Chinchilla Cages - Choosing One

Chinchilla’s are furry little rodents that we have to come to love as pets. They are tiny, fragile and much care is needed to protect them from the elements and other harmful factors in our home, which can only be done with a proper chinchillas cage. A proper chinchilla cage resembles guinea pig hutches, and is the perfect home for our pets. Ideal chinchillas cages must be something that can closely resemble if not mimic the natural environment of chinchilla’s. To know what type of cage is suitable, every pet owner should at least know the basics of his chinchilla. This will enlighten him and make sure that his pet is protected and healthy.

A typical chinchilla and a baby chinchilla is blessed with a magnificent and thick fur coat. It is also because of its thick fur that a chinchilla is unable to regulate its body temperature. Hence, every owner should put this into consideration and to put the cages for chinchilla in a well ventilated and even slightly cool area so that the furry little rodent will not overheat itself. Some signs to look out for to know whether your pet is feeling a little warm to almost hot is to look at the ears. They turn slightly red to very very red when the animal is overheating as they focus blood circulation to their ears making them change color.

These animals also need a lot of exercise every day and it would be wise to have a large exercise wheel for them to spend their energy on. It would at least have to be 15 inches in diameter to effectively pose as a challenge for them and it must also have a solid surface with no holes in between slats. Chinchillas have small feet and they may get caught in between them and may injure your pet. Wheels with spokes should also be avoided so that the tail with not get trapped or be accidentally cut off.

Lastly, chinchillas for sale and those that are raised in captivity have a sensitive stomach. Care should be taken when preparing their food although there are many varieties and variations to the kinds of food that they may or can eat, but it is advisable that they be fed a mostly hay –based pellet. An occasional fruit or berry that has been dried may be given but only to a minimum (only once per day at most to about 3 times a week). Fresh fruits may bloat your pet or cause it to store excess amounts of fluid. This can be fatal and may eventually kill your beloved chinchilla.

When looking for chinchilla cages for sale, it is important to keep in mind these simple things.

The ideal chinchilla cage should be tall rather than wide. These animals love to climb and jump and a tall cage would allow them such movements. When looking for a chinchilla rat cage that has multiple levels and should be around 24 x 24 inches wide.

These cages may or may not have nests in them as these animals usually live in small crevices and crack along mountain surfaces. Most cages do not have nests but you may improvise or may buy them from pet shops. They should be able to accommodate your chinchilla and still have enough space for movement inside.

The material used for the cage should only be made of the highest grade of wire that has been joined together at the corners. Make sure that the cage is sturdily built and does not shake at the slightest of movements. Tall cages usually have rollers and this is convenient when you want to move the cage’s position from time to time. Otherwise, if it does not have any, shorter cages may be placed in table or counter tops in order not to frighten the animal when you are looking at it.

The floor should be lined with wood shavings such as birch, apple tree or kiln dried pine tree and newspaper to protect the chinchilla’s feet and also for them to chew on. Avoid plastic toys, water bottles and feeding trays as your pet might chew and choke on these. They constantly need to grind and hone their teeth as these never stop growing and if left unchecked may impede the animal’s ability to feed. Some chinchilla toys like wood sticks and pumice stone are recommended to be placed inside the cage for this reason.

Now that you have studied the cage, place your pet’s home in a room not often disturbed with lots of movement and is generally peaceful to the ears. Chinchillas have a super sensitive hearing and may be irritated by noises easily. Room temperatures should always be closely monitored and adjustments like placing an ice tray over a fan should be done during days when it is warm or hot. Good air circulation is important but drafty areas should be avoided as well. A chinchilla cage and the room it is placed in should be carefully thought out before anything else. Also, it is important to give a chinchilla dust bath every now and then, in order to make sure that your chinchilla is well-groomed.