Naturally in the beginning you will not know what to feed your chinchilla and so this article aims to give you some basic tips and advice on the best diet for your chinchilla.

CHINCHILLA FOOD

Most importantly you need to know that chinchillas are herbivores which means they are not meat-eaters. Unlike most human beings chinchillas eat in moderation only eating when they are actually hungry. Certainly don’t treat a chinchilla like a dog or cat where you may feel their bowl with lots of food because overfeeding can actually cause problems with their digestive systems.

Chinchillas are happiest when feeding on seeds and especially hay. A favourite food for the chinchilla is hay-based pellets which are hard and so the chinchilla nibbles and digests fees which also assists in trimming their teeth. You can also put use a into the chinchilla cage as long as it is in a dry condition as hay can naturally go mouldy and musty and develop bacteria.

One of the benefits of feeding pellets to your chinchilla are that they are often infused with minerals and vitamins which really gives a complete diet for your pet, as opposed to putting in lots of different types of food and your chinchilla just picking out the best bits and leaving the rest. In this respect chinchillas are naturally just like human beings at the dinner table!

HOW MUCH SHOULD I FEED MY CHINCHILLA EACH DAY?

The next question we are often asked is how much food to give your pet. We would usually suggest about a tablespoon of pellets because bear in mind that chinchillas are small animals. Many owners naturally feel they are not putting lots of food into the cage that they are being cruel or starving their pet that actually overfeeding and putting too much food is counter-productive and can actually harm your chinchilla.

There are other types of foods you can feed your chinchilla and for the sake of it’s diet it is good to vary the types of food given. Many chinchilla owners like to feed them dried fruits such as bananas, raisins and apples. Vegetables such as carrots are good because they are hard to eat as well and good to the teeth as well as seeds and cereals.

CHINCHILLA DIET

To be very careful what you feed your chinchilla and always think about the natural wild conditions a chinchilla would be living in the mountains in South America. It’s natural diet is very much a low-fat diet with lots of fibre. Treats such as peanuts are all very well occasionally but just that.

The chinchilla likes consistency so when changing brand of chinchilla pet food be sparingly and try obviously sticking to a particular type of food that your chinchilla obviously likes. By all means introduce a new type of food or change to a different manufacture or brand of pet food but introduce this slowly and make sure your chinchilla likes it first.

Popular types of Chinchilla food include: Purina Mazuri, Kaytee, Charlie Chinchilla, L & M and Oxbow.

For feeding times most chinchilla owners like to follow a human-like routine of one tablespoon of pellets in the morning before they typically go to work and on their return feeding their chinchilla another tablespoon of pellets.

As well as pellets it is recommended also to ensure your chinchilla eats a certain proportion of hay as well as this gives it its necessary roughage and fibre.

So in conclusion on this article on chinchilla food and diet you can see that it is critical that you do not feed your chinchilla inappropriate types of food such as sugary treats and meat. We have also learned that overfeeding your chinchilla can be a problem for its health.

The safest and simplest thing to do, is to buy ready-made chinchilla food which contains all the nutrients such as vitamins and minerals that your chinchilla needs to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle. In this way you know you cannot go wrong.

Chinchillas are naturally playful and cheeky little pets but this wonderful friendly nature will only come out if you set up your Chinchilla’s living environment so that it is as happy as it can be. A depressed Chinchilla does not make a good pet!

In this article we list six absolutely essential tips for setting up your Chinchilla’s cage:

Tip 1: Size of Chinchilla Cage

Without doubt this is the most important tip for Chinchilla cages. Just like human beings we all want our house to be as large and as big as possible, money permitting of course! Well Chinchillas are absolutely no different to us, so depending on the money you are able and willing to spend on your Chinchilla cage, it is always advisable to buy the biggest, largest size of Chinchilla cage your money will buy you. Chinchillas don’t necessarily need a mansion but they are very active pets who love to jump from branch to branch.

Tip 2 Choosing the Best Chinchilla Wheel

No matter what the size of Chinchilla cage you have buying a Chinchilla wheel, also known as Chinchilla exercise wheel enables your Chinchilla to run and run until it’s little legs are absolutely exhausted.

