We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The 5 Best Chinchilla Cages Where They Can Safely Play and Explore Give your chin ample room to romp and roam By Ellie Welles Ellie Welles Ellie Welles is a writer and product expert for The Spruce Pets. She currently shares her home with two cats, Agnes and Peppercorn, who were found motherless on the streets but have since become pampered indoor darlings. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 12/13/24 In This Article View All In This Article Top Picks Reviews What to Look For FAQ Why Trust The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets / Lecia Landis The right cage for a pet chinchilla is resistant to chewing, provides ample space and levels for climbing and playing, and has bars spaced close enough—less than an inch for adult chinchillas—so they can’t squeeze through but air can flow freely. "The most important considerations when shopping for a chinchilla habitat are size, height, and environmental enrichment," Whimsy, owner of a chinchilla rescue based in Virginia, told The Spruce Pets. To start your search, she recommends focusing on space over any other feature, saying, "Basically, the bigger, the better." Our favorite is the MidWest Homes for Pets Deluxe Critter Nation Double Unit. This chinchilla cage provides multiple levels of play with a solid construction, full-width doors, and a storage shelf. But we’ve also found other fantastic cages that may better fit your circumstances. Top Picks Best Overall: MidWest Homes for Pets Deluxe Critter Nation Double Unit at Amazon $326 Jump to Review Best Budget: Yaheetech Pet Cage at Amazon $129 Jump to Review Best for Multiple Chins: PawHut Small Animal Cage at Amazon $200 Jump to Review Best Small Cage: Prevue Pet Products Rat, Chinchilla, Baby Ferret Cage at Amazon $200 Jump to Review Recommended on Reddit: MidWest Homes for Pets Deluxe Ferret Cage, Single Story at Chewy $180 Jump to Review Best Overall MidWest Homes for Pets Deluxe Critter Nation Double Unit Credit: Amazon $326 at Amazon $320 at Chewy View on Petco What We Like Durable construction Multiple levels and platforms Plenty of space to play Padded covers for ramps included What We Don't Like No toys or feeding accessories included, but easy to add The MidWest Homes for Pets Deluxe Critter Nation Double Unit is a fantastically constructed unit that is one of the most durable and aesthetically pleasing cages on the market. It has two different levels, full-width pans for maximum surface, and two adjustable shelves or half-floors—plus, it's relatively easy to assemble. The included levels have a lip around them, so they won’t leak if your chinchilla makes a mess, and grippy ramps with “Happy Feet” ramp covers provide pathways between the different levels. It’s also easy to get your chinchilla in and out of the Deluxe Critter Nation Double Unit since both levels have doors that span the full width of the cage, with latches that are critter-proof but still easy enough to open with one hand. Plus, the habitat has four locking wheel casters, making it easy to move around when necessary, and a wire shelf beneath the enclosure, so you can keep your chinchilla’s bedding, food, and toys handy. The Deluxe Critter Nation Double Unit also comes in a single-story version, so you can start small and opt for the add-on level if you decide to adopt another chinchilla. Dimensions: 36 x 24 x 63 inches | Materials: Metal wire, plastic ramps with cloth covers | Color Options: Black | Accessories: Adjustable shelves, ramps Best Budget Yaheetech Pet Cage Credit: Amazon $129 at Amazon $126 at Chewy View on Yaheetech.shop What We Like Metal frame on wheels with three doors Easy to assemble Six tiers connected with ramps for climbing Bowl, water bottle, and tray included Suitable for guinea pigs, squirrels, chinchillas, ferrets, rabbits, rats, and hedgehogs What We Don't Like Corrugated ramps and platforms may irritate sensitive feet The Yaheetech Pet Cage 52 Inch offers six levels connected with ramps for a chinchilla to safely explore, sitting on four rubber wheels, making the cage easy to move. The metal framed cage is made in two colors, black or white, and comes together easily with all the necessary parts, hardware, and tools included along with illustrated instructions. It also comes with a water bottle, a food dish, and a removable tray to streamline cleanup. On this cage and the 37-inch model (with four levels and two access doors), the bars are spaced 0.9 inches apart, so it's unlikely your chinchilla will be able to slip through—plus the three doors are the full height of the cage and have critter-proof latches. The corrugated ramps and platforms may need extra padding for sensitive feet, but they also provide a quiet surface for an active chinchilla and other