Search Chinchilla Place

Subscribe by Email

Your email:

Follow Chinchillas

Chinchilla Twitter Updates

Twitter Updates

    Buy Chinchilla Stuff


    buy custom chinchilla gifts at Zazzle

    Top Blog Posts

    Chinchilla Product reviews

    Download The Save The Wild Chinchilla News letter

    Our Own World


    Save the wild chinchillas

    Chinchilla Blog

    Current Articles | RSS Feed RSS Feed

    Chinchilla Cages

    Posted by Jennifer Snyder on Mon, Feb 18, 2008 @ 12:31 PM
      
      
      
      

    chinchilla cage

    You have decided to become a Chinchilla owner and are excited to bring your cute little chin home, but what about a cage? You will notice that there are few cages specifically designed for Chinchillas, so what to choose?

    Cage selection is very important. We recommend choosing a cage that is large enough for your chinchilla to jump around. Chinchillas are very active and choosing the right chinchilla cage will help to ensure a happy and healthy chinchilla. Minimum size for a chinchilla cage is 30"L x 29"W x 18"H (76cm x 74cm x 46cm). The openings between the bars should also be no larger than 1 inch x 2 inches for adult chinchillas and no larger than 1/2 and inch by 1 inch for baby chinchillas.

    One word of caution, make sure your chin can't escape from her cage. If you have a baby or juvenile (not fully grown) chinchilla, be especially cautious as they can squeeze right through the bars of many cages! You may want to invest in a "starter cage" like a bird cage with bars that will not allow the baby to excape.

    We have found that multi level cages (like ferret cages) make terrific homes for chins. They tend to be taller and have multiple shelves so your chinchilla can run and jump from level to level. Chinchillas enjoy shelves or levels in their cages and tend to spend much of their time at the highest spot available or perched on wooden platforms. Pick a cage with metal or wooden levels rather than plastic, as Chinchillas are chewers and eating plastic isn't good for anyone. The best chinchilla cage on the market today is the martin's chinchilla highrise or townhouse.

    http://www.martinscages.com/products/cages/chinchilla/

    Though chins love to get out and exercise, it is highly recommended to monitor your chinchillas play time while out of the cage. Chinchillas like to nibble and taste anything around (including wires and walls) and can squeeze themselves into some pretty surprising places. Also if there are other pets in the house (like a dog or cat) your Chinchilla can easily be looked at as prey, even if they have played well together under supervision.

    Other options for Chinchilla cages are bunny or rabbit cages, or even bird cages. As mentioned above, a bird cage can make a great first home for baby chinchillas, as the bars tend to be closer together and the amount of space isn't overwhelming for your new chin. You can also add levels to bird cages as they tend to be taller than a bunny cage.

    Once you have picked the cage make sure to buy a chinchilla house, or at least put a shoe box in with a side cut out. Chinchillas like to feel secure while they sleep or rest, and having a place to call their home keeps them calm and comfortable. A chinchilla house is a wooden box that will give your chin the privacy she needs.

    Tags: 

    Comments

    Again, the plastic in this cage is unsafe for chinchillas. Sadly, many "chinchilla cage" manufacturers are uninterested and uneducated in the well-beings of these special creatures. All they care about is that it's cheap to make and people buy it because it's cheap. Why in the world would chinchillas need ramps? They jump for Heaven's sake! Cages should be metal, with safe wood shelves that are not toxic if chewed. I've found the best cages atwww.martinscages.com andwww.qualitycage.com . I've purchased 2 of the Chinchilla Highrises from Martin's and requested them gutten of shelves and ramps for a discount. Then I made wood shelves that are not dangerous for the chin's feet. This is a great website that I came across that is full of accurate information on chinchilla health and safety: http://www.geocities.com/secondchancechins/
    Posted @ Wednesday, July 16, 2008 9:44 PM by Amanda
    This actually isn't my chinchilla cage. As a person who owns many chins I know that metal is a must, though I disagree regarding levels and ramps.My chinchillas have multiple metal levels as well as wooden platforms and ramps. I have even used parrot branches as standing platforms. When I had a chinchilla in a single level cage, she started ripping out her fur. As soon as I moved her to a multi level cage she stopped and seemed to be much happier. Aas for the ramps. We have them in our baby chinchilla cages and it is helpful when they are young, but not really a necessity when they get older.I will have to find a better cage picture as an example, or use my own cage pics.
    Posted @ Thursday, July 17, 2008 3:10 PM by Jennifer Snyder
    ok pic updated here are 3 of my 4 chin cages. The small one is for our newborn chinchilla and her mother.
    Posted @ Monday, July 21, 2008 11:20 AM by Jennifer Snyder
    Wonderful, I feel much better :P Did you get my message via your "Contact Us" form?
    Posted @ Monday, July 21, 2008 12:06 PM by Amanda
    I'm looking into getting my first chinchilla and wanted to put togethor the cage first. what is that dark colored fabric looking thing in the picture above? how did you make that? also i saw on other sites that they said it was a good idea to make tunnels for your chin to climb through or just sit in. they recommended pvc pipe but around my area the biggest pvc pipe is like 2" i'd be worried the chin would get stuck in the pipe and hurt or that the pipe wouldn't be big enough to climb through. what would you recommend? i really like the idea of having tunnels to go through, but i wouldn't want them to be plastic or paper/cardboard for chewing, what about metal? would like the 3 or 4" or even 6" metal pipe companies use to install pellet or wood stoves work if it was a brand new piece never used before? also what about cloth in cages? is there any way to incorporate it? like maybe have it hanging from the top for them to jump to and climb up? or making tunnels using cloth to climb through? additionally i saw on one site (and only one of the many sites i looked at) that they suggested getting those rope toys they sell in the bird section of pet stores? is that safe? i would think that the rope might break off in strings and the chin could swallow it? i want to make the most awesome chin cage ever for the cute little guy, but i want it to be safe!
    Posted @ Tuesday, October 07, 2008 4:18 PM by Angel
    Hi Angel, 
     
