You need to choose a big chinchilla cage. The first chinchilla I ever met was through a friend of my dad’s. I was about 8, at the time, and had never heard of this creature. I learned quickly that I was no match for its speed and agility.  It wasn’t until I was older and had a chinchilla of my own, did I realize how irresponsible the owner was. The chinchilla’s cage was 1’ x 1’ x 1’. It must have been horrible for the little guy. The owner allowed it to run around and chew on everything. I am glad that I read a lot about chinchillas before I decided to finally buy one. Hopefully, some of this will help you choose the right home for your chinchilla.

When it comes to chinchilla cages, bigger is better.

What is a good chinchilla cage? A whole room, if you can sacrifice it. This isn’t an option for most people, so spring for the large chinchilla cage. This comes as no surprise to anyone that has, or has seen, a chinchilla in action. The height is the most important dimension of the chinchilla cage. Chins like to jump, and do it very well. The taller chinchilla cages are, the happier the chinchilla. The floor of the cage should be no smaller than 2′ x 2′.

There are a number of chinchilla cages you can choose from. The most common is an all metal wire chinchilla cage. Be careful, though. The holes of the chinchilla cage must be small enough to keep the chin’s feet from getting stuck. The holes should be no larger than 1/2” x 1/2”. Many of the metal cages will include different levels and ramps. One downside of the all metal chinchilla cage is that there is no flat surface for the chin to stand. A plank of untreated, chinchilla safe wood can be used on top of the metal levels. You can keep them in place by using a screw and wing nut. I would suggest doing this on at least one of the levels.

The best option, in my opinion, is a mostly wood cage. There are a number of people that make these types of cages. Many people choose to do it themselves. This is nice because you can add solid wood shelves for your perches. Again, it is important to make sure the building material is safe for the chinchilla. Also, the chinchilla cage CANNOT be enclosed. There needs to be airflow. I will have pictures of some great chinchilla cages I have seen in future posts.

In terms of bedding, you can use newspaper or wood shavings. I have always used wood shavings in my chinchilla cage. If you decide to go with wood shavings, they will need to be made of aspen or kiln dried pine. Cedar shavings should never be used, as this has been known to cause respiratory issues in animals. The chinchilla cage will usually come with a drop in tray, or a slide out tray. Both have there advantages. I am a fan of the drop in tray. The drop in tray allows the chinchilla to be in direct contact with the bedding, which can cause you to spend more time cleaning up. The upside is that it is another solid surface for your chinchilla to stand. To me, it is worth the extra effort. At the time of this post, I know of no chinchilla that will clean up after itself. This means that it will be up to you to clean out the chinchilla cage. About once a week should do.

Please keep your chin safe and happy. Be aware that there are many cages out there that claim to be a chinchilla cage, but are actually dangerous for your chin. Safe chinchilla cages will help your chinchilla live a long and healthy life.

Click here to find a neat chinchilla video on youtube.

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One of the first chinchilla pet supplies to invest in will be a cage in order to keep the chinchilla from running free in your home. Chinchilla cages can be store bought or home made. They must be large enough for free roaming of the space and it also helps to have multi-level cages with ramps and platforms that allow for easy maneuvering and some variety for the creature. On average, a cage should measure a few feet across and a couple of feet wide with some height that allows for climbing space. Store-bought cages will have the appropriate measurements and features, which is a great benefit over making one at home that will require some ingenuity when coming up with the appropriate design.

Along with housing, chinchilla food that is made specially for your pet is available. They will need hay or grass as well to keep a healthy balanced diet. One specialty type of food is compressed alfalfa. Other food types are grasses, roots and seeds. With a sensitive digestive system, chinchillas should have the same foods in their diets every day and if a change is required, it must be done gradually in order to avoid having a sick pet. Water should be made available in a water bottle for easy access. Avoid any type of sugary foods or fruits as this may possibly cause for the chinchilla to become ill. In order to maintain good health, chinchillas should be provided with seed mixes enriched with vitamins and minerals.

