help me choose a cage :D

[bianca]

hello! i am looking for a new cage for my chinchilla. one that is preferably inexpensive but safe and roomy for him.
i was looking at this one.. would this be suitable? http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753322&ab=hp_lv_smallpet (my only concern is the plastic levels since he's a chewer!..)


if that one isnt good.. can you help me choose a nice one from this site? http://www.petsmart.com/family/inde...n=Taxonomy|Habitats+&+Cages&ab=hp_lv_smallpet

thank you!

 

[Stackie]

That cage can be okay for a chin as long as you make certain modifications. Since you said he is a chewer, you would need to take absolutely all the plastic out and toss it and replace them with wooden shelves. That includes the plastic tunnels and such. The plastic base could also be cause for concern- I have heard stories of chins chewing a hole through them and escaping in one night. I don't like Supetpet cages very well; I once had one where a bar snapped due to the weight of the chin jumping on their shelves, and he escaped through that broken bar.

What is your price range? Most of us here use Ferret Nations, which you can get from Petsmart. They are very nicely made cages and a lot of people use and recommend them for chins.

 

[bianca]

nothing over 150.. i dont want to sound too conservative with my money.. but since the chinchilla is my pet, my parents and i both expect me to pay for the supplies of course.

 

[chinnychinchinchilla]

the ferret nation cage model 141 is fine for one chinchilla. and you can get it at amazon for 150 plus shipping. its a very nice cage that is very sturdy and since you said earlier that you wanted your chinchilla in your room then this is good. sturdy = quiet. its hard to find a good cage from a petstore so ordering online would be a safe bet. ask your mom if she can order it online for you if you give her the money to payfor it.

 

[Dewdrop]

The first cage you posted is my current one. The fact that it is collapsible appealed greatly to me so I could easily take them when we travel.

HOWEVER.....I think we've traveled with it twice...and it is not standing up to the test of time. It pops together with hooks...kinda...and they get bent out too easily for my tastes.

IF you go this one be sure to remove all the plastic, don't use the hammock it comes with...etc..we made our wood shelves fairly cheaply.

I'd also recommend getting a liner or something for the base since it's plastic. Mine unbeknown to me managed to chew the small plastic 'hooks' where the cage snaps together. Bad boys! lol!

I'm replacing mine here in the next week or two with an FN..

 

[starleomach]

I know you said you want under 150 but keep in mind that it is likely you will end up wanting a better cage. It is much better to just spend the little extra to get the best cage to start. Chinchillas have a long lifespan and you will want a cage that holds up.

 

[Mikayla]

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753643&ab=hp_lv_smallpet This isn't a AMAZING cage and I Would prefer a ferret nation of something along those lines, but if you can't afford one of those, I have one of these and have quite a few ledges in it and I like it, it's easy to get the chins out of is my thing.

 

[bianca]

thank you.
yeah, that is very true.
my very first cage is just all metal and white painted. this is fine.. except my chinchilla / chinchillas (when i had two..) always peed in the same spot..
even though there were bedding shavings there.. i guess the urine lifted the paint. and now its just slightly rusted.
do you think that is bad for my chinchillas health, even though he never lifts up the bedding and goes to that rusty spot? haha.

 

[Andeboo11]

The best cage on there all though it is expensive is the midwest c nation.

 

[chinnychinchinchilla]

since he is peing in one spot you can put a litter pan on that spot and he should go in there