Metal Chinchilla Cage
Chinchillas are native to South America in the Andes Mountains and are often kept as pets in a metal chinchilla cage. For the right type of person willing to take some responsibility, they can make an ideal companion. They are typically friendly and gentle creatures; members of the rodent family and range in size just a bit bigger than ground squirrels. Keep in mind, metal chinchilla cages are not the best option, but are the most popular.
The original color of their thick fur is gray, however, today you can purchase them in ebony, white, beige and several colors in between. These mild and kind-natured animals have their fears and limits just like everybody else. Seriously frightened or threatened chinchillas can spray urine or bite if pushed to their limits; although this is more of a rare occurrence.
Keeping chinchilla cages clean is of prime importance as well as seeing to their other requirements for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Chinchillas cannot tolerate high heat of any sort; they must be raised indoors preferably with air conditioning so that temperatures do not exceed 75-80°s Fahrenheit. The thick fur of a chinchilla is beautiful but they cannot tolerate getting wet; when wet they must be dried off immediately otherwise fungus will develop in their fur.
The basic necessities for you and your chinchilla to both be happy is an extremely large cage, an unlimited food supply of fresh hay and pellets along with filtered or distilled water. Special chinchilla food can be bought online or at a pet store. Chinchilla bedding is needed, but not all wood is safe. Use untreated pine shavings, as these are non-toxic. Lastly, besides your companionship they must have their very own chin-proofed play ground. This is not a pet that you never interact with and just stick in a cage to admire.
Overall, they are very smart little creatures and they love to run around and play with a bit of interaction from you. Per say they are not the type of pet to be pampered, cuddled and treated as lap pets; they are intelligent and playful and will bond with their owners in a friendly relationship. This is not an animal to be controlled or dominated; they have their own perspective about things with schedules and agenda for playing and exercising.
A metal wire chinchilla cage is ideal since these little guys are members of the rodent family and they do love to chew. Wearing down their teeth is of critical importance to their health so make sure you get a good strong cage that they cannot chew through. An ideal cage for one chinchilla would be about 3 X 3 X ‘tall as possible’.
A Big Metal Chinchilla Cage is Always Better
Because they just love to run around and get plenty of exercise the bigger the cage that you have room for or can afford the better. If you are considering two chinchillas then of course you need a considerable large chinchilla cage to keep them both happy and healthy. To maintain good health and not feel stressed out (much like people) they require lots of their own space! For extra room, you may want to keep the chinchilla dust bath out of the cage.
The material requirements of your pet’s home are extremely important. These active little creatures will run up and down and around their cages very energetically and it is imperative that the mesh in chinchilla cages not be too large. It is sad to say that ignorant owners have purchased the wrong size mesh cages and had their companions seriously injured in the process. When the mesh is too large their toes and feet can become entangled resulting in broken foot bones, toes or legs. The safest sized mesh for a wire metal chinchilla cage is 1” X 1/2” for the cage walls or 3/4” X 3/4”. Ramps, shelves and floors should be no larger then 1/2” X 1/2”.
Buy the right size and style of metal chinchilla cage, provide all their requirements in addition to play areas and have a great time with your new-found friend.
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