As a small animal owner, I know how important dust baths can be. They not only help keep certain small animals like chinchillas, gerbils, and degus clean but are a great form of entertainment too. 

As any chinchilla owner knows, they can’t get wet, so normal baths are out. That’s why it’s vital to find a suitable dust or sand and then the perfect dust bath house to make bathtime an enjoyable experience for your chilly and you!

That’s why I love the Kaytee Chinchilla Bath House. It literally takes all the hard work out of setting up a dust bath for your chilly. It’s a perfect size, sturdily made, and even comes with a sample sachet of Kaytee’s chinchilla dust so you can see how your chilly gets on with it before committing to a particular dust. 

That said, not everybody reading this will be new to chinchilla dust baths. The lure of a free sample may not have enough sway to convince experienced owners that this is the dust bath house for them. Seasoned chilly owners will find plenty of other options to choose from, including the Living World Chinchilla Bath House which neatly doubles up as an in-cage nesting box when not in use at bath time. 

Owners who live in warmer parts of the country will adore the cooling properties of the PandemoniumPet Large Ceramic Chinchilla House. It’s recommended that those in humid areas bathe their chillies more frequently. Keep your chillies both clean and cool with this ceramic dust bath house.

It can be a real challenge to sift through all the dust and sand (excuse the pun) to find the best chinchilla dust bath house for your own furry pal. Read on to find our top 6 chinchilla dust bath houses and find out what sets them apart before choosing the right chinchilla dust bath house for your chilly!

The Best Chinchilla Dust Bath House Reviews

Do you want a new bath house for your chilly but have no idea where to begin? We’ve got you covered – check out our selection of the best chinchilla dust bath houses around to help you make the right choice for yourself and your chinchilla. 

Kaytee Chinchilla Bath House — Best Chinchilla Bath House Overall

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If you’re looking for a well-proportioned bath house that is super sturdy and will keep the majority of dust inside the bath, where it belongs, then look no further than Kaytee’s Chinchilla Bath House. 

This is the perfect choice if you’re new to dust baths and want a suitable house to get your chilly started. It even comes with a sample of Kaytee’s own chinchilla dust so you’re ready to go as soon as you’ve made this purchase. 

At over 9 inches in length, this bath house is one of the larger options available. This is great if your chilly is a little on the chunky side or you have a couple of chinchilla pals who are inseparable even at bathtime. 

For those of us who dread the thought of dust flying all over, this bath house is a sound choice. Almost fully enclosed except for the small entrance hole, most of the dust will remain in the bath and not all over your home. 

Another great feature is that this chinchilla dust bath house is compatible with both in-cage and outside bath times. You can leave this dust bath house free-standing or attach it to the cage wires if your chillies get particularly raucous at bathtime and you’re worried they will tip over.

These solidly constructed houses will last a possible lifetime. One owner on chewy.com even said that they “last forever too, I’ve had mine for 9 years now and just wash out with warm soapy water when needed.” So if you’re looking for a chinchilla dust bath house that will stand the test of time, this is the one!

This dust bath house comes in a range of colors including purple, pink and blue. However, they’re usually shipped at random so it isn’t ideal if you have your heart set on a particular colorway. That said, the super cute house shape means your chilly will look extra adorable come bath time, whatever colorway you end up with. 

There are a couple of issues with this bath house. The first is that if you’re looking for a plastic-free alternative, this is obviously not going to tick that box. If you’re worried about your chilly chewing up plastic or you simply prefer a more eco-friendly choice, there are other options on the list better suited. 

The other negative point is that it is more difficult to clean due to single-piece construction. The cleaning process can end up quite fiddly, reaching through the little entrance hole to give it a wipe down. 

Dimensions

• 9.25” L x 9” W x 8.5” H

Pros

• Almost fully enclosed
• Large size
• Comes with a sample chinchilla dust bath

Cons

• 100% plastic construction
• Does not come apart for easy cleaning

Balacoo Large Ceramic Chinchilla House — Best Ceramic Chinchilla Dust Bath House

Balacoo Small Animal House, Ceramic Hamster Bedding Hideout Nest, Critter Bath for Hamster Rat Gerbils (Random Color)

• Made of durable chew proof ceramic material, easy to clean and resistant to odors.
• Adorable ceramic house helps greatly to cooling, provides a cool nest for small animal to play and rest.
• Adorable, small animals can be attracted attention and increase the fun of raising. Ideal for hamsters and similar-sized animals.
• Unique cute shape design, it can be also used as small things storage box,Fish Tank,dog bowl or home decor.
• Size - S: 7.3x7.3x7.8cm; L: 8.8x8.8x9.7cm.Warm tip, please make sure the size is right for your friend before you buy.

$19.01

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If a plastic chinchilla dust bath house is a big no-no in your book but you still want an easy to clean alternative, consider the Large Ceramic Chinchilla House from Balacoo. 

It can be difficult to source a ceramic dust bath house that is actually large enough to comfortably fit a chinchilla in. Most searches bring back dust bath houses that are actually only suitable for much smaller pets such as gerbils and dwarf hamsters, so it’s important you check the dimensions before adding to your basket. 

That’s why I love the Balacoo option. It’s specifically made for multiple sizes so you know they’ll have plenty of room to clean off those excess oils and grime. They’ll also love the cooling properties of ceramic. If you live in a hotter part of the country, pair this ceramic chinchilla dust bath house with a granite chinchilla ledge to combat stress and keep your chinchilla’s temperature at an optimum level. 

The base of the dust bath house is fairly high with the entrance situated midway up the wall to prevent excess dust flying while your chilly bathes. Ceramic is also ultra-easy to clean. Just wipe out after every bath for clean-up that’s a breeze.

Balacoo’s Ceramic Chinchilla House is handmade and comes in a choice of colors including pink, teal, or yellow.

And I haven’t even mentioned the ears on this design yet! Taking inspiration from a chilly’s gorgeous shape and dimensions, this dust bath house is so cute while also being super functional.

This Ceramic Chinchilla House is the most expensive option on the list and costs more than double some of the other choices we have covered. But if you’re the type of owner who likes to buy from independent businesses then this is definitely an option worthy of consideration. 

While ceramic dust bath houses are the perfect option for warmer, humid climates, you do need to be more careful with them as they can smash when dropped. So if you’re a clumsy cleaner, consider a wood or plastic choice instead. 

Dimensions

• 7.3” L x 7.3” W x 7.8” H or 8.8″ L x 8.8″ W x 9.7″ H

Pros

• Perfect to keep your chinchilla cool
• Easy to clean
• Choice of colors

Cons

• Expensive
• Can smash if dropped

Pinvnby Sand Bath Box — Best Wooden Chinchilla Dust Bath House

Hamster Sand Bath Dust Free Box - Wooden Small Pets Sand Bath Box & Small Animal Water Bottle, Digging Sand Bathtub for Small Animals Like Hamsters Mice Lemming or Gerbils (8.45 oz)

• 【SIZE】: The measurements of the sandbox are 11.8-inch L x 7.8-inch W, please be sure if your hamster cage or habitats has enough space to put into it before purchasing. Hamsters love bathing in sands to remove excess oils for keeping coat thick and glossy,and we designed this large sand pool for them to evoke the wildness of their habitat.
• 【EASY TO USE】: First, you need to place the wooden stair close to the side of sand box with a recess. Then, put the half cover on the sand box, which will fix the stair at the same time. Finally, place the pet bowl on the half cover and pour the sand into the box. Your pet will get a perfect habitats bathtub.Besides, the natural wood will provide a safe environment for your little guy to have fun there.
• 【NATURAL & DURABLE DESIGN】: Hamsters don't like bright lights. They always sleep in dark places.Because of this habit, we've got a lid for your little pet to block out the light, so your little animal can take a nap after a bath.The wooden roof is removable to allow you to clean the sandbox. Made From High-quality Birch Wood without nails, pet-safe and sturdy material while keeps its shape well and prevent waterlogging.
• 【PACKAGE INCLUDING】: It also has a ladder and a small bowl & 125 ml water bottle .The small animals can climb the ladder to the roof. Comes with a wooden bowl - It's highly recommended to provide some treats or snacks in bowls to supple energy for an 'exhausting' hamster.The stainless steel drinking head of the bottle has a small roller ball that makes it easy for your pets to drink their fill without too much effort.
• 【FUN DIGGING TIME】: If your cute hamster likes to spend a lot of time in the sand, he will love our wooden sand pit, where he has plenty of room for bathing and sand digging. When you don't have time to play with your hamster, you can put him in this box and let him play on his own, reducing stress and boredom for your cute little pet.

$18.99

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If your chillies love to chew and the idea of a plastic dust bath house has you worried, consider a wooden alternative like Pinvnby’s Sand Bath Box. It’s constructed from birch wood and only pet-safe materials for your added peace of mind. 

This wooden chinchilla sand bath house is huge, measuring over 11 inches in length so is perfect if you have a couple of chinchillas who love to share a bath together. 

The partially open top means that access is really easy, particularly if you have an older chilly who is less mobile than they used to be. A removable roof makes cleaning simple. You also have the option to remove any soiled dust and reuse any clean leftovers — this is difficult with some options where you have to tip away all of the dust you’ve used. 

Pinvnby also offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee with a refund or exchange promised if you’re unhappy with your purchase. 

The biggest downside to this chinchilla bath house is the mess it can create. While the sides are fairly high, the amount of open space above means that dust can really go flying if your chillies are having a particularly active bathtime. If you prefer using sand rather than dust with your chillies, this is less of a problem as the particles are coarser and do not puff up in the air like dust. 

As with any wooden chinchilla toys, they will absorb any pee so can end up smelling after a time. If you prefer an easy-clean option that will not deteriorate over time, choose a different option from the list. 

Dimensions

• 11.6” L x 8.1” W x 4.1” H

Pros

• Encourages playtime
• Plastic-free
• Huge bathing area

Cons

• Open topped – can get messy!
• Will absorb pee

Lixit Chinchilla Dry Bath — Best Large Chinchilla Dust Bath House

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Whether you have a chubby little chinchilla or you have a couple of chillies who can’t bear the thought of a moment apart, the Lixit Chinchilla Dry Bath is the perfect option if extra space is a must. 

You’ll struggle to find a chinchilla dust bath house that offers more room than this 14-inch long option. It’s also wider than a lot of other options so is best suited for owners who prefer their chillies to bathe outside of their cage. 

The entrance is smartly situated on the top to reduce the amount of dust kicked out during bathtime. However, the clever sloping design of the lid ensures access is still easy enough and does not require any particular athleticism from your chilly. Even older chinchillas will be able to climb in by using the lip of the lid as an extra step up. 

Cleaning is lightning fast, despite the size of this dust bath house. Just unclip the lid from the base and remove any soiled dust, storing the clean dust for next time. 

As with a few other options on the list, this is a completely plastic dust bath house so won’t appeal to owners who prefer other materials for their chillies’ toys. The plastic is also lighter than other materials and, with no way of securing this bath house, more energetic chillies can tip it over. Supervised bathtimes make this less of an issue if you have reflexes quick enough to catch it as it tips!

Dimensions

• 14” L x 9“ W x 6” H

Pros

• Huge size ideal for multiple chinchillas
• Easy to clean
• Partially enclosed for tidier bathtimes

Cons

• Entirely plastic
• Easily tipped by bigger chinchillas

Living World Chinchilla Bath House — Best In-Cage Chinchilla Dust Bath House

Living World Chinchilla Bath House

• Sphere bottom ensures complete contact between the chinchilla and bath sand.
• Unique design helps prevent mess and retains sand inside the bath house
• Removable transparent cover for easy cleaning
• Made from strong durable plastic
• Fits most wire cages.

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If you’re looking for a chinchilla dust bath house that is suitable to place inside your chilly’s cage, choose the Living World Chinchilla Bath House. 

It is the only multifunctional option on the list. It’s ideal for new owners that want a healthy starting piece for their cage as this bath house suits a variety of your chilly’s needs. Nestle the chinchilla bath house in the bottom of the cage or, for a further challenge, suspend higher up on the cage bars to your chinchillas have to climb up for bathtime. 

Living World is known in the pet industry for its innovative designs and this chinchilla dust bath house is no different. When not in use as a bath, it doubles up as a nest as well. Simply remove the dust and fill it with bedding for a cozy hideaway. 

I didn’t expect to find a chinchilla dust bath house that offered such multifunctionality, though I’m not surprised that it’s offered by a Living World product. 

This chinchilla bath house has mess-control in mind. The domed lid helps to funnel the dust back into the bath rather than releasing it into the open so any mess stays to a minimum. And when it comes to tidying up, the lid pops off for easy dust removal. 

Yet another plastic construction, this will concern owners who dislike leaving anything plastic in their chilly’s cage in case of chewing. 

Chilly owners have commented that the size of this chinchilla dust bath house came as a surprise to them so ensure your cage has enough space to accommodate this before buying. 