Bathing is never done in water and you need only provide it with a chinchilla dust bath. Due to having dense fur that collects oils and moisture, chinchillas need to roll around in ash from volcanoes. The dust from the ash absorbs the oils whereas water would remove them and could be detrimental to its health since the oils help regulate body temperature. The dust bath is placed near the chinchilla for a short period of time and should not be left for a long duration because the pet may begin using it as a litter box, which could cause health problems.

When it comes time for play, chinchillas enjoy a variety of toys, which will help them to stay active. Items for chewing will help keep their teeth in good condition. An environment free of stress with low noise a little movement will keep your pet very happy. In the event a cage has to be moved, it would be good for your pet to be held or transported in a small container to reduce any unnecessary stress. Exercise is essential and allowing the chinchilla to run free occasionally will be of great benefit. Not only does it help their muscle tone, it also allows them a change of environment for exploration.

Chinchilla bedding is another important supply that needs consideration. There are unsafe types of bedding. Some woods that are available are toxic.

Local pet stores and online pet supply websites offer a variety of pet chinchilla supplies such as chinchilla food that is specially created for them. Other required supplies, which will help keep your chinchilla happy, are safe housing, toys that will encourage activity and items to chew on for good dental health. You and your family will enjoy your new chinchilla for many years with proper care and supplies.

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Chinchilla food needs to be selected carefully as chinchillas have sensitive stomachs. These little creatures are generally vegetarian, and need good quality food to maintain their health. Their digestive system is sensitive and stomach upsets are common, especially if the diet is too rich or if there are sudden changes in the diet.

Best Foods for Chinchillas

A wild chinchilla eats a lot of vegetable and natural fibers, and for pet chinchillas, it is a good idea to try to create a similar eating program. Many of the pellets available in pet food stores provide a lot of the necessary nutrients, and are also easily digested. Chinchillas need hay or grass, especially loose hay, so serve some grass or hay daily with the pet food. Hay and grass help to maintain the digestion in good working order, and it is also good for the teeth. Always check that the hay is fresh and does not smell damp.

Pellets are generally the best option and the products on the market that are designed for chinchillas usually contain a good blend of fibers, proteins and fats.

The best feeding bowls for chinchillas are small ceramic bowls.Chinchilla cages with a food hopper on the outside will work, too. Remember to give small amounts at each feeding time to keep the food fresh.

Can Chinchillas Eat Treats?

All pets love treats, but too many treats are not good for the sensitive chinchilla stomachs. Many of the treats found in stores can cause stomach upsets for chinchillas, so it is better to come up with your own natural treats. Dried fruits are always popular, although they are very sweet and should be fed in small amounts. Many chinchilla owners have noticed that their pets love raisins, and a small raisin every now and then can be a much appreciated treat. Some owners also use them when training their pets.

Other suitable fruits include blueberries, cranberries and small pieces of apples or pears. Banana chips can also be given. Small pieces of vegetables, such as carrots, are good options as long as you do not choose gas-producing veggies such as cabbage. Many owners treat their pets with rolled oats and other grains, and these are a healthy choice as long as you remember to keep the amounts small.

Chinchillas also love chewing on twigs and playing with them. As long as you choose a safe and easily digested tree, such as an apple tree, you can feed some small twigs occasionally and watch your little pet enjoy the treats.

Other Feeding Tips

Always remember to keep fresh water available for drinking, and change the water often.

If you want to change the existing diet or try some new foods, even if you just want to change the brand of the pet food you are serving, it is important that you do it slowly over time. Surprising and sudden changes in the food can create stomach problems for chinchillas, so try giving a little bit of the new food together with the existing pellets at first, and add some more new foods every day until your pet is used to the change.

