DIY chinchilla cage: step-by-step manufacturing instructions with drawings and photos

If you decide to get a chinchilla as a pet, you should definitely think about where your pet will live. Of course, this place should be cozy and comfortable for the chinchilla, the health and life expectancy of the animal depends on this. A chinchilla cage is an issue that should be taken care of even before you get such a pet, so you need to understand all the intricacies of this topic.

Care and maintenance at home

When you decide to get a chinchilla, it is important to first learn how to care for your pet at home. Proper care and rational feeding are the key to a long life for an animal.

Pet cage and house

Before purchasing a chinchilla, you need to purchase a home for your future pet. It is preferable to keep the animal in a cage, the main criterion for choosing which is spaciousness. The chinchilla is a mobile, active animal that requires enough space. The minimum cage size for one individual is 50x60 cm, excluding the play area. The choice should be made in favor of high cages, since the rodent is characterized by jumping ability.

It is worth paying attention to the material from which the rods are made: they must be metal. The pet will quickly chew through wooden or plastic grilles and run away. Since the chinchilla is flexible, you should not buy a cage with a large distance between the bars, this also risks the animal escaping

Since the chinchilla is flexible, you should not purchase a cage with a large distance between the bars, as this also risks the animal escaping.

Metal cages with a plastic tray are the best solution when purchasing a house for a future pet; they are easy to clean and inexpensive. However, they are not soundproofed; this will be especially noticeable at night. As an alternative, pet stores offer to place the animal in special glass display cases made like an aquarium.

Disadvantages of the showcase:

the wooden frame absorbs unpleasant odors;
inconvenient to wash;
The walls and floor swell from moisture over time, resulting in the need to replace the display case.

Inside the rodent's home, it is necessary to install a wooden house in which the animal will sleep during the daytime and hide from the outside world.

Delicious dinner!

How to maintain?

Keeping a chinchilla will not be particularly difficult if the pet owner takes care of purchasing a spacious cage furnished with the necessary accessories. The animal must be kept clean and always have access to clean water, hay and fresh food.

It is important to monitor the thermal regime; exceeding the air temperature of 25 degrees is fraught with heat stroke for the animal. You can beat the seasonal heat by placing frozen water bottles in your cage. This will cool the temperature inside the animal's home.

It is under no circumstances recommended to install a fan or humidifier in a room with a chinchilla.

This will cool the temperature inside the animal's home. It is under no circumstances recommended to install a fan or humidifier in a room with a chinchilla.

In addition to the house, feeder and drinking bowl, the cage must contain a special salt stone on which the animal will grind its teeth. For entertainment, you can equip the cage with a system of manholes and tunnels, which can be purchased at a pet store.

How to toilet train?

Chinchillas are easy to train; if desired, you can accustom them to a tray that serves as a toilet. Preference should be given to the corner option, this will save space in the cage.

To train an animal to relieve itself only in a tray, you should fill it with a special wood filler and regularly collect the animal’s pellets in it. Feeling the smell, over time the chinchilla will understand that the tray is a special place for excrement.

When training your pet to use the toilet, it is important to adhere to the basic rules of training - reward while visiting the litter box and scold for defecating on the floor.

Bathing

The rodent's soft coat requires regular bathing in special seliolite sand, which can be purchased at a pet store. This procedure allows you to clean the animal’s fur from dirt.

Bathing a chinchilla should be carried out in a special bathing suit, on the bottom of which sand is poured in a layer no higher than half a centimeter

It is important that the product is securely fastened to the bars of the cage, so that the vigorous movements of the rodent do not lead to the bathing suit turning over

Bathing a chinchilla

How to care for a sick pet?

Chinchillas, like any representative animal of the animal world, can get sick. The main signs of animal illness are:

inactivity;
apathy;
increased sleepiness at night;
excessive salivation;
moans;
refusal of food;
pressing the ears to the head.

Any of these symptoms is a good reason to contact your veterinarian. You should not try to treat the animal yourself; only a doctor who will give basic recommendations for caring for a sick pet should make a diagnosis and prescribe a treatment regimen. The owner’s main task during this period is to strictly follow the veterinarian’s recommendations.

Additional accessories for chinchillas

Placing an animal in a new cage is only the first stage of creating a cozy atmosphere for it. In order for a chinchilla to enjoy life, be healthy and active, its place of residence will need to be provided with additional details. What's on this list?

House

One of the mandatory additions to the cage. You can immediately buy a metal cage or a wooden one, or a profile display case with a house. And if you have purchased a display case, or the simplest metal cage, or you want to independently organize a place of residence for a South American rodent, you will need to provide a home for the pet as the main addition. This way the animal can climb into it at any time and rest. The size of the sleeping place is slightly larger than that of an adult chinchilla, because they like to lie down at their full height.

Cozy homemade house for a rodent

Feeder

An essential element of the cage, which is best attached to the bottom or wall of the cage, and should also be washed systematically. There are no restrictions on materials. The most convenient option is a plastic food bowl. The main thing is that it has a comfortable shape for the animal and is moderately deep.

Feeder attached to the cage wall

Drinking bowl

Another important accessory that will need to be attached to the bars of the wall or door. It should always contain clean and fresh water, and the structure itself should not allow leaks. Unlike the feeder, it cannot be placed on the floor, otherwise the water may become contaminated. The breeder can choose one of two common drinker options - ball or nipple.

It is better to attach a glass drinking bowl to a cage

It is necessary to select the one that will be convenient for a particular pet. Another important nuance is that you should not buy a plastic drinking bowl, otherwise the chinchilla can quickly chew through it. The best option is glass.