Dimensions

• 11.4” L x 6.72” W x 6.72” H

Pros

• Multifunctional use – use as a dust bath or a nest
• Designed to contain more dust for less messy bathtimes
• Attachable to cage bars for a sturdier bath

Cons

• Completely plastic
• Takes up a lot of space

Kathson Chinchilla Sand Bath House — Tidiest Chinchilla Dust Bath House

Hamster Bath Sand with Bathroom，Gerbil Potty Dust Cleansing Litter Bath Sand Box with Scoop Gerbil Grooming Sand Potty Litter for Dwarf Hamster Rat Mice

• MATERIAL: The hamster sand bath is made of plastic material, the product is well made, sturdy, easy to assemble and clean. Plastic material is safe for your pets, and there has 2 colors for your choice(blue or pink).
• SIZE: Plastic sand bathroom: 9.6 x 7 x 7.1 inch, the bath sand's weight: 2 LB (about 908 g). The scoop length: 4.3 inch. Ideal for smaller chinchilla, hamster, gerbil and so on, but not for grown chinchilla. Make sure it is suitable for your pet before purchase.
• Keep your furry friend happy: Sand baths are not only sanitary and beneficial to your pet’s health, they also offer them a great way to have fun and entertainment! Which is quite funny and it does help to keep his play area clean.
• Clean & Effective: Let him have a dust bath and see him rolling around in, or use as a house for your furry friends. Keep your pets clean and save your time.
• PACKAGE LISTING: 1 x hamster bathtub, 1 x bag bath sand, 1 x scoop. It's recommended to use bath sand every 1-3 days in summer, every 3-5 days in winter, and once a day in wet weather.The bath sand is recommended to be discarded after 3-4 times and replaced with a new bath sand.

$16.99

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If you love the idea of a dust bath for your chilly but the thought of the mess has you breaking out in hives, the Kathson Chinchilla Sand Bath House is the ideal solution. 

It features an ‘anti-sprinkle curtain’ (a chinchilla-sized cat-flap to you and me) that makes entry and exits easy but helps keep dust or sand inside the bath house rather than all over your home. You do also have the option of removing the door flap if your chinchilla prefers it without. 

The transparent lid makes up about two-thirds of the overall design so you can enjoy watching your chinchilla as they bathe. The lid also detaches with ease (though not easy enough for your chilly to wrench it open mid-bath) so that cleaning is quick and simple too. 

The Kathson Chinchilla Sand Bath House comes in both blue and pink, though whether you get to choose depends on your choice of supplier. 

Kathson is another company that offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. 

This is one of the smaller options on the list, so is best suited to younger chinchillas and won’t provide the space for multiple chillies to bathe at the same time. If you have an inseparably bonded pair, consider buying one of the larger options on the list. 

Dimensions

• 9.6” L x 7” W x 7” H

Pros

• Anti-sprinkle curtain to keep dust in
• Transparent lid 
• Easy to take apart and clean

Cons

• Too small for adult chinchillas
• 100% Plastic

DIY Chinchilla Dust Bath Houses

If your chilly is in dire need of a bath and your dust bath house hasn’t arrived yet, you can fashion a DIY chinchilla dust bath house from other containers found in the home such as an angled glass cookie jar or a high sided toy box. 

However, using a properly designed dust bath house will help contain dust clouds and keep mess to a minimum where possible. With lids that funnel mess back into the dust bath house, you’re likely to spend a great deal more time cleaning up after your chilly’s bath if you make do with what you’ve got laying around the home.

What to Look For When Buying a Chinchilla Dust Bath House

When choosing the right chinchilla dust bath house for your chilly. Follow our guide to ensure you choose a bath house that will suit your chilly’s size and bathing style. 

Material

Chinchilla dust bath houses are available in the usual materials you’d find in chinchilla toys. Plastic is the most popular material, though wood and ceramic dust bath houses are also available. 

Many owners choose not to give their chillies plastic toys and try to keep plastic within their cages to a minimum due to how much chillies love to chew. Because dust bath houses get removed when not in use, this is much less problematic than with other toys left in unsupervised cages. 

If chewing is still a concern, a wooden chinchilla bath house will keep your worries at bay, though it will absorb any pee and may smell after a while. 

Alternatively, ceramic has excellent cooling properties which are perfect for chillies who suffer stress if their temperature gets too high. It is non-absorbant and easy to wipe down. However, it can be difficult to find ceramic dust bath houses that are large enough for chinchillas. 

Size

Chinchillas are one of the largest small pets, growing to between 9 and 14 inches so it’s vitally important to choose a bath that will accommodate their size. Pay close attention to the dimensions of any given dust bath house before purchase. Smaller dust bath houses are great for younger chillies but will need upgrading as your chilly grows. 

Price

Chinchilla dust bath houses can range from around $10 to upwards of $50 and depends on the size, material, and manufacturer. Cheaper options aren’t always the most cost-effective as they are often made of flimsier material and so need replacing sooner than pricier choices. 

Potential Side Effects of Avoiding Dust Baths

It’s important to bathe your chinchillas frequently but to limit the amount of time they spend in each bath. Over-bathing can lead to dry skin and fur but can also result in more problematic conditions such as eye irritation and conjunctivitis. 

Some chinchillas find particular types of dust irritate their lungs also so be sure to monitor your chillies as they bathe and watch out for any sign of discomfort. Be sure to choose single-ingredient dust to use with your chinchilla dust bath house to minimize any risk of irritation.

Buying a Chinchilla Dust Bath House FAQs

Buying a Chinchilla Dust Bath House — What Next?

As any chinchilla owner knows, a dust bath is vital to keep your chinchilla looking and feeling great. However, finding a chinchilla dust bath house that is big enough for your chilly and won’t send dust flying around your home is easier said than done.

That’s why Kaytee’s Chinchilla Bath House is the perfect starter option and my favorite overall. Complete with a sample dust sachet, you’ll learn how much dust to use and keep it nicely contained in this solid and long-lasting dust bath house. 

The Pinvinby Sand Bath Box is fantastic if you’re less concerned about the mess and want your chillies to enjoy a spacious plastic-free bathtime. Its open-topped wood construction means you can enjoy your chillies bath from any angle. But if cleanliness is your number one priority, choose the Kathson Chinchilla Sand Bath House to keep the mess to an absolute minimum. 

If you’re looking for a chinchilla dust bath house that is big enough for your chilly to enjoy their bath time and keeps dust clouds in check, revisit my reviews and find one that’s perfect for you.  Now just sprinkle in the chinchilla dust and watch your chilly enjoy their new favorite activity!

Want a some bathing dust to go with your new house? Check out our favorite ones below – as well as some extras!

• Best chinchilla dust and sand
• Best chinchilla treats
• Best chinchilla bedding

The post The Best Chinchilla Dust Bath House Reviews and Guide 2022 appeared first on My Life Pets.

When I first owned gerbils, dust and sand baths were entirely new to me – I had absolutely no idea how important they were to a gerbil’s overall wellbeing and it’s exactly the same for chinchillas too. 

However, it can be confusing trying to find a suitable chinchilla dust bath when there’s so much conflicting information out there. Should you choose sand or dust, and what is the difference anyway? How long should I bathe them for? Will the dust irritate my chinchilla’s skin or lungs?

That’s why I particularly like Poof! Chinchilla Dust. Sticking with a trusted brand always gives me confidence that they have the research and knowledge to back up their products. I also like a product with multifunctionality and Poof! Chinchilla Dust is ideal for a range of small pets including my aforementioned gerbils. 

Poof! Chinchilla Dust is also responsibly sourced, a big bonus in today’s eco-conscious market, and encourages a chinchilla’s natural bathing instincts by mimicking the dust found in a chinchilla’s natural habitat. 

Whilst Poof! Chinchilla Dust is a great all-rounder product, it might not be the best choice if you have more specific needs in mind. That’s why we’ve searched out the best chinchilla dust baths to suit all of your chilly’s requirements. 

If time is never on your side, save precious minutes with Kaytee’s pre-packaged Chinchilla Sand Bath. Rip open a single-use sachet and get your chilly’s bath ready in an instant. Or, if you’re new to chinchilla ownership and safety is your number one priority, check out ChillDust Chinchilla Dust Bath for a premium dust approved by the most discerning of chilly owners.

Read on to discover the very best in chinchilla dust baths as well as a useful guide that explains everything you need to know before making your choice. 

The Best Chinchilla Dust and Sand Reviews

When browsing our favorite chinchilla dust and sand baths, remember to keep your chilly’s own unique needs in mind. Whether they’re young, old, or have sensitive skin, we’ve got a chinchilla dust bath to suit!

Oxbow Poof! Chinchilla Dust — Best Chinchilla Dust Overall

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Oxbow is a firm favorite amongst small animal owners and produces some of the best products for your furry friends, including my favorite chinchilla food. That’s why it’s a safe bet to turn to Oxbow for a quality dust bath for your chilly too. 

If this is your first time trying a dust bath out on your chilly, choosing a product from a trusted brand is a great first step. On chewy.com, 100% of reviewers recommend the product, so you know you’re in safe hands! One reviewer who has tested a variety of dusts on their chilly said:

“I have tried several top name brand dust baths and Oxbow is definitely the best. Very soft and fine, my Chin loves it!”

Poof! Chinchilla Dust is responsibly mined in Southern California without any use of explosives tunneling or strip mining. This means you can rest easy knowing your chilly’s dust does not come from a harmful source. Oxbow promises that a layer of dust is always left where they’ve harvested to promote plant growth, too, which is a bonus for any eco-savvy shoppers. 

Not only this, if you own other small animals that enjoy a dust bath such as gerbils, Poof! Chinchilla Dust is perfect for them too!!

The 100% Blue Beauty Dust mimics the dust and ash found in the Andes Mountains, the chinchilla’s natural habitat. The texture and consistency encourage natural grooming behavior, relieve stress, and are a stimulating alternative to a toy!

It’s an extremely fine silicate powder so is easy to shake off but is still great at removing any build-up of dirt and oils on your chilly. This dust also has no additives so you know exactly what your delicate chilly is playing in without worrying that it will irritate skin, fur, or eyes.

House-proud pet owners will also love that this dust has been finely extracted so won’t make a mess of your home. 

Poof! Chinchilla Dust sits nicely in the mid-price range, so you won’t worry about wasting money on a product that doesn’t agree with your pet. 

The only downside that has cropped up with reviewers is that the jar is not very durable. However, this is easily remedied by tipping into a mason jar and storing it alongside your pet’s treats and food so it’s a small downside when compared with the glowing reviews it receives. 

Recommended Usage:

• Use between 2 and 4 times a week for a healthy, shiny coat. Allow your chilly to bathe for between 3 and 5 minutes and then remove to prevent soiling and overuse. 

Pros

• 100% Blue Beauty Dust
• Responsibly sourced
• A favorite amongst chinchilla owners

Cons

• The jar is less durable than other options

Sunseed Natural Dust Bath — Best Quality Chinchilla Dust

Sunseed Natural Dust Bath for Chinchillas, 30 Ounce Container

• Premium Quality Natural Dust That Encourages Natural Grooming Habits In Chinchillas and Degus
• The Completely Natural Dust Cleans Their Skin Of Excess Dirt and Oils
• Mined Sustainably In The Usa No Chemicals, Colorants Or Extenders
• Natural volcanic ash dust similar to what is found in their native environment

$13.00

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Sunseed Natural Dust Bath is supersoft and is perfect for chillies who find that coarser, cheaper dusts irritate their skin. While one of the more expensive dust baths on the list, it’s worth paying that extra to know your chilly is bathing in only the finest volcanic ash with no colors or additives included during processing. 

Sunseed’s Dust Bath is also mined in the USA from the same Blue Cloud Dust as the Poof! Dust Bath, though this formula is less grainy. In comparison, it provides a smoother bathing experience for sensitive chillies. 

As said, Sunseed Natural Dust Bath is one of the pricier chinchilla dust baths around so might not be your go-to product if you and your chilly are new to dust baths and want to test the waters. 

However, if you have a chilly that adores their bathtime, the superior quality of the dust really works in your favor. Unlike other chinchilla dusts on the list, you can allow your chillies to bathe for up to half an hour at a time without worrying about dust irritation. This is considerably longer than some other brands which recommend a maximum of 5 minutes at a time.

This premium product has less than premium, plastic packaging. If you’re wanting a more eco-friendly choice with packaging to match, consider options further down the list. 

Recommended Usage:

• Use 3 to 5 times a week and allow your chinchilla to bathe for between 15 and 30 minutes each time for shiny fur and a happy chilly. If the weather is humid or your chilly’s fur is still looking dull or oily, increase the frequency.

Pros

• Ideal for chinchillas with sensitive skin
• No added chemicals or colors
• Extra-long bathing time allowance

Cons

• More expensive than other options
• Plastic packaging

Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Bathing Sand — Best Chinchilla Sand Bath

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Tiny Friends Farm Bathing Sand from Supreme is my favorite chinchilla sand bath. The brand has gone to great lengths to produce a product that is safe, fun, and has excellent cleaning results for your chilly. 

This chinchilla sand bath contains 100% natural sand and is bacteria-free. Rest easy knowing you aren’t accidentally introducing any irritants or bugs into bathtime. This sand is totally dust-free too so bathtime is a less messy activity. If flying dust particles make your inner clean-freak squirm, a sand bath rather than a dust bath is a sensible choice.  