     
     
    I applaud your efforts of doing your research before actually getting a chinchilla. What a novel idea - I wish that more people understood the importance of that! The above cage belongs to my chinchilla Tango and there are some details about it on the "Tango's Corner" link above. The fabric object at the top of the cage is actually a hammock that I purchased from Forchinate Chins at their online store here: http://www.geocities.com/forchinatechins/chincessories.htm . He has a few in different colors that we rotate on laundry day.  
     
     
     
    As for the tunnels, you could have a wooden one in the cage (I think Forchinate Chins might sell them), but I agree with your inclination that you would not want to put PVC pipe or any other plastic in the cage. One option is to get a large PVC pipe for your chin's play time outside of the cage where you can monitor at all times. Also, this way it wouldn't take up room in his cage because the wooden tunnels are pretty bulky. You would probably want a tunnel that is at least 5 inches in diameter. Metal would probably be fine, just make sure there are no sharp edges (I'm sure I don't need to tell you that :P) 
     
     
     
    In lieu of a tunnel, I ended up putting a hidey house in Tango's cage, which sort of acts like a tunnel. He uses it to play in (it has a hole on each end and one on the top) but also to sleep in during the day. That is also in the picture above and you can buy a similar one at Simply Chintastic's online store here: http://www.freewebs.com/simplychintastic/ . They have a new hidey house with a pillow day bed on top. In fact, they have a lot of great new products including a lot of toys. 
     
     
     
    I'm intending to post full instructions for the assembly of Tango's cage above because it has really been a great set up. So far I only have posted the cage shell, but I plan to post the shelving info soon (hopefully after my exam Friday!) In the meantime, let me know if you have any specific inquiries regarding chinchilla products - I've seen a lot! 
     
     
     
    Thanks again for your post. I hope other potential chinchilla owners take your initiative! 
     
     
     
    Amanda
    Posted @ Tuesday, October 07, 2008 9:18 PM by Amanda
    Angel, I forgot to mention also that if you do decide to go with a tunnel for your chin's cage, get one that is not too long (say, no longer than a foot) and ideally one with holes or windows. Chinchillas have a great tendency to overheat and a potential problem is when your chin gets spooked (which happens from time to time, usually as a result of hearing a certain noise) he or she will hole up in there regardless of how hot they become.
    Posted @ Tuesday, October 07, 2008 9:26 PM by Amanda
    We have some concerns about our chin. We clean its cage once a week, sometimes twice. I had one growing up and I dont remember it being such a POOP machine. We want to get 2 of them but theres no way we could keep up with the cleaning. Our two boys help, but they are 6 and 4. Love em dearly, but "cleaning the cage" day turns into play time and not much cleaning gets done.  
     
    My question is this. can we buy something, or make something out of wood and really small mesh wire to use for the platforms instead of the solid plastic?? My thinking is if the mesh wire platforms were used, the droppings and litter(if mesh was large enough) would fall through to the bottom were the litter is. as it is now all the poop&litter just sits there on the shelf and (as chins are known for) it ends up on the floor with the litter. 
     
    I would prefer to buy something but cant find anything around, but if i make something I want to be sure that his liitle feet and toes wont get caught in the wire mesh,, and if it was small enough would it be hard and uncomfortable on his feet. any feed back or answers from you guys or another reader would be very helpful. it wouldnt be such a huge deal but the cage is my oldest boys room and i just cant let him sleep in there as messy and dusty as it gets, waking up and stepping in poop isnt fun for anyone.  
     
    Thank you ,, steve.
    Posted @ Saturday, October 25, 2008 11:28 AM by steve
    Ah, Steve, you hit on my favorite chinchilla question, and something that has been an enigma for myself for some time. I think solid levels really suck as far as cleaning. You remember incorrectly or you had a constipated chilla in your youth, because yes, chinchillas are pooop machines. No question.  
     
    That being said, most hard-core chinchilla owners only use solid shelves and are terrified of plastic. Check out the shelf review in 'Tango's Corner' for the best of this variety. I have an idea to use a plane or sandpaper and give the wood a slight grade or slope so that the poop just rolls off. I've yet to test this, but gravity is pretty reliable. 
     
    The other method uses a combination of wire levels, large wooden structures, wooden platforms, marble cooling blocks, etc. to create a choice of footing. To be honest, I haven't noticed my chins spending more time on solid surfaces than wire ones, so I can only guess what the chinchilla actually prefers. 
     
