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Shameless plug...
Miller's Country Cages is located in Stockton, Ca and made a beautiful set of stacking cages for our foster chins and chins who need medical care! If you're close to Stockton, Ca, and want to shop locally for your Chinchilla ( or other small pet ) please consider giving Ron your business. He won't disappoint you. He did not disappoint us.
If you're not local to us, consider seeking out local cage makers. Try asking around your local feed stores for rabbit hutch makers. And moving on |
There is no official standardized cage size for Chinchillas in the USA, however the common understanding is that Chinchillas are a rock-hopping, den-dwelling species that prefers to stay within the confines of its own territory. This behavior in the wild, and in captivity, suggests they do better with cages that are wider than they are tall. Cages that are commercially available cater to taller sizes for species that are tree-dwelling climbers. We must make due with what is commercially available, and provide ample ledges in taller cages to prevent any sort of fall that would otherwise be fatal. You can certainly choose larger enclosures, but make sure you’re providing ample shelves for floor space/ to break falls, and not just leaping ledges/perches. There is a difference that may save your pets life!
Suggested minimum size: 31 in. L x 20.5 in. W X 40 in. H - 1” bar spacing MAX.
Starter/ Maternity: 25 in. W x 12-1/2 in. D x 12-1/2 in. H - ½” bar spacing MAX.
Suggested minimum size: 31 in. L x 20.5 in. W X 40 in. H - 1” bar spacing MAX.
Starter/ Maternity: 25 in. W x 12-1/2 in. D x 12-1/2 in. H - ½” bar spacing MAX.
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Our #1 Suggestion is the prevue pet products earthtone dusted rose rat & chinchilla cage. You can find it between $100 - $200 at Petco or on Chewy. It is out-of-the-box ready for use. There are no plastic levels to cover or replace! The levels and ramps are solid metal. The floor is a wire grate that you can slide out for easy cleaning! You can remove the grate to clean the grate! The pan below is plastic, but the grate protects it.
* Wire floors are just as safe as any other "bedding" as long as you keep it clean. Bumble foot is caused by bacteria, and bacteria can be on any surface. |
Click me for a link!
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Two of the most common and versatile cages Chinchilla owners flock to are the Ferret Nation and Critter nation cages by Midwest.
The Ferret Nation and Critter Nation are very similar cages, They both can be single, double, or triple units. Add - On units come with a lower pan that has a entry hole so your pet can access their new spaces. They also both come with half shelves and storage space.
One big difference is that the Ferret Nation has less bars. The gauge is slightly thicker, making them stronger. You can see the bars run vertical. A Ferret nation also features 1" bar spacing, which is only suitable for Chinchillas 6 months and older. Smaller animals my escape or become stuck.
Critter Nation cages feature horizontal bars that have a 1/2" spacing. This cage will better suit kits ( baby Chins ) and smaller Chinchillas. Note that the Critter Nation bars are weaker, and do not support heavy items well. A common complaint is that they give way under stress and break loose.
Both cages come with stock plastic pans that MUST be covered with fleece to prevent chewing ( and compaction ) or replaced with metal Bass Pans which can be ordered from www.Bassequipment.com . The pans fit both units.
The ladders are not needed, and should not be used to prevent leg or arm breaks.
Single units fully accessorized can house 1-4 chinchillas comfortably.
The Ferret Nation and Critter Nation are very similar cages, They both can be single, double, or triple units. Add - On units come with a lower pan that has a entry hole so your pet can access their new spaces. They also both come with half shelves and storage space.
One big difference is that the Ferret Nation has less bars. The gauge is slightly thicker, making them stronger. You can see the bars run vertical. A Ferret nation also features 1" bar spacing, which is only suitable for Chinchillas 6 months and older. Smaller animals my escape or become stuck.
Critter Nation cages feature horizontal bars that have a 1/2" spacing. This cage will better suit kits ( baby Chins ) and smaller Chinchillas. Note that the Critter Nation bars are weaker, and do not support heavy items well. A common complaint is that they give way under stress and break loose.
Both cages come with stock plastic pans that MUST be covered with fleece to prevent chewing ( and compaction ) or replaced with metal Bass Pans which can be ordered from www.Bassequipment.com . The pans fit both units.
The ladders are not needed, and should not be used to prevent leg or arm breaks.
Single units fully accessorized can house 1-4 chinchillas comfortably.