A Chinchilla wheel in effect makes even a small Chinchilla cage bigger by enabling the Chinchilla to exercise itself and remain fit and healthy. What happens with the Chinchilla wheel is that it spins and the Chinchilla runs on top of it or inside it. The wheel is ideal if you are unable to allow your Chinchilla outside its cage very often.

Tip 3 Height of Chinchilla Cage

The height of your Chinchilla cages also extremely important as much as the length of the cage. This is because Chinchillas are creatures that love to jump from tree to tree in the wild. So they don’t just want to run around on a flat surface. Chinchillas are pets that would appreciate a cage with height as well as length.

Tip 4 Bottles and Feeders

Make sure you have a bottle which allows your Chinchilla to drink as often as it cares to. Keeping your Chinchilla hydrated is absolutely essential for its health and well-being. Remember that Chinchillas will chew anything in sight so glass bottles are best.

For feeding your Chinchilla, make sure that the food bowl is ceramic or glass as once again a plastic one will soon be eaten by your Chinchilla which actually could kill it if it ingests the plastics. Ideally attach hopper-style feeders to the outside of the cage for ease of topping up, changing and cleaning.

Tip 5 Placement of the Chinchilla Cage

Many people mistakenly put their Chinchilla cage where they can see it on a regular basis. Many people end up putting their cage in the lounge or living room where they spend much of their time. This environment is actually bad for your Chinchilla because there is lots of noise either from your family or from the television.

In all honesty the best place for your Chinchilla cage is in a quiet area where they may have peace and quiet and not suffer from stress and shocks. Don’t forget to not put the cage in a cold, overly hot or draughty area. Chinchillas appreciates a regular temperature which is not susceptible to regular changes.

Tip 6 Chinchilla Toys

Once again Chinchillas can certainly be likened to human beings we love to play and be entertained to me and your Chinchilla is exactly the same. So once again when it comes to your Chinchilla cage make sure the contains a number of toys and activities to keep your Chinchilla stimulated and busy.

There are a whole host of accessories which you can buy for your Chinchilla cage and please do buy at least a couple. Chew toys are especially good because your Chinchilla does need to grind its teeth down, so these are practical as well as for pleasure.

Getting it right first time is so important because the cage is the Chinchillas house and it is highly unlikely you will go out and buy another one, so knowing what features are important is vital to your Chinchilla’s health and happiness.

Chinchilla Cages

Chinchilla Cage – What to Look For Before You Buy

Chinchillas are wonderful and exotic pets. To keep Chinchillas, it is important to provide them with a lot of care and attention. It is important to buy a cage that would provide them their private space to lead a normal and healthy routine inside. However, do let them out to play and exercise every day. Here is a guide on buying a Chinchilla cage that can help you decide on exactly what you want.

Chinchilla Cage Size

The most important thing to keep in mind while buying a cage is the Chinchilla cage size.

Chinchillas are very fond of running around, hopping, jumping and climbing by instinct. As a result it is important to buy a cage which has plenty of room for a Chinchilla to keep up with such daily activities.

The height of the cage is more important than the length and breadth as Chinchillas are fonder of jumping and climbing than anything else. The cages should be as high as parrot cages at least but not more than 3 feet. Otherwise there are chances that the Chinchilla might fall from the top and hurt themselves.

Chinchilla Cage Ideas

Chinchillas are prone to overheating as they do not sweat. A Chinchilla cage with solid sides will be hot and stuffy and can be fatal for a Chinchilla, so it is better to opt for a mesh cage for a Chinchilla. However, the floor is best solid as Chinchillas find it hard to tackle mesh floors.

Also solid floors are easier to clean. It is best to buy a wire mesh cage as plastic ones are easily chewed by Chinchillas, which have a terrible gnawing habit. The removable floor made from wood is a good idea, so that you can pull it out to clean.

It is of utmost importance to keep the Chinchilla cage clean.

Access will of course be from the sides but it is better to have access from the top as well in order to clean the cage.

Chinchilla Wheel

There needs to be a few things inside the cage, which are very essential and not merely Chinchilla accessories, for the well being of the Chinchilla.