Tiny Friends Farm has gone above and beyond to ensure their sand is the ideal bathing material for your small animals. They test the grains for size and density to ensure that the particles work perfectly into even the densest fur to remove oil, dirt, and grime. 

The texture and size of this sand also make it ideal for a variety of small animals including hamsters, degus, gerbils as well as chinchillas. Unlike dust baths, sand baths are also safe for hedgehog use. Save yourself the hassle of buying different products for different animals and opt for a sand bath that will please them all. 

Tiny Friends Farm Bathing Sand is a cheaper option than some on the list and, as such, the quality is noticeably cheaper according to some pet owners. 

The packaging of this sand has recently undergone a revamp so that it is more eco-friendly. However, some reviewers have reported that the new packaging is much less sturdy and does not always withstand rough shipping. 

Recommended Usage:

• Use 2 or 3 times a week and let your chilly bathe for between 10 and 20 minutes. Remove any soiled patches and keep the remaining sand for the rest of the baths for that week. Replace used sand weekly. 

Pros

• Made from 100% dust-free sand
• Suitable for most small animals including hedgehogs
• Bacteria free

Cons

• Coarser consistency than dust
• Easily-damaged packaging

Lixit Blue Beauty Chinchilla Dust — Best Chinchilla Dust Bath

Lixit Chinchilla Dust (3 Pound)

• For use in the Chinchilla Dry Bath
• For small animals that enjoy grooming in dust
• 100-percent natural dust, sustainably mined from the Blue Cloud Mine in Southern California
• Very fine aluminum silicate powder that contains no limestone, glass, or sand and shakes completely out of fur
• Jar contains 3-pound of dust and a scoop

$13.06

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Made from 100% aluminum silicate powder, Lixit’s Blue Beauty Chinchilla Dust will keep your chilly’s fur and skin soft and healthy and is a great price too. 

Lixit sustainably mines their dust in the USA and promises no limestone, glass, or sand will feature. Rest assured your chilly will have a super-safe bathtime without fear of harmful inclusions. 

The consistency of this powder is super-fine so chilly’s can easily shake the dust off without leaving any messy residue on their fur. Your chillies will emerge from their bath looking their very best! Because of its ultra-soft consistency, Lixit’s Blue Beauty Dust has countless positive reviews online with one owner on chewy.com saying:

“Blue Beauty is super fine and gets in between the chin’s fur to keep it healthy and smooth! My guy loves it.”

If you’re new to chinchilla dust bathing and are looking for a positively reviewed product that is a staple for countless chilly owners, Blue Beauty Dust is a must-try. It comes in a range of sizes including a 3lb tub. This is perfect if you have several chillies and you get through dust at a faster rate than a single chilly owner. 

If you do own only the one chilly, the large tub is still a great value option. It will last you for months and give you one less thing to remember on your shopping list. It also comes with a handy little scoop for easy distribution when it comes to setting up bathtime.

Some owners report that their dust has a shimmer to it that they don’t like. If you don’t want your chilly to have a touch of sparkle, it is worth considering other options on the list.

Recommended Usage:

• Use between 2 and 4 times a week and allow your chillies to bathe for around 15 minutes.

Pros

• Bulk sized tub
• Free of limestone, glass, and sand
• Super-fine consistency

Cons

• Shimmery residue

ChillDust Bathing Dust — Best Baby Chinchilla Dust Bath

When you’re looking for dust that is suitable for even the most sensitive of baby chillies, you want to choose the very best on the market. 

It’s every new owner’s worst fear – unwittingly giving your pet something that does them harm, despite your best intentions. That’s why we love ChillDust’s Bathing Dust. It’s Empress Chinchilla approved which means the country’s best chinchilla breeders endorse this bathing dust. They only choose the best products that help you give top-quality care to your precious babies. 

ChillDust Bathing Dust contains only the purest white pumice and the particles have no crystalline structure. This means it is safe for both human and animal respiratory systems so you needn’t worry about harming your baby chilly’s lungs.

Due to ChillDust’s density, it kicks up less dust both when you’re setting up a bath and your chilly is enjoying their bathtime. This makes clean-up quicker and easier and stops dust from spreading as far in your home. 

It’s also available in a variety of bag sizes to accommodate various budgets and the number of chillies you own. 

Unlike some options on the list, ChillDust Bathing Dust is only suitable for chinchillas and not other small animals. If you want to buy bathing dust that works for other small pets too, check over our other options to find something more suitable.

Recommended Usage:

• Use twice a week for up to 15 minutes per bath to keep your chinchillas looking and feeling fantastic.

Pros

• Empress Chinchilla approved
• Premium-quality and safe for any age chinchillas
• Huge range of size options

Cons

• Not suitable for other small animal use

Petpost Chinchilla Bathing Dust — Best Sustainable Dust Bath

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If you’re trying to make sustainable choices and cut down on plastic usage, choose Petpost Chinchilla Bathing Dust.

It can be a difficult balancing act when trying to make eco-conscious decisions and also find products that your pets enjoy and thrive on. Petpost understands that you shouldn’t have to compromise and has produced a bathing dust that ticks all of these boxes. 

Made from 100% pure pumice and sourced in the USA, this dust is suitable for chinchillas, hamsters, gerbils, and degus. 

Petpost as a brand continuously looks for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. They only use responsibly sourced materials and all their packaging is 100% recyclable. This means you needn’t feel bad about stockpiling plastic tubs with every purchase. 

Reviewers are generally positive with a chilly owner on chewy.com saying:

“I couldn’t find a dust that didn’t make my chinchillas itchy or sparkle. This is finally that dust. It’s very fine and powdery. They love it.”

Petpost is so proud of their product that they offer a 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee. They say that their chinchilla bathing dust will work better than any other dust, sand, or ash that your chilly has previously used. If this isn’t the case, or you simply don’t like it, get in touch and they’ll refund 100% of your money. 

The one bugbear with this bathing dust is that because it’s made from pumice, many would class this as sand rather than dust. Therefore some chilly owners might find the name of the product a little misleading. 

However, dust or sand, you can try it out with your chilly and see the results for yourself with the risk-free guarantee.

Recommended Usage:

• For best results, use twice a week and allow your chinchilla to clean and play for 15 to 20 minutes. Discard any used dust. 

Pros

• Recyclable packaging
• 100% satisfaction guarantee
• No sparkle

Cons

• Made from pumice – not technically a dust

Kaytee Chinchilla Bath Sand — Best Chinchilla Sand for Owners in a Hurry

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If you were wondering how we’d got this far in a small pet review without a Kaytee product – here it is! 

Kaytee is one of the best-regarded makes of small animal products and their Chinchilla Bath Sand is a tried and trusted favorite amongst chilly owners who want a great value product they can rely on. 

Made from volcanic pumice found in the Andes mountains, their chinchilla bath sand mimics a chinchilla’s natural dust bath choice in the wild. Virtually dust-free, this is another great alternative to dust options if you or your chilly are prone to allergies. 

Kaytee’s Chinchilla Bath Sand is another great option if you’re looking for a sustainable choice. The packaging is entirely plastic-free and made from cardboard and paper. 

The other packaging point that sets this choice apart from the rest is that rather than one big package, it comes in 5 pre-measured pouches. Simply rip off the top, pour into your chilly’s bath and go! 

If you have limited time, this option will result in fewer minutes wasted measuring, scooping (and spilling when in a rush) and more time spent enjoying your chilly’s rolling, scrabbling, and playing in the bath!

While these packets certainly save time when it comes to setting up, any unsoiled sand is more difficult to reuse. You’ll also need a separate storage container if you do want to reuse any sand for future baths. 

Recommended Usage:

• Simply tip out the pre-measured pack and allow your chillies to bathe for around 15 minutes twice or three times a week. 

Pros

• Pre-measured packages save time and effort
• Trusted brand
• Plastic-free packaging

Cons

• Less cost-effective than bulk tubs
• No option to store clean but used sand

What to Look For When Buying Chinchilla Dust: a Guide

It can be overwhelming when trying to choose a suitable chinchilla bath dust. Read on for a useful guide and find out everything you need to know about chinchilla dust and sand baths. 

Source of Dust and Sand

Choosing a responsibly sourced sand or dust is an important step when buying a dust or sand bath for your chilly. Most manufacturers proudly display where they source their dust from and many originate in the United States. 

Bonus points go-to brands that also use responsible techniques in harvesting the dust, without the use of explosives, tunneling, or strip mining. This doesn’t affect how your chilly enjoys their bath but it’s always good to make environmentally responsible choices when possible.

Materials

Make sure the dust or sand you choose contains 100% single ingredients such as ash or pumice. Any extra additives such as colorants could be harmful to your pet so are best avoided. 

Amount

About an inch of sand or dust in your dust bath is sufficient for your chilly to get a thorough cleaning while having a whole lot of fun! 

Price

The cost of your chinchilla dust or sand will vary depending on the material and the amount purchased. Prices for products on this list start at under $10 for a 3lb bag but generally, the price will increase with more premium quality materials.  

Dust vs Sand

Whether to use dust or sand is a contentious issue for chilly owners. Some recommend only using sand as it is finer and believe it is better at absorbing oils. Other owners swear by sand as it is generally less dusty and so easier to clean up. 

Generally, dust is volcanic ash and is of a finer consistency than the particles found in sand. Sand is usually ground pumice and is coarser.

The issue gets more complicated, however, when different brands use dust or sand interchangeably. If there are particular materials you know irritate your chilly or you wish to avoid, make sure you check the ingredients list before purchase. 

How to Use Chinchilla Dust

Fill a chinchilla dust bath or suitable container about 1-inch deep with chinchilla dust. Allow your chinchilla to play, roll and shake in the dust for around 15 minutes two or three times a week. 

The guidance about how long and how often a chinchilla should bathe varies between products so always check the label. If in doubt, give your chilly fewer rather than more baths to prevent their skin from drying out. 

Choosing the Best Chinchilla Dust for Your Pet FAQs

Buying a Chinchilla Dust Bath or Sand Bath: What Next?

Frequent baths are a must to keep your chilly happy and healthy. Avoid water as chinchillas’ fur is much too dense and that’s why a quality dust or sand bath is an essential part of your chilly’s hygiene routine. 

If you’re new to chinchilla dust baths and want to try and perfect all-rounder, try Oxbow’s Poof! Chinchilla Dust. It’s responsibly sourced, reasonably priced, and recommended by countless chinchilla owners. However, if you want second to none quality assurance, opt for ChillDust Chinchilla Bathing Dust for a tried and tested dust approved by experts in chinchilla breeding and care. 

Of course, there’s no guarantee that your chilly will love your favorite choice – we all know what picky critters chillies can be! Try experimenting with a few different options on our list to find a dust or sand that will have your chilly desperate for bathtime!

Looking for more Chinchilla tips? Check out our guides below!:

• Best chinchillla cages
• Best chinchilla treats
• Best chinchilla bedding

The post The Best Chinchilla Dust & Sand Guide and Reviews [Updated 2022] appeared first on My Life Pets.

I’ve always been a big fan of chinchillas – who could resist those giant eyes and unbelievably soft fur?! However, keeping chillies comes with its own range of concerns, particularly when it comes to their diet. 

Whether you’re new to chinchilla care or have kept them for years, you’ll know that they have one of the most sensitive digestive systems among any small animals. It can be a real challenge to find a diet that suits their needs, staves off boredom, and is super tasty too. 

That’s why I love Sunbest’s Natural Chamomile Flowers. Knowing there are no hidden additives or preservatives gives you the peace of mind that you’re not inadvertently doing any harm to your precious bundle of fluff. And, as an added bonus, you can make your own cup of tea from it too!

Of course, if you’re lucky enough to already have a chilled out chilly, you might prefer a treat without the soothing properties of chamomile. That’s why I’ve searched out the best treats to fit a range of budgets and needs to suit you and your chillies. 

If you love using treats during playtime, choose Exotic Nutrition Critter Selects Rose Hips. They’re another all-natural choice that doubles up as a toy stuffing too. Alternatively, use them to hand-feed during quality bonding time. And if you want a treat that does your chilly good and boosts their fiber intake, check out Oxbow Botanical Hay for a treat that makes their all-important hay consumption a real delicacy. 

Read on for a round-up of the best treats for your chillies. Find out my top picks for foraging, hand-feeding and more, and choose a treat that will drive your chilly wild!

The Best Chinchilla Treats Reviews

Choosing the best treats for your chilly can be a challenge if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Read on for my favorite treats that suit a variety of different needs, whatever your chilly’s age or temperament. 

Sunbest Natural Chamomile Flowers – Best Chinchilla Treat Overall

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Natural flowers and herbs are a fantastic snack for chillies and you can choose from a wide range on the market. My top pick out of the herbal bunch is chamomile flowers because not only do chinchillas love the taste, they also have a range of health benefits too!

If you want to reward your chillies with a tasty snack without any unhealthy additives or sugars, opt for a pure, botanical treat.

