How to Care for Chinchillas

Source: wikiHow

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Five Methods:Getting the Right CageProviding the Proper EnvironmentFeeding a ChinchillaHandling a ChinchillaKeeping a Chinchilla HealthyCommunity Q&A

Chinchillas are adorable, gentle animals that need attentive care in order to thrive. They make great pets but are sensitive, so they should be handled delicately and housed properly.

To keep them happy and healthy, you also need to provide them with a proper diet, give them opportunities for exercise, and keep their cage clean. With planning and ongoing care, your chinchilla will be a wonderful and enjoyable pet for years to come.

1. 1 Provide a large, wire cage. Chinchillas should be kept in cages made of metal. Since they are extremely active animals, the larger the cage, the better. Your chinchilla’s cage should be 16 by 18 by 16 inches (41 × 46 × 41 cm) at minimum.^[1]
   • A tall and wide cage is the best, but tall is better than wide if you can’t get both.
   • Chinchillas love to jump, so multiple levels are great for them. Try to get a tall cage because they can jump up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) high.
   • Glass cages are not good for chinchillas because the glass severely limits air flow.
2. 2 Make sure the cage has a solid bottom. A chinchilla can get its feet caught in wire floors, which can cause serious physical harm. A solid floor can be made of hard plastic or plywood and it is helpful if the bottom piece is removable so it can be cleaned thoroughly.^[2]
3. 3 Ensure that the cage bars are close together. It’s important that the chinchilla can’t stick its head through the bars.
   If its head fits through the bars, its whole body will fit through and it can escape. These animals have a lot of fur and small bodies underneath.
   • If you choose a wire cage, ensure that there are no bits of wire poking out that your chinchilla could cut itself on if it does try to squeeze through the bars.
4. 4 Provide a nesting box for your chinchilla. A nesting box will give your chinchilla somewhere to take refuge if it is scared or tired. This box should measure at least 20 in (50 cm) in length and 10 in (25…

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