It is very important to keep in mind the habits of a Chinchilla while choosing these items. One has been already discussed – the active and agile tendencies of a Chinchilla. For this, it is better to keep a few levels inside the cage along with ladders, swings, ramps and tubes.

Disks and wheels are very good as Chinchillas love them and are very good exercise options for them.

A Chinchilla cage that already comes equipped with a proper exercise wheel is also a good option.

Chinchillas need to keep their thick coat clean but cannot bathe in water as it takes their coats a long time to dry and this may lead it to catching cold, which could be fatal. Chinchillas use Chinchilla sand baths instead. So it is very important to keep a well sized sand bath.

A very important thing is the nesting box. Chinchillas like privacy and darkness during sleep as they sleep mostly during the day being nocturnal animals. This is why a nesting box is so important. It should be very nice and cozy.

Keep this in mind while buying a Chinchilla cage. It is very important to buy a good one.

From the experts behind the Chinchilla cage blog.

We have a Chinchilla cage blog to help all owners effectively look after their chinchillas.

We exist to ensure that all domestic Chinchillas have the care and attention they truly deserve. This is the basis for all the information we put up on our blog and websites. For more help and information on Chinchilla cages, visit us at Chinchilla Cage Blog.

Below we have a video showing many aspects of how best to organize the Chinchilla cage setup.

Before you purchase or buy a Chinchilla it makes sense to spend some time considering where they will actually be housed and live. In the first instance you need to think whether you can even have a Chinchilla as a pet.

Sure they are small furry creatures but what you may not realise is just how much room they need to feel comfortable. They are very energetic animals that need a large cage and lots of space because in the wild they are used to jumping from one tree branch to another.

Chinchilla Cages For Sale

When you look for cages for sale you should try recreate their natural wild surroundings - buying a big cage will make them feel more at home. A good example of a large Chinchilla cage for sale is the Clean Living large Chinchilla cage (see image below) and we actually recommend it as our number one choice as a cage for sale.

Clean Living Large

We do however appreciate it is a top of the market luxury Chinchilla cage and the price tag may not be affordable to everyone, sure it is not the cheapest cage you can buy. For cheap Chinchilla cages for sale try the Super Pet Deluxe Chinchilla cage.

Why Choose a Large Chinchilla Cage For Sale?

When choosing a large Chinchilla cage for sale remember to buy one that is taller than it is wide this is because Chinchillas prefer to jump upwards rather than running along the ground. Always take into account that the cage you buy is going to be its home for many years because on average a Chinchilla will live for 15 years and even 20 years in some cases.

It is best to get the decision right at the start rather than having to buy another cage later on when you realise it is too small and your pet has outgrown it.

When looking for large Chinchilla cages for sale be careful not to buy cages designed for other pet animals. Although the dimensions may be correct you may find for example that the wire mesh is too big for a Chinchilla and that it gets its legs and feet caught or broken.

Also Chinchilla cages need many levels of shelving for the Chinchilla to leap from. So there are many unique considerations when looking at Chinchilla cages for sale which you may only realise later when you are used to your pet. Remember that the cage size is vital for avoiding chinchilla health problems.

Tall Chinchilla Cage For Sale

A large Chinchilla cage for sale that provides height as well as width is great but you still need to allow your Chinchilla out of the cage in order that it may exercise freely and have lots of fun!

Clearly buying a large Chinchilla cage gives room and space but even so, your pet Chinchilla will still get bored unless you put some Chinchilla toys and accessories inside the cage so it can amuse itself. The best thing we advise is to buy a Chinchilla wheel which allows your Chinchilla to run and exercise at any time without you needing to let it out of the cage.

Metal Chinchilla Cage or Plastic?

When deciding on what model or product of large Chinchilla cages for sale, do not choose a cage made out of plastic or that has plastic coated metal bars inside. Chinchillas just love to chew and gnaw and they will actually chew and eat the plastic and digest it which could in fact prove fatal. In any case metal cages last longer and are much easier to clean.

Chinchilla Housing and Cleaning

When choosing a large Chinchilla cage look at the floor of the cage because this is an important part. Many cage floors are designed to sit on top a pan, others come with a solid cage floor.