Sunbest Natural Chamomile Flowers are USDA Organic and Non-GMO. This means there is nothing hidden in the pack to upset your chinchilla’s delicate tum. They are sugar-free, fat-free, and contain vitamins and minerals too. They’re a delicious and healthy snack – ideal for chinchillas from six months old and onwards.

Put the chill in chinchilla by feeding your pet chamomile flowers. The best thing about chamomile, as opposed to other types of herbs and botanicals, is that it has a calming effect on chinchillas. 

Just like with humans, it can help soothe unsettled tums and calm the nerves. In fact, many owners give two or three flowers to their chillies for a snack before vet visits to keep them nice and relaxed. Why not brew a cup of chamomile tea at the same time and share a treat with your chilly? 

Buying botanicals doesn’t come cheap and, comparatively, there are more economical choices on the list. However, if you’re looking for a nutritious chinchilla snack that has genuine health benefits, chamomile flowers are an ideal option.

• USDA Organic and Non-GMO
• Soothing and calming properties
• Packed with vitamins and minerals

• Expensive for a small bag
• Not suitable for baby chillies

Oxbow Botanical Hay – Best Healthy Chinchilla Treat

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Continuing with botanical treats, Oxbow Botanical Hay is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a treat but want to keep your chillies’ fiber intake nice and high.

As chilly owners, you already know that hay should be the main food source in their diet. It’s important for their fiber intake and also to wear their teeth down. But it can sometimes be a struggle to make sure their hay intake is high enough, especially if they see other options on the menu as tastier and more tempting.  

Oxbow Botanical Hay cleverly combines timothy hay with a blend of lavender, lemon balm, chamomile, and clover for a delicious smelling and tasting hay that chillies will love. 

It’s sweeter than plain hay so tastes like a real treat without introducing extra sugars and unnecessary fillers to their diet. Botanical hay also provides your chilly with extra fiber, vitamins, and minerals to complement their daily diet. 

Compared to plain bags of hay, this is much more expensive, so I wouldn’t recommend you use this as your chilly’s exclusive source of hay. Mix it in with their normal hay to stretch the bag further and jazz up their daily meals. As this hay only features timothy hay, consider mixing with some alfalfa if your chilly is younger as they benefit from the extra energy alfalfa provides.

• No added sugar or filler
• Can increase fiber intake
• Makes everyday dinners more appealing

• More expensive than normal hay
• Small bags

Exotic Nutrition Critter Selects Rose Hips Chinchilla Treats – Best Chinchilla Treat for Playtime

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Another super-healthy option that your chillies will go crazy for, Critter Selects Rose Hips from Exotic Nutrition are a great choice. 

Rose hips are an excellent source of fiber and ascorbic acid which keeps chinchilla teeth strong and healthy. Despite being fruit, they’re not packed with sugars so are healthier than many other fruit-based options. 

Rose hips rank amongst chilly owners as a popular, healthy snack, with one owner on chewy.com commenting:

“It’s important to me to only feed appropriate treats to my chin due to their delicate digestive systems. She loves these and they’re safe for her to have one or two a day. They keep her teeth nice and trim, too. Plus how cute when she holds them in her tiny hands.”

I love to use treats at playtime – it livens up a play session and can encourage interaction and bonding. The soft but sturdy consistency of these treats makes them ideal for stuffing in foraging toys. Enjoy watching your chilly puzzle out how to retrieve their delicious treasure and know you’re giving them a stimulating game with a healthy treat at the end!

As with all the botanical options on this list, it’s a small bag for a higher cost than generic small animal treats. However, the peace of mind you get knowing there are no hidden nasties or additives that will upset your chilly’s tummy is worth the price tag.

• Perfect playtime treat
• High in fiber and vitamin C
• No additives

• Small bag for the price
• Some chillies don’t enjoy the taste

Ware Rice Pops – Best Chinchilla Treat for Hand Feeding

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If you’ve read any of my other small animal treat reviews, you’ll know I love a treat that encourages bonding between owner and pet. 

Ware Rice Pops are an ideal treat for this – measuring ¾ inch, they’re small enough for your chilly to handle yet big enough for you to comfortably hold while playing with your pet. If you’re looking for a treat that is eye-catching and will encourage nervous chillies to come and investigate what you’re holding, try Rice Pops!

The crisp, crunchy consistency will provide an interesting change to the textures your chilly finds in their usual diet, so they’re a great boredom buster. The consistency will also help keep teeth worn down and healthy when used alongside their regular hay intake. 

Made of corn and rice, they’re also nice and light – break up into smaller parts and have fun setting up a little scavenger hunt for you and your chilly to enjoy! However, this does mean they’re easily crushed so handle them with care when storing.

Animal safe colors brighten up treat time. Rice Pops are also compatible with Ware’s Treat-K-bob too, so treat time can be even more fun whether your chillies are in or out of their cage. 

Whilst an attractive and budget-friendly option, corn and rice are not necessary for a chilly’s diet so avoid it if your chilly has a sensitive tummy. These are a great snack when used sparingly. If you want an everyday treat, pick another choice on the list. 

• Bright and colorful
• Easy to hold
• Wears down teeth

• Corn and rice are not necessary for chinchilla diets
• Not specifically formulated for chinchillas
• Delicate consistency – easily crushed

Kaytee Country Harvest Treat Blend – Best Chinchilla Treat for Foraging

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It would be unusual to see a recommended chinchilla treat list that didn’t feature a Kaytee product. They are a household name when it comes to small animal care and with good reason. Decades of experience and research into small animals means they have the expertise to formulate healthy, nutritious snacks for your pets and their specific dietary needs.

Chinchillas are natural foragers. If you already own a chilly, you’ll have no doubt seen them scrabbling around in their food looking for the tastiest morsels. This is why pellets are usually recommended for their main source of food as it stops them from selectively picking out the best bits and disregarding the rest. 

But you can still encourage their natural instinct for foraging and reward their curious nature with Kaytee’s Country Harvest Treat Blend. Consisting largely of hay and grass-based bites, this treat will up your chilly’s fiber intake and help keep their digestive system on track. 

You’ll also find a mix of chinchilla-safe fruits and vegetables including dried papaya which chillies love. There are various seeds and nuts featured in this mix, though the content is low in comparison to the more nutritiously beneficial ingredients. 

As with all treats, it’s all about giving in moderation. This food comes as a loose mix, so if there are any particular ingredients you personally want them to avoid, you can remove them before giving them to your pet. 

Country Harvest Treat Blend is great if you want a treat that ticks various boxes when it comes to activities. Hand-feed with the larger bites and liven up mealtimes by sprinkling a small amount on top of their daily feed. Pick out choice morsels and pop into foraging toys for an exciting playtime. The variety of size, shape, and consistency in this bag lends itself to a whole host of scenarios. You aren’t limited to just sprinkling some in their cage and leaving your chillies to it. 

Due to the lengthy list of ingredients in this mix, avoid it if your chilly has a particularly sensitive tummy. If this is the case, consider one of the single ingredient options on the list. 

• No added sugar or filler
• Can increase fiber intake
• Makes everyday dinners more appealing

• More expensive than normal hay
• Small bags
• Ingredients avoided by some chilly owners

Vitakraft Drops with Dandelion Chinchilla Treats – Best Chinchilla Treat for Sensitive Tummies

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If you love the idea of adding some botanicals to your chillies’ diet, but your budget doesn’t stretch to the pricier options on the list, try Vitakraft Drops Chinchilla Treats. Vitakraft offers a whole range of drops featuring different delicious ingredients.

I’ve chosen the Dandelion Drops as the pick of the crop. Dandelions are a natural snack choice for chillies in the wild and provide a range of health benefits not seen in other options. It’s always great when you can introduce a treat that you know also does your pet some good. 

Dandelions can help keep your chilly’s liver healthy and also promotes circulation. They’re a nutritious addition to your chillies’ diet and a delicious one too!

Vitakraft is another well-respected brand that has years of experience when it comes to providing suitable snacks for your precious pets and their foods often come recommended by owners of various small animal breeds. That’s why their range of drops that are specifically formulated for chinchillas rather than general small animals is a great choice. 

If you’ve struggled to find a treat that suits your chilly’s specific dietary needs in the past, give Vitakraft Drops a try. They will drive your chilly wild without giving their tummy grief later on.

The cute drop shape is ideal for monitoring the number of treats you’re giving and also for hand-feeding.

Some owners report that their chillies weren’t fond of the taste of these drops. If this is the case, try the watermelon drops instead for a fruity-flavored alternative. Another potential issue is that these treats do have a tendency to melt in warm weather. Owners in warmer parts of the country may want to avoid these during the summer months or cut them back up if they do end up melting. 

• Dandelions keep chilly livers healthy
• Easy to handle drop shape
• Specifically formulated for chinchillas

• Prone to melting
• Some chillies don’t like the taste

What to Look for When Buying Chinchilla Treats

When trying to choose the best treats for your chilly, it can feel like a real minefield! Chillies have a really delicate digestive system and should only have specific types of food in very small amounts. Read on to find out what you should and shouldn’t avoid for healthy chillies with happy tummies. 

Types

The types of treats you can give your chillies fall into a few broad categories:

• Dried plants, fruit, and vegetables – fruits are high in sugar so give in very small amounts. Root vegetables are an ideal treat, as are grasses and plants. There are a whole range of herbal and botanical options you can feed to your chilly that will not only taste great but have a range of health benefits too.
• Manufactured treats – these are treats that feature a range of ingredients and are either produced just for chinchillas or for a range of small animals. I recommend choosing chinchilla-specific ones in general, so they don’t irritate your chilly’s tummy.
• Hay-based treats – any treat that increases your chinchilla’s fiber intake is a great choice, especially if they don’t eat enough hay in their daily diet. Enticing them by cutting their hay with sweet treats in small amounts is a clever way of getting them to eat their grasses!

Ingredients and Nutrients

Always give treats to chillies in very small amounts as they should get the majority of their necessary nutrients from a good quality manufactured food. However, any treats that boost their fiber intake and include added vitamins including ascorbic acid will help support your chilly’s already healthy diet. 

Ingredients to Avoid

There are a surprising number of fresh ingredients that can give your chilly diarrhea and lead to other digestive issues. Some ingredients to avoid include:

• Yogurt and other dairy products
• Banana
• Sunflower Seeds
• Peanuts
• Asparagus
• Lettuce
• Avocado

This is not an exhaustive list by any means. A good rule of thumb is to avoid anything you’re unsure of. Chinchillas have such sensitive tums that it’s always better to be safe than sorry and stick with tried and tested ingredients. 

Price

The price of treats can vary greatly. When choosing manufactured chinchilla treats, quality does usually come at a cost and more expensive treats will feature fewer artificial additives, preservatives, and sneaky sugars. 

However, you can find cheaper, healthy options that don’t break the bank – just check the ingredients list before buying to make sure no ingredients on the avoid list feature prominently. 

Homemade Chinchilla Treats 

You can treat your chillies with fresh root veg that you have in the house such as carrots and sweet potatoes as long as given sparingly and in very small amounts. Another guaranteed hit with chinchillas is raisins – so remember to share one or two with them if you’re enjoying a few yourself!

Chinchilla Treats – FAQs:

Buying Chinchilla Treats – What Next?

For a natural choice that benefits your chilly’s tummy and their temperament, my favorite treat is Sunbest’s Natural Chamomile Flowers. They’re tasty, healthy, and great for both chillies and humans!

Choose Exotic Nutrition Critter Selects Rose Hips for a fruity hit that is ideal for a playtime snack. They will make any playtime even more exciting and work in a range of ways from a training reward to foraging treasure. 

If you want to liven up dinnertime but don’t want your chillies to shun their hay, choose Oxbow Botanical Hay. It combines vitally important timothy hay with delicious botanicals for a snack that does nothing but good for your chillies. 

Having read this review and guide, it should now be clearer what to look out for when choosing a suitable treat for your chillies. Check over the reviews to find a treat that suits your chilly’s temperament and tastes and watch them go wild when they hear the packet rustle!

• Best chinchilla bedding
• Best chinchilla cages
• Best chinchilla food

The post Best Chinchilla Treats Guide and Reviews 2022: Snack Time! appeared first on My Life Pets.

As a chilly lover and small pet owner, I know how difficult it can be to find a home that is high quality, spacious enough for your pets, and keeps to a budget. 

In the past, I’ve fallen foul to choosing a cage that was cheaper and found several components soon needed replacing. Tubes chomped, wheels cracked – this ended up making my cost-effective option not so effective, and I wasted a lot of finding alternatives too. 

This is where the Midwest Deluxe Critter Nation comes into its own. Neither the most expensive nor the cheapest, it offers excellent value for money alongside a large enough space to house several chinchillas. 

Clean up in double-quick time with a removable tray and full-width doors. I know that cleaning out is the least enjoyable part of small pet ownership, so why waste a moment longer than needed?

Of course, every pet owner is different, with maybe only one chilly to house or several so in need of even more space than the Midwest Deluxe offers. That’s why we’ve also covered cages that are perfect for absolute beginners such as the Kaytee My First Home. It’s cost-effective, compact, and contains everything you need for your first baby chinchilla. 

