Have you also wondered if it is safe for your chinchilla to play outside of his cage? Time out of the cage in a safe environment is good for your chinchilla, but remember that they are rodents and enjoy gnawing. All electrical cords should be removed or raised to prevent the chin from chewing through them and getting shocked. Supervision while out of the cage is important to prevent him from damaging furniture or getting into trouble in any way.
Chinchillas are more active in the early mornings and evenings, so playtime should be scheduled for these times, rather than in the middle of the day.
The chinchilla’s need to gnaw can be provided for by placing safe pieces of wood (untreated pine or apple branches, for example), cardboard and hay cubes in the cage.
Dr Dorianne Elliott, veterinarian