Always look to see that the flooring is removable so you can easily take it out the enclosure and wash it off. Otherwise you will need to bend and lean in to clean it and getting in all the corners may prove difficult.

A large cage is difficult to move so if you can find one with wheels, even better. Good luck with your Chinchilla and we hope this article on finding large Chinchilla cages for sale has been helpful to you.

Chinchilla Exercise Wheel

No matter what cage size your Chinchilla is housed in, you must put in some cage accessories in order for your pet Chinchilla to have something to do. Imagine how boring it would be if your Chinchilla’s cage was empty, it would be like being in a prison!

Not only that but for the sake of your Chinchilla’s health it must have the ability to exercise just as we humans need to exercise. Your Chinchilla will get much needed aerobic exercise and its fitness will be dramatically enhanced.

Even the large Chinchilla cages are not so big and tall that they can go without having exercise equipment for your pet Chinchilla. 

Your Chinchilla is a shy rodent and can withdraw himself and get lonely and depressed as we would ourselves living in a cage without stimulation. Many Chinchilla owners tell us that they see a marked increase in the Chinchillas mental health once they have bought a wheel.

They see him running around the cage in a much happier state of mind and the Chinchilla just does not want to get off the wheel except for food, water and to urinate, sometimes it doesn’t even get off for this! We know this as humans – because exercise releases chemicals inside the brain that make us feel better – Chinchillas are no different in this respect!

What is a Chinchilla Wheel?

A Chinchilla wheel enables your Chinchilla to run to its heart’s content as it will run on the spot and the wheel will turn around. It means without using hardly any space inside the Chinchillas cages you can have your Chinchilla running miles and miles if it wants to.

The wheel is very much like a treadmill that spins and turns while the Chinchilla stays in the same position, as it runs and moves its legs the wheel turns on its axle or axis.

Of course you should still on a regular basis allow your pet outside the cage to get the stimulation of really actually running, jumping and climbing, just be sure to let your Chinchilla out in an enclosed room that has been made Chinchilla safety proofed so no danger or harm can occur to your Chinchilla.

An exercise wheel keeps your Chinchilla healthy and happy. Choose Chinchilla wheels with a solid surface wheel that is going to be durable and long-lasting because Chinchillas can easily hurt their feet or legs on the wire wheels and the plastic ones wear out in no time.

Ensure any Chinchilla wheel is at least 15” or greater in size so that your pet Chinchilla does not have to force himself to arch his back while running as this can cause injury and health problems in the long-term.

Some owners choose other toys and gadgets that allow your Chinchilla to exercise inside the cage such as a Chinchilla exercise ball. We personally don’t like the exercise balls as much as exercise wheels because with a ball they bash the sides of the cage, this cannot be pleasant for your pet.

Make sure whatever type of exercise wheel you buy or purchase that it has a smooth surface with no gaps, people used to own wheels made of wire mesh and thankfully these are much less common these days. Why buy a wire exercise wheel when you can buy a solid metal wheel such as a flying saucer?

Chinchilla Flying Saucer Wheel

The Flying Saucer exercise wheel is a popular wheel that is different to the other round and upright wheels in that the flying saucer is a flat wheel on which your Chinchilla can step on or off, it is similar really to a children’s roundabout that you would find in a play area.

Chinchilla flying saucers are great because they are solid with no holes in which he can catch his legs or tail. The only possible downside of a saucer is that they take up more space than other types of wheels inside the cage. Also some Chinchillas take time to get used to the saucer wheel.

Reviews and Other Types of Chinchilla Wheels

As well as the flying saucer wheel there are other types of Chinchilla wheel.

These include the Giant Comfort Wheel, the Chin Spin exercise wheel, Home Made Wheel, Ed Wheel, 12″ Leo Braun exercise wheel and Silver Surfer wheel.

The Giant Comfort Wheel is made and sold by Superpet and this product is advertised specifically for chinchillas, however note that the diameter is 12 inches which in our opinion is fine for small Chinchillas but not adult ones.