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Pros:
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Cons:
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A cage similar to the Ferret and Critter Nation cages is the Prevue Hendryx Black Feisty Ferret Cage.
This cage is noticeably smaller, but still is suitable for housing 1-4 chinchillas. The floor needs a conversion kit ( check out www.mycritterstore.com ) and all plastic shelving needs to be removed and replaces with wood. While his cage is cheaper ( Under $200 ) it has some down sides, only the two right doors open making cleaning a bit more complicated. You cannot add on additional units, and it needs a lot of work before it can be seen as usable. |
Many owners also choose to use converted parrot cages for their chins, and these work out beautifully with the right changes made. The big points to look at is:
Size - You don't want something too big where a dangerous fall may happen.
Bar Spacing - Anything over 1" is a escape risk/ injury risk.
Materials - You want to avoid all plastic, or any treated/chemical woods ( furniture, glosses, finishes )
If you want to avoid the hassle of converting your cage into a safe home for your pet, Check out Quality Cage Crafters. All their cages come Chinchilla Safe!
Size - You don't want something too big where a dangerous fall may happen.
Bar Spacing - Anything over 1" is a escape risk/ injury risk.
Materials - You want to avoid all plastic, or any treated/chemical woods ( furniture, glosses, finishes )
If you want to avoid the hassle of converting your cage into a safe home for your pet, Check out Quality Cage Crafters. All their cages come Chinchilla Safe!
Here is a list of cages we would like to suggest:
Around $100:
Emergency Pregnancy Watch Cage : ( ½” bar spacing ) https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/ware-manufacturing-chew-proof-critter-cage-25-in
Tractor supply, Taller and longer version of the nursery cage, suitable for 1 chinchilla as a starter cage: https://bit.ly/letslovechinchillasbabysafe
Around $200 - $300:
Travel cage/ Temp housing - More, dual purpose. Quality Cage Travel cage ( perfect for pregnancy watch, recovery, or single chins ) : https://qualitycage.com/collections/chinchilla-products/products/chinchilla-collapsible-travel-home
Exotic Nutrition : https://www.exoticnutrition.com/Products/2-Level-Mansion__GB13221A.aspx
Exotic Nutrition's FN/CN single version ( Add on possible ) : https://www.exoticnutrition.com/Products/2-Level-Mansion__GB13221A.aspx
Prevue Pet Products Earthtone Dusted rose Chinchilla and rat cage : https://bit.ly/letslovechinchillasdusyrosecage
Tractor Supply/ Jumbo Steel Ferret Cage: https://bit.ly/Letslovechinchillasjumbosteelferretcage
Quality cage condo: https://qualitycage.com/collections/chinchilla-products/products/chinchilla-condo
Oxbow Enriched Life: https://www.chewy.com/oxbow-enriched-life-multi-level-small/dp/303725
$300 and up:
Ferret / Critter Nation cages: They may not cost $350+, but after necessary mods you may end up reaching that price point. They are great cages, though!
CN: https://bit.ly/letslovechinchillasCNcage
FN: https://bit.ly/letslovechinchillasFNcage
Bass Pans: https://www.bassequipment.com/SCResult/Ferret%20Nation%20Replacement%20Pans-244
The price of this cage will vary based on the model. Ferret nations are cheaper ( less material ) and come in single or double versions. Critter nations are more expensive ( more material ) and come in single or double versions. Both designs need wooden cage guards, liners, or metal replacement pans to prevent your pet from ingesting the plastic pans that come with the cage.
These cages are SO COMMON that you can often find them used on sale sites ( craigslist, marketplace, garage sales ) for under $100.
Exotic Nutrition CN/FN version double: https://www.exoticnutrition.com/Products/4-Level-Mansion__GB13221A-comm--spc-GB13221AE.aspx
Quality Cage Town Home: https://qualitycage.com/collections/chinchilla-products/products/chinchilla-townhome
Quality Cage Mansion:
https://qualitycage.com/collections/chinchilla-products/products/chinchilla-mansion
Exotic Nutrition's FN/CN version, 3 unit: https://www.exoticnutrition.com/Products/6-Level-Mansion__GB13221A-comm--spc-GB13221AE-comm--spc-GB13221AE.aspx
Quality Cage Mansion : Starter pack: https://qualitycage.com/collections/chinchilla-products/products/chinchilla-starter-pack
Quality Cage Mansion : Complete pack: https://qualitycage.com/collections/chinchilla-products/products/chinchilla-deluxe-package