    Lastly, for cleaning, try to find a cage that has a larger reservoir at the bottom. Some have a base you can lift the cage off of and dump out, which is my preference. 
     
    Anyway, I hope this helps! 
     
    -Bert
    Posted @ Saturday, October 25, 2008 12:25 PM by Bert S.
    Hi Steve, 
     
     
     
    That's certainly an issue with solid shelving. While it's safer for the chin's feet, it does tend to collect droppings.  
     
     
     
    I ended up buying a small cleaning brush at Walmart and just give the shelves a quick brush each night when we let him out of the cage. It doesn't accumulate as quickly this way. The shelves that I recommended on the product page also have a wooden ridge that prevent droppings from falling off the sides onto the floor. You can check them out at the Product Review link above (formerly Tango's Corner)or you can click "Cage Shelves" on the tag bar on the right side of this page. 
     
     
     
    I don't currently know of shelves like the ones you are describing, but if you are able to make one with *metal* mesh small enough as to not catch on the chin's foot pads, and large enough for droppings to fall through, go for it! Let us know how it works.  
     
     
     
    My second recommendation is to keep a dust buster vacuum near the cage. This will definitely cut down on your work on cage cleaning day. Good luck!
    Posted @ Saturday, October 25, 2008 12:59 PM by Amanda S
    I missed Bert's comment when I replied, and I totally agree with the deep litter tray. That will cut down on droppings bouncing out onto the floor. My preference is a slide out tray (also seen on the Product Review link or at the Chinchilla Cage tag on the right) because I can change the litter without even waking Tango up and he doesn't have to step on it in his cage.
    Posted @ Saturday, October 25, 2008 1:05 PM by Amanda S
    Because of it being hard to find decent chinchilla cages, we started building our own. Being chinchilla owners and breedres we build them with the chinchilla in mind. We custom build for anyone. Take a look at one of our special "A-Frame" cages here:www.4jsplantation.com/cages.html.
    Posted @ Thursday, October 30, 2008 3:43 PM by Jim
    I was wondering if it was safe to put cardboard, wood, and/or newspaper in my chinchillas cage? Also if it is safe, then what kind of wood, and if there is a specific type of cardboard (with printed ink) that cannot go into the cage... 
    Thanks 
    Posted @ Wednesday, February 11, 2009 7:58 PM by Sabrina
    Our contributing writer Amanda has a lot to say about wood. Wait... that didn't sound right. 
     
    Scroll down the blog, or search for "What chew talkin’ about?"  
     
    You will not be disappointed.  
     
    On cardboard and newspaper, generally no because they contain toxic glues and/or inks. Newspaper causes a lot of dust (shredded newspaper that is) and makes things kind of dingy. Anyhow, I feel the pet market is still catching up to chinchilla owners, so you may have to do some experimentation to find a bedding solution that is safe and also easy enough for you to find on a regular basis. 
     
    We use a lightly scented recycled paper type mix, and it seems to work well. I think there was some bedding discussion on here somewhere, too, if you can find it.
    Posted @ Wednesday, February 11, 2009 10:42 PM by Bert S.
    Hi, I've recently adopted two chinchillas and I've fallen in love with them! When I got them, I thought their cage looked like a decent size, but now I feel like it's just too small! I let them out almost every night for a few hours, but I'd still like to get them a new cage. Here's my problem that I hope someone can help me with: I always find these awesome cages online-except that to ship them to me (montreal, canada) costs an insane amount! I've looked for a second hand cage as well over here, but nothing's come up yet. Does anyone know of a great cage place that is in Canada?  
    Thanks! 
    Adriana
    Posted @ Thursday, April 02, 2009 11:03 AM by Adriana
    We build custom cages to your specifications. Free quotes! We also ship Greyhound Express which is far less expensive than any other method. Contact us atwww.4jsplantation.com/contact.html with your specs and location for a complete quote.
    Posted @ Thursday, April 02, 2009 1:30 PM by Jim
    Oh boy, I see what you mean on the shipping charges. Have you checked out Quality Cages as well?  
     
     
     
    One option is to call them and try to negotiate a better price. If you tell them that you don't need the metal ramps or shelves, they will probably deduct that from the shipping cost. That's what they did for myself and others. It would still probably be expensive, but would cut it down some. 
     
    I'm glad you're looking for a bigger cage if you think the current one is too small. They will definitely be appreciative of room to stretch their springy little legs! Check out the Recommended Products link at the top menu to get the cage dimensions to look for. I'll definitely let you know if I come across anything else.
    Posted @ Sunday, April 05, 2009 12:06 PM by Amanda S
    I bought a used Martin cage that was already assembled and I was wondering if it is possible to remove the shelving and ramps without compromising the stability of the cage. I would like to put in different shelves but it looks a little tricky to remove them and I want the cage to be sturdy. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
    Posted @ Tuesday, May 05, 2009 8:35 AM by Vangie
    Hey Vangie, 
     
     
     
    Yes, it's definitely possible. The cage in the picture above is my chinchilla's Martin's cage with wood shelves that replaced the original wire ones. I think the key is to have a shelf in the middle that spans the whole width of the cage. The middle shelf in the photo is an "L"-shaped shelf. The cage is very sturdy. This is where I got the shelving plan: 
     
     
     
    http://secondchancechins.com/cageguidelines.htm 
     
     
     
    Let us know how it goes! 
     