It will of course operate and function but it does make sense to buy an upright exercise wheel that will always be wide enough no matter how much your Chinchilla grows. The last thing you want is to have to buy another Chinchilla wheel making your previous one redundant.

The Ed Wheel is a flat wheel made of wood which spins around. The diameter is 14 inches which is just about acceptable in our opinion as the ideal size.

The Silver Surfer wheel is a popular product because it is made out of metal which is ideal because it will get chewed, it has a good diameter and it is sturdy and will last and also looks quite good as well.

The Chin Spin exercise wheel is produced by Quality Cage and is certainly a product we would recommend to pet chinchilla owners. It is a hard wearing wheel and a 15 inches in diameter is just absolutely perfect size.

Make sure your exercise wheel is designed with Chinchillas in mind. Some owners buy hamster exercise wheels, rat exercise wheels, degus exercise wheels, ferret exercise wheels, sugar glider exercise wheels and even rabbit exercise wheels but many of these wheels will be too small as your Chinchilla is generally larger than these other animals and rodents.

Below we have a video of a flying saucer Chinchilla wheel so you can see exactly how a Chinchilla uses this to run and exercise:

Metal Chinchilla Wheels

At the Chinchilla Cage Shop we recommend Chinchilla wheels made out of metal. This is because these are strong and sturdy and also easy to clean because you can easily wipe them down with a cloth in case the Chinchilla has urinated on it. Some people buy the plastic wheels but of course they are not as strong and will not last as long as a metallic one.

How Much Do Chinchilla Wheels Cost?

Bear in mind this is an important part of your Chinchilla cages equipment.

You must not just buy the cheapest Chinchilla wheels that are available from pet Chinchilla stores and pet shops because they tend to break quickly and you end up spending more in the long term on exercise wheels.

Just imagine the hard use and hammering that your Chinchilla is going to give the wheel, it will be the most used cage accessory you will buy so it is worth spending as much as you can afford to.

Many Chinchilla exercise wheels cost over $50. Make sure you get the largest size you can buy as your Chinchilla may still be growing bigger, the biggest Chinchilla wheels are in the 16 inch diameter size range.

Chinchilla Wheel and Safety

To begin with you should move any other cage items such as toys and accessories away from the exercise wheel. This is because many Chinchilla wheels are flat such as the Chinchilla Flying Saucer Wheel and in this case they are likely to go flying off the wheel the first few attempts until gradually the Chinchilla gets the hang of it and it becomes natural instinct.

Chinchilla Exercise Wheels Page Summary

In order for you to care for your pet Chinchilla, you must fit out your cage with things for your Chinchilla to do. An essential Chinchilla cage accessory is a wheel, also known as an exercise wheel, in which he can move freely and run on.

Having this exercise will make your Chinchilla physically healthy and emotionally happier. This means you will get more love and attention from your Chinchilla when it comes to take him out of the Chinchilla cage for his regular ‘normal’ exercise and playtime.

Officially known by the rather long model title of – Super Pet Deluxe My First Home Cage for Exotics – the Super Deluxe makes for a great Chinchilla cage – and the price is good at just under a hundred dollars. You can buy the Super Pet Deluxe cage right here by clicking the link below. Further down this page you can see an image of the Super Pet Deluxe cage so you can see exactly what it looks like and what features are included within the cage. Below the picture of the cage is a complete specification of all the features and benefits of buying the Super Pet Deluxe Chinchilla cage.

Get Current Price to Buy Super Pet Deluxe Chinchilla Cage

Super Pet Deluxe My First Home Cage for Exotics

Give your exotic critter the comfort of a deluxe 3-story home with over 8 square feet of living space!

Includes roomy wire cage with easy to clean plastic base, 3 lofts and ramps, ledge, food dish, cozy hammock, giant exercise wheel, a name plate you can personalize for your pet and much more.

Filled with Many Great Features:
1/2″ Wire Spacing
Cozy Hammock
Giant 11″ Exercise Wheel
3 Comfort Shelves
3 Safety Ramps
Pet Name Plate

Plenty of Space for Your Exotic Critter to Explore
Ideal for pet rats, chinchillas, sugar gliders and more.

