Cages
It is recommend cages be as big as you can get, bigger is definitely better! (If you have a smaller cage, out-of-cage play time is even more essential.)
With cages that are tall, you will want to put in boards to insure that your chinchilla will not be able to fall more than 18". Chinchillas do climb.
If you are using a wire cage, it is important to provide solid surfaces for your chin to rest. This can be done with pine shelves and ledges or marble tiles.
You should use a cage with wire flooring no bigger than ½" by ½", if you have wire flooring at all.
Your chinchilla should not have access to plastic, as this can be chewed and ingested. PVC is a nice alternative.
Having a slide-out pan can also save a great deal of time and prevents your chins from being in direct contact with the bedding or litter.
There are several different styles and sizes of cages available for chins.
Many people find that they are able to build their own wonderful chinchilla cages from a combination of melamine, pine, and wire.
Some excellent cages available are Quality Cage Company and Martin Cages.
Susan Leonetti of AZChins also makes some amazing cages that you can customize to fit your needs. All of my cages come from her.
With cages that are tall, you will want to put in boards to insure that your chinchilla will not be able to fall more than 18". Chinchillas do climb.
If you are using a wire cage, it is important to provide solid surfaces for your chin to rest. This can be done with pine shelves and ledges or marble tiles.
You should use a cage with wire flooring no bigger than ½" by ½", if you have wire flooring at all.
Your chinchilla should not have access to plastic, as this can be chewed and ingested. PVC is a nice alternative.
Having a slide-out pan can also save a great deal of time and prevents your chins from being in direct contact with the bedding or litter.
There are several different styles and sizes of cages available for chins.
Many people find that they are able to build their own wonderful chinchilla cages from a combination of melamine, pine, and wire.
Some excellent cages available are Quality Cage Company and Martin Cages.
Susan Leonetti of AZChins also makes some amazing cages that you can customize to fit your needs. All of my cages come from her.
Cage Accessories
Fleece Hammocks are a great addition to any cage. Please avoid the hammocks with the straps, chinchillas can easily chew through them.
Fleece Tubes by Hedi at Fuzz Butt Chins is another fantastic resting/hiding addition to any cage.
Ledges are a good way to adjust space in your cage to help a chin from falling. Also is a great place for a chin to sleep.
Hiding/Nesting Boxes are a must. Chinchillas like to feel safe while sleeping and the best way to go about that is giving them a nice place to hide. Boxes should be made out of safe wood or metal. You can make your own houses out of safe wood and some school elmers glue.
A water bottle is a MUST. I recommend water bottles from chin-world.
A heavy food dish is a good idea, so the chinchilla cannot knock it over.
Hay boxes are a great little invention. You don't necessarily need one, but it helps to keep the hay in one spot and the chinchilla wont get urine or poop in it. Hedi also sells these at Fuzz Butt Chins and they come with many different patterns.
Chew Toys are also a MUST. In order to keep a chinchillas teeth healthy and strong, they need to chew. Please be sure the wood and chain (if it has a chain) are chinchilla safe. There are many places that sell toys or you can make your own. I like to make my own and I get my wood and pumice from Pet Products By Nature. Please look closely as they do sell wood for birds as well and wood that is safe for birds may not be safe for chinchillas.
Fleece Tubes by Hedi at Fuzz Butt Chins is another fantastic resting/hiding addition to any cage.
Ledges are a good way to adjust space in your cage to help a chin from falling. Also is a great place for a chin to sleep.
Hiding/Nesting Boxes are a must. Chinchillas like to feel safe while sleeping and the best way to go about that is giving them a nice place to hide. Boxes should be made out of safe wood or metal. You can make your own houses out of safe wood and some school elmers glue.
A water bottle is a MUST. I recommend water bottles from chin-world.
A heavy food dish is a good idea, so the chinchilla cannot knock it over.
Hay boxes are a great little invention. You don't necessarily need one, but it helps to keep the hay in one spot and the chinchilla wont get urine or poop in it. Hedi also sells these at Fuzz Butt Chins and they come with many different patterns.
Chew Toys are also a MUST. In order to keep a chinchillas teeth healthy and strong, they need to chew. Please be sure the wood and chain (if it has a chain) are chinchilla safe. There are many places that sell toys or you can make your own. I like to make my own and I get my wood and pumice from Pet Products By Nature. Please look closely as they do sell wood for birds as well and wood that is safe for birds may not be safe for chinchillas.
Nutrition (Food)
Pellets
A good diet is the most important thing for a chinchilla.
When feeding an alfalfa based pellet, loose timothy hay should be provided.
When feeding a timothy based pellet, loose alfalfa hay should be provided.
A good chinchilla pellet will be around 17% to 21% Crude Protein, but no less than 16% Crude Protein, and 18% Crude Fiber.
Here is a list of quality food:
Mazuri (alfalfa based)
Oxbow (alfalfa based)
Tradition (grain based)
Hay
Alfalfa is a legume hay, which is much richer and higher in crude protein and calcium. It can cause digestive problems and soft stools.
Timothy is a grass hay, which is higher in fiber, lower in protein, and lower in calcium content. This helps to keep the gastrointestinal tract functioning properly and helps to prevent loose stools.