If you want a home that suits your chinchilla’s needs then read on for reviews of the best chinchilla cages! We’ve explored options for single to multiple chilly setups and habitats suitable for young chinchillas to old. We’ve also selected homes to suit every budget.

VALUE OPTION

Kaytee My First Home

Reputable brand with over 150 years of experiencing

Comes as a complete starter kit

Comes with a deep base for controlling mess

Available at:

Amazon here Chewy here

EDITORS PICK

Midwest Critter Nation

Excellent amount of space for growing chinchillas

Wide doors for easy cleaning and handling

Easy customization

Available at:

Amazon here Chewy here

LARGE OPTION

A&E Deluxe 6-Tier Cage

Top shelf quality materials

Comes with 3 doors for multi-level access

Folds down flat for easy and secure storage

Available at:

Chewy here

Midwest Critter Nation With Stand – Best Chinchilla Cage Overall

Want a spacious, quality-built cage that boasts a host of safety features and customization options for your chillies? The Midwest Deluxe Critter Nation cage ticks all these boxes and more. 

Available in a one or two-story option, Midwest has catered for multiple or single chinchilla setups and even offers an add-on should your brood grow further. Other chinchilla owners rave about this cage on chewy.com commenting: 

“Hands down the best cage. I hope to buy another one in the future. Super easy to clean, lots of space for climbing, beds, litter boxes, etc…Just an all-around perfect cage.”

Safety is a priority, with flat bottoms on every area to protect delicate chilly feet. The ramps have happy feet covers for traction while still being comfortable underfoot. 

Full-width doors on every level guarantee easy cleaning along with the removable trays. The doors also feature critter-proof dual locks for easy one-handed opening – perfect for the busy owner who needs to catch their chillies and clean them out in record time. 

And if cleanliness is your thing, you’ll love the storage shelf underneath to store spare treats, food, and bedding. 

Some buyers complain of complicated assembly that takes a long time to complete. But for all the benefits of such a well built, top-quality cage, it’s definitely worth the initial build time.

A&E Cage Company 60-in Extra-Large Deluxe 6-Tier Small Animal Cage – Best Large Chinchilla Cage

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If you have 3 or more chinchillas or just want to give your chillies all the space to stretch out choose the A&E Cage Company Deluxe Small Animal Cage. 

Boasting a massive 60-inches in height, this cage literally stands head and shoulders above its competitors. With a large solid floor and five further levels, your chillies will have masses of room to explore, play or snooze to their liking. 

The whole cage packs down for easy storage thanks to the cage clips that connect the levels. and casters on the bottom allow for easy transportation. However, the clipped construction makes the cage feel less sturdy than a cage that features a solid outer framework. 

The doors of this cage are quite narrow (necessary because of the clipped-together construction). Scooping up your chilies can therefore be more challenging. However, if your chillies prefer the comfort of their surroundings to a cuddle on your lap, they will adore the palatial size of this cage.

Living World Deluxe Habitat – Best Cage for Older Chinchillas

If your chillies have started to slow down due to aging and spend less time climbing and exploring, consider the Living World Deluxe Habitat for lower-level living. 

Super quick to assemble, this is ideal if you are less than handy and want a home for your chilly that is ready to go in minutes. 

Access is through a small door in the front and then two huge doors in the roof of the cage. These doors give you plenty of space for reaching in without leaving an escape route wide open. 

This cage features an upper level with a tip-proof feeding bowl, drip-proof water bottle, and a hidey-hole below for cozy snoozing. My house rabbits enjoyed this cage very much, though take the ‘tip-proof’ claim with a pinch of salt. I ended up removing the bowl and using the molded dip in the upper-level flooring to hold their food.

This cage takes up much more floor space than some other cages but this is important if your chilly no longer climbs so much but still needs space to stretch out. 

YaheeTech 6 Level Small Animal Hutch – Best Cage for Multiple Chinchillas

Yaheetech’s Pet Cage offers plenty of room for multiple chillies to do their own thing without standing on each other’s toes. 

Many of Yeheetech’s cages originated as aviaries, which might sound like an odd choice for a chinchilla home. However, the extra height and pull out plastic floor tray from the original aviary design make for excellent chinchilla living quarters. 

We really like that the ramps and levels are adjustable. You can entertain your younger chillies or make life a bit easier as your chillies age and become less active. This is also great if you have chinchillas of various ages living together. By making the lower floors easier to access you can accommodate your older pets while stretching your younger chilies with top floor challenges. 

We also liked that the cage comes with a food bowl and water bottle, saving you a future buy if this is your first chilly setup. 

The doors on this cage are quite small. The porthole design is attractive but less practical than wider, whole-level options. This makes catching your chinchillas much more challenging. There is also wire flooring in this cage that will need replacing or covering.

Prevue Hendryx Black Feisty Ferret Cage – Best Multi-Level Chinchilla Cage

The Prevue Hendryx cage offers fantastic multi-level space for your chillies to roam within a solid frame construction. With several ramps and even a cute hammock included, this is a great beginner setup for a couple of chillies. It’s easy to clean and super quick to assemble – saving you time to spend getting to know your new babies!

We love the double door design that opens up floor-to-ceiling on each of the two main levels. This makes cleaning a breeze, along with the fully removable bottom tray so soiled bedding is easily removed. You can keep the floors separated, making it an excellent choice for owners with different sex chillies wanting to avoid any surprise litters!

Prevue claims the doors are totally escape-proof. We still recommend checking they’re secure each time you lock them – we all know chinchillas love a spot of escapology!

For the size and build, the Hendryx offers great value for money and is the perfect choice for those with a mid-range budget without compromising on quality.

As suggested by the name, this ferret cage requires some adaptations to be chinchilla-friendly. The metal bar flooring on the second level is unsuitable for soft chilly feet. Replace or cover the bars with fleece for an inexpensive modification. 

Quality Cage Crafters Chinchilla Mansion – Best Plastic Free Chinchilla Cage

Quality Cage Crafters make (unsurprisingly) quality pet cages that meet the needs of the most discerning small animals. With a range of customizable options and add-ons, this premium brand delivers only the best in cages with ingenious engineering not seen in other brands’ designs. 

If you worry about your chillies chomping on plastic, then this is the ideal choice for you – the only cage on the list that boasts zero plastic. 

The shelves of this cage are wood, so will support good dental hygiene if your chinchillas fancy a nibble. Remember that wood absorbs urine so if your chillies like to do their business at a height, the shelves may begin to smell.

Another amazing design feature is the sheet metal flap that comes into play during cleaning. The bottom tray slides out for quick cleaning and the flap then prevents any escape attempts. This means that your chinchillas can stay in the cage during cleaning time – ideal if you don’t have a spare pair of hands to handle them while you clean house!

Quality Cage Crafters also produce chinchilla wheels, nest boxes, and corner shelves (all plastic-free) so you can customize your chinchilla’s dream home with ease. One of the best parts of being a chilly owner is getting to discover their unique personalities. With this cage, you can build a home that reflects their unique qualities and interests. Every add-on, as with the cage itself, requires minimal assembly to make housing your chillies as simple as possible.

The clever features, ease of assembly, and plastic-free design of this cage all come at a premium price so this cage suits seasoned chilly owners invested in chinchilla care. If you do have the cash to spare, there are few downsides to this innovative setup. 

Kaytee My First Home Multi-Level Habitat – Best Value Chinchilla Cage

The ideal starter kit for any first time chilly owner, the Kaytee My First Home contains everything you need to begin your journey as a chinchilla parent. Featuring a food bowl, water bottle, and even bedding, this is a one-stop-shop for setting up your chilly’s new home.

A deep base helps contain any mess from bedding. The three extra levels and connecting safety ramps will help your young chilly explore while finding its feet in its new home. 

If space is at a premium in your home, this cage will sit on a bench or table, without needing the floor space of larger models. The cage is also easily moved or transported because of its compact size.

Assembly is quick and easy and the smaller size means that cleaning is also speedy. 

This is the most cost-effective option on the list and is considerably cheaper than many of the other cages reviewed. That said, the lower price comes at the expense of size and build quality. We recommend replacing the plastic food bowl with a metal one to avoid chewing and keeping an eye for wear on the rest of the plastic components of the cage.

This is an ideal starter kit for young chinchilla enthusiasts. However, we’d recommend saving up for a larger cage as your chilly grows or if you decide to add another chinchilla in the mix. 

Quality Cage Crafters Collapsible Travel Cage – Best Chinchilla Travel Cage

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If you love to travel and wouldn’t dream of leaving your chilly with a sitter, let them travel in style with the Quality Cage Crafters Collapsible Travel Cage.

The best feature of this cage is how the entire top collapses into the bottom tray, making storage quick and easy. This is particularly important for a temporary cage – you won’t reach for a cage that takes ages to set up. 

Similarly, you don’t want something that takes up loads of room when not in use. Many buyers have found they reach for this rather than a traditional pet carrier for quick trips such as vet visits. The home comforts of this cage reduce their chilly’s stress and makes them as comfortable as possible during their journey. 

As with Quality Cage Crafters’ larger models, this cage is plastic-free. It includes a shelf, ChinRamp, and HopSpot to alleviate travel boredom and make overnight stays comfortable for your chilly. 

Again, the price for a travel cage is hefty – you’ll find this costs as much as some of the cheaper larger cages on the list. However, all reviews for this travel setup are extremely positive with many saying the quality justifies the cost. 

What to Look for When Buying a Chinchilla Cage

When deciding on a new chinchilla cage, it is helpful to think about a few key points before deciding on the best fit for you and your chilly. Read on for some top tips to help you choose.

Material

The materials used in the construction of your chinchilla cage are incredibly important as anything a chilly can chew they will chew. This makes plastic a divisive material amongst chinchilla owners. Metal bars are a must to avoid accidental swallowing or breakages. 

A plastic tray in the bottom of a cage is usually fine, but be cautious of the excessive use of plastic platforms or ramps. If your chosen cage contains them, be vigilant and replace any areas that show signs of wear.

If possible, avoid any wire flooring as it is painful for delicate chilly feet. Cover up wire flooring with fabric but be aware this will likely get chewed and will smell after time. 

Wire bars are often given a powder coating to prevent rust and increase longevity. However, make sure the cage you choose states this powder is non-toxic so your chillies can chew to their hearts’ content. 

Size

As with all pet cages, the bigger the better. Where possible, buy the largest cage you can comfortably house and afford. The smallest recommended cage for a single chilly is 16”x18”x16” but we would recommend a larger floor space and certainly more headroom for a happy chilly. 

Chinchillas love to climb, jump, and adventure. A taller cage with less floor space is a better choice than one that is wide but low ceilinged unless your chilly is less mobile. 

Price

As with most cages for small pets, the sky’s the limit in terms of price. You can find cages that range from $100 to over $600 for top-of-the-line custom-made cages. 

Decide on your maximum budget before shopping and choose your compromises if your wallet doesn’t stretch to cover everything on your wishlist. 

Accessibility and Design

A cage purposely designed for a chinchilla’s needs will feature a range of levels to mimic a chilly’s natural desire to climb. Choose textured ramps to prevent slippage and accidental injuries. The best cages offer some customization of height-adjustable ramps to suit your chilly’s preferences. 

Flooring should be solid and free of wires to protect your chilly’s feet. Removable floor trays are excellent for easy cleaning. 

Doors should be as wide as possible for ease of access but should also feature reliable locking mechanisms for peace of mind and to prevent any chillies on the loose! The wires that make up the doors and the top of the cage should have bars spaced widely enough for good ventilation.

The best cages also feature wheels on casters for easy portability – these cages are heavy!

Buying a Chinchilla Cage – Frequently Asked Questions

Buying a Chinchilla Cage – Next Steps

My favorite chinchilla cage overall is the Midwest Deluxe Critter Nation Cage. For easy cleaning, heaps of space and the ability to add an extension, this mid-range cage is a winner. I love the full-width doors and removable tray, reducing cleaning time considerably. 

My First Home by Kaytee ranks as the best cage for first-time owners and is the most budget-friendly on the list. It is compact while still providing enough space for your new pets to settle in. 

Yeheetech’s 52-inch Pet Cage is perfect if you already have multiple chillies or are considering adding more soon. This skyscraper of a cage maximizes living space without taking up valuable space on your floor. 

Having read these reviews it should be clear that there is a vast range of cages for every chinchilla and its owner. Check out the pros and cons for each cage before making a decision and have fun picking a new home for your chillies!

The post The Best Chinchilla Cages Guide and Reviews: A Home Fit for a Chilly appeared first on My Life Pets.

As a small animal owner, I sometimes feel the guilt of not spending enough time playing with my pets as much as I’d like. Life is so full and busy, it can be hard to find the time in the day to get your chillies out to stretch their legs. 

But by choosing a selection of engaging and exciting toys, your chillies can beat the boredom whether playing with you or by themselves. 

