How to House a Chinchilla

Video Transcript

"Let's talk about how to house a chinchilla. Chinchillas are a unique rodent that comes from South America and Andes mountains. They can be actually very good pets. You just might need to know how to take care of them obviously like anything else. So always do research first before getting a pet like this. Chinchillas like to be in a pretty large cage. They can run around a little bit you know, outside of the cage but when you're housing them a large wired cage and the wire needs to be coated because they can be chewers. And then a cage with a wire bottom to it works pretty well. Usually you put something like pine shavings on the bottom that are untreated pine with no oils or extracts in it. Avoid cedar shavings because that can be toxic to some small mammals. So basically housing is going to be large because they need a room to run around in. They need a water bottle, they need a food bowl and areas for hay in there as well. And then it's good to have an exercise wheel. But the type of wheel for them would be something that is solid. Wire types of wheels, they can get their little feet caught in them and obviously can pose, or will pose some traumatic injury to them. But anyway, always research them first, talk to a breeder or a pet store before purchasing one. Make sure it's right for you and then ask them or let them show you what are the best types of housing components that go along with them."