Chinchilla Cage Instructions

The best environment for a Chinchilla is one that imitates its natural habitat as closely as possible, while providing a safe, escape-proof enclosure. Whether you are buying a chinchilla cage or making one of your own, you need to follow some basic guidelines to ensure that your pet remains happy and healthy in its new home.

  1. Size and Material

    • Choose a chinchilla cage that is as big as possible. Chinchillas need plenty of exercise, so the larger the cage, the better. If you are limited on surface space, consider a multi-leveled cage so that your pet can climb and explore vertically.

      Chinchillas are excellent chewers, so choose a cage made out of metal. If you must choose a wood cage, make sure the wood is thick. You can build a cage out of wood and then cover it with metal mesh to discourage chewing.

      Provide a solid surface on the bottom of the cage. Chinchillas have sensitive feet, and a wire bottom will hurt. If you must put the chinchilla in a wire-bottom cage, provide several ledges within the cage that the animal can sit on to rest its feet.

      Inspect the cage for holes that the chinchilla may escape from. Remember that these animals are quite fluffy, and their actual bodies are much smaller than they appear. Close off any potential escape areas.

    Ventilation and Temperature

    • Chinchillas easily get respiratory infections, so make sure the cage is well ventilated. A solid cage with few holes does not work well for a chinchilla. However, you do not want to have a breeze blowing directly on the animal, as this can cause it to get too cold. Natural ventilation without too many drafts is ideal. Do not place the cage in direct sunlight or too close to an air conditioner or heater vent.

      Chinchillas in the wild live in a dry, mountain environment. This means they do not tolerate humidity well. They also do not tolerate extreme heat or extreme cold. The ideal temperature for a chinchilla cage is 60 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Install a thermometer that has a humidity dial in the cage so you can monitor the humidity level and temperature at all times. Pam Oldham, a chinchilla breeder, tells owners to add the temperature and the humidity measurement on one of these thermometers together. If the total is 150 or higher, the environment is potentially hazardous to the animal.

      Place the cage away from high traffic areas in your home. While chinchillas enjoy people, they need their rest, and high amounts of activity during the day can stress the animals. The best option is to put the cage in a room where the chinchilla can observe the other members of the family, but in a corner where the animal will not be disturbed by constant traffic.

    Accessories

    • Once you have the cage set up, you are ready to accessorize. Place bedding on the bottom surface of the cage. Aspen shavings are ideal as they provide absorbency and odor blocking properties. Do not use pine shavings in a chinchilla cage, as they contain resin that is harmful to the animals.

      Choose a metal water bottle so your chinchilla will not chew it. If you must use plastic, hang the water bottle outside of the cage. Give your chinchilla a wheel that is at least 15 inches in diameter and made of a solid surface. Invest in a few chinchilla toys that the animal can chew. Add a hayrack for your chinchilla's food, and your chinchilla's new home will be complete.