How to Create a Chinchilla Habitat

You have done your research and have decided that the chinchilla is just the right pet for you. So, how do you keep your little friend happy and healthy in his new home? The first step is to construct a home that's just right for him. Read on to learn how to do that.

Things You'll Need

• A habitat (more on how to select this below)
• Water bowl
• Food bowl
• Bedding (to be changed regularly)
• Dust tray
• Chew sticks
• ... and a lot of toys!

Instructions

1. Select the right cage for your chinchilla. Cages can easily cost more than $100, but on the positive side, it's an investment you only have to make once. The natural habitat of chinchillas is a mountainous one, so they like to jump and climb. The ideal cage will be taller than it is wide, and have plenty of shelves and ledges for them to play on. The sides should be wire, but the bottom of the cage and the shelves should be solid to protect their feet, and to keep them from getting caught in the bars.

2. Select the room where you will keep your chinchilla. Keep in mind that they are most active at night, and if placed in or near a bedroom, they have the potential to keep you up at night.

3. Bedding on the floor of the cage should be about an inch deep. As with any small animal, it's important not to use cedar shavings, as cedar is toxic to animals. Any other sort of hardwood shavings or pelleted and recycled product will work.

4. Chinchillas need plenty of exercise, and should be allowed to run (with supervision) outside of their cage at least once a day. But as chinchillas are nocturnal, they're going to want to play in their cages at night, too. Make sure there's plenty of ramps for them to run and jump between. Another invaluable exercise device is the wheel. Just make sure the wheel is solid, as it's easy for little feet to get caught in mesh.

5. Put a dust tray in the habitat. Chinchillas are by nature very clean animals, but they do not bathe in water. Instead, they like to roll around in sand. You local pet store will sell special chinchilla dust that you can put in the tray for them to roll in.

6. Make sure you provide them plenty of toys. Never put anything plastic in the habitat; chinchillas will chew on anything, and pieces of plastic can prove fatal. Instead, give them plenty of hanging wooden toys, paper towel tubes and lots of chew sticks. A chinchilla's teeth grow constantly, so they're always looking to chew on the next new thing.

7. In addition to fresh drinking water, make sure you include a food bowl for your chinchilla. They have an extremely sensitive digestive tract, and you should carefully monitor what you are giving your chinchilla to make sure she stays healthy and happy.

Tips & Warnings

• Chinchillas are very inquisitive by nature; make sure they have plenty to keep them busy. Never forget to take them out of their habitat regularly.

• Temperatures in your chinchilla habitat should not exceed 80 degrees F; any warmer than that, and chinchillas run the risk of heat stroke.