     
     
    Amanda
    Posted @ Tuesday, May 05, 2009 7:33 PM by Amanda S.
    I will be getting 2 chinchillas later this week. I have their big cage ready, ledges, chew toys, etc. The only thing I want to make sure is correct is the bedding/litter. It seems through my research that the terms are interchanged constantly. Is there a difference? The cage has a mesh bottom w/ pull out tray. I've debated leaving the mesh their or removing it. If I leave it there, does the bedding go under it between the mesh and tray? So confused!
    Posted @ Tuesday, May 12, 2009 3:12 PM by Laura
    Hey Laura, 
     
     
     
    The bedding goes in the tray under the mesh floor (so they aren't walking directly on it.) Since your chinchillas don't have access to the bedding with this cage design (like Tango's cage), we just get a big bale of pine bedding at Petco. It's probably your cheapest option. 
     
     
     
    Congrats on your new chins! Keep us updated :) 
     
     
     
    Amanda
    Posted @ Wednesday, May 13, 2009 11:42 AM by Amanda S.
    Oh, I usually refer to bedding and litter as the same thing, but keep in mind that "litter" that's safe for other animals (like kitty litter) are not safe for chinchillas. Go for the pine bedding :) There are others that are fine too, but not as good of a deal.
    Posted @ Wednesday, May 13, 2009 11:45 AM by Amanda
    Can some one tell me how big the space should be between the wire on the cage.I will be picking up a new baby chin by the end of June. 
     
    I have a cage Im working on but Im thinking I might have to add small wire to the sides to keep my baby in. Thanks Marianne
    Posted @ Tuesday, May 26, 2009 12:29 PM by Marianne
    Hey Marianne, 
     
     
     
    The wires should be 1"x1" or smaller in spacing (preferably 0.5"x1", especially for a baby). The floor spacing should be 0.5"x0.5" to protect their feet and legs if you have a slide out litter tray. The gauge is also important because if the wire is too thin, this can be a hazard. It should be thicker than chicken wire. 
     
     
     
    Are you building your own cage? I'm interested to hear how it turns out! Keep us updated and congrats on your upcoming adoption!
    Posted @ Tuesday, May 26, 2009 8:00 PM by Amanda
    I as well am building a cage for my baby chin. I will be getting her the end of August. I have a cage from my late chinchilla, Zoey. but i never knew about the plastic being so horrible for them! All the shelves are plastic! So I'm building a new cage for my new baby.  
     
    I already bought a metal pan for the bottom (no sharp edges) that measures 2'x3'. Cage wire that is .5"x.5" and I have untreated pine for the framing. I plan on making the cage 3' tall. I will not be using a wire base over the pan. An I will be making a 4-6" wall around the perimeter of the pan to help keep the litter from flying out. I will be making the whole front of her cage able to open like a door out of the same materials for easy cleaning with a smaller door in the middle. 
     
    I Don't know if I should put the wire on the outside of the frame or on the inside. I know if the wire is on the outside the chin would be able to chew the wood. I'm also afraid that if the wire is on the inside that I might have missed a spot filing the metal wire and she will cut herself.  
     
    Also, when placing the shelves how high and far apart should they be from each other? Should I get ramps?  
    Please let me know if any of this makes sense and if my ideas are good or bad. 
    I want to make the cage as safe as possible! 
     
    Thank you, 
    Kristen 
     
    P.S. I need to name her. I like the name Nikko (NEE ko) but my fiance likes Enzi (EN zee). Any other ideas?
    Posted @ Tuesday, June 30, 2009 1:54 PM by Kristen
    I have been building cages for a long time and I now put the wire on the inside. I always try to run the wire from corner to corner so that the sharp ends of the wire are tucked in the corner of the frame. Even then I make strips of pine that I secure into the corners on top of the wire ends. The chins can chew some of the wood strips but being tucked into a corner they never chew it all the way down. This totally covers the wire ends in the corners. 
     
     
     
    Other areas where the wire ends are exposed like door frames and cage bottom I leave a little of the wire ends on the edge of the wire and bend them so I can hammer the ends into the wood. I also cover those with a strip of wood for looks and added protection. These strips are easier for the chins to chew off but with the wire ends neatly hammered into the wood, I doesn’t matter. 
     
    Posted @ Wednesday, July 01, 2009 12:47 AM by Jim
    Kristen I think both names are very cute. Why not decide when the new baby gets here? I usually have a few names in mind and make the final decision when I get to see the new baby. Does she look like a Nikko or Enzi.  
     