Get Current Price to Buy Super Pet Deluxe Chinchilla Cage

A really good mid-range choice of Chinchilla Cage. Clearly smaller than the large Clean Living cage this however is a very good size for your pet Chinchilla. This cage will not take up too much room in your home and it is big enough that you don’t find you have bought a cage that is too small.

In reviews this medium Clean Living Chinchilla cage has gathered good comments due to the cage size, the solid shelves with no wire to get the Chinchilla’s legs caught in and the ease of cleaning. See the specification and details below.

Get Current Price to Buy Clean Living Medium Chinchilla Cage

The cage system designed to meet the needs of every small pet and their owners. Easy to clean and safe and comfortable, it’s the perfect home for your furry friend. Plus, it features the unique ability to grow as your pet grows.

• Slide out tray makes cleaning simple
• Removable floor system keeps your pet clean, dry and comfortable
• Clear plastic guards eliminate messes around your home
• Extra large doors for easy access at every level
• Safe, solid surface shelves and ramps (no dangerous wire)
• Simple “Stack- N-Snap” connection makes assembly easy for anyone
• Clean Living Cages expand your pet’s living space with the Add-A-Level (sold separately) to meet the needs of your pet and your budget.
• Connect the Clean Living Playpen (sold separately) to any Clean Living cage and double your pet’s play time fun.

Complete Cage System includes:

• Extra heavy duty multi-level cage
• Scatter proof plastic tray and guards
• 5 safe, solid surface shelves and ramps
• Clean comfortable floor grid system
• Easy roll caster set
• Perfect for dwarf rabbits, ferrets, chinchillas and adult rats

Assembled cage dimensions: L 26 1/2″ X W 18 1/2″ X H 51 1/2″
1″ bar spacing

Get Current Price to Buy Clean Living Medium Chinchilla Cage

Out top pick is based around a number of advantages. With the Clean Living large cage you will not need to upgrade your cage during the years of Chinchilla ownership. There is always a danger that a new Chinchilla owner buys a cage that is too small the first time around.

In reviews this large Clean Living cage has gathered many good comments due to the large cage size, lots of space, the solid shelves with no wire to get the Chinchilla’s legs caught in and the ease of cleaning. Remember we said that a Chinchilla cage is it’s house or home – well this is giving your pet Chinchilla the best home possible. Surely he is worth it? This top of the range Chinchilla cage proves the old saying ‘you get what you pay for’.

Get Current Price to Buy Clean Living Large Chinchilla Cage

Clean Living Large Chinchilla Cage

• Clean Living Cages can grow as your pet grows.
• Key features include:
• Slide out tray makes cleaning simple.
• Removable floor system keeps your pet clean, dry and comfortable.
• Clear plastic guards eliminate messes around your home.
• Extra large doors for easy access at every level.
• Safe, solid surface shelves and ramps (no dangerous wire).
• Simple Stack-N-Snap connection makes assembly easy for anyone.
• Complete Cage System includes:
• Extra heavy-duty multi-level cage
• Scatter proof plastic tray and guards
• 5 safe, solid surface shelves and ramps
• Clean comfortable floor grid system
• Easy roll caster set.
• Assembled Cage Dimensions: L 32″ x W 22″ x H 61 1/2
• Perfect for Rabbits, Ferrets and Chinchillas.

Get Current Price to Buy Clean Living Large Chinchilla Cage

Chinchillas out of cage

In another section of this Chinchilla cage website we cover the best size of Chinchilla cage, in this page we investigate the different types of Chinchilla cage.

Many people like to buy a flat pack housing wheras other people like to buy a ready-made aviary-style type.

Whichever type of cage you prefer always put in the forefront of your mind the basic fact that Chinchillas will chew anything! Many cages have plastic protective covering of cage bars and your Chinchilla will chew right through these! This is actually dangerous to his health as he will swallow the plastic.

Chinchilla

READY-MADE CHINCHILLA CAGES

If you buy the ready-made aviary type cage ask yourself these questions:

Is this cage made specifically for a Chinchilla or is it designed with another animal in mind?

Will my Chinchilla fit through the door?