Sennitsa

She's a feeder with hay. The latter must be present in the chinchilla’s diet to maintain the health of the animal. If you leave hay just like that on the floor, it will soon be naturally distributed throughout the cage. But you should also be careful with the design of the hay feeder. It is best when it is a separate small house. An alternative is to use a small mouse or hamster running wheel that remains closed after the hay is added. The structure will need to be secured first so that the chinchilla does not get hurt.

The best option for feeding hay to a rodent

Stone for chinchilla

It will be needed so that the rodent can periodically sharpen its teeth with its help. Typically, a salt or mineral stone is used for these purposes, which is placed in the same way as a drinking bowl, on the walls of the cells. Otherwise, it may get lost, but it will always be in sight and freely accessible to the pet.

Mineral stone for grinding teeth

Litter tray

Of course, you will need to organize a toilet in the cage, since the chinchilla is a fairly clean animal. Although it was previously mentioned about the need for a pull-out tray under the cage, it is also better to install the tray inside the cage or display case. This will make cleaning much easier and more convenient. Plus, the cage won’t get too dirty or clogged.

For more convenient cleaning and keeping the cage clean, install a chinchilla tray

Sand bath

We have already focused on the cleanliness of chinchillas. In order for them to keep their fur clean, they will need clean sand, as it is preferable to water for animals

A small container is enough, but it should be comfortable for the animal to roll over in it.

Rodent prefers sand baths

Hammock for chinchillas eating their bed

If your pet constantly chews on its hammock, then it must either be removed completely or sewn from safe and dense fabrics. For those who know how to knit, it is recommended to take note of hemp rope: on its basis you can create a safe resting place for the animal.

Another alternative to ordinary fabrics is a hammock made of wooden planks, which are assembled together on a rope. The twine should pass through the wooden blanks on both sides. Such a hammock is assembled into a tunnel that can be easily hung - a rodent will also try it, but, unlike threads, a wooden base is much safer for the animal and will last much longer

Ready-made cells and their characteristics

A purchased pet cage will be quite expensive if it is made of high-quality materials. Of course, if a house is purchased from low-quality raw materials, then its cost will be lower. At the same time, the build quality and materials are lower. And this can have a bad effect on the animal. The biggest disadvantage of a purchased home will be its shape. Because it will be made according to the manufacturer's standard dimensions. But such a design may not fit into the overall design of the room. But if you make a display case yourself, you will be able to choose the right material, make the house comfortable for yourself and for the animal, and also save a certain amount of money. You can see how to easily make a display cage in the video.

How to make a chinchilla cage

You can assemble a home for the animal yourself. This usually saves money. Although homemade cages for chinchillas are also not free, they allow you to take into account all the wishes of the animal owner.

A homemade cage will not only fit in size. You can make the necessary changes to the design so that it is adapted to a specific apartment or house.

The chosen level of difficulty is decisive. Simple but proven designs that almost everyone can do.

Tools and materials

To make the cell, prepare everything necessary. Depending on the design, preferences and level of training, the following materials will be required:

laminated chipboard sheets;
small boards;
metal mesh with cells measuring 20 by 20 mm;
metal tubes, corner;
building profile;
plywood;
electrical tape - for design it is better if it is the same color as the future cage;
glass 6 mm thick;
loops;
lock;
For the cage in the form of a display case, take an old cabinet.

Tools you will need:

jigsaw, hacksaw with small teeth;
self-tapping screws, bolts;
drill, drill bits;
pliers, wire cutters;
screwdrivers, screwdriver;
welding machine.

Procedure

The nature of the work depends on the model. They start with drawings. They must be detailed and understandable.

It’s easier to make a display case for chinchillas from unnecessary furniture, for example, from a closet. The step-by-step instructions look like this:

Remove the doors.
Some shelves are being removed. Free up space for movement. If there are no shelves, nail the crossbars and lay down plywood. Layout - according to the drawing.
Ventilation holes are made in the upper part of the cabinet and covered with mesh.
A wooden frame is installed in place of the former doors. Use boards. Another option is “original” doors with a cutout. Leave about 10 cm around the edges.
Stretch a metal mesh over the frame.
It would be better if the closet had a drawer at the bottom. Then the floor in the main part of the future display cage is removed.
Replace it with a mesh. Litter and garbage are flying down. The bottom drawer acts as a pull-out tray. A special tray is placed there.

Sometimes there is no blank in the form of an old cabinet. We have to do without it:

Laminated chipboard sheets are cut to size.
Cuts are made in future doors and sides. In the end, only frames remain.
Cut the metal mesh into the required pieces. You can work with wire cutters.
The mesh is secured using self-tapping screws. It is advisable to cover the joints, for example, with an aluminum threshold.
A pallet (base) is assembled from the remnants of laminated chipboard. Height - 8–10 cm. Self-tapping screws are suitable for fastening. It can be reinforced with a stiffening rib - a board glued to the bottom.
Insert the back and side walls into the tray. They try it on.
Drill holes at the mounting points.
Fasten the ties (screws).
Install the floor and ceiling.
Special hinges for glass are installed on the doors. The last ones are installed.
They install shelves and other internal fixtures.
The doors are being hung.

For more advanced masters, this option is suitable:

Assembling the frame. Metal tubes are used and corners are used for connections. Fastened with screws.
The bottom is covered with a mesh. Use a welding machine.
If cleaning is done through the top of the cage, the bottom is covered with planks. When garbage is collected through the bottom, the structure is supplemented with a pallet.
The walls are attached to the cage frame.
If waste is collected through a tray, the top can be closed. In any case, it is advisable to make a removable lid.
Install the hinges.
They hang up the door.
They attach the lock.

