How to Make a Chinchilla Hammock

Hammocks are fun for people and pets alike

A chinchilla hammock is one way to keep your pet cool, calm and gently swinging in the breeze. Animals that get the hang of it (pun intended), also find a hammock quite enjoyable. You can make a chinchilla hammock for your furry friend with a some basic supplies and a little know how.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Grommets, four metal ones
• Light chain
• Hooks and wire
• Needle and thread

Instructions

1. Pick the fabric. You want something durable to ward off the chinchilla from chewing it but soft enough so he doesn’t feel like his hammock is a bed of nails. Opt for a durable fabric, like a thin denim or softer burlap.

2. Prepare the fabric. Cut two pieces of the fabric into 12-inch squares with rounded tabs at the corners for affixing the grommets. The pieces should almost resemble a star. Make sure the tabs are large enough to hold the grommets without them ripping through the edges.

3. Sew the two pieces of fabric together. Stitch the sides of the two fabric pieces to each other, leaving an opening large enough to pull them inside out once the sides are stitched. Then pull the hammock inside out. You can fill the insides with a thin layer of fleece or old pillow stuffing, but not so much that the chinchilla can’t lay in it without falling off. Finish off the stitching on the open area. Knot well.

4. Add the hardware. Cut a small hole in the center of each tab and affix the grommet. Cut the thin chain into four pieces of equal length and loop the one end of each chain through each grommet.

5. Attach to his cage. If you have a wire cage, you can simply affix the ends of the chain to the bars with wire. If you keep your chinchilla in an aquarium, make sure the chain is long enough for it to hang down so he can reach the hammock and hook the ends of the chain over the lip of the tank. Secure with the lid.

Tips & Warnings

• This type of hammock can also be used for rats, gerbils and hamsters.

• Hand wash the chinchilla hammock when it starts getting smelly or grimy.

• Make sure no loose wires, broken chain or other hardware sticks out in sharp spots and accidentally takes his eye out.

• Rodents like to chew, chew, chew. Make sure the chain is durable enough to withstand the little teeth and don’t be surprised if he transforms his cozy hammock into even cozier shredded bedding material.

• Don’t be sad if your chinchilla doesn’t fully embrace the hammock. He may not know what the heck it is. Try placing him gently on it and giving him some treats to show him what a wonderful, cozy place it is.