small pets, including ferrets, rabbits, and hedgehogs (although each species should have their own cage). Dimensions: 25 x 17 x 52 inches | Materials: Iron, plastic base | Color Options: Black | Accessories: Water bottle, food dish, corrugated ramps, trays Best for Multiple Chins PawHut Small Animal Cage Credit: Amazon $200 at Amazon $252 at Target View on Aosom.com What We Like Six levels for an active chinchilla to roam Lots of spots for hanging toys Easy to clean with slide-out tray Four omnidirectional wheels, two with brakes Two color options, black or pink/white What We Don't Like Platforms are not chew-proof, but they are soft on paws The PawHut 6-Level Small Animal Cage is perfect for anyone who wants to provide as much vertical space for their chins as possible. It's the same height as our Best Overall pick but offers more interior space for multiple chinchillas to socialize and play. The durable cage is built from powder-coated metal and iron wire and has 0.95-inch bar spacing throughout, so your adult chin is unlikely to escape. Inside, your chinchillas will enjoy six levels with ramps connecting each, all designed for sensitive paws. No toys are included, but there are lots of places to hang a variety of enrichment pieces. The cage also has three doors spaced vertically with critter-proof latches, so you can access your chinchillas at any level within the cage. There is a removable tray that slides out and can be cleaned with soap and water, plus four omnidirectional wheels so you can move the large habitat with ease. Dimensions: 32 x 20.75 x 62.75 inches | Materials: Metal, plastic | Color Options: Black, white/pink | Accessories: Ramps, trays Food Options for Your Pet Chinchilla Best Small Cage Prevue Pet Products Rat, Chinchilla, Baby Ferret Cage Credit: Amazon $200 at Amazon $250 $200 at Petco What We Like Aesthetically pleasing Durable Ramps and platforms designed for chinchilla feet What We Don't Like Too small for multiple chins Wheels at base do not lock The Prevue Pet Products Critter Animal Cage is near the minimum footprint for a cage that could happily accommodate a single chinchilla. While you’ll need bedding or a platform cover for the wire-frame bottom of the cage, the ramps and shelves are solid, making them suitable for chinchilla feet. You can also opt to remove the bottom grille and use the slide-out debris tray as the cage bottom. Other than the plastic debris tray on the bottom of the habitat, the Critter Animal Cage features a chew-proof, all-metal construction with 3/4-inch wire spacing. The cage features a single, large front gate. Plus, just like our Best Overall pick, the Prevue Pet Products cage has a wire shelf beneath the habitat, so you can store food and other chinchilla gear. Dimensions: 31 x 20.5 x 40 inches | Materials: Metal, plastic, acrylic | Color Options: Earth dusted rose | Accessories: Ramps, trays Recommended on Reddit MidWest Homes for Pets Deluxe Ferret Cage, Single Story Credit: Chewy $180 at Chewy $225 at Walmart What We Like Vertical bars less prone to breakage Sturdy metal construction Dual-locking latches Ample space for play Available in single- and double-story What We Don't Like Pieces don't always line up effortlessly This Ferret Nation Deluxe Ferret Cage by MidWest Homes for Pets is very similar to our Best Overall pick. It has the same sturdy metal construction, generous space, adjustable shelving, ramp cover, and dual-lock system. The key difference is the orientation of the metal bars—here, they're vertical, not horizontal as in the Critter Nation cage. A Reddit user on the chinchilla forum recommends this cage over the latter based on a friend's experience of having their rescue chinchillas repeatedly "breaking the bars on the critter nation," adding, "It's also very easy to customize the cages for both critter and ferret!" Like the Critter Nation cages, the deluxe ferret cages are available in single- and double-level, with multiple attachment points for accessories. However, some of the pieces don't always line up perfectly, which could make assembly more complicated than expected. Dimensions: 36 x 25 x 38.5 inches (single) | Materials: Metal wire, plastic ramps with cloth covers | Color Options: Black | Accessories: Adjustable shelf, ramp Final Verdict The MidWest Homes for Pets Deluxe Critter Nation Double Unit is our overall favorite, with a thoughtful design and durable materials. If you’re looking for a spacious yet affordable option, try the Yaheetech Pet Cage, which comes with a water bottle, food dish, and removable tray and is also suitable for other small pets. What to Look For in a Chinchilla Cage Construction Metal wire is the preferred material for chinchilla cages because their thick fur makes them susceptible to overheating, so you want to select a