That’s why I love the Teach-n-Treat so much. It offers a level of stimulation and puzzle-solving challenges that I’ve never seen in any other small animal toy range. By changing the puzzle setting and the treats you’re hiding, no playtime need ever be the same and your chillies will love the variation this toy brings. 

Of course, not everyone is looking for a toy as bulky as the Teach-n-Treat or one that isn’t suitable for inside cage use. That’s why we’ve got you covered whatever you’re looking for. 

If you’re looking for a toy that will keep your chilly entertained yet keep on top of their chewing needs, opt for the Oxbow Enriched Life Play Wall. This is a wall strung with a huge variety of chewable flavors and textures that will keep your chillies busy for hours. 

If you have an older chinchilla and you want to give them a cuddly toy they can snuggle up with, my favorite plush chinchilla toy is the Emours Small Animal Cage Hanging Bed. Not only is it comfy, cozy, and super-snuggly, but it’s also the cutest chilly toy I’ve ever seen. 

Whether your chilly wants more action and adventure, rewarding puzzles, or simply a spot to chill and watch the world go by, it’s all covered in our top 7 chinchilla toys reviews. So read on and find out what made our favorites list and treat your chillies to some tremendous toys. 

The Best Chinchilla Toys Reviews

When perusing our favorite toys, do keep in mind your chilly’s unique habits and personality to find the best choice for you!

Living World Teach-n-Treat Toy – Best Chinchilla Toy Overall

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Living World’s Teach-n-Treat toy ranks not only as my favorite chinchilla toy but one of my favorite toys for small animals period. 

The Teach-n-Treat toy is unique in its multi-use design. It features three different customizable ‘levels’ that encourage your chilly to forage to their heart’s content. 

If your chilly quickly tires of toys, this won’t be the case with the Teach-n-Treat. You can change up the activity on a daily basis, along with the treats hidden inside. They can slide, lift and move the lids within the toy to uncover their favorite treats, making playtime both an educational and delicious activity. 

For owners who want a truly interactive toy that will stimulate their chinchilla, aid in bonding time, and last for years, then look no further. It’s perfect for all ages of chilly as you can alter the difficulty and how many treats you hide inside. The type of puzzle-solving is adaptable depending on your chilly’s strength and level of dexterity. 

My rabbits spent countless hours playing with this toy. It withstood the chewing, scrabbling, and a particularly memorable episode where one bunny launched the whole thing across the room. If you want a toy that’s built to last, my own experiences prove this is the one to choose. 

On that note, this is also a brilliant choice if you have more than one type of small pet in the house. It wipes clean and is suitable for rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, and some owners have even reported that their pet birds love it too! Just remember to check the treats you’re using are suitable for the pet you’re playing with.

One of the only downsides of this toy is its plastic construction. It’s certainly thick enough and strong enough that chew damage is not a concern. If you avoid plastics in general, though, this won’t be your first choice. It’s also larger than the majority of toys and isn’t suitable as a cage toy. 

However, it’s rare to find such a high-quality, engaging, and entertaining toy for small pets at this price point. If you’re looking for a new challenge for your chilly, try the Teach-n-Treat.

• Three different difficulty levels
• Encourages natural foraging instincts
• Long-lasting

• Too large for cage use
• Made entirely of plastic

Kaytee Chinchilla Lava Ledge – Best Chinchilla Climbing Toy 

If you’re looking for a toy that satisfies your chilly’s love of climbing then look no further than the Lava Ledge from Kaytee. 

A toy that serves more than one purpose in your chilly’s cage is always going to come in handy, especially if you haven’t loads of room to spare. The Lava Ledge is just that kind of toy. 

Made from pumice, it wears down toenails and keeps claws from getting too sharp. I’ve always found trimming my pet’s claws a stressful experience. I always worry about cutting too close to the quick, so a toy that achieves that while your pet is playing is a real bonus in my opinion!

Lava ledges are also great when it comes to maintaining your chillies’ dental hygiene. The natural stone helps to wear down teeth so no need to worry about your chillies chewing toys they shouldn’t. They also come in a range of cute, pastel colors to brighten up your chilly’s home.

Lava Ledges simply screw to the bars of your chillies cage so you can decide where and what height you place them to encourage climbing and jumping. I would recommend buying two or three at once to create a challenging series of steps. Enjoy watching your chilly hop from ledge to ledge!

Because of the pumice stone’s porous nature, they will begin to smell over time if your chilly pees on them, so prepare to swap them out after a while. They will also begin to crumble after heavy use so check regularly to keep your chilly’s play area safe.

• Wears down teeth and claws
• Customizable climbing options
• Encourages jumping and stretching

• Porous stone can smell over time
• Prone to wear and will need replacing

Emours Comfy House Cage – Best Plush Chinchilla Toy

Is there anything cuter than seeing a couple of chinchillas snuggled up in a hammock together? Yes, when that hammock looks like a loaf of bread! 

This Small Animal Cage Hanging Bed from Emours is my favorite plush chinchilla toy. It is fully washable and dries in no time on a radiator. It is also super soft and comes with an extra plush slice of bread that doubles up as a mattress. 

Owners of chinchillas are often, unsurprisingly, big fans of cuteness. If you’re looking for that kawaii touch to add to your chilly’s home, then this hanging bed is ideal. I love that it comes with metal hooks in each corner so set up takes no time at all. 

It’s also big enough to comfortably house a couple of chillies if they like to cuddle up together at nap time. Reviewers on amazon.com rave about this delicious-looking addition to their chillies’ home with one saying:

“My two chinchillas love this so much! They’ve barely left it since I put it in there, it’s the only place they sleep now. I was worried it wouldn’t fit 2 chinchillas but both of mine fit in perfectly together.”

As with any plush chinchilla toy, be vigilant when checking for signs of chewing and replace if you notice any wear and tear occurring. Plush toys also smell if your chilly pees on them, though this is easily remedied by popping it in the wash regularly. 

• Comfortably fits two chinchillas
• Fully washable
• Easy to hang on cage bars

• Plush toys don’t stand up to chewing
• Will smell in time

Oxbow Enriched Life Play Wall – Best Chinchilla Chew Toy

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Did you know that chinchillas’ teeth can grow between 2 and 3 inches every year? Keep your chilly’s ever-growing teeth worn down to maintain good dental hygiene by keeping a chew toy in your chilly’s cage at all times for them to gnaw on. 

Oxbow is a trusted small animal brand whose Enriched Life range contains countless options to encourage your chilly to keep those gnashers in check. My favorite is the Play Wall as it features a huge variety of textures to keep your chillies interested and engaged. Tie to your chilly’s cage bars or use as a playmat when you’re spending some quality time together.

The Play Wall comes in a choice of sizes but the large, at almost 12 inches high, is brilliant if you have more than one chilly and want a toy with plenty of room for them to both get involved at once. If you have a single chilly or a smaller cage, consider the medium instead.

The variety of materials used in this toy is excellent. It contains pine, bulrush, loofa, and seagrass to name but a few of the all-natural textures your chilly will love to chomp on. 

The only issue some owners have reported is that the wood screws that come with this toy are too large to attach between the bars of some cages. This does depend on the spacing between the cage bars so is not an issue with every cage.

• Large enough for multiple chillies to use
• Massive variety of textures and tastes
• Made from natural, pet-safe materials

• Large screws not compatible with some cages
• Will deteriorate when chewed

Kaytee Chin Chiller Granite Ledge – Best Cheap Chinchilla Toy

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Chinchillas get stressed out in temperatures that exceed 80℉. That’s why, if you live in a hotter part of the country, it’s vital to provide your chilly with a place to cool down in those hotter summer months. 

The Chin Chiller Granite Ledge is the ideal solution and the perfect toy to add to a chilly’s cage if you struggle to keep the temperature in your home cool. Made from granite, it always remains a few degrees below room temperature so is the perfect spot for your chilly to chill out. According to thousands of reviews on amazon.com, this is a must-buy item if you live in a hot climate:

“My chins sleep peacefully on the stones I’m so happy. It is a MUST to cool your chins down during the summer because chins can’t stand the heat.”

If your chinchillas are too hot and bothered to enjoy their hammock or hanging bed, the Chin Chiller gives them an alternative spot to relax in their cage and there’s enough room for a friend to hang out too. 

Though easy to wipe down, be careful when handling the Chin Chiller as it will smash if dropped. 

• Inexpensive
• Keeps chinchillas cool
• Easy to wash

• Will smash if dropped

Kaytee Small Animal Apple Orchard Chew Sticks – Best Toy for Multiple Chinchillas

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As with any siblings, human or furry, a single toy can lead to squabbling. That’s why I’ve chosen Kaytee’s Small Animal Apple Orchard Chew Sticks as my favorite for multiple chinchillas. 

The sticks are an ideal boredom buster and are one of the few edibles that are suitable for chinchillas under 6 months of age so feel free to introduce these whatever the age of your babies. Each pack contains ten sticks to share out so however many chillies you have in your brood, you’ll keep everyone happy!

These apple sticks are unique in that they each come pre-drilled in the middle so are compatible with any Kaytee Ka-Bob treat dispensers you already own. This gives you a variety of choices when it comes to coordinating play, which is always handy when trying to break the boredom.

Kaytee’s Apple Sticks also come from sustainable tree sources, so you know you’re making an eco-conscious choice when buying this toy. 

As with all chew toys, Apple Sticks are great for wearing teeth down and keeping your chilly’s mouth in top condition. Their small size means they won’t take up vital space in your chilly’s cage if room is a little tight. While not the most impressive toy to look at, it pays to have some smaller toys on hand that don’t demand an entire cage reshuffle to play with them. 

• Perfect to share between multiple pets
• Compatible with Ka-Bob treat hangers
• From a sustainable source

• Not visually exciting
• Expensive for the pack size

Quality Cage Crafters Chin Spin – Best Chinchilla Cage Toy

Chinchillas need daily exercise to stay healthy. If you want a toy that will stimulate your chilly and stretch their legs, go for the Chin Spin Chinchilla Wheel from Quality Cage Crafters.

Quality Cage Crafters’ premium pet wheels are famous for their excellent materials and innovative designs. Their chinchilla wheel comes with all the features owners have come to expect from this premium small animal brand. Constructed from metal and wood, this ultra-safe, squeak-free wheel will provide hours of fun as your chilly exercises, without any fear of injury.

The Chin Spin Wheel comes in a choice of gorgeous colors too including pink, purple, and a sparkling ‘star dust’ option. Many wheels on the market that offer color choices get chosen at random when shipping, so it’s a bonus to get to make this choice, especially when the colors are so stunning.  

Chinchillas are one of the biggest of the small pets and, as such, a standard small animal wheel will be nowhere near large enough for them to comfortably run. That’s why the Chin Spin Wheel measures a massive 15-inches in diameter – and why measuring your cage is a must before investing in this toy. 

And when I say invest, I really mean it. These wheels retail at over a hundred dollars so are a considered purchase. Clearly, this is not the toy for a beginner chilly owner who has a limited budget and doesn’t even know if their chilly likes to run. However, experienced owners who want a toy that will last would do well to consider buying a wheel for their chillies, particularly if you have several and don’t get to handle them as often as you’d like. 

• 15-inch diameter to accommodate chinchillas
• Squeak-free dual ball-bearing technology
• Choice of beautiful colors

• Expensive
• Only suitable for very large cages

What to Look for When Buying Chinchilla Toys

Chinchillas are active, energetic, and playful little pets so having a variety of toys to keep them entertained and stop them from getting up to mischief is a must. 

Types of Chinchilla Toys

Chinchillas enjoy a range of different toys that satisfy their various needs. Types of chinchilla toys include:

Climbing toys

Ladders, perches, hammocks, and ledges are all excellent toys for chinchillas as they love to climb, stretch and jump. Use climbing toys to challenge your chillies by arranging levels of playful platforms up the cage bars. Be sure to make sure the ledges are sturdy and safe to avoid falling and possible injury. 

Exercise wheels

Wheels allow your chinchilla to stretch its legs and burn some energy. Chinchillas need a wheel much larger than a standard small animal wheel so aim for one that measures 15 inches across.

Dust baths 

Just like gerbils, chinchillas love a dust bath. It helps them get clean but is often a chilly’s all-time favorite activity. Pop in a dust bath and watch your chilly spend a very happy twenty minutes!

Chew toys 

As with most small animals, chew toys are a must to maintain your chilly’s dental hygiene and to keep their teeth worn down. Wood, hay, and grasses are often used to create interesting and exciting chew toys that are both fun and a healthy part of your chilly’s daily routine!

Hides 

Chinchillas are naturally prey animals in the wild so they love to hide. Cozy hideaways give your chilly a comfort zone in their cage where they can snooze, snuggle and remain stress-free. 

Materials

The safest chinchilla toys feature wood, cardboard, grasses, and hay which are all fit for consumption and won’t cause your chilly problems if they chew them. Some plastic toys are suitable too, depending on how sturdy they are. However, do not leave plastic toys in your chilly’s cage unsupervised to ensure your chinchilla’s safety.

Price

The cost of chinchilla toys can vary from a couple of dollars to over a hundred, so it’s completely up to you how much you want to spend. 

