Other than being younger than 6 months and needing to fatten up, is there a reason to not give a chinchilla an exercise wheel? Would they be OK without one if they have lots of shelves and space to run around?
My chin used to shake and gnaw at his cage bars an hour or so before he knew I'd let him out for playtime but since I can't let him out every day I bought him a flying saucer wheel and he loves it! It also stopped his little fits! It was a great investment
Yeah, a wheel is not necessary. I have wheels in my cages only because my chins don't get a whole lot of playtime, especially in the summer months since I only have A/C in their room.