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Home > Rodents > 5 DIY Chinchilla Cage Plans You Can Build Today (With Pictures)

5 DIY Chinchilla Cage Plans You Can Build Today (With Pictures)

chinchilla

If you are looking for instructions on how to build a chinchilla cage, then you’ve come to the right place. This article features five plans that don’t require you to be a master builder. What’s great about making a cage is that you can build a large house much cheaper than it would cost to purchase one.

Did you know chinchillas thrive in pairs or small groups? They are social animals and need plenty of room to play. So, it is important to build a house with ramps, ledges, and bounce-off walls. The minimum size of space needed is 3 x 2 x 2 feet, so you will find that the cages featured on this list are large and customizable.

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The 5 DIY Chinchilla Cage Plans

1. DIY Chinchilla Cage From LY Chinchillas

DIY Chinchilla Cage
Image Credit: LY Chinchillas

Skill level: Beginner

LY Chinchillas shows you how to build a custom chinchilla cage from a wardrobe unit. It is a project you can customize to the wardrobe size you have on hand. Making this cage is straightforward and an affordable option for those who want a large living space for their pet. You can also add a variety of accessories and play toys, so your chinchilla feels safe and comfy in their new home.

Materials
  • Wardrobe unit
  • Mesh wire
  • Wood or metal carpet trim
  • Kiln-dried pine for platforms
  • Light fixture
  • Extension cords
  • Staples
  • Screws
  • Any accessories you want
Tools
  • Staple gun
  • Wire cutters
  • Measuring tape
  • Jigsaw or skill saw
  • Hole saw
  • Drill with various bits

2. Chinchilla Cage from Instructables Living

DIY Chinchilla Cage
Image Credit: Instructables Living

Skill level: Intermediate

Instructables Living offers step-by-step instructions to make your existing chinchilla cage bigger. However, you can modify the build if you don’t already have a cage. Chinchillas need plenty of room to move around, with a variety of toys to keep them occupied and prevent boredom. Once this house is finished, your chinchilla will love the different levels and areas to explore and/or relax in. To save more money, use the scraps you have on hand.

Materials
  • Pine lumber
  • Plywood
  • Chicken wire
  • Light gauge wire
  • Fender washer
  • Staples
Tools
  • Hand saw or skill saw
  • Staple gun
  • Tape measure

3. Chinchilla Cage Plans and Design From Chinchilla Stuff

Skill level: Beginner

Chinchilla Stuff provides plenty of information about the materials you should and shouldn’t use when building a cage. They don’t have step-by-step instructions; instead, they provide a YouTube video to show you how to build a large C&C cage. It is an easy project to customize to the size you want, and you can make it in one day or over the weekend.

Materials
  • Wire grid cubes
  • Coroplast sheets
  • Zip ties
  • Hinges
  • Fabric
Tools
  • Scissors
  • Box cutter
  • Large ruler or measuring tape
  • Pencil

4. Build a Chinchilla Cage by Chinchilla Source

DIY Build a Chinchilla Cage
Image Credit: Chinchilla Source

Skill level: Intermediate

Chinchilla Source shows you how to build a cage that helps contain the messes created by shavings, food, and droppings. The plan is fully customizable, so you can build it the size and shape that fits the space in your home. The instructions aren’t detailed, but you will find that the cage design is simple enough to create, especially if you have building experience.

Materials
  • Pine lumber
  • Melamine panels
  • Glue
  • Wheels
  • Hinges
  • Screws
  • Wire
Tools
  • Saw
  • Tape measure
  • Screwdriver

5. Bathroom Dresser Chinchilla Cage From Instructables Living

DIY Bathroom Dresser Chinchilla Cage
Image Credit: Instructables Living

Skill level: Intermediate

Instructables Living offers plans to convert a bathroom dresser or armoire into a comfortable chinchilla home. You will want a fairly large piece so your pet has plenty of room to play and exercise. It is not a difficult cage to build, but it does require experience with building and designing. However, if you are a beginner, don’t let it put you off — it’s a great family project.

Materials
  • Old dresser or armoire
  • Fencing wire
  • Staples
  • Screws
  • Lock for the door
Tools
  • Staple gun
  • Lumber for shelves
  • Screwdriver
  • Skill saw
  • Level
  • Tape measure

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Final Thoughts

Chinchillas need plenty of room to stay happy and healthy. The materials you build the cage from are important to keep your pet safe. Chinchillas like to chew on items, so you don’t want to have any materials that are dangerous for them to eat, such as treated wood and plastic.

If you are looking to learn how to build a chinchilla cage, these five DIY plans offer a variety of styles and skill levels to fit your experience and preferences. Building your own allows you to customize a cage that fits your house’s décor and the needs of your chinchilla. Plus, it is more affordable to build a large cage than to purchase one. We hope that you have found a design that inspires you to start building today.

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Featured Image: Piqsels

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