I would recommend spending less but picking a variety of toys rather than spending big on one item. This gives you a choice of toys to swap in and out and shake things up when your chilly starts to look bored. 

Homemade Chinchilla Toys

You can make toys for your chinchilla with various items found around your home. Cardboard is the perfect material for a chilly toy so save any toilet rolls or kitchen rolls to make bridges and obstacle courses for your chillies. Any cardboard boxes leftover from deliveries make great forts during playtime – get creative and add doors, bridges, and windows if you fancy flexing your design skills!

Choosing the Best Chinchilla Toys FAQs

Buying Chinchilla Toys: What To Do Next

It is such a joy to watch chinchillas playing. Having a variety of toys that offer a range of activities can liven up dull days in their cage and make bonding time even more fun.

My overall favorite chinchilla toy is the Living World Teach-n-Treat because of the versatility it offers. A treat-based toy that encourages foraging while offering different levels of difficulty is an ingenious way of switching up playtime and keeping things fresh when using the same toy repeatedly. This toy has almost unlimited longevity and I defy your chilly to tire of this toy!

If you really want to treat your chilly, choose the Chin Spin Chinchilla Wheel from Quality Cage Crafters. The most premium toy on the list, it is beautifully made and will satisfy your chilly’s exercise needs. 

However, if you’re looking for a toy that will keep your chillies busy and is big enough for two or more to play with at once, choose the Oxbow Enriched Life Play Wall. It not only ticks all of these boxes but also helps keep their teeth in check at the same time. 

Being such intelligent, curious little critters, chinchillas do benefit from having a variety of toys at their paw-tips. Use our reviews to see what type of toy you haven’t yet checked off your chilly’s shopping list and treat your chinchilla today!

The post The Best Chinchilla Toys Guide and Review 2022 appeared first on My Life Pets.

That’s why before you even bring your new chilly home, you need to purchase a water bottle, food bowl, toys, and a house so that your pet has a safe place. The cage should be big enough that your chilly can run around, burrow, and rest with ease. And if it has multiple levels, even better!

In the following article, we’ll explore the best chinchilla beddings that will take your chilly’s home to the next level, as well as break down important factors to consider when choosing, like material, allergens, and price.

Do Chinchillas Need Bedding?

Absolutely!

Chinchillas are small animals with even smaller, sensitive feet. Bedding is essential to maintain their health while they run around and explore their habitat. And not only that but as burrowers, bedding is required for them to engage in their natural instincts and get the sleep they deserve.

So the real question is, what bedding is best for chinchillas.

As we mentioned, their feet are small and sensitive, and they like to burrow, so extra soft bedding is your best bet. However, chinchillas also urinate a lot, so you might find that a mix of beddings is what your chinchilla really needs.

Chinchillas tend to urinate in one specific area of their cage, so having chinchilla bedding that’s absorbent and disguises odors in that area is a good idea while using alternate soft beddings in other areas.

Bedding to Avoid for Chinchillas

 Cedar Shreds

Cedar must be avoided as bedding since it affects respiratory functions and causes allergic reactions to your pet.

Pine Shreds

Pine does not absorb water and the containing pine oil is harmful to chinchillas when ingested.

Corn Cob Quilts

Corn cob does well absorbing liquid, however, it doesn’t manage the habitat’s odor. Additionally, this kind of bedding isn’t soft.

Things to Consider Before Buying Chinchilla Bedding

Degree of absorbency

Maintaining the habitat’s humidity is essential since chinchillas are sensitive to temperatures. Highly absorbent beddings help you achieve this while also cleaning up spillages.

Material composition

Make sure the material is compatible with your chilly. Choose beddings with ingestible ingredients (although we recommend this food instead), soft texture, and that are dust-free.

The Best Bedding For Chinchillas

Carefresh Complete Pet Bedding

Carefresh Complete Pet Bedding has a primary focus on keeping your chinchilla’s cage free from unpleasant odors and damp spots. 

It’s twice as absorbent as wood shavings and decreases the chance of bacteria and fungus forming while controlling the odor for up to ten days. This keeps your cage smelling fresh and free of any daily occurring wet spots.

Made from all-natural materials, this bedding offers your chinchilla a comfortable, cozy material to snuggle up in. While it may not be quite as soft as alternative beddings, it still provides your chinchilla with a soft, dry place to sleep throughout the day. It is also 99% free from dust, so your chinchilla’s lungs and eyes will not get damaged through irritation. 

If you enjoy customizing your chinchilla’s cage, then getting to choose from the variety of colors this bedding comes in will keep you busy. You should aim to clean your chinchilla’s cage out at least once a week, so this gives you plenty of opportunities to switch up the color you’ve been using. 

While Carefresh Complete Pet Bedding does not expand as much as other beddings, it comes in a variety of different sizes so you can choose the most cost-effective option for you. 

What We Like

• Easy to clean up
• Twice as absorbent as wood shavings 
• Consists of all-natural paper materials and is 100% safe for your chinchilla
• Consistently eliminates odors with ten-day odor control
• Comes in a variety of colors and package sizes 

What We Dislike

• Not very expansive
• Not as soft as other options

Clean & Cozy Scented Small Animal Bedding by Kaytee

If softer bedding is what you’re looking for, then Kaytee’s Clean & Cozy bedding will meet all of your chinchilla’s super-soft bedding demands.   

Made entirely of natural material, this chinchilla bedding is made from paper and is perfect for digging, burrowing, and nest-making. This makes it extremely versatile and able to suit more than one need of your cage. 

It’s highly absorbent – capable of absorbing up to six times its own weight – and is effective at masking odors, especially when coupled with one of the scented options.

It’s available in different sizes, colors, and scents, however, for a 100% chemical-free option, go with the original. Rest assured though, the scents will not affect your pet’s health and are only there for odor control and a little extra pampering.

It’s also 99.9% dust-free and will not irritate your chinchilla’s eyes or lungs, and make it easier to clean your chinchilla’s blankets and toys.

What We Like

• Ultra absorbent – absorbs up to six times its own weight
• Made from all-natural materials that can be used anywhere in the cage
• Compressed packaging means it will expand up to three times in size
• Extremely soft and comfortable 
• Affordable yet maintains the quality

What We Dislike

• Pets may be sensitive to scented and colored beddings

Small Pet Select Premium Soft Paper Bedding

All-natural beddings usually come with that all-natural high price tag, but Small Pet Select has gone above and beyond to bring us soft, healthy bedding at an affordable price.

This bedding gives your chinchilla an ultra-soft, snuggly environment to sleep and play in while being ultra-absorbent and preventing urine and odors from building up, helping you maintain a fresh, dry cage. 

The all-natural material contains 99% dust-free fibers with no added ingredients, like dyes or additives. This means your chinchilla can enjoy getting cozy without irritating its eyes or lungs

Small Pet Select Paper Bedding is extremely convenient when it comes to storage too. The bedding itself is available in highly-compressed 178-liter bags and expands up to three times its size, giving you cost-effective and long-lasting supplies

What We Like

• Made with natural materials and 100% safe for your chinchilla
• Extremely soft and absorbent for maximum comfort
• Highly cost-effective and conveniently packaged 
• Free of added dyes, additives, and 99% dust-free

What We Dislike

• Not the best odor control

Vitakraft Fresh World Bedding for Small Animals

If you have a chinchilla that absolutely loves to burrow, then Vitakraft Fresh World Ultra Strength Bedding is ideal.  

This chinchilla bedding is made from recycled paper, making it completely natural, and is free from additives and toxic chemicals, providing a safe, irritation-free environment for your chinchilla to live in. 

In addition, it doesn’t contain any baking soda and is 99.5% dust-free, helping to protect your chinchilla’s lungs and eyes. 

While this bedding doesn’t expand as much as some others, it still absorbs up to three times its own weight and has fantastic odor control. The bedding locks-in moisture in quickly, resulting in your chinchilla having a cozy, damp-free space to play and sleep in. 

You can feel good about buying this bedding as well since with every purchase the manufacturer collects materials that support students to have a better future.

What We Like

• Doesn’t contain any baking soda
• Crumbly and super soft makes it great for burrowing
• Free from toxic chemicals and 99.5% dust-free to help avoid irritation
• Absorbs up to three times its own weight in moisture100% toxic-free pet beddings

What We Dislike

• Not as absorbent as other options

Healthy Pet HPCC Natural Bedding

While this chinchilla bedding is not as attractive as some of the other alternate options, it makes up for it with plenty of environmentally-friendly features.

Completely biodegradable, this compostable bedding has the unique ability to suppress the odor of ammonia that’s produced by your chinchilla’s urine. This will help to keep your cage smelling fresh between clean-outs and protect your chilly from inhaling any toxins. 

Healthy Pet HPCC Natural Bedding provides a warm, soft and comfortable place for your chinchilla to live in. Coming in 60-liter packages, this bedding expands to twice its normal size which makes this bedding cost-effective as well as comfortable for your chinchilla.   

As well as suppressing the smell of ammonia, you’ll find that this bedding is extremely absorbent. It’s actually capable of absorbing up to three times its own weight, making sure that your chinchilla’s cage stays dry. 

The material used for this bedding is completely natural, making it safe for your chinchilla to use and free from any toxic chemicals. It’s created from reclaimed wood pulp materials, providing your chinchilla with a soft, comfortable material to use as bedding. 

And when it’s done, it naturally crumbles on the surface.

What We Like

• Biodegradable and compostable after use
• Extra absorbent, capable of absorbing up to three times its weight
• Expands to twice its original size
• Created from reclaimed wood pulp materials

What We Dislike

• Not as soft as other options.

Soft Fabric beddings

There are available fabric beddings online if you decide to go this route. You’ll have the option of choosing a preferred cloth color that will fit your pet’s habitat.

Fabrics are great for absorbing water and are reusable. It may not be enough to use as bedding on its own, but it’s a fantastic tool to have alongside other bedding.

How Often Do I Need to Change My Chinchillas Bedding?

Maintaining your chinchilla’s habitat unfortunately means getting your hands dirty.

We recommend cleaning and replacing your chinchilla’s bedding once a week, and ridding any wet spots daily.

As well as cleaning bedding, you need to give your chinchilla a dust bath twice a week. You can remove the materials once they’ve bathed and even give them a brush afterward. This will help them keep their fur in good condition and generally make them feel great.

Can Two Chinchillas Share One Bedding?

They’ll love it! Chinchillas are not solitary animals and crave company, and it’s recommended that chinchillas are bought in pairs to help avoid loneliness.  

Your chinchilla’s cage needs to be as large as possible as they love to run around. Place it in a good location, away from direct sunlight and any potential drafty areas.

Remember that you’re also your chinchilla’s friend and need to socialize with it as well. Chinchillas are nocturnal, so make time to spend with your chinchilla when it’s awake.  

What to Do Next

After understanding your pet’s skin sensitivities, attitudes, and activeness, choosing the best chinchilla bedding is easy. Take a look through our variety of choices, and even take the time to try a few out. You may find it takes more than one type to satisfy your little chilly!

As long as it has the softness to burrow, but the absorbency to stay dry, your chilly will have a happy, healthy home.

The post The 6 Snuggliest Chinchilla Beddings Review 2022 appeared first on My Life Pets.

I’ve always loved chillies and have owned a variety of small animals so I know how daunting it can be when you’re faced with endless food options to choose from. Knowing what your chilly needs in its diet and what to avoid is tricky and changes as your chilly gets older too. 

This is why Oxbow Essentials Chinchilla Deluxe Food is such a great choice. It takes all the hard work out of choosing. Packed with vitamins, high in fiber, and great at wearing down those ever-growing chilly teeth, it is a good-value all-rounder that consistently rates highly across chilly owners. 

That said, we know that every chilly is different and some have more specific dietary needs than others. That’s why we’ve also found great options for chillies who have sensitive tummies like the Science Selective Chinchilla Food. It’s perfect for chinchillas with a delicate disposition who have struggled with other pellet foods in the past. 

We’ve also explored foods that are best suited to young chillies such as Mazuri Chinchilla Diet. The high protein content is great for building muscle and will make sure your chillies have plenty of energy! Older chinchillas are also covered with the Sherwood Pet health Adult Chinchilla Food – formulated for adult chinchilla’s less protein-heavy diet. 

Read on to find out my top 8 chinchilla foods and find out what to look for when choosing the best food for your ball of fluff. 

VALUE OPTION

Higgins Chinchilla Food

Excellent mixtures of textures – great for picky eaters

Full of probiotics for a healthy digestive system

Perfect for weight managment

Available at:

Amazon here Chewy here

EDITORS PICK

Oxbow Essentials

Packed with important vitamins and minerals

Great for new owners

Range of bag sizes to choose from to suit your budget

Available at:

Amazon here Chewy here

PREMIUM PICK

Science Selective

Top shelf quality ingredients

Specially formulated for sensitive digestive systems

No added sugars or preservatives, and low in fat

Available at:

Amazon here

Top 8 Best Chinchilla Food

Before we move on, there’s something you need to consider.

Chinchillas have originated from a mountain area and have adapted to eating dry food. Therefore, you should make sure that their foods are dry, as feeding them with wet food can make your pet bloated.

