Supply Checklist Before Taking Your New Chinchilla Home
Bringing a chinchilla home is exciting! Proper preparation ensures your pet stays happy, healthy, and comfortable. Use this checklist to get ready for your new furry friend.
🏠 Cage & Setup
Chinchillas are very active and love to climb and jump, so bigger is always better. Minimum cage size is 16″ x 18″ x 16″, but more space is ideal. Multi-level cages with shelves or ledges give them more room to explore.
✔ Recommended Products: Exotic Nutrition 4-Level Mansion Cage for ample space or 2-Level Mansion Cage for smaller areas.
✔ Use solid floors instead of wire to protect their feet and choose cages with removable pans for easy cleaning.
Keep cages away from heat, drafts, and direct sunlight; the ideal temperature is 60–70°F.
🌿 Food & Treats
Chinchillas are vegetarians with sensitive stomachs. A well-balanced diet ensures optimal health.
✔ Recommended Products: Chinchilla Diet with Rose Hips paired with Timothy Hay for fiber and dental health.
✔ Treats in moderation help with bonding and training.
🏃 Exercise Wheel
Daily exercise is essential. Wheels should have a solid surface to prevent foot injuries and be quiet for nighttime use.
✔ Recommended Product: Chin-Sprint Wheel – durable, safe, and silent.
🏡 Hide Areas
Chinchillas need cozy, secure spaces to rest. Hide areas reduce stress and provide comfort.
✔ Options include cozy pouches, pet igloos, and wood hideouts.
💧 Water & Food Dishes
Fresh water is a must. Hang a water bottle in an accessible spot and provide food dishes to keep meals clean.
✔ Recommended Product: Glass Water Bottle and stainless steel feed dish-perfect for food or hay.
🧴 Dust Bath
Chinchillas maintain their luxurious fur through dust baths.
✔ Recommended Products: Chinchilla Dust + Acrylic Bath House.
✔ Offer dust baths at least twice weekly and replace the dust when soiled (usually 1–2 weeks).
🛏️ Bedding
Pelleted or shredded paper bedding is safe and absorbent. Avoid cedar or pine bedding due to respiratory risks.
🧩 Toys & Chews
Toys keep chinchillas engaged and active. Chew toys maintain dental health and prevent overgrown teeth.
✔ Recommended Products: Loco Ball, Woodland Hoop, and Willow Ball.
🧽 Cleaning Supplies
Clean cages weekly. Wash water bottles, dishes, and toys with a safe cleaner.
✔ Recommended Product: Kage Kleen Spray.
✔ Ensure everything is dry before returning items to the cage.
🚗 Travel Carrier
For vet visits, travel, or cage cleaning, a secure carrier is essential.
✔ Check out our Casablanca Cage for safe transport.
🩺 Exotic Veterinarian
Before bringing your chinchilla home, locate a reputable exotic pet veterinarian. Ask your breeder, local owners, or search a veterinarian database. Having this info ready ensures quick access to care if needed.
With the right cage, diet, enrichment, and healthcare setup, your new chinchilla will thrive and enjoy a happy, active life in your home! 🐾
Ready to Shop? Shop By Pet or Shop By Category
Got Questions? Browse more free Blogs or Contact Us with any inquiries regarding our products.
Notice: Exotic Nutrition cannot provide specific care guidelines on an individual basis. Please consult a veterinarian or experienced breeder.
Exotic Nutrition is proud to serve hundreds of universities, zoological parks, veterinarians, research centers and other institutions seeking to advance the health and well-being of exotics worldwide. See a full list of institutions using our products here.
Exotic Nutrition has a heart for animals in need. Through regular donations to rescues, rehabilitators, and special fundraiser events, Exotic Nutrition is making a significant impact in the lives of animals. See a full list of our charitable donations here.
Leave a Comment