By using a loose hay that is the opposite of what the base is for the pellets, you can keep a nice balance between timothy and alfalfa in your chin's diet.
You can also find compressed hay cubes to give as well.
A good diet is the most important thing for a chinchilla.
When feeding an alfalfa based pellet, loose timothy hay should be provided.
When feeding a timothy based pellet, loose alfalfa hay should be provided.
A good chinchilla pellet will be around 17% to 21% Crude Protein, but no less than 16% Crude Protein, and 18% Crude Fiber.
Here is a list of quality food:
Mazuri (alfalfa based)
Oxbow (alfalfa based)
Tradition (grain based)
Hay
Alfalfa is a legume hay, which is much richer and higher in crude protein and calcium. It can cause digestive problems and soft stools.
Timothy is a grass hay, which is higher in fiber, lower in protein, and lower in calcium content. This helps to keep the gastrointestinal tract functioning properly and helps to prevent loose stools.
By using a loose hay that is the opposite of what the base is for the pellets, you can keep a nice balance between timothy and alfalfa in your chin's diet.
You can also find compressed hay cubes to give as well.
Treats
Chinchillas should get treats, but don't over-do it. Too many treats can lead to soft stools or other more life threatening problems like diabetes.
Generally some good treats to give are:
Shredded Wheat
Horse Cookies
Rose Hips
Apple Sticks
Cheerios
Chew Toys :)
A good rule might be to give 1 treat per chin daily.
Generally some good treats to give are:
Shredded Wheat
Horse Cookies
Rose Hips
Apple Sticks
Cheerios
Chew Toys :)
A good rule might be to give 1 treat per chin daily.
Playtime
Playtime should be given daily if you can, just 20 minutes will do. Try to at least give playtime every other day.
Adding a wheel to any cage can help reduce playtime if you lead a busy life, but should never completely replace out of cage playtime.
You should always supervise during playtime.
The area should also be chin-proofed to assure no injuries occur.
If you sit and play with your chinchilla during playtime, this can help you to bond more easily.
Adding a wheel to any cage can help reduce playtime if you lead a busy life, but should never completely replace out of cage playtime.
You should always supervise during playtime.
The area should also be chin-proofed to assure no injuries occur.
If you sit and play with your chinchilla during playtime, this can help you to bond more easily.
Things to Consider Before Owning
Please consider the following before purchasing a chinchilla:
Find an exotic vet near you who has experience with chinchillas. You should have information on experienced chinchilla vets during all hours of the day.
Have the necessary funds set aside before you purchase. A trip to the emergency vet can start out at $100 and go up from there.
Chinchillas can live to be over 20 years old. Caring for a chinchilla is a life long commitment.
Consider issues such as time, space, temperature and humidity.
Chinchillas are nocturnal and need out of cage exercise.
Chinchillas must be in an environment that is never above 75ºF/23.9ºC. The temperature (in ºF) plus the percent of humidity should never add up to more than 150. For example, if the humidity is at 80%, the temperature would have to be 70ºF or less.
Chinchillas do not generally like to be held. With time and trust, most chinchillas will socialize with you, but they very rarely want to sit still for very long. Chinchillas cannot regulate their own body temperature and will absorb the heat from your hands, which may be one reason why they prefer not to stay there.
Chinchillas are prey animals. Animals such as; dogs, cats, birds, or ferrets think of a chinchilla as food. These animals may also make a chinchilla nervous.
Do you have a separate room to house the chinchilla in away from other animals, if necessary?
You must have the ability to purchase necessary supplies at a nearby location, from a local breeder, or online.
It can be difficult to find some of the supplies a chinchilla needs, as pet stores tend to carry food that lacks the proper nutrients and other unsafe items for chinchillas. This includes treats, toys, and even cages.
Find an exotic vet near you who has experience with chinchillas. You should have information on experienced chinchilla vets during all hours of the day.
Have the necessary funds set aside before you purchase. A trip to the emergency vet can start out at $100 and go up from there.
Chinchillas can live to be over 20 years old. Caring for a chinchilla is a life long commitment.
Consider issues such as time, space, temperature and humidity.
Chinchillas are nocturnal and need out of cage exercise.
Chinchillas must be in an environment that is never above 75ºF/23.9ºC. The temperature (in ºF) plus the percent of humidity should never add up to more than 150. For example, if the humidity is at 80%, the temperature would have to be 70ºF or less.
Chinchillas do not generally like to be held. With time and trust, most chinchillas will socialize with you, but they very rarely want to sit still for very long. Chinchillas cannot regulate their own body temperature and will absorb the heat from your hands, which may be one reason why they prefer not to stay there.
Chinchillas are prey animals. Animals such as; dogs, cats, birds, or ferrets think of a chinchilla as food. These animals may also make a chinchilla nervous.
Do you have a separate room to house the chinchilla in away from other animals, if necessary?
You must have the ability to purchase necessary supplies at a nearby location, from a local breeder, or online.
It can be difficult to find some of the supplies a chinchilla needs, as pet stores tend to carry food that lacks the proper nutrients and other unsafe items for chinchillas. This includes treats, toys, and even cages.