Sometimes chinchillas can be quite choosy with their foods and they do not always eat everything you serve them. Check if all the food has been eaten. Even if you have designed the most careful and balanced diet, if your pet hides half of it, it will not get the necessary nutrients.

Some reputable brands of chinchilla food that are popular with owners are the Mazuri’s Chinchilla Diet and the Oxbow’s Chinchilla Deluxe. With some careful food planning your chinchilla can remain in good health and avoid unnecessary stomach upsets.

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Grooming and health are a very important part of any pet owners responsibilities. Many pets require an awful lot of specialized attention including exotic pets such as chinchillas. For instance, it is important to have a large chinchilla cage. Before purchasing a chinchilla as a pet, it is best to study up on their preferences and any special requirements that they may have. Chins do have a few peculiarities that more common pets do not have, and that is why you would be wise to learn about them before purchasing. You will need some unique chinchilla supplies that most animals will not need. A good example of this is the need to provide a chinchilla dust bath.
Just like any other pet, they require the proper type of shelter, food and love, but they also like their dust baths to make them healthy and comfortable! The beautiful soft thick fur that they are so well known for comes with a price; a little chinchilla dust bath keeps their fur looking beautiful and healthy. In their natural habitat of the Andes Mountains, their regular cleaning routine was a good rolling in volcanic ash. Grooming in animals, and people as well, is a part of everyday cleanliness. Chinchillas just take on a little bit more of an exotic form when it comes to bathing.

When you keep chins in chinchilla cages as a pet you need to provide the best care possible; these are intelligent thoughtful creatures and they have their needs too. The fur of chinchillas is rather unique in comparison to other types of animals; when the thick luxurious fur is soaked down with water it retains so much of the moisture that it can result in fungus. Never soak down a chinchilla with water; it is not natural and it is dangerous to their health and it removes some of their natural body oils that they are so dependent on.

Basic Guidelines For a Chinchilla Dust Bath

A few basic guidelines need to be followed for giving a dust bath. You can purchase the dust needed for their bath from a local pet store or buy it off the internet. Blue Cloud chinchilla dust is considered one of the top of the line.A chinchilla dust bath house is also needed.

Chinchillas are the most active at night and that is the best time for a dust bath. There may be some wastes inadvertently introduced into the dust bath pan; you should scoop these out to maintain a cleaner bath facility. So long as you make a strict rule of cleaning out the waste from a chinchilla dust bath you can reuse the dust several times saving you a few dollars.

Another guideline to keep in mind when bathing your little buddy is not to just place the bath in his large chinchilla cage and walk off. You need to monitor the activity of play and bathing to make sure everything is going okay. They only require about 15 minutes of bathing which is enough to remove excess oils and dirt from their fur. Generally, most of these pets will need bathing about twice a week depending upon how dirty they get and how high the humidity in your location is. Make a point of giving your chinchilla at least a weekly dust bath and keep the chinchilla cage sparkling clean and you will have a great little companion.

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2. 2 Chinchillas, 1 Chinchilla Cage
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There are a number of choices when it comes to chinchilla bedding. Small animal bedding can be a tough decision. Newspaper is an option, and wood shavings is another. When it comes to wood shavings, there are some things that you need to be aware of because not all of them are safe. Cedar and pine shavings are the main types of wood to watch out for. Although you can find them on the shelves, there is strong scientific evidence that supports that these can be dangerous for your chinchilla. These are very good for odor control, but the odor control comes from chemicals that can be harmful. Tests have shown that cedar and pine can lead to respiratory problems in small animals. The liver can also be affected by the use of certain bedding in chinchilla cages. While there are certain processes that can limit the level of harmful substances in these types of shavings, it is a good idea to stick with woods that are known to be safe. Here are some of the reasons why it is important to pay attention to the bedding you buy.

Pine and cedar shavings contain phenol. This is the same compound that is found in cleaners around the house. Phenol is a germicide, and this is why it is good for odor control. This chemical is linked to respiratory problems in laboratory mice. When the mice are placed in cages with this type of bedding, there is an increased risk of inflammation of the lungs and throat. Asthma has been seen in small animals that are exposed. The liver is another area affected by unsafe wood shavings.