habitat that provides them with plenty of airflow. Metal is also preferable because chinchillas chew whatever they can get their jaws around—however, providing chew toys and a pumice block can give them the chewing surfaces they need, though you’ll still want to keep a close eye on any plastic or wooden surfaces. Most of our recommendations use wire mesh construction, but there are some plastic parts here and there. It’s also important that your chinchilla cage has solid platforms and ramps. While other small pets may be able to tolerate running and climbing on wire surfaces, chinchillas have sensitive feet that are prone to injury. Make sure that platforms and other spaces are either constructed from solid metal or are covered with cozy cloth or metal trays. Size "Chinchillas like heights and prefer to perch up high to survey their surroundings," Whimsy told The Spruce Pets. "Ledges and cage accessories arranged as landing points from one to another are ideal." Make sure to select a cage with a width and depth that offers at least 576 square inches of space (24 by 24 inches), but larger is always better. Whimsy's chinchilla rescue organization offers numerous photos of how chinchilla owners have kitted out their cages to maximize vertical space and provide multiple ledges for inhabitants. Accessories Chinchillas love toys, so you should select a cage that anticipates their needs. You’ll want to have a place in the cage where you can install a large-diameter running wheel, which is specially designed to have solid rather than wire surfaces. You’ll also need space for water and food trays, chew toys, and a “nest” where your chinchilla can cozy up and hide. Bumblefoot Condition Chinchillas have sensitive foot pads that are prone to developing—like rodents, birds, and rabbits—a condition called bumblefoot, medically known as ulcerative pododermatitis. If you notice any signs of irritation or your chinchilla is resistant to walking and climbing, you should seek guidance from your veterinarian as soon as possible. This bacterial infection leads to inflammation, discomfort, and redness, and is often caused by repeated walking on harsh or abrasive surfaces, such as wire-floored cages, shelves, and ramps. You can add padding to your chinchilla's habitat to give their paws a respite. Keeping their home clean will also help avoid bumblefoot. Broken Legs in Chinchillas FAQ Do chinchilla cages need bedding? "Yes, chinchillas need bedding," Whimsy said. "Considering their cage should be tall, a thick layer of natural, kiln-dried pine bedding acts as a shock absorber in case of a fall. Plus, pine naturally absorbs urine smells and can be used as compost after cage cleaning. And, pine bedding is safe for chinchillas to chew (unlike recycled 'fluff' beddings)." Platforms with raised lips will do a better job of holding in the dye-free paper or dried pine bedding chinchillas prefer. What type of toys do chinchillas like? "When shopping for toys and cage accessories, it's imperative that one knows exactly which materials are chinchilla safe," Whimsy told The Spruce Pets. "Kiln-dried pine is excellent for ledges as they are safe for the chinchilla to chew, are relatively inexpensive, and are easy to clean or sand to refresh. When selecting toys, it's ideal to have a wide variety of natural materials. We always recommend having soft (loofah, palm, seagrass, vine, wicker, herbal hays), medium (natural, bark-on wood), and hard (pumice) toys available so that your chinchilla can utilize whatever texture they want/need. The toys a chinchilla destroys fastest are the ones they need the most. If a toy is not salient, it will serve no useful purpose. And the purpose of having chew toys is to help keep teeth trim and to provide environmental stimulation." Why Trust The Spruce Pets This article was written by Ellie Welles, who has raised dogs, cats, rabbits, and even a green-cheeked conure. She’s passionate about finding the best products for your littlest family members. For this article, she consulted veterinary recommendations, product reviews, and chinchilla owner feedback to find products that are specifically designed for chinchillas rather than other common pet rodents. Additional expertise was provided by Whimsy of Whimsy's Menagerie Chinchilla Rescue, who has been providing temporary shelter environments for chinchillas since 1998, after learning that most animal control facilities either do not accept or are inadequately equipped to handle exotic pets like chinchillas. Her site has become a repository of useful information for chinchilla owners. She also conducts training in chinchilla care for veterinary clinics and pet stores in the Richmond, Virginia, area. The 8 Best Hamster Cages for Roaming, Playing, and Sleep Explore more: What to Buy Small Pet Products