Does the cage have any plastic that the Chinchilla could chew on?

How solid is the cage because Chinchillas really run, jump and climb, they are lively little creatures and any cage needs to be strong and robust? Chinchillas need plenty of exercise to be happy.  With a large cage they are able to move about and climb but they should also be provided with an exercise wheel.

Is the cage large enough? – see page on Chinchilla cage size.

What substance is the cage made out of?

Does the cage have a solid floor? This is best so that there is no chance of the Chinchillas feet falling through the bottom and getting trapped. Some people buy cages with mesh floors because they are easier to clean.

Is the cage easy to clean? – see page on Chinchilla cage cleaning.

FLAT-PACK CHINCHILLA CAGES

If you buy the flat-pack type of Chinchilla cage which needs assembling ask yourself these questions:

How easy (or difficult) is it to assemble? Fortunately most Chinchilla cages clasp together with relative ease – thank goodness!

Does the cage have a solid floor or wire mesh floor? Chinchillas should be kept in a wire cage so that they can not chew their way out.  The wire should not be painted or coated because the chinchilla will eat this coating which will most likely be plastic coating.

Make sure the mesh spaces are no larger then 1 to 2 inches apart and the mesh spaces on the bottom floor of the cage should not be any larger then ½ inch apart because your pet will be walking on this and they can easily get their little legs caught in gaps.

Chinchilla Cages and Shelf Placement Video

Below is a really useful and educational video about cages and the best way to set up the Chinchilla cage shelves inside the cage:

Chinchilla

Should I Allow My Chinchilla Out of the Cage?

Many new Chinchilla owners are concerned about letting their Chinchilla out of its cage for the first time. Some Chinchilla owners do not even know that this is good for the Chinchilla and they keep their Chinchilla in the Chinchillas cage permanently.

Sure, if you have bought a large Chinchilla cage then yes a Chinchilla will not be harmed or will not suffer because of this but it is helpful towards your Chinchilla to let it roam outside of its cage every once in a while. This gives it stimulation and reduces boredom so give it some time outside of the cage; here are our tips and advice for letting your Chinchilla out of its Chinchilla cage.

How Often?

Good Chinchilla owners will allow their pet Chinchilla an hour once a day of play outside of the Chinchilla cage.

Because Chinchillas are from the rodent family they will likely chew on things such as your furniture. Make sure you let your Chinchilla out in a room that is Chinchilla friendly just as if you have kids you make your house child friendly with objects you treasure and care for out of the reach of your pet. Remember that Chinchillas are great at climbing so they can reach up high.

Chinchilla out of cage

Chinchilla Health and Safety

Be careful with your room in terms of electrical cables such as lamps. It is best to supervise your Chinchillas play time out of its cage so that it does not chew through cables or wires which are live and plugged in to electricity sockets.

It is basic common sense but make sure that when you let your Chinchilla out that the room is enclosed make sure all windows are closed and the door to the room is closed with nobody likely to come in the middle of your play session, thereby allowing your pet Chinchilla to make a dash for the gap and escape!

Keep the play room simple and uncluttered; you don’t want your Chinchilla to get behind hidden corners and urinate (or worse!). Make sure there are no hidden dangers such as places they could get their legs trapped or sharp objects or dangerous and poisonous chemicals such as cleaning products.

How to Handle a Chinchilla

Your Chinchilla has a personality of its own, you may find your Chinchilla is naughty or you might find him mean. Generally however they are shy, sensitive creatures so you need to approach them in a quiet way so you don’t frighten them when taking them out of their cage.

Over time if you handle them correctly, with love, care and attention you will find they trust you more and they become more affectionate. Use two hands to cup them in case they try jump away from you.

Support the Chinchillas back legs in one hand and the front feet slightly higher than the back legs with your other hand. Holding them against your body will make them feel more secure at first. 

Now let them have a good play before cupping them in your hands again to put them back in the cage for your Chinchilla – and a note of caution – they will probably be quite hard to catch – after all would you want to go back in your cage after you have been having so much fun!

Handling Chinchillas

Here is a video showing you how to handle your Chinchilla when letting it out of the cage: