Choosing the Right Cage for Your Chinchillas

If you've made the decision to keep chinchillas as pets, it's essential to provide them with a suitable cage. Not all cages designed for small animals are appropriate for chinchillas, despite initial appearances. When shopping for a chinchilla cage, there are certain factors to keep in mind. By ensuring they have the right cage, your chinchillas will thrive and make wonderful companions.

Size

Understanding the nature of chinchillas reveals their need for adequate space to roam, jump, and climb. Squeezing them into a small cage with limited room for movement is not suitable. Chinchillas can jump as high as 6 feet, making a single-level cage unsuitable for housing your pets.

Ideally, choose a cage with multiple levels. This provides both horizontal and vertical space for your chinchillas to move around. Ramps connecting different levels add to the enjoyment as you observe your chinchillas exploring their environment.

While large cages can be expensive, consider it a worthwhile investment. Remember, chinchillas can live up to 15 years, and a high-quality, spacious cage is a valuable long-term asset.

Construction

Cages made of wire mesh are recommended for chinchillas. As chinchillas have a natural tendency to chew, it's best to avoid wooden and plastic cages. Wire mesh cages provide better ventilation, which is essential due to the dense fur of chinchillas.

Ensure the wire mesh cage is free of coating and chew-proof. Chinchillas chewing on coated wire mesh can suffer from digestive problems, health issues, and even death.

Pay attention to the cage floor as well. Chinchillas can injure their feet when walking on a wire mesh floor. To prevent this, you can cover the floor with a suitable material or look for a cage with smaller mesh spacing to minimize the risk of injuries.

Removable Tray

Most cages now come with a removable tray at the bottom for easy cleaning. Simply slide it out, clean it, and slide it back in. This feature is especially useful for wire mesh cages, as mentioned earlier.

However, if you opt for a cage with a solid bottom, cleaning may be more challenging, although it is the preferred option for chinchillas. You can use newspapers to simplify the process, but make sure your pets don't end up chewing on them.

This is where accessibility becomes important. When cleaning the cage, you want to be able to reach every nook and cranny for a thorough wipe-down. Regular cleaning is necessary for maintaining good hygiene, so choose a cage with larger doors and multiple access points.

Accessories

Large chinchilla cages often come with ramps, ledges, and other accessories, typically made of plastic. It's important to monitor your chinchillas to ensure they're not chewing on these items. If they are, you'll need to replace them with more suitable options.

If possible, opt for a feeder that attaches to the side of the cage. This can be preferable to using a dish inside the cage, as dishes are prone to tipping over and causing mess.

Lastly, ensure the cage is placed in an area with good ventilation. Chinchillas can overheat if the surrounding environment is too hot and humid. Avoid direct sunlight and monitor the room temperature, especially during the summer months, to ensure your chinchillas remain comfortable.

By carefully considering these factors, you can choose the right cage for your chinchillas, providing them with a safe and comfortable living space.