Step-by-step instruction

First of all, you need to prepare the tools and consumables that will be used during work. After this, you can begin manufacturing. Do-it-yourself chinchilla cage - step-by-step instructions:

Cut out the back wall of the display case from the furniture board. It must be solid, since it is on it that all accessories (feeder, wheel, etc.) are attached. It also protects the wall of the apartment next to which the cage stands from destruction - a curious and at the same time active chinchilla is capable of tearing off the wallpaper, chewing the plaster, and tearing off the paint. If you plan for it to stand in a corner and be in contact with two walls, you should cut out both the back wall and the side from a solid panel.
Cut out the ceiling from the furniture board and, leaving 5-10 cm on each side, cut out a ventilation window with a jigsaw. Subsequently, it will be covered with a mesh. This part can also be assembled from four planks, carefully connecting them together.
Make the bottom part. It is advisable to make it in the form of a drawer that acts as a tray - this will make cleaning easier, but in this case the floor should be mesh. Garbage and waste will fall through the cells, and the person caring for the chinchilla will only have to pull out the drawer to pour everything in it into a garbage bag.
Cut strips about 5-10 cm wide and equal to the height of the display case, in the amount of 4 pieces. They will serve as side supports.
Assemble the frame of the structure by fastening together the parts mentioned in paragraphs 1-4. After this, you can begin installing the glass and mesh.
Cover the top ventilation window and side walls with mesh. This is done in the following way: from the inside, along the entire perimeter, the mesh is attached with staples using a stapler or screwed with self-tapping screws, and then the joints of the mesh and wood are covered with aluminum strips. This installation option protects the animal from injury from sharp edges.
Attach the glass doors and insert glass into the side walls, if this was planned. For convenience, the doors can be made double not only vertically, but also horizontally. Then you won’t have to keep the entire display case open to clean, feed or replace accessories.
Seal all joints with sealant. To prevent your chinchilla from getting poisoned if he decides to chew it, you should use a non-toxic transparent sealant for aquariums.

After this, the cage is ready for use.

DIY chinchilla house

Having found out why the fluffy miracle needs a house, we will find out what such a dwelling should be like and how to make it from scrap materials.

Requirements for the house

Before you start manufacturing, you need to remember the basic requirements for the future product.

In the first place is the correct size. The minimum dimensions of a house for one animal are 30x20x20 cm. If there are two animals, then the dimensions will be larger.

One more thing: inquisitive animals usually try to climb onto the roof. For safety reasons, it is better to make it flat, without slopes, and then the pet will have another place to rest.

Often such “apartments” are placed on elevated surfaces like shelves - chinchillas love to jump. To avoid injury, the dwelling should not be placed too high, but securely secured.

Selection of materials

The material from which the house will be made is also important. Naturally, it must be safe and practical.

The most popular are homemade designs from:

branches of different trees that do not harm the animal’s body;
plywood;
plastics;
wooden planks.

The best option is boards 15 mm thick. An active rodent is unlikely to make a hole in such a wall, and the smooth wood is safe for the animal.

Plywood, in turn, crumbles easily, and plastic is toxic.

As for the branches beloved by many, working with them takes some time. It happens that instead of a full-fledged house from natural materials, you get something like a bridge that a chinchilla can easily throw over.

Required materials and tools

To work you will need:

boards measuring 35x20 cm (2 pcs.), 25x20 (2 pcs.) and one 35x25;
dowels 6x30 mm - 6 pieces for the roof and 8 for fastening the walls;
jigsaw;
drill and wood drill bit 6 mm.

Everything is ready, and it would seem that we can begin. But the assembly is preceded by calculations that are shown in the drawing.

Drawing up a drawing

When drawing up such a plan, the dimensions of the animal, the cage and shelf on which the house will be placed, and the location of the future home relative to the play area, feeders and drinking bowls are taken into account.

At this stage, the dimensions of the openings for the entrance and window are determined, as well as the dimensions of the roof (its edges should extend slightly beyond the perimeter of the “facade”).

At the same time, they estimate the location of the fasteners - they try not to place them on the very edge of the wall, otherwise it may crack during installation.

Step-by-step manufacturing instructions

The assembly itself is carried out in the following order:

First of all, markings for the future entrance and window are applied to one of the boards (the one 35x20). These holes are passed with a jigsaw. At the same time, pay attention to the edges - it would be good to lightly clean them with sandpaper. Then future holes for dowels are marked on the walls and roof.

It is important here to correlate the markings on two planes, so take your time and check each seat. Having made sure that everything matches, they begin to drill. The first holes are made to connect the walls themselves, and only then - for the roof. In any case, on each surface they deepen by about half the length of the dowel (approximately 1.5 cm). All that remains is to insert the dowels

Some people put them on glue, although in this case there is no such need. Be prepared for the fact that you will have to put in some effort to get the fasteners to fit in as needed. Having assembled a “box” from the walls, they hang the roof. All is ready!

Video: how to make a house for a chinchilla with your own hands

As you can see, chinchillas need a house, and making such a home with your own hands is not difficult. We hope this information will be useful and your furry pet will appreciate its new home. And let every day be filled with positivity!

