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 or 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 ( wider ) enclosure with full levels

  • Metal pans for the cage

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

  • Ledges - Wooden, Metal, Ceramic

  • Houses - Wood, 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 )

What Makes a Safe Wheel?

Chinchillas do not need a wheel. While they may use one for exercise, wheels can also become a coping mechanism for frightened prey animals, leading to stress-related overuse. Chronically high cortisol levels from excessive running can negatively impact their health. If your chinchilla is obsessively running on a wheel in response to any trigger, consider removing it temporarily.

For a wheel to be considered safe, it must be made of metal. Plastic wheels are hazardous—not only can they be chewed and ingested, but they also wear down from friction, increasing the risk of collapse.

So, does that mean metal mesh wheels with center spokes are safe? Absolutely not!

Wheels with center spokes and crossbars are notorious for trapping legs and tails, leading to severe injuries.

The Correct Size Matters

In addition to being made from the right material, a safe wheel must be the correct size. The minimum diameter should be 14 inches.

Why? Chinchillas leap and stretch their bodies when they run. Unlike rodents that scurry, chinchillas hop bipedally, like rabbits. From nose to tail tip, an adult chinchilla is about 15 inches long, though they typically hold their tails curled. A wheel smaller than 14 inches forces them into an unnatural posture, compressing the intervertebral discs (the soft tissue between spinal bones). Over time, improper wheel use can lead to:

  • Hunching of the spine

  • Pinched nerves

  • Arthritis

Unfortunately, by the time symptoms appear, the damage is already done.

Where to Find Safe Wheels

Currently, no major chain pet stores offer properly sized, all-metal wheels for chinchillas. However, several small businesses and specialty retailers do:

✔ Pandamonium Pets – Offers a variety of safe chinchilla wheels.
✔ Quality Cage Crafters – Known for the beloved Chin Spin wheel.
✔ Exotic Nutrition – Makes a fully metal wheel.
✔ Chewy – Occasionally stocks the Brytin Silver Surfer Chinchilla Wheel, though availability is limited.

If you choose to provide a wheel, choose wisely—your chinchilla’s long-term health depends on it!

Coming soon:

  • Cage suggestions from a rescue