Animals housed in cages with cedar and pine show in increase level of enzymes in the liver. An elevated level of enzymes is caused by an increase in toxins present. Scientists have tested this in the laboratory and found that once the animals are switched to cages with other types of wood shavings, the level of enzymes will decrease. If the liver is continually pumping out an excess of enzymes, it can lead to liver failure.

One process that can decrease the level of phenol is kiln drying. No matter what type of bedding, it is good to use wood shavings that are kiln dried. Another way to lower the harmful substances is soaking the wood in a solvent. This is not very common when it comes to bedding. The best option is to use kiln dried aspen. It has been shown to be safe for animals.

Be picky when it comes to the chinchilla bedding you choose to put in your chinchilla cage. The phenol in cedar and pine has been linked to asthma and inflammation. The liver can also be damaged. With certain methods of treatment, pine and cedar can become safer, but kiln dried aspen is much better. The unsafe bedding is on the shelves at the pet store because it is very good at controlling odor, and the scientific evidence is seen as inconclusive, but experiments very strongly suggest that some wood shavings are better than others. For me, it is not a risk I am willing to take.

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The pictures below are from Erica Vojnich. She did an awesome job making her own chinchilla cage. Her chin, Sophie, is a lucky lady. Her homemade cage cost around $100. This is one of the great examples of a chinchilla cage that people create themselves.

Here are a few notes she had about chinchilla cages, and some precautions for those who want to try to make their own.

1) If the cage is constructed with melamine, make sure your chinchilla won’t be exposed to any of the edges. Melamine is toxic if it is ingested and your chin will most likely chew the exposed edges. The edges can be covered using metal edging. Our cage doesn’t have that issue because we used wood for the shelves and ramps.

2) If wood is used, it has to be Untreated Pine. Since the chin will probably chew the shelves, it has to be something they can digest and it can’t be painted. These chemicals will harm your chinchilla.

3) Please do not put wire or plastic shelves in your custom homemade cages. Plastic is very harmful for them to be digesting. Wire shouldn’t be used because your chinchilla needs something solid to stand, walk, jump and sit on. It is very possible for your chinchilla to injure their feet on wire surfaces. Chinchilla can slip their foot/toe through holes. This could result in spraining, breaking, or cutting a part of the toe off.

4) Try to arrange the shelves so there is no possibility of your chin falling all the way from the top of the cage to the very bottom. We used a series of “L” shapes in our cage divided by a middle shelf. You’ll be surprised how quickly they will learn to jump all the way from the top to the bottom. Still, you want to take precautions. If they loose their footing, the fall won’t be from such a great height.

I completely agree with avoiding wire in your cage, but a metal chinchilla cage is easy to find and cheap. With some adjustments, they can be made safer.

Customizing a store bought cage is another option. You’ll need some chinchilla supplies. Add some shelves to get the “L” shapes Erica talked about in order to keep your chin safe from injury. Covering the sides and floors with untreated, chinchilla safe wood may be an easier way to get a unique cage. This goes for chinchilla bedding, as well. Putting up walls on the sides is a good idea because chins have the amazing ability of shooting their poo out of the cage in every direction. I swear that my chins had a poo slingshot hidden in their chinchilla cage somewhere because there is no other way droppings could fly that far across the room. Sometimes I imagined that they would have competitions to see who could get their poop the farthest. I always hoped to walk in and see Pedro DePacas shot putting a dropping.

There are a bunch of great homemade cages out there, and I will be featuring some more soon. Thanks for letting me show off your chinchilla cage, Erica.