Preparation of tools, selection of materials

After the drawing is ready, you need to choose the right materials for the cage

. We must immediately give up plastic, as well as wood of any kind, because an animal can chew it all off. All that remains is to choose between glass, polycarbonate (transparent) and metal mesh. As a rule, no one uses mesh, although from the point of view of doctors, this is the safest material for the animal - it keeps the microclimate in the same condition and serves as excellent ventilation for the chinchilla. However, practice shows such inconveniences as eternal chaos, because the mesh easily allows debris to pass through. Accordingly, the owner has to clean up after the animal very often.

If you choose between polycarbonate and glass, the first option is much cheaper, but is harmful to the health of the chinchilla, which is why the pet’s well-being worsens. From all this it follows that the most convenient and optimal option is glass: it does not cause much harm to the chinchilla’s health and is very convenient to work with. For work, you should prepare the following tools and materials:

aluminum corners;
hacksaw (for metal);
pliers;
sealant;
drill;
any latch convenient for you;
rivet gun;
loops;

DIY hammock for your pet

A hammock is a simple design, but in order to repeat this craft, special patterns are needed. Only correctly selected material and high-quality tailoring will ultimately provide a good resting place for the chinchilla. After all, each type has its own manufacturing algorithm and additional tricks.

Classic single tier

To sew a classic hammock with your own hands, you will need 2 pieces of fabric, each measuring 45x20 cm (the simplest pattern is a rectangle with arched sides), bias tape for processing and strengthening the cuts, thread, needle and scissors. Sewing occurs in the following stages:

Each flap cut according to the pattern should be processed along the edges so that the threads do not fray.
Then you need to fold them and start stitching them - you can put a special filler inside for softness, but an “empty” hammock will also last a long time.
Places for fastenings are marked along the edges, where gaps need to be made so that the craft can be fixed on the rods and shelves.
When there is 1 raw corner left, turn the product inside out and sew the last edge by hand - this way all the seams will remain inside.
Finally, carefully thread carabiners, chains, elastic bands or metal rings through the corners.

When the hammock is ready, firmly attach it to the roof or walls of the cage, focusing on a horizontal position without strong tilts.

How to make a warm bunk hammock

A two-story hammock is sewn in a similar way, but you need to stock up on additional fabric. If the classic version is taken as a basis, then the second part should be calculated in a ratio of 1:1.5 or 1:2 relative to the width - the smaller flap will be the “roof”. Therefore, it is worth having 2 fabrics measuring 45x20 and 2 approximately 45x35 cm, and connecting them in this way:

Give an arched shape to all 4 blanks (make tapered edges).
Fold 2 patterns (45x35 cm) and sew them together along the edge.
Do the same with the second pair (45x20 cm) so that you end up with 2 small hammocks.
Now put them together so that the narrower part is at the top and sew the edges that match in length (45 cm sides) - you should get a kind of tunnel with a sagging lower part.

If desired, you can experiment with a double hammock in terms of parameters: make it symmetrical (but then it will be more difficult for the chinchilla to climb inside) or, conversely, increase the width if the cage parameters allow - the larger the hammock, the more space it will need.

DIY cylindrical hammock for chinchilla

A hanging cradle for a rodent can be made in the shape of a pipe. But in order for the structure to hold, it is necessary to insert a rigid wire on at least one side. To do this, you need to create a kind of “framework” on both sides:

Prepare 2 square blanks (without arcs) measuring about 50x50 cm.
Sew them together and run the seam along the edges to avoid splitting the threads. But when wrapping any 2 edges (symmetrical relative to each other), insert the wire inside - the fabric should cover it and fix it near the end so that the wire does not fall inside the hammock.
Next, you should sew the remaining edges (without wire) together to form something like a cylinder - the shape of the pipe will be held by the wires, forming 2 entrances to the hammock at once.
The last step is to sew fasteners to the finished craft. They can be fixed either simply at the top (1 ring on each side with a wire) or you can make 2 carabiners at each exit (4 pieces for the whole hammock).

From old jeans

Denim fabric is well suited for making a hammock: it is dense, non-slip, and contains natural fiber. The easiest way to use this material is to use old jeans (not too skinny):

Cut the trouser leg to the desired size - about 30 cm in length.
On one side, the seam has already been processed and the shape of the pipe is maintained, so you only need to sew 1 edge - turn it 1-2 cm and darn it in a circle.

Next, you need to attach carabiners - it will be enough to attach loops (2 in the case of a tube hammock and 4 for a classic one) to thread the fastenings into them.

Now all that remains is to find a suitable place for it in the chinchilla’s cage and secure it.

Arrangement

If the animal is in an apartment, then the housing must be constructed with dimensions of 80x80x50 cm. It will also need to be equipped. This means that you will need to place at least feeders and drinkers in it. As for the feeder, it would have to be mounted securely so that it could not be turned over. A similar action will need to be performed for drinking water. By the way, it is better to use a nipple type drinker.

It should also be noted that chinchillas need certain vitamins and minerals. Thus, you will need to place a salt or mineral stone on which your pet can grind his teeth. You can also equip the house using a special bathtub into which sand is poured. Animals will be able to bathe in it and immediately clean their fur.

Chinchilla cages should be equipped with many shelves. You can make them from wood yourself and then securely fasten them. And finally, you can put a wheel, a hammock for the animal and other attributes on which the chinchilla will climb and jump. All attributes, bowls, etc. should be arranged in such a way that it is convenient to clean the cage and disinfect it.

Advantages of a display case for chinchillas

Veterinarians recommend keeping mobile animals in tall structures with an abundance of shelves and stairs; it is also necessary to pay special attention to objects for gnawing. A display cage made of wood meets all these conditions and is also easy to use.

