Cages and Cage Accessories
"Home sweet home"
Chinchillasrequire relatively spacious housing, not just because of their size -- they are one of the largest pet rodents -- but also because they are lively by nature. You therefore need to think carefully about where your pet can be accommodated in your home at the outset.
Housing considerations:
SIZE/MATERIAL/STYLE - Various chinchilla cage designs are now on the market. They are frequently sold in flat packs, with the unit easily able to be assembled using special clips that attach to a set of mesh panels. a floor tray is normally included as part of the pack. Always choose the largest cage that you can accomodate to ensure that your chin has plenty of space to move around. He needs to be able to climb in his quarterss, so the height is important. At an absolute minimum, the size of the quarters needs to be at 18"D x 24"W x 14"H is good for one chinchilla.
flat-pack housing of this type made especially for chinchillas is preferable to using an indoor aviary because it tends to be more robust.
The strong incisor teeth at the front of a chinchilla's m outh enable him to destroy plastic easily, including the protective covering on most cage bars. These materials also may upset his sensitive digestive system if swallowed, sometimes with potentially fatal consequences.
Another consideration to bear in mind is the size of the door opening. It must be sufficiently large to allow you to reach into hte interior easily and lift your chinchilla out. Not all aviaries have large doors that are suitable for this purpose. If there is a plastic base, it needs to be attached in such way that it will be out of the reach of your chinchilla's teeth.
A solid floor inside the housing is recommended. Although a mesh floor allows dirt to drop through out of reach of your chinchilla, it can place him at risk of injury. The spacing of the mesh strands is significant, with young chinchillas particularly at risk because their smaller feet could slip down through the mesh. Sitting on a mesh floor also can cause hair loss on the body and sores to develop on the feet. This usually won't happen with a solid base, but you will have to spend more time cleaning the quarters and removing droppings so that there is no risk of illness and to keep your chin's luxuriant coat from becoming soiled.
Attachments and Accessories
LOCATION - The right location is important for your chins comfort and protection. Some considerations are: draft free, plenty of light but no direct sun, quiet and away from daytime family activities, off the floor (the sight of people leaning over cages can be rather frightening). The environmental temperature should be maintained at 40 degrees to 75 degrees (Fahrenheit).
SLEEPING HOUSE - Several choices: a wood box with small entry hole, an overturned clay pot with entry hole, or a clay drainage pipe at least 8" in diameter. Chins often prefer to sleep on the highest level of their cage (in which case the sleeping house needs to be securely attached) but I prefer to keep the house on the floor as it is the safest place for baby chins.
CLIMBING SHELVES - Attaching one or two horizontal shelves will serve to divide the cage into various levels. Chinchillas can make jumps of 12 to 20 inches from one board to another or to the floor. You don't really need ramps, and these tend to not only inhibit natural jumping abilities but can pose a safety risk if made of wire mesh as little toes are easily broken and entrapped.
CLIMBING BRANCHES - Branches should be securely attached or wedged for safety and are a must for healthy teeth and happy animals. They should come from beech, willow, pine, or untreated fruit trees. Do not use elderberry, cedar, redwood, or eucalyptus.
EXERCISE WHEEL - Have you gotten the idea yet that chinchillas really like plenty of exercise opportunities? Nothing will make her happier than a good exercise wheel with a diameter of about 14". Keep chin kits away from wheels until they are 5 - 6 weeks old. You may be able to find a good wheel at your local pet store, or visit one of these suppliers:
Food Dishes - One larger dish for food and one for treats is a good idea. Heavy ceramic dishes are best because they cannot get chewed to pieces like plastic and are a little more tip resistant.
Watering Systems:
1. Many modern ranches use an automatic watering system. care should be taken so the system remains clean and that the individual valves or nipples do not become blocked.
2. Regular maintenance should be carried out to prevent leaking of valves and connections, which could cause wet areas or flooded cages.
3. bottles are also an acceptable method of watering chinchillas. A regular maintenamce and cleaning schedule should be implemented to keep the bottles clean.
