal because chinchillas can’t chew through them. If you use plastic, encase it or create a barrier with wire mesh to reduce the risk of damage. Commercial chew guards are also available. For feeders, hopper-style feeders that attach to the outside of the cage are ideal because they can’t be tipped, and the chinchilla won’t be able to urinate in their food. If a food bowl is used, it should be a heavy ceramic bowl to prevent tipping, and it must be cleaned daily.

Toys

Toys can also be provided blocks of wood and pesticide-free tree branches make good chew toys. Some wooden parrot toys are suitable, as are willow balls and rings available for rabbits. It’s important to provide toys without small or plastic parts that could be ingested. Additionally, a “chinchilla block” or pumice block can be offered for chewing, which helps keep teeth trim.

Wheels

Wheels can provide excellent exercise, but a chinchilla may not take to running on one unless introduced at a fairly young age. Look for a 15-inch wheel, since anything smaller will be too small for most adult chinchillas with a solid running surface and an open side without cross supports.

Some people find that running discs, such as the Flying Saucer, are good options for chinchillas. The risk of overheating makes plastic run-around balls undesirable. Your chinchilla would prefer to run in a secure, chinchilla-proofed room.