Choosing such a house for a furry pet provides a number of advantages:

saving space in the room - a moderately wide shelving unit located against the wall provides a large area for the chinchilla to play, but takes up significantly less space than a regular cage;
aesthetic appearance - the device can be made of wood that matches the texture of the room;
convenient observation of the animal - glass doors provide an excellent overview and make it possible to freely monitor the games and behavior of the pet;
low noise level - in the display case, chinchillas do not have the opportunity to gnaw and shake metal bars, and the doors muffle the sounds that accompany the activity of the animals at night;
in such a structure the rodent will feel free - it is easy to arrange many shelves, a variety of toys, wheels, feeders, and houses. The pet will have sufficient space for jumping and climbing - all this will significantly improve its quality of life.

Cage Filling Options

It is not necessary to add litter to the cage, but it is advisable. This will allow you to better maintain cleanliness and will not lead to an unpleasant odor. Fillers come in the following types:

woody;
straw;
sawdust;
corn;
toilet paper.

It is better to give preference to corn or wood filler; they absorb odors best. To save money, you can use straw or regular toilet paper.

IMPORTANT! It is forbidden to use pine filler, since the resin of pine trees is dangerous to the life of the chinchilla.

Prevention and care of display cases

Cosmetic cleaning including washing the toilet, drinking bowl, and feeder must be done daily. If there is no tray, the litter should also be changed daily. If the chinchilla is litter box trained, the bedding is changed once a month.

Video: how to clean a chinchilla's window display

General cleaning is done once a week. In order to do it, the chinchilla needs to be removed from the enclosure and placed in a carrier. Then remove all loose objects: house, tunnels, etc.

Did you know? To scare the enemy, the chinchilla stands on its hind legs and shoots a stream of urine at it. And if a predator grabs her, she can shed scraps of fur in order to escape.

After this, you can start cleaning up the debris using a vacuum cleaner. Then wash the bottom of the display case with a weak soda solution and a sponge, and wipe the floor dry.

Side walls and doors should be wiped with a damp cloth and also wiped dry. All items that were in the middle of the display case should be thoroughly washed, dried and placed in their places.

If you need to disinfect the room, you will need to use special products purchased at a pet store.

Surely most chinchilla owners purchased it in order to be touched by this fluffy creature. Therefore, each of the breeders is simply obliged to repay the pet with a good attitude, quality care and the creation of comfortable living conditions. After all, the life expectancy of an animal directly depends on these factors. A home for a chinchilla in the form of a display case can be either purchased or made with your own hands.

To make your pet feel comfortable in it, it is important to follow the recommendations for its area and arrangement.

You will need

— steel fine mesh;
- metal elements - corners, tubes, loops;
- Bulgarian;
- welding machine.

Instructions

The most suitable cage space for one rodent is considered to be 70x50x50 cm in size. In this space it will be necessary to place various necessary accessories - a drinker and feeder, a sand bath and a hanging hammock, various toys, exercise equipment to support the animal’s motor activity.

Ready-made cells are offered on the market in a wide variety, but they are not cheap. More budget cages made in China raise many questions regarding their reliability. It is not surprising that most owners prefer to make a home for the animal themselves.

Sketch out a sketch of the future cell on paper or draw a plan. Be sure to calculate the location of the cage in human housing and the internal equipment of the house for the rodent. Consider the location of feeders and shelves, labyrinths, tunnels, slides and other elements.

Make a frame for the future cage - it should be made of metal tubes, which are fastened with corners and screws with corner nuts. You can immediately divide the space inside into several sections and outline transitions to connect them. Weld a bottom plate to the cage frame and make a flooring to get a wooden floor. Arrange and secure the walls - they can also be made of wood or metal mesh.

Consider the design of the cage's attachment to the roof posts. It should be made removable - this way you make it easier for yourself to periodically clean the cage. For example, hinges with, but not with a latch, are suitable. Prepare the interior of the cage: install and secure the shelves, also secure the ladders, houses, drinking bowls and feeders. Place a container with sand and lay hay on the bottom of the cage. The cage is ready.

note

The room where you plan to install cages with chinchillas must be well ventilated. Drafts are excluded. Preferred air humidity is up to 70%, temperature is 5-25 degrees Celsius. The cage should not be installed near a battery or in a place where it will be exposed to direct sunlight.

Helpful advice

When choosing a metal mesh, make sure that there is a distance of no more than two centimeters between its rods. Shelves should not be made of chipboard; neither a metal mesh nor a lattice will do - a chinchilla in such a cage could get hurt. The door must close securely so that the chinchilla cannot get out on its own.

The chinchilla is a cute, active animal brought from South America. Far from its homeland, the animal successfully adapted and managed to gain some popularity. It is not difficult to care for a chinchilla, you just need to understand its needs and try to please it a little.

Main varieties

When looking for a home for your pet, you can find different variations of cages. They differ in appearance, price and quality.

Let's look at the most common options.

From metal rods

This is the most common and very budget option. At the bottom of such a cage there is usually a tray with sawdust, which is easy to clean. It is easy to attach the necessary accessories for your pet to the mesh. But this design does not dampen noise at all; any movement in it will make sound.

Display cage

The material usually used is wood, although other models are also available. Such a cage is a real work of art and the pet becomes part of this composition. It will easily fit into the interior and complement it.

From old furniture

Masters can give a second life to any item. Unnecessary furniture in their hands turns into a beautiful display cage.