    Best of luck with building your new chinchilla cage. I think that making your own cage is really neat and I plan to add a section to the new forum where people can discuss strategies and materials for building chinchilla cages. Having the right cage is SO important to your chins overall health. They need a cage that has levels so they can jump from platform to platform. For one of my cages that I use for the babies and new mothers, I started with a tall bird cage. It didn't have shelves so I added shelves and wooden perches and a hammock at the top. They even have a mirror, framed in wood not plastic, handing on the side of one of the cage walls. at the bottom they have a large wooden house that the mother can comfortably fit in with the new baby chinchillas. I find that I often have to replace the perches and hiding box (about every 3-4 months) since they eventually chew through them. They always "remodel" the new wooden house as soon as they get it, making the front door wider.
    Posted @ Wednesday, July 01, 2009 8:28 AM by Jennifer Snyder
    So I have two chin's about a year old. For the past few months, they have been living in a smallish cage. Decent size, they can jump around a bit, but nothing amazing. We have been living somewhere else for the past month and they have been living in a HUGE cage. To be exact, the Martin's cage (the largest one offered). However, when we move back to our former residence, the large cage cannot go with us due to space issues, so they have to go back in the smaller cage. Dies anyone know what habits might be to come? Will they be super angry with us for putting them back in the smaller cage? I just want to get an idea of what to expect.
    Posted @ Tuesday, July 07, 2009 12:22 AM by Brittany
    hey I was wondering which cage is the one in the pic at the top of the page? my chin has a wheel just like the one in the pic and we bought a used cage made by the company you recommended but it doesn't seem durable enough to support the wheel... and how he runs on it ALL night long... and his cage really takes a beating. 
     
    I'm also looking into a different cage because i just got a new chin (5mnths old) for my 3 yr old to have a buddy... i'm still introducing them but I think it will be soon that i will be able to put them together. 
     
    If anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them. 
    Thanks a bunch 
    Angela
    Posted @ Sunday, September 20, 2009 10:52 PM by angela
    Want a sturdy and durable cage? Check out our custom made cages atwww.4jsplantation.com/cages.html.
    Posted @ Monday, September 21, 2009 2:09 AM by Jim
    hey Jim your page says its under construction? I'd like to look at your cages but it doesn't let me go anywhere  
     
    Maybe you have a different addy? 
    Thanks  
    Angela
    Posted @ Monday, September 21, 2009 10:44 AM by angela
    Hi Angela, 
     
     
     
    The cage in the picture belongs to my chin Tango. It is a modified Martin's Chinchilla Highrise. I removed the wire ramps and shelving and replaced them with safer kiln-dried pine shelving. Since there are some shelves that cross the entire width or length of the cage, this adds to the stability. I own two of these cages, one with a Chin Spin and one with a Flying Saucer and I've found the cage to be plenty durable for both. I can't speak for it with the metal shelving because I always strip them of these and add the thicker and safer wood.  
     
     
     
    Regardless of what you decide, be sure your new cage is appropriate for a chinchilla. I recommend a cage no smaller than 30"w x 18"d x 48"h. See the "Product Reviews" page for more safe cage guidelines. 
     
     
     
    Amanda
    Posted @ Monday, September 21, 2009 3:55 PM by Amanda S.
    Hello, i have the martin townhouse cage. It has ramps and metal flooring right now, I love the setup of the cage pictured. did you make your own shelves or buy them online?
    Posted @ Tuesday, November 24, 2009 7:56 PM by jessica
    Hey Jessica, 
     
     
     
    Thanks! These shelves have worked out great. A friend actually made them for me, but you can buy the same ones atwww.simplychintastic.com (or click on "Product Reviews" at the top of this page and select "Cage Shelving" from the right-hand menu to read more about them). Linda & Dan do great work and have experience with the Martin Cages, so they should be able to help you out with an exact fit.
    Posted @ Tuesday, November 24, 2009 10:11 PM by Amanda S.
    I recently took a 3 and a half month old chinchilla home and housed him in one of my old bird cages with bars very close together. He was still able to squeeze his body through the bars up to his hind legs. He ended up being stuck for who knows how long through the night. And when I found him in the morning, he'd lost all circulation to his back legs and they ended up being paralyzed. And unfortunately, he did not survive..
    Posted @ Tuesday, January 05, 2010 8:05 PM by P
    That's really a shame :( I'm sorry to hear that about the little guy. Young chinchillas require special precautions. It's very important to consider bar spacing when selecting a safe cage for chinchillas of all ages. If anyone is considering purchasing a cage, please read my recommendations by clicking on "Product Reviews" on the menu bar at the top of this page.
    Posted @ Wednesday, January 06, 2010 11:54 AM by Amanda S.
    "As mentioned above, a bird cage can make a great first home for baby chinchillas, as the bars tend to be closer together and the amount of space isn't overwhelming for your new chin."  
     
    I don't think this is quite accurate considering what happened to my chin.
    Posted @ Thursday, January 07, 2010 12:52 PM by P
    Rydia, 
     
    I am so sorry that happened to your chin. Loosing a pet is devastating. Unfortunately all bird cages are not designed the same way.Cage bars should be no larger than 1/2 and inch by 1 inch for baby chinchillas (the smaller the better to reduce temptation of squeezing through). 
     
