Rodents are precious animals that are sensitive. Chinchillas are. They are most likely related to guinea pigs. Usually, they live in the wild, but I would like them as pets. I find them warm living species that need space to warm themselves in their sleep.
Their cages should be comfortable, just like the chinchilla cage floor only intended for these soft furry babies.
I thought that I would probably go for a larger cage so it could accommodate them in case I wanted to add more than one of them.
Maybe you are wondering how I want them to be prepared. Here are just some of the possible ideas I can share with you. I’ve included suggestions on how their cages should be made in terms of sizing and so on.
1. Wire Cages
You can get a wire for your cage at least four x4 x 3 ft (1.22 x 1.22 x 0.91 m). That would be enough for your chinchillas to stay comfortable, having enough space to move around freely.
Chinchillas must always feel comfortable in their cages. You should keep them safe from their active movements inside their cages.
2. Wire Grids
In addition, you have to make it safe for them and prevent them from escaping. The wire grids of their cages should not be wider than one by 2 inches (2.5 cm x 5.1 cm). It could also prevent them from falling from more than 60 centimetres (24 inches).
3. Wire Floor
You can either create a solid floor in the cage using plexiglass. The wire floor allows any droppings to fall on the tray underneath. This is not safe for your chinchilla, I can say. The wire could harm their tiny and soft feet. These little furries need to rest in areas that could not irritate their paws. Plexiglass floor sheets are just perfect for a chinchilla cage floor.
By the way, plexiglass is available in some pet supply stores.
4. Pelleted Paper On The Floor
Just because these furry babies are soft, I would choose to spread some pelleted paper on the cage floor. Chinchilla would find a place to dig holes, so I would prefer bedding that could be more comfortable for them, although paper can work best I can use instead of kiln-dried pine. I can say that using cedar chips is just unsafe.
5. Stoppered Water Bottle
I would also prefer to attach a water bottle suitable for them to the sides of the cage. Animals need to consume the required water levels just as humans do. Stoppered water bottles can be found in some pet stores. You must be careful not to get them wet. So, I never put a water bowl on my chinchilla cage floor.
6. Bowl For The Treats
To maintain my chinchilla cage floor clean and convenient for them, I make sure that I provide a bowl for the hay and treats. It would be a better idea for me to feed them with high-quality hay. After feeding them, that will be the best time to clean the cage. It should be something to think about always, how to prepare food for them that would not leave a mess from fresh foods.
7. Wheel Exercise On The Cage Floor
Probably it’s my priority to secure for my pets an exercise wheel to the cage floor. Cages with a measurement of 15 inches or equivalent to 38 cm are more suitable for the space. Enough space for the chinchilla cage floor is something an owner like me should always think about so as not to harm their tiny spines. I would rather add another wheel for them.
On the other hand, make sure not to use plastic wheels on their cage, or else they would likely chew it. Spokes and wires could also harm their feet the moment they get stuck while playing with their wheel exercise.
Make sure also that you attach their wheel securely to solid flooring, just like I do.
8. Keep It Dry And Clean
Check their beddings daily and make sure that you can change them at least once a week. Their enclosure must always be maintained dry and not moist. I, for myself, make sure that their cage beddings are clean to avoid also from smelling foul. Water or food droppings could not be avoided, so checking their cage every day would be a better thing to do. I make it my daily task too.
9. Disinfect To Comfort
Disinfecting the chinchilla cage floor is also the best an owner should do. I disinfected their cage in order to prevent bacteria from spreading, which could threaten their health as well. The cage is where they lay and sleep after playing during the day. They deserve to lay on their floors and feel comfort. Dry and disinfected cage floors are also pleasant looking for people who visit them, especially kids who are more likely sensitive to foul-smelling cages.
Conclusion
Owning a pet such as a chinchilla is not an easy choice. I, for myself, have thought about it many times. I should be prepared to do whatever it takes just to make them feel secure and comfortable, not just to think of how I should own them because they look so cute and playful. I was thinking of how I would be responsible for taking care of them from their new habitat and providing for them a safer chinchilla cage floor.
That’s why I tried to be responsible in locking them in their cages but not also compromise their comfort and movements. Owners should be thinking of these things before owning a pet.
I would recommend that you look for suitable things needed for your chinchilla cage floor. Plexiglass, proper measures of wire grids, stoppered bottles, and disinfectants needed are just a few of what you should think about, just like me.
Keeping their enclosures, especially their lay area, which is the floor, is one thing I take responsibility for. Because I love to have them because I care for them, the satisfaction that I get from owning them should also be their satisfaction for having an owner in me.
Recent Comments