For breeding chinchillas

This design is a metal cage divided into several sections, each of which houses a pet.

Do-it-yourself housing for a chinchilla

Often breeders decide to make a chinchilla cage with their own hands.

If you have a desire to tinker, then here are a few instructions to help you. First, buy the necessary materials for the job. It is better to give preference to wood. The frame will be made of bars, lining, boards and many shelves. Chipboard or plywood are also suitable. To close the holes, you need a metal mesh.

The following tools will be useful:

hacksaw;
jigsaw;
hammer;
drill and wood bits;
stationery knife, marker;
metal scissors;
ruler.

To begin, prepare a drawing, taking into account the size of your room and the size of the desired pet house. Then start making the base, which needs to be covered with clapboard.

Next, the cage frame is built from the bars.

The bars are attached to the corners of the base using self-tapping screws or nails.

Using a metal mesh, the walls of the cage and its roof are tightened.

To make cleaning easier, we recommend making several doors on different sides.

Then you can install various shelves and place the accessories your animal needs on them.

It is best to cover the back of the cage with a sheet of plywood.

Finally, it is necessary to treat the house with a protective impregnation.

If you show your imagination, you can use old furniture and other available materials. An old cabinet is often used:

The doors are removed from the furniture and the inside is repurposed for animals. Some of the shelves are cut out to allow animals to move freely.
You need to cut a hole in the top of the closet and stretch the mesh so that the house is ventilated.
In place of the cabinet doors, you can make frames from wood and tighten them with a metal mesh.

A do-it-yourself chinchilla display “from scratch” will require a little more time and skill.

So, you will need:

metal tubes for the frame, or wooden yards;
corners to connect parts;
cogs;
metal mesh;
door hinges.

Then follow the instructions step by step:

Step	Description
1.	First you need to prepare drawings, taking into account the minimum acceptable dimensions for a chinchilla cage.
2.	Next, we assemble the frame from pipes and yards, using corners for reliability, and fasten them with screws.
3.	Make (internal) markings, designating areas for the animal’s life, that is, think about a place for sleeping, playing, toilet, bath, etc.
4.	The mesh bottom is attached to the cage frame. For this you need a welding machine.
5.	Connect the frame and walls of the house.
6.	Next you need to install the door, use hinges and a lock.
7.	Attach accessories inside the house.

A do-it-yourself corner display case for a chinchilla is quite popular, because it can significantly save space in your apartment. To make one, show a little imagination and dexterity, and the result will definitely please you!

Where to place a chinchilla cage

Take seriously the choice of place in the apartment where the cage with the animal will be placed. It is better not to change the location of the cage throughout the animal’s life.

Here are some tips for you:

the room should be dry and light;
direct rays of the sun should not enter the cage;
drafts should not be allowed;
the air temperature where the animal lives should not exceed +23° C.
the cage should not be placed next to electrical heating appliances;
It is not advisable to place the cage on the floor;
the cage should not be placed next to loud devices (equipment);
Since chinchillas are very active at night, you should not place the cage in the bedroom. It's better to put it in the living room.

Cleaning a chinchilla's cage or display case

It is not enough to simply make a house, choose a place for it and move your pet into it; you must also not forget about caring for your pet’s home. Once a week you need to do a general cleaning, and at this time the animal should be placed in a carrier. The house can be wiped with a wet cloth and even vacuumed. At the end of cleaning, you need to wipe the cage dry. Disinfection (if necessary) is carried out using specialized products purchased at a pet store.

Manufacturing

When there is nothing in the house suitable for conversion into a display case, then the most budget-friendly option would be to make a shelter from chipboards. The main thing is not to forget to purchase the necessary tools, building materials and accessories.

To work you will need:

laminated chipboards as the main material;
galvanized metal mesh with small cells;
plexiglass for doors;
wooden slabs for shelves;
adhesive tape for processing the edges of the cage, especially in cut areas;
tie screws and drills;
nuts, screws, screws;
accessories for glass doors;
welding machine;
Bulgarian;
self-tapping screws

Before you start designing, you must make a drawing, which you can find ready-made or come up with something of your own. Then you should cut out all the necessary parts. Moreover, this can be done either independently or in a workshop. And only then start working. Don't forget to allocate free space for this.

During manufacturing, a certain pattern should be followed.

Prepare a drawing based on the measurements taken in advance. It is advisable to carefully double-check everything several times before you start cutting out any important detail.

From the bars, based on the measurements indicated in the drawing, make a rectangular base, and then cover it with a sheet of strong plywood in one layer.

If a removable tray will not be installed, then the base must be carefully treated with silicone sealant, which will help save the wood from the appearance of various odors, as well as the absorption of liquid.

Then you need to build a frame of vertical bars, which should be secured at the corners of the base using long nails or self-tapping screws.

For greater stability, it is worth making a couple of crossbars along the height of the walls. In the future, it will be possible to attach the necessary shelves to them.

The roof and walls must be covered with a strong mesh using self-tapping screws with huge heads. And so that the animal cannot get hurt by biting sharp edges, install metal profiles.

To make cleaning in the cage easy and simple in the future, it is advisable to make a pair of doors on different sides, as well as a removable lid. The frames are made of lining, and the door fastenings are placed on metal hinges.

For future shelves, it is better to choose solid boards, on which you need to make small holes so that you can move freely on them, getting to any floor.

It is advisable to cover the back wall, as well as one side of the cage, with one large sheet of plywood to protect from drafts.

