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The cage should be at least 24” x 24” x 36” with two or three levels. The wire mesh on the top and sides should be no larger than ½” x 1” and the floors and ramps should be ½” x ½”. Cages can also be made of untreated pine, or a combination of wire mesh and wood, but there should never be any plastic. Air circulation is important, so aquariums should not be used. A sleeping hut is a necessity. They are best made of untreated pine, preferably constructed with screws instead of nails. Keep an eye out for exposed screws from chewing and be sure to remove them immediately. We use small hooks to attach the huts to the walls so they can’t fall off the balconies and cause injury. Bedding should be untreated pine shavings. NEVER use cedar or other woods. Bedding should be changed once a week. We use stainless steel “coup cups” as food bowls which attach to the walls of the cage. Another good option is a ceramic or glass bowl with a wide base and short sides to prevent tipping. Food should be made for chinchillas only. Do not use the food that has “treats” in it such as raisons or banana chips. There should be only pellets. If you will be using a different brand of food than the chin is accustomed to, your new brand needs to be introduced slowly. Replace ¼ of the old food with the new food for one week, then use a mixture of ½ of each for one week, then ¼ old and ¾ new for a week and then finally switch over completely. Feed one to two tablespoons of food a day. The water bottle should be made of glass. Chins will quickly chew through plastic water bottles. Never use a water bowl. Water bottles should be emptied, rinsed and refilled with fresh water on a daily basis. Do not simply add water to it. Hay should be given fresh on a daily basis. Timothy hay is best for adult chins and alfalfa is best for chins under 1 year old and for pregnant or nursing females. Most chins love raisins. These are treats and should be given only once a day. Instead of a raisin, you can also try sunflower seeds, unsalted nuts, pasta or small pieces of fruits that don’t have pits. Chinchillas take dry baths and should never be in contact with water. Dust bath powder is available in most pet stores. Dust baths should be given at least once a week. Calcium is important for all chins, but especially for growing kits and nursing mothers. A good source of calcium can be fond in calf manna. We feed our chins 1 part calf manna to 5 parts chinchilla pellets. An exercise wheel is not a necessity if your chin will be taken out of its cage to play on a daily basis. If you do decide to get one, make sure it is at least 15” in diameter with solid surfaces. There should be no sidebars or spokes that can catch or trap legs and feet. HOME |