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Even with a large chinchilla cage, it is important to let your chin out of its cage. They are not fish that you keep in an aquarium just to look at. Letting them out of their chinchilla cage will give you a chance to bond with them.  It’s good to give them at least an hour to run around and get some exercise. Do not be surprised if your chinchilla does not sit on your lap and let you pet him/her. It takes a while to build trust. Chinchillas like routine, so it helps to let them out about the same time each day.

You can keep your chins safe when you let them out of their chinchilla cage by taking precautions, and look for anything that may cause your chin harm. As with their cages, the same rules apply to chin-proofing a room. Remove all unsafe woods, chemicals, and other things that a chinchilla could ingest. Lead based paint can be poisonous to the chinchilla. Household plants can cause your chinchilla to get sick. You should cover all electrical outlets. Electrical wires are also dangerous. I’ve heard of people using PVC pipe when they can’t remove the wires. If you are letting the chin run around in the bathroom, make sure that the toilet bowl is down. It’s also a good idea to block anywhere that your chinchilla can hide behind. They are quick to run behind a fridge or behind the dresser that is a pain in the butt to move.

Chins love to gnaw and chew. Do not put them in a room where there is anything that you don’t want ruined (this includes baseboards. You would think my baseboards were raisins the way my chins would go at them.) Unfortunately, the do not wait until their back in their chinchilla cage to pee.  I found that the best area to let my chins out was the basement. I threw down some industrial carpeting and blocked off a section that they couldn’t escape from. It’s best to have some sort of carpet down. This will give them some traction as they bounce and run. Hallways are another good option.

Chinchillas are extremely good at getting under doors. I thought Spicoli, my first chin, was a magic animal because of his ability to squeeze under a door that even light had trouble getting under. Once they escape, they can be very tough to catch. It took me forever to find Spicoli the first time.  I would often use the chinchilla dust bath to get them back in their cage. Treat or chinchilla food will work as well. The chinchilla is very curious and will get into everything it can. They are also very good jumpers, so it is important to keep that in mind. The most important thing is to keep an eye on your pet when they are out of their chinchilla cage.

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People often wonder about introducing  chinchillas. In the natural habitat, chinchillas will roam in a herd. It is possible to keep one chinchilla and have it be very happy. However, chinchillas need a lot of stimulation. If you are only going to have one chinchilla it is important to give it a lot of attention. It is more common for a female chin to get lonely. If you are interested in bringing two chins together, you must realize that it may not always work. Some chins will just simply not get along. I was fortunate enough to have two set of chinchillas that got along very well. Spicoli was a bit aggressive towards Pedro DePacas at first, but it didn’t take long for them to become friends. I was very careful when I introduced them. The most important thing is to watch them very closely. It is not hard to tell when the chins are upset.

There are a few methods that people have used to introduce their chinchillas. One way is called smooshing. Essentially, you shove two pets in a small space and this will force them to get along. I honestly can’t say if this works, because I have never tried it. I can’t claim to know all the facts. Personally, I think it sounds like a horrible way to treat your pets. There is a far better way to bring two chins together.

The next method that is popular is putting two chinchilla cages side by side. It seems logical that this would work. The chins will get to know each other, but cannot do any harm to each other. This isn’t entirely true, though. One chinchilla can still display it’s dominance over the other chinchilla even when they are not in the same chinchilla cage. One chinchilla may become stressed. If you choose to do it this way, please watch the chinchillas very carefully. Just because they can’t attack, does not mean that they can’t hurt each other. Just because they get along side by side does not mean that they will get along when they are released. Once you let them out of their chinchilla cages, they may attack each other. The chinchilla may see the other one as the threat from the other cage. It may feel like the new chin is invading its territory. Be careful and watch the chins.

The preferred method is the cage within a cage method. Remember that the introduction will take time and patience. You must be willing to accept that two chins may not get along. It is important that if they are not getting along, or one chin is stressed. Take them away from each other.