    My baby chins spend the first months of their lives in a smaller cage (about 2 feet tall)that does not have very high levels (so they do not risk injury by falling). As they become more sturdy I move them into a taller cage with bars that are still very close together, so there will be no temptation to squeeze through them. It is a modified bird cage with a pull out tray that I have added wooden shelves and climbing branches to. When they are 5-6 months old they can be moved in to one of the regular size cages with little risk. Again we are sorry to hear about your baby chinchilla.It saddens me as it sounds like you were trying to do the right thing.
    Posted @ Thursday, January 07, 2010 1:24 PM by Jennifer Snyder
    I'm probably not being clear on the size of the cage. The spacing on my bars was even less than half an inch yet he still squeezed through. They were about 1 cm in width. He was able to fit his nose through the bars comfortably, but that was it. His head was about the size of a racquetball. The cage was about 2 feet in width and 1 and a half in height. The spacing in the bars was tighter than the 1/2" - 1" recommendations of most websites.
    Posted @ Thursday, January 07, 2010 1:36 PM by P
    Hi, 
     
    I have 2 chins and i'd like 2 see how much the cage costs...i d'ont have lots of money but im willing 2 buy it...thank you.
    Posted @ Friday, February 05, 2010 7:55 PM by Luna Aguiar
    Hi Luna, 
     
     
     
    Check out our product reviews page for cages. I have info on there about cost. Here's the link (you may have to copy and paste): 
     
    http://www.chinchillaplace.com/product-reviews/bid/6585/Cage 
     
     
     
    I know they aren't cheap, but it is a great investment and your 2 chins would love it!
    Posted @ Saturday, February 06, 2010 10:03 AM by Amanda S.
    Check out these cages: http://www.4jsplantation.com/cages.html Prices comparable to Martin, some cheaper. Best of all they are WOOD frame cages.
    Posted @ Saturday, February 06, 2010 11:16 AM by Jim
    Hey, i just bought a HUGE wire cage and i was wondering what you use to keep the platforms in tact, i'm going to build my own platforms and such. Any tips?
    Posted @ Saturday, April 10, 2010 9:31 AM by Ariana
    Hi Ariana. Thank you for coming by the website. Amanda wrote a great article on chinchilla cages. It can be found here 
    <a>http://www.chinchillaplace.com/product-reviews/bid/6929/Cage-Shelving<a>
    Posted @ Saturday, April 10, 2010 10:59 AM by Jennifer Snyder
    i'd like to know the truth, how dirty are these little guys? They're adorable but it's sounding like they're pretty messy, spraying urine, ick, and lots of poop. thinking of getting one but don't think my little sister is telling us the truth about how little poop there is and how easy they are. I'd love to have one hers just had babies so there's one waiting, but I don't want something that's going to be a royal pain. Also the only place for us to keep the chin would be in our living room. Not that it's mega noisy but it's the living room. Plus we live in an older house and in the winter time it gets dang cold in here. Is that a problem? The cage would be by a window in front of one in fact. it's the only space we've got. I'd like any and all comments please. Also are they sick alot? do they get sick easily? We also have a cat, will this stress it out to much?
    Posted @ Wednesday, August 04, 2010 9:16 PM by Tammy sue anderson
    Hey Tammy Sue, 
     
     
     
    Glad to see you are doing your research before committing to one of these little guys. Of course, every chinchilla is different from the next when it comes to temperament, but I would say, in general, they are fairly low maintenance pets. Yes, they have a lot of poop, but with the right cage and set-up (and dust buster vacuum), I don't think it gets too out of control. In general, females tend to spray more than males, but it is often influenced by the animal's stress level (past trauma and current stressors). Many chinchillas have NEVER sprayed. 
     
     
     
    I have to say that, unfortunately, it does not sound like your available space would be healthy for a chin. Windows can let in cool drafts (or heat), moisture, and direct sunlight, all of which can be very harmful. Ideally, you want a fairly low-traffic area for the cage with a stable temperature (between 60 and 68 degrees Farenheit), and one which can be isolated from your cat. Some chinchillas are not stressed out by them, but in the beginning, you would not be able to monitor 24-7 to find out, so the chin would need a safe area separate from potential predators. If your chin felt threatened, you could see a whole host of unhealthy behaviors develop. 
     
     
     
    So long as you provide the proper nutrition and environment for your chinchilla, they are generally healthy animals. (My chinchilla is 4 years old now and has never had to visit the vet... knock on wood.) Chinchillas that are well cared for live an average of 10 years, but have been reported to live up to 20 years! Certainly something to consider in your decision.  
     
     
     
    Chinchillas are great pets and it can be rewarding to earn their trust. It should be noted, however, that it is not entirely common for them to enjoy cuddling or, in many instances, even being touched. Some animals enjoy being held and some more will tolerate it, but I would estimate that the vast majority are more interested in their freedom when being let out of their cages (which, of course, they should do for at least 30 minutes per night). 
     
     
     
    Hopefully this info will allow you to have some realistic expectations and help you weigh your decision. We're glad you stopped by the site and hope that you check out all of the information and discussions available here! Please let us know if you have any other questions we can help you with.  
     
