Everything needs more context and a discussion but these are a few graphics we share with prospective homes looking to adopt chinchillas.

We try to emphasize safe enclosures. Bigger is great IF you can afford to purchase a big safe cage and all the accessories you need to fill it out, otherwise a smaller cage with all the right fixings can still be entirely appropriate. A smaller cage does not mean the polar opposite of a huge empty cage : a shoebox with a stick inside. Just means a cage within your budget, that you can still provide the animal with floor space, platforms, ledges and enrichment. Example : a single ferret nation all fixed up and cleaned weekly compared to a triple ferret nation that is seldom cleaned and empty.

Look for a metal cage, with mostly metal components. The walls, the connectors, the platforms. If they have plastic platforms, cover with fleece or replace them with wood.

Investing in a quality cage, metal or nice wood ledges, and metal wheel is worth it because these items can outlast your pet. We have cages and wheels that are over 10 years old, in almost perfect condition. ( Loyal to Ferret / Critter Nation and Quality Cage wheels ( discontinued ) or Pandamonium pets wheels. )

Bedding options really depend on you.

What will you keep up with?

Covers should be changed every couple of days, liners should be changed every few days. Cages with shavings should be spot cleaned as needed and fully cleaned out weekly.

Aspen or Kiln Dried Pine Shavings are great.

Fleece covers to hide pans, or fleece liners to act as an absorbent bedding can be great.

1/2" wire floors are suitable, but just like any other surface should be cleaned along with the rest of the cage. Pets should have other surfaces to rest on, like perches, ledges, platforms, pads, beds, and houses. Chins don't spend 24/7 on the floor, and 1/2" grids are not a risk for broken limbs or foot infections when maintained. ( We use them for medical cages in the rescue ).

No paper bedding, though. That's an impaction risk.

Really chinchillas are not a hard pet to care for once you understand how to care for them. A safe environment, air conditioning, routine for cleanliness, a basic diet, a well designed cage and accessories that last... And you'll be set for decades.

- A 501(c)(3) exotic rescue, Specifically working with chinchillas for over 20 years, with dozens in our care daily, multiplied by the animals in and out yearly. 🩷

Lacey’s weekly oxbow cookie! her video is a little more aesthetic….my other chin dropped hers and I had to guide her back over 😭

Ela começou a soltar muito liquido branco, é meio translúcido, nunca aconteceu isso antes, eu to tremendo e muito preocupada

I have a ferret nation cage (the one that only has one door per story) and every fleece liner ive bought was too big for it. I would love recommendations. Im open to using some kind of bedding instead of fleece although it seems like it would be more expensive.

Okay guys I know that chinchillas are a loud braced on their personality but as of the last couple weeks my chinchilla has been very quiet the first couple days he was here he was a little chirpy but besides that he's been really quiet like obviously he still completely tears up his entire cage every night and loves coming out and playing and snuggling with me but he's super duper quiet all the time in fact yesterday morning was the first time I heard him make a sound in a hot minute I think I might take him to the vet just to be safe I'm just a little stressed out and worried about it cuz I recorded the sound from last night to see if he like barked or anything but no completely silent besides the chewing of his sticks and destroying of the cage I did notice he has stopped throwing his food bowl so no clue what's going on with that

I accidentally broke my chinchilla's wood toy, its still good so I dont want to throw it out. What is the best pet safe glue to fix it? The parts I have to glue aren't the areas where he'd bite anyway.

Kong and Godzilla have been lovely companions, they are both around 2-3 yrs old and I’ve had them for the better part of a year, no real issue have arisen since I adopted them, but I’m possibly going to have to leave the state and I don’t think I’ll be able to bring them with me, I want to find them a loving home and would be more than willing to give their cage, toys food the whole shebang.I want to ensure they go to somebody safe and capable. If you have further questions let me know.

hi everyone! this is my chinchilla, Bruno.
ever since i got him he’s had this rough looking fur on his back, sometimes with tufts sticking out? is there anything i can do to help with this? when i try to remove the tufts he instantly flees, he hates even the slight feel of a finger on his back.
my other chinchilla has never had this and has very soft, fluffy, silky fur.
Bruno seems otherwise healthy, jumps/runs around during free roam, eats and drinks normally and also interacts with me regularly.

For those who put tile or granite flooring in their critter nation cages, did you reinforce the levels any? And if so how? My neighbor gave me some chin safe flooring for cheap but I never thought about if the cage levels can safely handle the extra weight.😵‍💫 Im worried about waking up to squished floofs 😭 ( Gizmo and Taz pics for tax 😅 )

Hello!
I am preparing to get a chinchilla but of course I’d like to prepare before hand. I used to have two chinchillas in high school but that was a bit ago. I found two cages on Amazon (linked below) that I am thinking about but want to make sure they are suitable for a chinchilla. Advice is greatly welcomed and appreciated!

Also some extra context: I know that two chinchillas is generally better and I usually would if possible. But there is a single chinchilla in my town’s pet store and the conditions he is in make me sad. There is plastic everywhere and it’s all chewed up so I would like to get him and give him a better life/cage.