The cage within a cage method is just as it sounds. You will need to put a smaller chinchilla cage inside your larger chinchilla cage. You will want the smaller of the chinchilla cages at the top level or close that level off. You do not want the free chinchilla to get on top to show dominance. Put the more aggressive or trouble chin in the smaller cage. You will need to cover the top and two sides of the smaller cage. By blocking off two sides, the chin will have a space to go and not worry about being attacked from every side. Put all chinchilla supplies, especially chinchilla toys they can chew, on in the cage, but no house or wheel. The chinchilla dust bath should be removed as well.

After about 5 minutes, you can let the chin out of the smaller chinchilla cage. You have to have your hand in there to stop any problems. Watch them very close. Otherwise, stay out of the way. You do not want to become a distraction.

If aggression is shown, put the bad chin in the small chinchilla cage for awhile. Continue this until the chins seem to get along. You want to avoid any action that involves one chin dominating another. Also, keep the house and hammocks away. You don’t want one chin to get territorial. Keep a constant eye on them for the first 24 hours. Do not give them a territorial spot for at least a week. You can give them a wheel or saucer if they seem to get along well on it. Here is a good website full of information.

On a final note, when you have two chinchillas, it is especially important have a large chinchilla cage in order to give them enough room to run around.

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Time to deck out your pet’s home. Here are a few chinchilla supplies that are essential.

A House –

Your chinchilla will want a cozy place to get away. A wood house is ideal because it will give your chin something else safe to chew on. There are plastic houses available, but it should be obvious by now that plastic is not a good option for your chinchilla cage. These are very easy to make, since it can be as simple as a wood box with a hole. Below is a Woodlawn Get-a-Way.

Water –

A water bottle attached to the outside of the cage is the best option. These will have a ball in the tube which will stop the water from leaking. The chinchilla will have to move the ball up for the water to come out. I’ve heard of people using water dishes, but I don’t think it would be worth the hassle of cleaning up.

Food –

Chinchilla food is obviously very important. It is best to go with a quality brand of food. Some good examples are Oxbow, Traditions, and Mazuri. Personally, I bought Oxbow in bulk online. A lot of the food that is on the shelves at your local pet store is full of filler and not particularly healthy. The same can be said for a lot of the treats.

Hay –

High fiber hay is important for your chinchilla’s digestion. The most common types of hay are timothy and alfalfa. Alfalfa hay is very high in protein and other nutrients. Because of this, it should not be your only type of hay. It should be handed out as more of a treat, or to a chinchilla that is nursing. Most stores will have hay racks to put in your chinchilla cage, or hay cubes are also available.

Bedding –

It comes down to using newspaper or wood shavings in the bottom of your chinchilla cage. If you use wood shavings, use Aspen or kiln dried pine. DO NOT use cedar. Choosing chinchilla bedding may seem like a no-brainer, but there are things you need to watch out for.


The Dust Bath House –

No showers for these guys. Chinchillas take dust baths and they love it. 10 minutes a session, a couple times a week, is plenty. It is not good for their skin or fur if they are allowed to hop in whenever they want. If you want to keep the dust bath in the chinchilla cage, you can find (or make) something with a door that closes. The chinchilla dust bath is a good way to get your chin back in it’s cage, as well.

Things to Do and Thing to Chew On  –

Besides the fact that you want to spoil your chinchilla, they will need things in their large chinchilla cage that will provide stimulation. You have to keep your chinchilla stimulated to keep them happy. Tubes for them to run through and hide in are great to have. Hammocks will give them an extra place to hang out in. Wood or lava ledges can be bought to add on to your cage. This gives the chins somewhere to stand and something to chew on.

Lava rocks and wood sticks are good for your chinchilla to chew on. Without something to gnaw on, dental problems, such as malocclusion, can occur.

For exercise, the Flying Saucer is a pretty cool invention. Exercise wheels with spokes can be dangerous.

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2. 2 Chinchillas, 1 Chinchilla Cage
3. Chinchilla Cage HQ – Chinchilla Dust Bath