     
     
    Amanda :)
    Posted @ Saturday, August 07, 2010 2:29 PM by Amanda S.
    I was wondering since you have a metal chinchilla "flying disc" in one of martin's cage, does the cage shake or make noise when your chinchilla runs on it? When I first got my chin, I naively bought a store-made cage, but replaced all the shelves with solid wood; however, when I installed the wheel, the whole cage tends to shake and make a lot of noise. I tried reinforcing the cage with some wood, but no luck. Does this happen to anyone else's cage?
    Posted @ Tuesday, August 24, 2010 12:20 PM by Stacey
    I found this cage its really big about the size of the biggest chinchilla cage on martins cages but is only 150. here is the link tell me what you guys think. http://www.petco.com/product/104532/Marshall-Folding-Ferret-Mansion.aspx?CoreCat=certona-_-ProductList_Small%20Animal_4-_-Marshall%20Folding%20Ferret%20Mansion-104532
    Posted @ Sunday, October 10, 2010 7:00 PM by Camden
    it is probably somewhere in here...but where did you get the cage that you have pictured above? i would really like to have a bigger one for my chin. thank you
    Posted @ Thursday, February 24, 2011 2:00 PM by nikki
    Nikki: 
     
    http://www.chinchillaplace.com/product-reviews/bid/6585/Cage
    Posted @ Thursday, February 24, 2011 8:02 PM by Amanda S.
    Re: Supra Shoes 
     
     
     
    Thank you my Master Yoda.
    Posted @ Tuesday, March 08, 2011 11:16 AM by Obewan
    Choosing the right chinchilla cage is one of the most important things if you want to own a chinch. After all it's where it will live for the rest of his life. Make sure the cages are chinchilla safe, and avoid plastic at any cost. 
    You may have to invest a little more in a quality cage, but you only buy it once, right? 
    I'm sharing some tips and info on small pets care on my blog:  
     
    http://www.unusualpets.org ,  
     
    feel free to visit and leave a comment. 
     
    Thanks for this resource!
    Posted @ Sunday, March 13, 2011 4:08 AM by Tom Hardy
    hey so i'm looking to buy a chinchilla, not necessarily a baby, but defs one from a breeder. I was thinking maybe i could just buy a bird cage and add wood levels to it cause they're super cute but also have wire bottoms ( easier cleaning right? ) and not tooo huge. Just wondering if anyone knows where i could buy wood shelves. Oh and could i make a little hanging bed or something out of soft plush fabric or would a chinchilla chew that too!? 
    And for toys to put in the cage, are any bird toys or chewable wood things ok? 
    Just wondering if everything sounds safe and ideal for a chinchilla. :)
    Posted @ Thursday, June 16, 2011 10:03 PM by dani
    Hi, 
     
     
     
    I recently bought a gutted Martin's Highrise. I then ordered a few pieces from Simply Chintastic, but they told me I should build my own middle level. Any suggestions on how to build the middle level? I'm not very handy, but I can't it imagine it's that difficult.
    Posted @ Thursday, July 14, 2011 4:46 PM by Ike
    i recently bought my girlfriend a Chinchilla and we love the little guy! parents got us a cage as a present, but brother got one for us as well. now i have an extra brand new cage in a box that i want to sell. its a 32x23 by 55" high! brand new sandstone color, on wheels, please contact me if you are interested. its a 350 dollar cage, that we cant return. so im willing to sell it for half of that. 175! please email me. dental_quality_control@live.com
    Posted @ Friday, July 29, 2011 2:24 PM by Simon
    Hi, I couldn't help but notice that there is mesh wire on the bottom of the cage in the picture. 
    It's not a good idea to get a cage that has that, unless you can take it out. 
    It can really damage that feet. And if I'm not mistaken, they can get this foot fungus from not only the rusted metal, but if there is any poop or urine on the mesh wire. 
    We had a problem with this before, so we bought a new cage as you cannot take the mesh wire out from the bottom. 
    As for our chinchilla's feet, we had no veterinarian at the time and we still don't! It is the reason why I want to become a vet, as I know there aren't many that know about exotic pets and such. 
    We just hoped for the best that her feet would get better, and we were lucky they did.
    Posted @ Tuesday, August 16, 2011 2:44 PM by Alexandra
    I'm picking up my first chinchilla friday (his name is going to be dobby), and ive been harassing all of the pet stores in my area for cages, and different types of cages. I'm also a college student so cost is an issue. I keep reading about levels and ramps, and cages with wheels built in, and cages with pull out trays, and frankly i am just lost and confused. I found one cage with the pull out tray, with one level with a ramp. Should I buy extra places for him to play on? I've only ever had gerbils and they are WAY different, and I want to do this right for the lil guy. Also, is a cage with a wheel built in a good idea? Should I get a different water bottle (the one i have is plastic and is on the outside of the cage, the spout pokes into the cage)? And one more thing.. those "play pens" i guess you could call them that they sell at pet stores, are they a good idea? My apt is awkward to block off, so i'm trying to figure out a way to let him out and run around without me hovering constantly. Thanks!
    Posted @ Wednesday, September 21, 2011 7:24 PM by Ashley
    It appears tomy study andlifehave undergonesignificant changes,it is like mygood friend, has becomean importantpart, andit makesmy lifemore colorful.
    Posted @ Monday, October 10, 2011 4:02 AM by belstaff outlet
    First, it attracted me the most is its practicality and its convenience. Second, it's personalized design fascinated me. Finally, I must mention is its economy. I believe it will have a very good development prospects.
    Posted @ Monday, October 10, 2011 4:04 AM by coach online outlet
    With the development of society, there is growing emphasis on product safety, product safety can only really make people feel at ease. I believe it will develop better, have a broader development prospects.
    Posted @ Monday, October 10, 2011 4:06 AM by burberry outlet
     
     
     