Cage One
Cage Two

Ontem minha chinchila fez 9 anos, ela sempre foi muito carinhosa, e quando eu a soltava para passear, ela ficava comigo no sofá e brincando. A gente sempre solta ela lá pelas 17:30 / 18h
Entretanto, nesse sábado passado (10/10), meu pai a soltou às 10h, já que íamos sair para a casa da minha avó, e então, parece que tudo mudou. No dia eu pensava que não era nada demais, mas enfim. Chegamos na segunda (12/10), e a soltamos às 15h, e parece que ela nem me reconhece. Só quer saber de roer, quando alguém chega perto, ela fica chiando e atacando, ela não quer mais ficar comigo nem ter carinhos, apenas roer roer e roer, ela nunca fez isso, e parece agressiva. Ontem (13/10), soltamos ela e foi a mesma história, a primeira vez soltei as 16h, já que era seu aniversário, e prendi as 18h, depois que meu pai chegou, soltei mais uma hora, e nada mudou. Hoje, estou escrevendo enquanto ela está solta, nada mudou, estou preocupada, não a reconheço, alguém pode me ajudar, por favor.
Ps. Quando ela está na gaiola, de manhã ou de noite, ela continua normal, aceitando carinho, deixando pegar no colo e etc. Esse comportamento só acontece na hora de soltar ela.

Looking for a safe rehome for these two lovely girls, Haru and Saten. These two girls are a bonded pair, get along great, and are well behaved! They would come with their enclosure, food, treats, bedding and dust bath.

These lovely ladies came into my life as a compromise between my spouse and myself as pets we could have together. Recently my spouse and I have separated, and the girls were left with me. I have been struggling to give them the full and proper care they deserve, and while it is heartbreaking to come to terms with I believe it best they find a home who wants them beyond obligation.

Haru is explorative, curious, and ZIPPY. I best differentiate her from her sister by their different face shapes, how hers is smaller.

Saten is a regal lady, often watching like a queen from a balcony. She may be less curious initially, but she will end up climbing all over you if you give her time.

Dm me if interested, I am hoping to have this be a quick process to minimize the strain! Or let me know to dm you! I’ll keep an eye on here.

Churro: “Daddy has two feet. I only occupy one. I think that's very considerate of me.” 🐭😌👑🐾
#churrochatter #chinchilla #cutepets #petprincess #flooflogic

These boys have been with me for about three years! They used to be bonded but now live separately as they had a falling out... They both have their own two story cage and would come with apple sticks, and all their supplies. They can go together or separately! The black one is Teddy and Grey is Thor. Just trying to put me feelers out to see if any chinchilla enthusiasts may be interested!

I have a pretty big playpen, but it's a big hassle to clean it up. plus I have to buy new ones because sometimes it rips, and I've seen people make their house or room safe for their chinchilla to run around in.So I'm thinking is it better just to have a big playpen or should I try to chinchilla proof my room/house? If room/house proofing is the way to go, then what should I focus on to make sure it's the safest it can be?

I couldn't find a place online that answered this question, but I'm looking for advice on safe drinking water. I use a PUR sink filter for my chinchillas water, noticed the light was red today and that I didn't have a replacement. I spent most of the evening looking for stores that sell the filters. I finally found one at ACE Hardware, got home and opened it up to see that the filter is dated 2021. They sold me a 5-6 year old water filter and from what I can find online, the shelf life is only 2 years. I'm stressed out and angry right now that this is my only option and they need water. I really need to know: is this safe to use?

I found this post on Threads. Do you think something like this is actually possible?

How do I stop or reduce my two male chins from humping each other over and over again during playtime? 😭😭 They keep humping on and off for a whole hour! 😂💀

Hello! I have two chinchillas. One is 16 and the other is 12 and I have been feeding them freeze dried strawberries literally forever. For most of their lives. Over decade of strawberries. Daily. Like, multi slices of dried strawberry sometimes but always at least one.
That said, I just found out that freeze dried strawberries are actually not a good treat for them despite being marketed towards them as treats.
So, I would like to know if anybody has any thoughts on what I should do.
Their poops are fine, they’re good energy, their coats are great, they have access to hay and pellets all the time, and I’ve never had any sort of negative effects with them having so many strawberries in their diet. The exact opposite actually- It’s the highlight of their day and it removes stress in their lives because they are much more human interested when strawberries are involved.
I’m open to any and all advice. But if someone says it’ll kill them (which has obviously not been the case for a very long time lol) I definitely need a treat substitute.
Thank you for your help!

Hi - I recently gave my chinchillas a 15" metal wheel from YKD but I'm wondering if for some chinchillas that is still too small? I know a wheel that is too small can cause spine issues/injuries so I want to make sure it is safe for them. I've never given then a wheel before and I'm not exactly sure what one that "fits" is supposed to look like. If anyone can share photos of their chins in/on their wheel that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Merci !

A few weeks ago one of my boys had an accident which led to him having his middle back toe amputated. The vet informed us that he should be kept in his carrier box for two weeks for optimal healing. I think we all know how crazy chinchillas parkour skills are. He wasnt allowed to do those things. We held him in the box for two weeks as advised, but when we tried to put him back in with his brother, the other one started chasing him around and fighting like crazy. I separated them immediately, but Im very puzzled now. My toe amputation little patient probably smells unfamiliar from the vet and all, but I need to know how I can bond them again. Theyve lived together since birth, not once separated except for now. Now its just pure chaos between the two. And my patient boy is acting all weird and depressed, and he isnt really himself in a way. He used to be the bossy one. But after the operation its like he has changed.

How can I bond my boys back together? Its heartbreaking to see them fighting like theyve never known one another :(