With that in mind, here are the best dry foods to feed your pet:

Oxbow Essentials Chinchilla Deluxe Food – Best Chinchilla Food Overall

Time and again, Oxbow Essentials comes top for a great value chinchilla food, packed full of everything your chilly needs to stay healthy. Oxbow is a trusted pet food manufacturer. They have cared for small pets for years and this food has countless positive reviews online with owners on chewy.com calling it their ‘go to food’ and commenting:

‘This is by far my fur balls’ preferred food! Even my fussiest always loves anything from Oxbow. I have rescues that were once in bad shape and the right food and lots of Timothy Hay makes all the difference.’

New chilly owners who are worried about making the right choice and beginning their chilly journey in the right way, this food is the perfect choice. Nobody wants to feel like a bad parent by picking a food that isn’t right for their fur baby. This food puts all these fears to bed.

It is a high-protein pellet formula so your young chinchillas will grow up healthy and strong without picking up the bad habit of selective feeding. It contains added vitamins C, E, and B12 and plenty of alfalfa which is the best type of hay for young chillies as it contains more energy than timothy hay.

One downside is that this formula does contain cane molasses which some owners choose to avoid. If you have a chilly who is watching its weight or is older, I’d look elsewhere due to the extra sugar and the higher calorie alfalfa. 

Supreme Petfoods Science Selective Chinchilla Food – Best Food for Sensitive Tummies  

As I’ve said in previous small pet food articles, I love the Science Selective range and the way every food is specifically tailored to each animals’ needs. The Selective Chinchilla Food is no different. Tons of research has gone into it to ensure the nutritional content is exactly balanced for your chilly’s needs. 

If your chilly has a sensitive tummy, Science Selective is a great choice. If your chilly has struggled with diarrhea when on other foods or they just don’t look their best, try Science Selective. High in fiber, low in fat, and no added sugar or preservatives, it has everything your chilly needs in a pellet without any nasty additives to irritate their gut. 

The pellets contain parsley, plantain, and linseed which contains those all-important omega-3 fatty acids for a gorgeous coat.  

Another fairly expensive brand, it’s well worth the expense if you want a food that won’t irritate your delicate chilly. The bags are also only available in a single 1.5kg size so I recommend setting up auto-delivery so you never run out of this premium chinchilla food. 

Oxbow Garden Select Chinchilla Food – Best Organic Chinchilla Food

Buy from Chewy

Another choice from Oxbow, their Garden Select Chinchilla Food is a natural, GMO-free pellet formula with no hidden nasties and no added sugar. If you want a chemical-free choice from a brand you can trust then look no further.

Featuring a blend of three different types of hay, Garden Select is suitable whatever your chilly’s age. This formula gets its name from the blend of herbs and vegetables including tomato, yellow pea, rosemary, and thyme to create an enticing combination of flavors. 

However, vegetables are not strictly necessary to maintain a healthy chilly diet as they aren’t part of a wild chinchilla’s diet. Including vegetables in chinchilla foods is hotly debated amongst owners so avoid if you do wish to ditch the veggies.

Because of the inclusion of veggies, this is not the best choice for brand new owners. It is best suited for those who’ve owned chillies for a while and are confident in knowing what suits their pet.

Mazuri Chinchilla Diet – Best Food for Young Chinchillas

Buy from Chewy

Mazuri Chinchilla Diet not only contains several fiber sources including Timothy Hay but also has a host of added live probiotics and vitamins to encourage healthy digestion. 

For owners who want to give their chinchillas the very best from day one, pick Mazuri’s Chinchilla Diet.

These pellets are perfect for young chillies due to their high-protein formula. They also contain flaxseed which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids – brilliant for keeping skin and fur super soft. Your young chillies will look and feel great from top to tail. 

To be clear, this food is great for all stages of your chinchilla’s life and isn’t only suitable for young chinchillas. However, it’s perfect for starting your chilly off on a long and healthy life by giving them a food packed with so many benefits. It will also encourage healthy feeding habits from the outset and support their energetic and playful attitudes.

Quality like this doesn’t come cheap and Chinchilla Diet is one of the most expensive brands of food on the list. This is unsurprising considering the additional health benefits crammed into this formula, although some websites suggest this is not suitable for pregnant chinchillas. 

However, those with smaller budgets should consider other brands on the list. 

Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Chinchilla Food Mix – Best Food for Weight Management

There’s nothing worse than visiting the vet and getting the “it’s not fluff, it’s fat” look. If your chilly needs to shift some weight, Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Blend is a very low-fat option that your chinchillas will love. 

Higgins manufactures a variety of Sunburst blends for different small animals that often feature highly in reviews and contain a unique array of ingredients best suited to your own pets’ requirements. With a forage-friendly blend of hay pieces, fruits, veggies and legumes, your chinchillas will have fun picking through this exciting chinchilla food mix. 

A surprising bonus to this food is the addition of probiotics – unusual in a food that is this good value. The probiotics will give your chilly’s immune system a boost and will also help with digestion. It also contains those all important Omega-3 fatty acids for silky-smooth fur and improved eyesight. 

The main issue with this food and all blends is that your chilly may just pick out all of the treats and ignore the bits they find boring. If selective feeding is an issue, consider switching to pellets to maintain a balanced diet. 

Kaytee Field + Forest Chinchilla Food – Best Food for Picky Eaters

If you want your chillies to have pellets in their diet but struggle to find a brand that they enjoy, try Kaytee Field + Forest Chinchilla Food. I’m a big fan of the Kaytee brand – from toys to cages to food. Kaytee is an established, reliable brand with years of experience and know-how when it comes to giving your small pets the best in life. 

The uniquely shaped pellets formed just for little chilly paws are easy to hold and also aid in dental hygiene. They feature ever-popular timothy hay and alfalfa as well as a range of delicious vegetables to entice picky eaters. 

While vegetables aren’t needed in a chinchilla’s wild diet, pets who shun pellets often enjoy the flavor they bring to this particular pellet. The extra high fiber content comes from a mix of timothy and alfalfa hay so these are perfect for younger chillies who have heaps of energy!

The vegetable content is really the only downside to this offering from Kaytee. However, if you struggle to get your chillies to eat any other pellets, I think this is a small price to pay for the peace of mind you get knowing they’re getting a healthy balanced diet.  

Sherwood Pet Health Adult Chinchilla Food – Best Food for Older Chinchillas

As the name suggests, Sherwood Pet Health Adult Chinchilla Food is specifically designed to provide everything your adult chilly needs to stay healthy and happy. Don’t allow the lesser-known brand name to put you off – Sherwood understands that a chilly’s nutritional needs differ as they grow older and this food reflects that. 

The fiber content is significantly higher than most chinchilla foods to promote healthy digestion. This food is also free of filler foods including soy and grain which some owners find can affect their chilly’s digestion. If you have tried your chilly on Science Selective and they don’t enjoy the taste, this is an excellent alternative for delicate tummies. 

The pellets also contain not just Omega-3 fatty acids but Omega-6 too – keeping your chilly’s cholesterol levels in check as they age.  

The higher fat content is not ideal if your chilly needs to shed a few ounces. But if your chilly is in good shape and you want to continue maintaining their health, Sherwood Pet Health Adult Chinchilla food is an excellent pick.

Higgins Sunburst Veggie Stix Gourmet Treats – Best Chinchilla Treat

Buy from Chewy

My favorite treat for chillies is the Sunburst Veggie Stix from Higgins. They are the perfect size for humans to hold as well as chillies so are an excellent bonding aid and playtime reward. 

I love using treats at playtime to encourage good behavior and to work on hand-feeding. Treats that are easily visible in large human hands are great for nervous chillies that need to work on human interaction. 

Made from a variety of hays, grains, and vegetables, these are an ideal occasional treat for small animals in general. Each stick measures about 2-inches long, so these are quite large and are not recommended as a daily treat but rather as a big-time reward.

If your chillys eat a daily diet that is free from veggies, these treats will be all the more enticing. Bring these treats out on special occasions and drive your chillies wild! 

Guide to Chinchilla Food

Whether you’re a new chinchilla owner or you’ve kept these adorable creatures for years, it’s always useful to refresh yourself on the dos and don’ts of picking a nutritionally balanced chinchilla food. 

Read on for a useful overview covering everything you need to know before making your choice. 

Homemade Chinchilla Food

We always recommend buying a manufactured chinchilla food rather than making your own at home. This guarantees your chillies get all the nutrients they need and provides peace of mind that you’re giving them the best diet. 

Chillies have particular needs when it comes to their protein, fat, and fiber intake so ensure they’re getting exactly what they need by choosing a properly researched store-bought chinchilla food. 

What to Look for When Buying Chinchilla Food

When buying chinchilla food, look for one that consists of the following:

Higher protein foods suit younger chillies best and a higher fiber food is great for helping with a chilly’s digestion. Added vitamins, minerals, and probiotics are always a great bonus!

Types of Chinchilla Food 

There are two basic types of chinchilla food:

• Pellets – pellets take all the necessary ingredients needed for a healthy chilly and reform them into uniform pieces of food. They are the best way of making sure your chilly gets a nutritious meal in every single bite. The only downside is some picky little pets won’t eat them. 
• Forage mixes – containing blends of various hays, grasses, vegetables, fruits and seeds, chillies are natural foragers so love rummaging in their food to find the best treasures. The variety of texture, color and flavors is a big draw for chillies too. However, this often leads to selective feeding, meaning a chinchilla picks out its favorite snacks and leaves the rest. This will result in an unbalanced diet and is problematic if not addressed. 

There’s also a range of common hays and grasses found in chinchilla diets:

• Timothy Hay: This hay is the most common type of product that is sold in most pet shops. Timothy hay comes in green dried grass and in three cuts, this would depend on your pet if he’s a picker eater or not. The hay is low in protein and high in fiber. Since it is very common in pet shops, you can easily get on online or at your local pet store.
• Orchard Grass: If you are looking for a leafy meal for your pet, then you should get the orchard hay as it is rich in fiber and low in protein. The dried grass will have a green to bluish color depending on the leaf’s maturity.
• Oat Hay: This type is also a good source of fiber with low amounts of protein. But unlike timothy hay or grass, you should only feed this to your pet in small quantities as it contains oat heads. This comes in a brownish color.
• Alfalfa Hay: If your chinchilla is sick, young, nursing, or pregnant, then this type of hay is a suitable choice of food for your pet. You can also feed this occasionally to your healthy adult chinchilla as a treat. Alfalfa hay comes in bright-green colored leave and is sweet and very nutritious to your pet.

Ingredients 

Did you know hay and grasses make up 80-90% of your chilly’s recommended diet? Always make sure your chinchillas have a bunch of hay about the same size as them to munch on throughout the day to keep their digestion on track and keep their teeth worn down. 

Timothy hay is the best type of hay for older chillies, whether mixed in with their food or given separately. Alfalfa is great for younger chillies due to its higher energy values but switch this ingredient out once your chillies reach adulthood. 

Look for foods that contain linseed and flax. They contain health-boosting fatty acids and are great for a chilly’s overall health and appearance. Keep an eye out for added probiotics and vitamins for extra health benefits too.

Foods and Ingredients to Avoid

Chinchillas gain weight super easily so it’s vital to keep their meals and snacks as low-fat and low-sugar as possible. 

Avoid fruits and vegetables in high amounts as they are unnecessary for a chilly’s diet and often contain high levels of sugars. Other snacks to avoid include high-fat nuts and seeds such as peanuts and sunflower seeds. 

Fillers such as corn or soy-based ingredients bulk out the food but do little for your chilly’s wellbeing.

Bag Size

Chillys eat a very small amount of food per day. Give them between 1 and 2 tablespoons of food alongside plenty of hay and fresh water to prevent overfeeding. 

Bear this in mind when choosing your bag size and think how long a bag will last. Bigger bags need airtight storage to keep food fresh so consider sizing down if this is a problem. 

Price

As with any animal food, the price can vary hugely from brand to brand. Having researched available chinchilla brands, I recommend buying the best quality food your budget will stretch too. As a rule of thumb, the higher-priced foods will contain those added probiotics, vitamins, and minerals needed for optimum health. 

However, if you’re on a tight budget, ensure your chilly always has access to good quality hay and keep treats to a minimum to help with overall health, weight management, and dental hygiene.

FAQ:

Buying Chinchilla Food: Next Steps

Having researched all kinds of chinchilla food, the best all-rounder that will suit chinchillas of any age is the Oxbow Essentials Chinchilla Deluxe Food. This is the perfect food if you want something that has countless excellent reviews, is vitamin-enriched, and has great value. 

The Science Selective Chinchilla Food is also highly recommended, particularly if you have a delicate chilly who has had tummy issues when trying other pellets on the market. The combination of premium ingredients and added probiotics are great for sensitive tummies. 

Choosing quality chinchilla food can be a tricky business. So make sure to read our reviews before making your choice to ensure a well-informed decision that benefits your chilly inside and out!

The post The Best Chinchilla Food Guide and Reviews For Happy Chillies 2022 appeared first on My Life Pets.