When it comes to chinchilla cages, it's essential to prioritize functionality over sheer size. In our experience, starting with a smaller cage that you can set up correctly is preferable to purchasing the largest cage available and leaving it bare. This is a common mistake new owners make and when the enclosure becomes impossible to maintain, they surrender their pet. If you prefer to use a larger enclosure at the start you must acknowledge that it is a significant financial investment upfront to establish.

Chinchillas do not necessarily require huge enclosures to thrive. Anything beyond meeting their basic needs is a bonus. A well-designed, smaller condo cage can adequately meet all the needs of your pet. These cages often start at 25”x25”x25” though wider would be better. The USA does not have a set cage minimum for Chinchillas, and other countries fail to agree on a standardized size. The most popular cage among chinchilla owners in social media groups is a Single Ferret Nation Cage, which is 25” High, 25” deep, and 36” long for 2-3 Chinchillas.

We want to emphasize that we're not discouraging elaborate or fun enclosures. However, it's crucial to set realistic goals for both the pet and their owner. Investing in a smaller cage allows you to focus on creating a safe and enriching environment for your chinchilla while you learn more about them.

We like to separate what a Chinchilla needs VS. bonus:

Needs to take a Chinchilla home:

  • A safe cage - All metal, or primarily metal with plastic ledges covered with fleece/replaced with wood.

  • A food bowl - metal or ceramic: Tip, a parrot coop cup attaches to the cage wall and prevents waste.

  • A water bottle - glass: Tip, Plastic WILL be chewed. Mount your bottle outside of the cage.

  • Bedding - Pine Shavings, Aspen Shavings, or Fleece Liners. ( No paper bedding )

  • Main Diet - Hay and Pellets

  • Dust Bath - Plastic if removed from cage, Glass or Ceramic if offered freely

Bonus items to enrich their lives:

  • A larger enclosure with full levels

  • Metal pans for the cage

  • Various Chew Toys - Wood, Pumice, Loofah, Vine, Willow

  • Ledges - Wooden, Metal, Ceramic

  • Houses - Woode, Metal, Ceramic

  • Fleece Cage Accessories - Hammocks, houses, cuddle cups, tunnels, cuddle buddies

  • Chinchilla safe treats - See list in drop-down menu

  • Playpen for playtime

  • 14” or larger Chinchilla wheel ( Pet stores only sell wheels up to 12”, must be bought online )

Coming soon:

  • What makes a safe wheel and where to get one

  • Cage suggestions from a rescue