Article on the topic: House for a chinchilla: choosing a ready-made one or creating it yourself - manufacturing materials, photos, drawings and dimensions

In this case, the entire structure should be raised slightly from the floor to protect heat-loving pets from frost. Strong legs or a special stand in the form of a cabinet will help here. Moreover, the resulting free space at the bottom of the cage can then be used: food, sawdust and other supplies can be stored there.

Lastly, it is recommended to treat the entire cage with a special impregnation. Paint the outside with varnish, and treat the inside of the wall with a moisture-proof, odorless antibacterial solution, safe for animals, which is sold in any hardware store.

Basic requirements for cages for chinchillas

For normal well-being and development, animals need suitable conditions. The following requirements for cells are distinguished:

Sufficient size. In an ordinary apartment, it is advisable to increase the dimensions to at least 50 by 50 by 70 cm for one chinchilla. It is recommended to add more space for the play area. These sizes are multiplied by the number of animals. If there are more than three, you need to think about another cell

The size of the home is important for the movement and health of pets. When choosing a regular metal cage, pay attention to the distance between the rods. It should not be more than 2 cm

Otherwise, the chinchillas try to get free and get damaged. Small animals run away. The home should be warm and dry. Good ventilation and light are important. If the floor is made in the form of a retractable tray, it is easier to wash it and fill it with sawdust. Sometimes they are specially modified. Strength of any structural detail. Flimsy meshes, glass, etc. lead to injuries and escapes of pets.

Requirements

When choosing any item, there are special things that you need to pay attention to, the same with the cage. What kind of cage should a pet be comfortable in?

Primary requirements:

spacious. Chinchillas are very active animals; they love to jump and run. Therefore, cell size is an important criterion when choosing. The pet should be comfortable;
Made from non-toxic materials. An important criterion is the choice of material. It should not be plastic or similar materials (with the exception of a pallet);
safe. There should be no sharp edges, wires or other dangerous elements inside the cage. Even a small wire from the wall bars, bent inward, can injure the animal;
it should be possible to easily and safely install shelves, drinking bowls, toys and other items that your pet needs so much;
have good ventilation;
sufficient lighting;
It is desirable to have a tray, this will make it easier to clean inside.

Purchased and homemade cages

Pet stores offer two ready-made options for keeping chinchillas at home - a display case and a cage. Metal cages are the most common type of housing for rodents and have the following advantages:

safety;
Possibility to equip with additional accessories;
ease of cleaning and disinfection;
compactness and ease of transportation;
durability and strength.

Chinchilla cage

However, a metal cage also has a drawback - it is too noisy, which causes inconvenience at night, when the chinchilla is in its most active period.

Another option for purchasing a cage for keeping chinchillas at home is a display case. It is spacious; usually the choice in favor of a display case is made if you want to start breeding rodents. This type of housing is a wooden frame surrounded by glass walls. Externally, the showcase resembles a spacious aquarium with several floors.

The main negative side of the display case design is the ability of the wooden frame to absorb odors and swell over time from excess moisture. Not so long ago, options for display cases with aluminum profiles appeared in pet stores, albeit at a high cost.

An alternative to purchased cages and display cases can be homemade housing for your chinchilla. The design of the future home may be different, the main thing is that the following requirements are met:

availability of light;
safety;
strength;
good ventilation.

Chinchilla cage

The cost of a homemade cage will be significantly lower than a purchased one, and you can furnish it to your liking.

Metal mesh cage

A cage made of metal mesh is the simplest option that you can make yourself at home.

Required materials and tools

To create such a house you will need the following:

metal mesh (roll). Must be galvanized;
metal tubes for the frame;
fastening rings;
bolts for locking;
self-tapping screws;
aluminum strip (corner);
aluminum wire;
scissors for cutting metal;
centimeter tape measure;
pliers;
screwdriver;
latch;
loops.

Dimensions and layout

The minimum length and width of the house must be at least 50 cm. Its height must be 70 cm. The distance between the rods must be no more than 2 cm.

If two pets will live in the house, then it should have a place for sleeping, playing and active movement. There should be enough space to accommodate all the necessary elements for a comfortable life for pets.

Original ideas

Creative owners of furry pets offer interesting options for making multifunctional houses. So, one of them is a house combined with a hay barn: shelter - one, material for gnawing - two, a place for hay placed between the sticks - three. To make such a product you need a minimum of materials:

board as a roof,
dry birch or hazel sticks (due to the density of this type of wood, the chinchilla will chew them longer),
a block for fastening them,
small screws, screws or nails - for the same purpose.

When finished, the house looks like a nice and quite cozy hut for a rodent.

You can make a special “gnawing” house for your pet from branches and wooden scraps, fastening them with the same connecting parts.

Below are the drawings of the houses - several options.

Homemade houses are also an economical option. If you build an entire cage or display case for a chinchilla with your own hands, its total price will be several times lower than the store price. So, dear craftsmen, get a jigsaw in your hands!

Dimensions

As mentioned above, size is important. How comfortable the animal will be depends on it; its health directly depends on it.

For one animal

It is advisable to choose a cage with dimensions of 80x80x50 cm. With such dimensions the pet will not feel cramped. But still, acquiring a more spacious living space will only be a plus.

For two chinchillas

The size of the cage must be at least 140x140x80cm.

For breeding

The size of the cage should be much larger than normal. Such farmer cells are an amalgamation of smaller cells. It is desirable that each such cell be 50x50x40 cm in size. It is necessary to build a corridor between them so that the male can calmly pass to the females. At the same time, isolate the females from each other. This can be done by putting special plastic collars on the females.

