With a cage for your chinchilla, there should also be some chew toys, a tunnel and a chinchilla exercise wheel for their fitness. This way they'll have plenty of things to do while they're in the cage. Even though your pet will still get their outside exercise, a cage is strongly recommended to provide for exercise inside as well.
Let's dive right in.
Aspects of a Chinchilla Exercise Wheel
In order for the wheel to fit in properly, you should measure the door of the cage.
Sometimes, your pet chinchilla may not adapt to the wheel right away. Don't fret--sometimes it may take them a while to get acclimated, especially since it's new to them.
May Take Longer
Older chinchillas don't adapt to change very well and it may take them longer to get used to it. It may take them weeks, or even months to get acclimated to the device.
When they do, they usually like it and take to the exercise wheel well, especially when they realize that it's benefiting them. Anything that benefits them is good, and they try to keep a positive demeanor.
Surface of a Chinchilla Exercise Wheel
Another aspect of having an exercise wheel in your pet's cage is safety. You have to make sure that they are able to exercise on a running surface.
The surface should be solid or made from mesh. The measurements should be no more than 1/2" X 1/2". Anything more than that can result in the chinchilla having leg, foot or toe injuries.
Their lower extremities are very delicate and can result in amputation if not attended to properly.
Dangers of Plastic
As with chew toys, a chinchilla exercise wheel should not be made of plastic. Plastic can harm your pet by causing issues with their intestinal area. The pet can chew and ingest the plastic pieces which can cause this.
Asking for Trouble
If you use a chinchilla exercise wheel with spokes, you are asking for trouble. Not only can your pet chinchilla face injury to their arms or legs, the risk of having their limbs amputated increases.
Even your pet can sense when there's danger with these types of wheels. When that happens, they're reluctant to exercise on them.
These types of wheels are not recommended to be installed in their cages. If you do use them, you are not looking out for your pet's best interests.
A Safe Chinchilla Exercise Wheel
Another type of chinchilla exercise wheel, called a safe wheel, has screws in the inside center. They seem to have more fun on this type of wheel because of the decreased danger.
The recommended measurement for a chinchilla exercise wheel is 12", even though there is some debate about that. Most people seem to do OK with that size wheel.
Pet stores normally sell the wheels with the spokes, which as stated in the previous paragraph is dangerous for chinchillas.
Abnormal Issues
There have been reports that the wheel may cause your pet's spine to curve, because there's only so much room; of course, that probably remains to be seen.
If you find abnormal issues with your pet after they get on the wheel, you should stop the activity until your find out what's going on.
If you are unsure about what type of chinchilla exercise wheel to purchase, contact your local pet store or consult with your local veterinarian.
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