Chinchillas - a suitable environment

A safe and comfortable home

How big should a cage for chinchillas be?

Because chinchillas are very active they should be housed in an enclosure or a room in the house, rather than a cage. If housed in a cage, it should be as large as possible (at least 2m wide x 1m deep x 2m high) so the chinchillas can get plenty of exercise. It should have different levels and platforms so they have opportunities to jump and climb. It should also be indestructible and ideally made of non-toxic wire, because they will chew wood. Supervised time outside the cage in a safe and secure room should be provided daily to give them exercise. Make sure there is nothing they can chew on, especially electrical wires.

Where should I put the enclosure or cage?

The enclosure should be indoors, out of draughts and direct sunlight. Because of their thick coat, chinchillas are very prone to overheating and the enclosure should be kept at a steady temperature between 10 - 15°C. Chinchillas often start to become distressed at around 21°C and can die if the temperature goes above 30°C .

The enclosure should be away from busy or noisy areas, such as near a TV or music system, as noises and vibrations are stressful for the animals. Take care to protect chinchillas from young children and predators, such as the family cat.

The enclosure should be well secured so that the chinchillas can’t escape.

What type of material should I use on the floor of the enclosure or cage?

The cage floor needs to be made of a material that the chinchillas can’t chew through. If wire mesh flooring is used, make sure there are plenty of solid floored platforms and branches that the chinchillas can spend time on, otherwise they may develop health problems with their feet. Wire mesh should be no more than 15mm x 15mm so that legs or feet don’t become injured. Wood shavings are suitable to use on the cage floor or beneath the wire mesh. Don’t use sawdust because it is too dusty for their eyes and lungs.

Do my chinchillas need a nest box?

Yes. Chinchillas need a quiet and secluded nest box (25cm x 25cm x 25cm) where they can hide.

What type of nesting material should I give my chinchillas?

Chinchillas should be provided with clean, dry hay, straw or shredded paper (e.g. clean white kitchen role) to use as bedding. Ideally, any material used should be dust-free. Avoid newspaper because the ink can be toxic.

How often do I need to clean the enclosure or cage out?

The enclosure or cage should be cleaned at least once a day, by removing any shavings or bedding that are wet and dirty, removing any uneaten fresh food and cleaning the food and water containers before refilling them. You also need to clean the enclosure more thoroughly to keep it clean and hygienic – once a week is usually adequate.

From time-to-time strip it out completely and scrub it with pet-safe cleaning agents (available from pet shops). Let the chinchillas back in only when it’s completely dry.