What cage is best for a chinchilla?

How big should a chinchilla cage be?

The recommended cage size for a chinchilla is 2 ft x 2 ft x 3 ft, or 12 cubic feet. This number is for the living space for the chinchilla and does not include the legs, stand, or anything on the outside of the cage. If chinchillas live in a cage that is too small it can be detrimental to their health.

How tall is a chinchilla?

They come in at 36 inches long by 24 inches deep and 63 inches tall. As I said, my 5-year-old female chinchilla has plenty of space and different ledges to express herself and act as a chinchilla should.

How do you make a chinchilla cage?

Part 1 Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Enclosure

1. Get a wire cage that is at least 4 × 4 × 3 ft (1.22 × 1.22 × 0.91 m).
2. Use plexiglass to create a solid floor area in the cage.
3. Spread pelleted or shredded paper along the floor.
4. Attach a stoppered water bottle to the side of the cage.
5. Provide a bowl for hay and treats.
6. Secure an exercise wheel to the floor of the cage.

What are chinchillas habitat?

Chinchilla habitat in the Andes mountains of Chile Formerly, chinchillas occupied the coastal regions, hills, and mountains of Chile, Peru, Argentina, and Bolivia. Overexploitation caused the downturn of these populations and, as early as 1914, one scientist claimed that the species was headed for extinction.

How big are chinchillas?

Fully grown adult chinchillas can grow to an average size of 9 to 10 inches (23 to 38 cm) with an additional 3 to 6 inches being their tail and an average weight between 1 – 2 pounds. When chinchillas reach adulthood, health, good diet, and genetics affect the size of chinchillas.

How many babies can a Chinchilla have?

A chinchilla has a longer pregnancy period that lasts around 110 days. The sizes of a chinchilla litter is generally 2 kits, but a chinchilla can have up to six babies in total. Chinchilla babies are born able to walk with their eyes open, they are even born covered in fur.

Can a chinchilla live in a horizontal cage?

While horizontal cages can be ok for temporarily housing a chinchilla, they don’t provide room for your pet to fully exercise. Chinchillas prefer an environment that has plenty of jumping room. Some horizontal cages don’t even have the space to let a chinchilla jump without hitting the top.

What should I do if my Chinchilla falls off the cage?

Make sure that if your chinchilla happens to fall off any of the levels in the cage, it won’t drop more than 60 centimetres (24 in). Tip: If you plan on getting more than one chinchilla, get a larger cage to accommodate them.

How do you mount a Chinchilla on a shelf?

Install shelves. Chinchillas need shelves to mimic their natural mountain habitat and to provide exercise. For maximum stability, use angle braces screwed to the wood frame of the sides or back of the cage and a thin piece of wood screwed to the angle brace for the shelf.

Can you make a cage for a chinchilla?

Making this cage is straightforward and an affordable option for those who want a large living space for their pet. You can also add a variety of accessories and play toys, so your chinchilla feels safe and comfy in their new home.

Why should people not own chinchillas?

Most people should not own chinchillas and pet stores should not sell them because they don’t inform people with facts. Example what parent would buy a nocturnal pet for their kid?

How long do chinchillas have babies?

The babies nurse for six to eight weeks, and when they’re about 8 months old, the babies are ready to have offspring of their own. Generally, chinchillas live eight to 10 years, though some have lived as long as 20 years. Chinchillas are omnivores; they eat both plants and meat.

How to take care of a chinchilla puppy?

Provide your pet with chinchilla pellets and timothy hay everyday. You can give your chin a plain cheerio or unfrosted shredded wheat as a treat each day. Chins cant digest sugar, high fats or fruits and vegetables. It can cause liver damage in the long run. Also, provide your pet with safe wood from a pet store for chewing.

How to handle a chinchilla?

If possible, the best way to handle a chinchilla is by teaching them to walk into your hands. Once you have the chinchilla out of the cage hold them securely to your body without squeezing. Make sure that you have a hand under there belly and there feet are touching you.

What do chinchillas eat in their cage?

A chinchilla needs constant access to hay. Most common chinchilla foods will contain alfalfa hay. It is recommended to attach a hay tray to the side of your cage and change the hay out daily. Fruit: Fruit can be given to chinchillas, but only as treats.

Do chinchillas like to jump?

Chinchillas prefer an environment that has plenty of jumping room. Some horizontal cages don’t even have the space to let a chinchilla jump without hitting the top. Vertical cages, on the other hand, can be customized with ledges that give the chinchilla a sense of climbing.

Do Chinchillas need dust baths?

One interesting fact about these amazing animals is that they require dust baths to keep their skin and fur healthy and soft. Learn more about these fascinating creatures, their behaviors, and how to care for them in the sections below. Expected Size: Chinchillas can grow to about 10-16 inches (25 cm-41cm) long, including the tail.

How do you keep bird seed from falling out of Cage?

Protective Barriers. Another way to keep birdseed from spilling out of the cage is by creating small walls at the bottom of the cage. Do so by attaching small pieces of acrylic sheeting or stainless steel — which your bird is unlikely to break off or swallow — to the inside walls of the cage. The walls should be 3 or 4 inches high.

What to do if your Chinchilla has a broken leg?

Even if the first vet you take your chinchilla to is not equipped to repair a broken chinchilla leg, request pain medications and anti-inflammatories to keep it comfortable while you can find a vet that is able and willing to treat chinchillas.

How to take care of a Chinchilla in a cage?

If you do not have air conditioning, placing a shallow pan of ice cubes in the cage may help, or drape a damp towel over part of the cage. Place the cage on a table or stand as this will help make the chinchilla feel secure; chinchillas can be intimidated if you must lean over the cage to interact with them.

Do Chinchillas need shelves?

Chinchillas need shelves to mimic their natural mountain habitat and to provide exercise. For maximum stability, use angle braces screwed to the wood frame of the sides or back of the cage and a thin piece of wood screwed to the angle brace for the shelf.

What is the best book to build a chinchilla cage?

Build a Chinchilla Cage by Chinchilla Source Chinchilla Source shows you how to build a cage that helps contain the messes created by shavings, food, and droppings. The plan is fully customizable, so you can build it the size and shape that fits the space in your home.