Enrichment

Wheels

If you have a large enough cage (which you should if you're keeping chinchillas!) then the number one enrichment item has got to be a wheel, but, be careful about your choice. Wire wheels or wheels with spacing are the largest cause of broken legs in chinchillas and 'safety mesh' wheels frequently cause toe injuries. You must get a completely sealed wheel, preferably made of metal so it wont get chewed, though wooden wheels are fine if you don't mind replacing them. Always buy wheels that are 12-14 inches or larger, they take up a big space but if an adult chinchilla runs on a smaller wheel it's spine is too curved which causes them damage. A great place to buy is Tictac wheels as they are long lasting and pretty quiet.

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Sand Baths

Baths in a special 'chinchilla sand/dust' are not only necessary but offer great enrichment. They can be given out of the cage in a plastic tub or you can put a layer of sand in one of your hide boxes or a metal baking tray and leave it in the cage for a couple of days. Chinchillas naturally roll in volcanic dust to keep their coat healthy and remove dead hairs but they will overdo it so don't let them have access to sand 24/7, if they overuse it it can cause skin and eye irritation. If you don't provide sand often enough your chins coat will start to become oily and knot, finding the right balance depends on the individual but offering sand during play time is a good way to control its use.

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Mineral Blocks

Your chinchillas are rodents, so they must chew constantly to maintain their teeth. Mineral blocks or 'lava ledges' are great as they will last some time and help wear your pets teeth down, sometimes they come in fun shapes but be careful with any shapes with holes in as chins will almost always try to put their heads in and inevitably get stuck. 

 

Natural Chews

A rotation of wooden, grass or hay based toys are a must have for the same reason, as well as to promote a healthy gut, but you will need to replace them constantly as chins are very destructive so find some that you like but can get cheap. Branches from safe trees that have been cleaned and stripped of leaves make great climbing and chewing toys.

 

Forage

Chinchillas love to forage, so giving them trays of dried herbs and flowers to pull apart, or stuffing hay into things like toilet roll tubes or paper bags will keep them busy for hours.

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Puzzle Toys

Wooden puzzle toys designed for rabbits or guinea pigs are great if you let your chins out for play time. They can be used with treats to help stimulate their mind, though some chins are definitely better with them than others! If you're feeling creative you could even make some with cardboard.​

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