Most people know that chinchillas need food and water, that’s just common sense, but do you know what they need every day in their cages to stay healthy and happy? In this article I will tell you exactly what your chin needs and some things that are also optional.
Space is valuable in a chinchilla cage, they like to climb and jump and that requires space. Too much litter in their cage will simply get in the way, so what are the needs for each chinchilla’s cage?
Food and Hay – As you may have guessed, this is quite important. Chinchillas need a special type of food that is available at all pet stores and many places online. I order mine in bulk online to save myself the trip to the store. Alfalfa hay is very high in protein and therefore should only be given as a treat, although timothy hay may be available all the time.
Water – Your chinchilla must have access to water at all times. You can go with a bottle or a plate. The bottle should be on the outside of the cage, with the nozzle through the side of the cage so it doesn’t get chewed on. The plate should be ceramic or metal, but heavy enough that it won’t easily tip over. That would just make a mess and leave your chin with nothing to drink, which is why I prefer the bottle. Less mess, faster to refill, and harder to spill.
Litter – Your options here come down to newspaper and wood chips. As mentioned above, stay away from pine and cedar shavings. Apple and willow woods are the most recommended and if possible try to get chips that have been kiln dried. The chemicals in pine and cedar make them great for absorbing odors, but they’re terrible for your chin’s lungs. Kiln drying helps lower the levels of those chemicals and therefore makes the chips safer.
A way to keep fit – Chinchilla loves to climb, jump and run. Climbing and jumping need to be taken care of with the cage design, so here we will focus on running. One thing to avoid is spokes, if you are buying a wheel make sure the sides are solid. My chin’s favorite has been the flying saucer, a place to play without dangerous radios, can’t argue with that.
dust bath – What? Yes, a dust bath. Chinchilla loves it. However, don’t let them overdo it. 2 times a week for 10 minutes each is enough, longer and not healthy for their fur or skin. You can keep the toilet in their cage as long as there is a way to cover it so they can’t get to it. You need to regulate how much they use it. I find the best way is to just keep it out of the cage and then put it in when it’s time to use it. (Helpful Hint: Dust baths are a great way to get your chinchilla back into its cage with no issues.)
a place to hide – Whether it’s a small wooden house, a log made of hay and honey, or just some pipes they can fit through, your chin needs a place where it can spend some time alone. As with everything else that goes in the cage, make sure it’s safe to chew. Better yet, why not choose something healthy to munch on? Which brings us to:
fun things to chew – This can be anything, as long as it’s safe. Wooden platforms and shelves (apple and willow are the best types of wood for this, avoid pine and cedar) are my favorite, with lava shelves a close second. Chewing on these items will keep your chin teeth healthy and strong, and help prevent dental problems like malocclusion.
