Getting ready for my first chinchilla

[boardinggamer]

I am trying to prove to my mom that I am taking this Siriusly and that I am committed to taking care of a chinchilla.

She doesn't want it to run around every day for play time so I decided I can work with that and just get a bigger cage so it will have more room to play around in there.
I was looking around on amazon for a cage and was hoping maybe you guys/girls can help me pick out a good cage for one. my budget isn't very high, maybe $250 to $300 for everything.

I know they can't have plastic but my mom is worried about it making a mess by pushing the bedding out of the cage from the sides and wanted walls near the bottom kind of like a dish or something. I would prefer to have a solid floor as well.

as for food and treats what is your recommended brand? what do they seem to like the most? I heard raisins are good for treats so I thought I would use those. also, I will get Timothy hay.

Please help me out with this so I can convince her that I really want this to happen. Some ideas of things I should get would be nice. Links to items and cages and brand names would be great.

Thank you ahead of time for anyone who helps me out.

 

[kerri101]

good to see you are doing some research there are a few nice cages for a chinchilla theres critter nations around 190 -200 for a double unit http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Critt...64&sr=8-1&keywords=critter+nation+double+unit
ferret nations

feisty ferrets http://www.amazon.com/Prevue-Hendry...&qid=1352670128&sr=1-2&keywords=ferret+nation

and ferret nation cages http://www.amazon.com/Ferret-Nation...&qid=1352670128&sr=1-3&keywords=ferret+nation

are you looking for a newborn chinchilla kit or a full grown as newborns need smaller spacing even some adult chinchillas can slip out as far as the bedding you can use safe fleece for liners, and then keep a glass pan for litter kiln dried pine or aspen shavings or some make a barrier and dont put the cages on stands....you can also tile the bottom of the cage

heres the link to the chin housing and supplies faqs http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=35

-Treats.....raisins are not good for chins because of the sugar... cheerios in moderation, long cook oats, shredded wheat and rosehips can all be given in moderation

-timothy hay needs to be given freely along with a good pellet oxbox/mazuri is good

-chew sticks from safe wood will be needed my chin uses TONS of these lol if you have acess to order online peek in the vendor section it would end up being a lot cheaper to order from vendors here
http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20384

chinchillas can live for 15-20 years , and require special care so its good to really know this I am sure other members will post in too

 

[boardinggamer]

The first cage you linked is perfect I think. Is it good for one that's about 2 months old?

And I heard chierios too so I will use those instead thanks for that advice . I also have a feed store not to far away so I will probably buy food and stuff there but I will look for toys and chews from merchents on that link you gave me. You helped a lot! Thank you

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

I find my chins like the spoon sized shredded wheat MUCH more than cheerios. I also think they are better - there is NO sugar in them

 

[Maggie:-)]

Maggie also loves shredded wheat. She lives rose hips too. Some venders on her make tasty chinchilla cookies which she loves also.