What is the best cage for new owners?

[jackiexx114]

Hey everyone im new here and i really want a chinchilla. but for now im researching and doing alot of studying on them before i buy one. i want to be completely prepared. =)

i was wondering what the best cage would be for a new owner. i like the multi level cages. and i want on that is big enough for my baby to run around and have fun but i cant have something that is too big for lack of space right now.

i found this one and i really like it. but what kind of bedding would you use with it?
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3074861&lmdn=Pet+Type

also i would really like it on wheels. is this one good enough? and i have no idea if i should use bedding (i hate bedding, its so messy and gets everywhere) or the liners.

thanks. =)

 

[shubbles]

Mines about those dimensions. Its pretty small. I don't know how much room you have, but you could probably fit it in a large closet. Its on wheels in the picture so im pretty sure...its on wheels.

 

[Bostongirl'sChin75]

If you use the bedding, aspen is the best wood shaving bedding and I know some people use the carefresh bedding, which is a lot less messy then wood shavings because it is recycled paper. And I think you can use pine, as long as it kiln dried opine, but I would ask some more of the more experienced chin owners. With the liners, I noticed I had to change the cage more often because my chinny would throw the mess all over the floor, outside her cage. With the shavings, she scoots them to the corner and then I clean the cage weekly. ( it was 2 or 3 times weekly with the paper liners )

Good Luck when you do get your chinny! You sound like you will be a great chinny mama!

 

[brittiny]

i think if you use a pee pan w/bedding along with liners you don't have to change it out so often and it's much less mess. I'm switching to liners soon.

 

[NOLA Chins]

It's not a matter of a good cage for a new owner, but rather a good cage for the chin. 2 x 2 x 4 is a good basic cage size. You need room for a wheel, hidey houses, sleep tubes, hammock, etc.

If you don't like bedding or liners, get a cage with a wire floor above a pullout pan, like the Quality Cage, Martin's, or even the 24" Welcome Home cage and a couple other pet store cages. See: http://nolachinrescue.webs.com/gatheringsupplies.htm for more info and pictures. There are photo albums with reworked pet store cages there too.

However, new owners can be kept in a 10 x 8 x 7 foot cage .

 

[alpayton]

I agree with everything that's been said so far, but the cage you're looking at has an awfully lot of plastic in it and that's not a good thing. Chins are chewers and will definitely chew the plastic some time or another. If you can't find the space for a Ferret Nation, you could look at THIS FAQs and check out some of the manufacturers listed there. I would feel much better if the cage you were looking at didn't have so much plastic in it. And yes, I know you can modify the cage, but once you've paid and installed all that wood, you may as well put the $ into a nicer cage to begin with. Especially if you intend to put a nice wheel in there too...there's definitely something to say about a nice sturdy cage when a wheel is spinning cuz you've got an active little buddy in it.

 

[Isabella Whateva]

I second what alpayton said about the plastic. not only will the chin make a mess of the cage, but plastic is very very bad for them.
I have this cage: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752703
and it's pretty good. I know you wanted wheels, but you could always buy or build a little cart or something to put the cage on. This one has a pull out tray, which creates minimum mess. I removed all the wire shelves because they're hard on chin toes, and put in lots of wooden ledges for our chin to jump and rest on.

You're gonna be a great chin owner good for you for doing your research!

 

[NOLA Chins]

A cheap way to get a roller base: many fast food places get their buns delivered on trays stacked on a square roller base. A manager bought a couple for us for $15@.

 

[jackiexx114]

wow thanks for all the suggestions!! =)

i guess i have to do more research before buying..

thanks all..

 

[tunes]

I wouldn't buy the cage you wanted because of the sturdiness of it, but the size is fine. A chin doesn't need a cage the size of a small house. But you slap a wheel in that and it's going to really knock that cage around.

Have you looked at the Ferret Nation cages? http://www.nationalpetpharmacy.com/...uct Listing Ads&cm_ite=Primary&cm_cat=k232270

That is not the only place you can find them, and I'm sure you can find them cheaper, but I just wanted to show you a picture. They are a bit pricier than what you wanted to spend, but they will last forever and you won't have to replace them. What's really nice about them is when you have the urge (and money) to expand, you can just add another level, one at a time. Some people stick to 1 level, others to 2, and some even go with the 3 levels. It's a sturdy cage, the wheels are built on and they will last.

 

[NOLA Chins]

You can get this one for about $100. I think I saw coupons this last week for it. We have two that were given to us. They are about 2x2x4. Get rid of the interior and replace with wood shelves and stuff. Plenty of room for a chin spin. The bottom plastic tray can be mostly covered with wood if you get a chewer and it comes with a roller stand. There is a top opening, too.

See a reworked one here: http://nolachinrescue.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=28568755