So you’re bringing home a Chinchilla! This small but spirited rodent is popular in homes across the world as a pet. As with any companion animal, Chinchillas require certain supplies to ensure their safety and well-being. Chinchillas are adorable little creatures that require a reasonable amount of TLC in order to thrive. It’s important to keep your Chinchilla well-equipped with the right supplies in order to make their lives as easy and comfortable as possible.
These include a safe and secure home, food, toys, and bedding. It may be expensive to purchase all of these supplies before you bring home a Chinchilla as a pet, but if you don’t have these basic supplies in place on day one, you won’t be ready to take care of your new pet. Here’s our checklist of some of the best Chinchilla supplies to help you get started.
Before You Bring Home a Chinchilla
Chinchillas require a different kind of veterinary care than traditional cats and dogs, so it’s important to find a professional who knows how to treat them if something goes wrong. One of the reasons it’s important to have the phone number and address of an exotic vet is that Chinchillas can be susceptible to a variety of health problems.
Some of these problems can include heat stress, infections, and intestinal blockages. Without access to a qualified exotic vet, these problems can quickly become life-threatening to the Chinchilla.
A Chinchilla cage is typically made up of a wire mesh that allows for airflow and plenty of space for the Chinchillas to move around. The cages can come in different shapes and sizes, but most include a place for the Chinchilla to hide, as well as a food bowl and water bottle. Chinchillas are very active animals and need plenty of room to explore, so it is important to get them a cage that is as large as possible. We recommend the Prevue Pet Products Rat & Chinchilla Critter Cage, 31-in. You don’t want your pet standing on a wire bottom, and the floor grille on this cage is removable.
Chinchilla ledges and shelves provide a place for Chinchillas to rest and play. They are made of a durable material that is easy to clean and helps keep your Chinchilla safe. Chinchilla ledges and shelves come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can find one that fits your Chinchilla’s needs.
The best Chinchilla ledges and shelves are typically made out of wood. This is because wood is a durable material that is also safe for Chinchillas to chew on. Wood also has a natural appearance that Chinchillas find appealing. Some people choose to use other materials, such as metal, for their Chinchilla ledges and shelves, but it is important to be aware that these materials can be harmful to Chinchillas if they chew on them.
A Chinchilla house is typically a small, enclosed space that provides Chinchillas with a place to hide, play, and sleep. Chinchilla houses can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, wire, and PVC. Again, we recommend a wood house such as the CrazyCritterThings Critter Bungalow w/ Rails Small Pet Habitat Accessory over plastic or wire for your Chinchilla’s health and safety. Hideouts are an important part of a Chinchilla’s home environment and should be big enough for the Chinchilla to stand up and move around.
Chinchilla food bowls are typically made of plastic, metal, or ceramic and have a wide, shallow design that allows the Chinchilla to easily reach the food. These bowls typically have a lip or ridge around the edge that helps to keep the food inside the bowl.
Although we normally steer clear of plastic because of chewing concerns, we recommend the Living World Lock & Crock Dish Small Animal Bowl as it is made from thick, durable, chew-resistant plastic and clips to the cage. This feature means fewer spills and accidents at feeding time and makes life more comfortable for your Chinchilla—and you.
Chinchilla water bottles are designed to provide fresh and clean water on demand for your fluffy friend. They are made of glass and have a metal spout, which helps keep the water hygienic and sanitary, as opposed to a water dish where residue can gather.
We like the Kaytee Chew Proof Small Pet Water Bottle. The bottle has a wire hanger, which allows it to be attached to the cage, and features a drip-resistant sipper tube and an adorable floating duck to remind you when to top up. This is a great way to ensure that your Chinchilla always has access to clean water.
Chinchilla food is specially designed to meet the nutritional needs of Chinchillas. It is high in fiber and low in sugar, and it includes a variety of healthy ingredients. Chinchillas are herbivores, so their diet consists mostly of hay, fresh vegetables, and pellets. Hay is important for their digestive health, and they need a lot of fresh vegetables to get the nutrients they need. Pellets are fortified with vitamins and minerals to ensure that they get all the nutrients they need.
Feeding your Chinchilla the right food is essential for keeping them healthy and happy.
It’s part of Chinchillas’ natural behavior to take vigorous dust baths—it’s how they keep their coat clean, healthy, and incredibly lush. You can keep your Chinchilla in pristine condition with the Lixit Chinchilla Dry Bath. It’s not just about keeping their fur in great shape, but it’s also fun for your exotic pet to roll around. The dust bath is a convenient way for Chinchillas to groom themselves, and it comes with a cover that helps minimize dust spread. It is made of sturdy plastic that is easily disassembled and cleaned. The dust bath can be used in conjunction with Lixit Chinchilla Dust Bath (which is sold separately).
Chinchilla bedding is typically made of a soft, absorbent material that helps keep your Chinchilla warm and dry. The most common type of bedding is made from hay, but Chinchillas can also be bedded with straw, aspen shavings, or recycled paper. It’s important to choose a bedding material that is absorbent, helps to keep the Chinchilla’s cage clean, and helps to protect the Chinchilla from getting injured. Rabbit Hole Hay Ultra Premium, Food Grade Paper Small Pet Bedding, White is formulated to soak up six times its own weight for maximum odor control to keep your Chinchilla’s habitat smelling fresh and clean.
Chinchilla toys and chews are important for keeping Chinchillas entertained and providing them with necessary stimulation and chewing opportunities. Chinchilla toys can include things like wooden blocks, compressed hay, cardboard boxes, and other small objects that the Chinchillas can play with and chew on. Chewing is an important part of a Chinchilla’s daily routine, as it helps to keep their teeth healthy and trim.
The Chinchilla pet carrier is a specially designed piece of equipment that is used to safely transport Chinchillas. The carrier typically has a construction that allows air to circulate and keeps the Chinchilla from escaping. The Living World Small Animal Carrier, Red & Grey, Large is top-loading for ease of access to your pet. This is the perfect small, enclosed space used to transport a Chinchilla, and help keep your pet safe and secure during travel.
A pet first aid kit is usually a small, zippered pouch that contains various supplies that may be needed in the event of an emergency or until you’re able to seek veterinary care. These supplies can include items such as adhesive bandages, gauze pads, medical tape, scissors, tweezers, and a thermometer. Having a first aid kit on hand can help you provide care for your Chinchilla in the event of an injury or illness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Chinchillas make wonderful pets and with the proper supplies, they can live long healthy lives. By providing your Chinchilla with a spacious cage, plenty of toys, and a healthy diet, you can ensure that your furry friend is happy and healthy. Be sure to also get a sturdy water bottle, dust bathhouse, and bedding. With these essential supplies, you and your Chinchilla can have a long and happy friendship. Thanks for reading!
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe....Read more