    Air Jordan(s), also known simply as Jordans, are a brand of shoes and athletic apparel produced by Nike originally designed for and endorsed by NBA Hall of Famer and Six Time NBA Champion Michael Jordan. The Air Jordan line is now sold by the Jordan Brand subsidiary of Nike. Air Jordans were first released in 1985, with new designs released annually. 
    Air Jordan currently sponsors 19 active NBA players. Of those 19 players, 10 players have made the All-star team at least once, 3 have won the NBA Championship, and 5 have won Olympic Medals. Their main endorser is Dwyane Wade, who plays shooting guard for the Miami Heat. He is a NBA Champion (2006), NBA Finals MVP (2006), 7 time All-star (2005-2011), scoring champion (2009), and 2 time NBA-All First Team (2009-2010). Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony are also key endorsers. Welcome to our online store, this is some of our products for shoes. 
    Nike Air Max 2011 
    Nike Air Max 2011 Mens 
    Nike air max 2011 womens 
    nike air max 2010 
    Air Jordan 11 Retro 
    Air Jordan 12 Retro 
    Air Jordan 13 Retro 
    Air Jordan 14 
    Kids Air Jordan 
    Air Jordan Retro 6 Kids 
    Nike Shoes Wholesale 
    Nike Air Max Griffey Fury 
    Nike Air Griffey Max GD 2 
    Nike Air Griffey Max 1 
    Nike Air Griffey Max 2 
    nike air max 
    Nike Air Max Tailwind  
    Nike Air Max Trainer 
    Air Jordan 16 
    Nike dunks for sale 
    Nike Dunk High Sale 
    Nike Dunk High Womens 
    Nike Dunk Low Shoes 
    Nike dunk low womens 
    nike dunks kids 
    Ken Griffey Shoes 
    Nike Air Max JR 
    Air Jordan 18 
    air jordan 8 women 
    air jordan 19 
    Air Jordan 18 Women 
    nike air max 2010 mens 
    nike air max 2010 womens 
    nike air max 2009 
    Nike Air Max 2009 Mens 
    Nike Air Max 2009 Womens 
    Nike Air Max TN 
    Nike air max ltd 
    Nike air max 95 
    air jordan 3 Retro 
    air jordan 4 Retro 
    air jordan 5 Retro 
    air jordan 6 Retro 
    Air Jordan Retro 8 
    Air Jordan 9 Retro 
    Air Jordan 10 Retro 
    Like a pair of shoes belonging to their favorite, it would come to our store to see it! 
    Posted @ Monday, October 10, 2011 9:02 PM by cuang
    Great thoughts. I love the way you have expressed what you want to say on your article. Such an awesome piece!
    Posted @ Thursday, November 24, 2011 2:55 AM by herver leger sale
    Chemical examination paper out quite hard aiscs shoes outlet button, I'm also looking quite like it is the opposite. Yang Yu also saw two men for a while , burberry handbags he knew the girl before her at the same table
    Posted @ Tuesday, November 29, 2011 9:49 PM by burberry handbags
    Very nice!I'll share to my blog!Thanks!
    Posted @ Tuesday, November 29, 2011 9:50 PM by ghd outlet
    It was very informative and I also digg the way you write!I love your article, and I am deeply attracted by your idea and sense among your words.Please keep us up to date like this.
    Posted @ Wednesday, December 28, 2011 1:10 AM by cheap ray ban sunglasses
    I have been reading all these great comments and have two questions. The first is I really want a new cage for our Chilla. Does anyone here have a nice one for sale? 
    My second question is in regards to the solid wood platforms everyone is using. How do you keep them clean and odor free if the chilla urinates on them?
    Posted @ Tuesday, January 10, 2012 1:15 PM by James
    Good share, you topic is very great and useful for us…thank you. I just like the approach you took with this subject. It isn’t every day that you discover something so concise and enlightening.
    Posted @ Friday, February 10, 2012 1:51 AM by kors outlet
    I greatly benefit from your articles every time I read one. Thanks for the info, it helps a lot.
    Posted @ Monday, February 20, 2012 9:43 PM by rayban sunglasses
    This website is the highest quality internet site.And,welcome to our website, it will give a surprise for you!
    Posted @ Friday, March 09, 2012 12:09 AM by dsquared
    r us…thank you. I just like the approach you took with this subject. It isn’t every day that you discover something so concise and enlightening.
    Posted @ Monday, March 19, 2012 1:52 AM by Borse Louis Vuitton
    est quality internet site.And,welcome to our w
    Posted @ Wednesday, May 09, 2012 10:14 PM by louis vuittion borse
    you topic is very great and useful for us…th
    Posted @ Wednesday, May 09, 2012 10:42 PM by louis vuittion borse
    Very helpful info:) I just adopted 2 male chinchillas that are a little over a year old. One is black, and the other is mosaic. Adorable little guys! They came with a Super Pet cage that is 30" x 30" x 29". I know the cage is way too small for them. I was looking at the Martin's cages. I am wondering if the Chinchilla Highrise will be big enough for them? It measures 30" x 18" x 48". I would not be putting in the wire mesh, I will add wood shelves like the cage shown here. I just need to know if this cage will be a good size for 2 chins. Thank you.
    Posted @ Friday, May 11, 2012 12:25 AM by Sandra
    Post Comment
    Name
     *
    Email
     *
    Website (optional)
    Comment
     *

    Allowed tags: <a> link, <b> bold, <i> italics