Features of a chinchilla cage

On sale you can find various options for cages and specialized display cases for chinchillas. They all have a number of differences between themselves.

Dimensions

A chinchilla cannot be called a calm animal, so in order for the animal to be active, it is necessary to choose the right size of the cage. There should be enough space for the animal to run and jump freely. The minimum cage sizes for keeping different numbers of animals will be as follows:

for one chinchilla - 80x65x50 cm;
for a pair of chinchillas - 90x90x50 cm;
several animals - 100x70x50 cm.

Materials

Galvanized mesh and metal are used in the production of cages. Trays in cages and additional accessories (drinkers, feeders) are made of plastic, as it is less susceptible to moisture. Various protruding parts should be avoided, as the animal can gnaw them, and this often becomes the cause of various diseases.

Shelves made of plastic with metal edging are very convenient to use, they are easy to clean and last a long time. But if the plastic is slippery and smooth, then the animal may get injured. It is better to give preference to rough surfaces made of natural materials.

It is also worth paying attention to the bars in the cage. The distance between them should not be more than 2.5 cm, otherwise the chinchilla may damage its paws while moving around the cage

For females with offspring, this distance should be even smaller - 1.5 cm. The rods should not be too thin, the permissible width is 1.5 mm.

In addition to cages, chinchilla owners often choose special display cases as a home for the animal. They are made of wood and plexiglass. Such materials are safer for chinchillas, but caring for them poses a number of difficulties.

Wood, unlike plastic and metal, quickly absorbs odors and cannot be disinfected. However, chinchillas are very fond of wooden houses; they can sharpen their teeth on wood.

Many modern display cases for chinchillas are made of plexiglass with an aluminum frame. For such houses, sheets of plexiglass with a width of 6 mm or more are used; the edges must be processed so that the animal does not get hurt.

Cells can be disassembled or intact

Design

By design, chinchilla cages can be dismountable or solid. The main advantages of collapsible cages are as follows:

they are easy to transport;
convenient to store;
just carry out disinfection.

The main disadvantage is that all the constituent elements of the cage are not tightly fixed to each other, unlike a solid structure. Because of this, a loud noise is heard when the chinchilla is active.

Many models are equipped with a retractable tray, which makes cleaning much easier. Often such pallets are covered on top with a second mesh bottom. The garbage immediately passes through the mesh and ends up in the tray, but the animal can get its paws stuck in such a mesh and get injured trying to get out of it.

Cages equipped with wheels are very convenient to use. Debris regularly appears around the cage and cleaning will require constant moving of the cage. It is much more convenient to do this on wheels, but you need to take care of the stability of the structure.

Showcases take up more space than cages, but have good sound insulation.

Which house is better?

Adviсe

Making a cage is not difficult if you follow the step-by-step instructions, which are very easy to follow. You just need to take into account some nuances in the work.

The cage frame must be placed in a vertical position only. The animal is too active and therefore a wide and low house is not suitable; living in it will be uncomfortable.
The materials needed to make the cage must be safe. It is best to take wooden shelves. However, over time, they must be replaced, since the rodent loves to sharpen its teeth.
To ventilate the cage, you will need a galvanized mesh with small cells, which is placed on one or both sides.
Glass used in arranging doors or walls will help maintain order. At the same time, be sure to take only high-quality accessories in order to avoid any elements falling out that could easily injure the animal.
It is advisable to install locks on the doors - magnetic or with a key. The chinchilla is very curious and loves to crawl into cracks. And if, while jumping, he accidentally hits the door, he can easily open it and quickly escape.
You definitely need to buy a special hanging hammock or sew it yourself. It is intended not only for entertainment, but also for relaxation. You can swing on it with pleasure.
The main thing is that the cage is comfortable for the animals to live in, and convenient for the owners to clean.

Chinchillas bring incredible joy to all family members. In addition, they live a very long time, of course, if they eat right and spend a lot of time in motion. And this requires a lot of space. Consequently, ready-made cells purchased in a store are small and inconvenient in this case. As a result, preference is given to display cases made independently.

To learn how to make a chinchilla cage with your own hands, see the following video.

Popular cell types

Sand for chinchillas, composition, special attention is paid to it, since the beauty of the fur skin depends on it. The animals perform hygienic procedures in sand, while the use of river sand, as well as quartz sand, is excluded. With sharp fragments, the material does not clean the fur, but spoils and cuts the hair.

Breeders began to use a composition made from volcanic dust. It provides excellent cleaning with good moisture absorption. It is believed that the animals behaved this way in their natural environment, and bathed in this substance.

You can check the quality of dust content in the package only after opening it; the color of the composition should be matte; any shine indicates foreign particles. If you rub them in your hands, there should be a trace left on them, like powder, when poured with liquid, the real dust will dissolve, and the heavy quartz will settle to the bottom of the container. Before arranging a swim, you need to resolve the issue of housing. Home cages are somewhat different from professional cages.

Chinchilla cage

The following designs were included in the review, the most popular among breeders:

Houses connected with metal rods. Similar options are presented by sales representatives; they are easy to build yourself. The advantage of such buildings is their low cost and ease of installation.
Manufacturers, in general, completely supply all the necessary parts; it will not be difficult for the owner to assemble the elements and not worry about further arrangement.
The dwellings, presented as a kind of showcase, will be needed by a livestock breeder who has decided to start a family of chinchillas. In this constructive space there are all the details necessary for future offspring. The material chosen is different, but suitable both for interior decoration, where wood is preferred, and for external structures made of metal elements.