Hello chinchilla fans! With so much to love about chinchillas, it’s hard to imagine not having a good time when one is around. They’re are lively, curious, and intelligent creatures (and they make such cute noises!). That being said, they’re at their best when they are happy, healthy, and having a good time.

So mental and physical stimulation is key to keep up. To ensure your chinchilla remains happy and healthy, it’s essential to provide them with a variety of engaging toys, and fun things to do! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best toys for chinchillas as well as how to create an enriching environment for your furry friend.

Before we go into the toys and environmental bonuses, it may be good to learn a bit about these cute guys. What are these creatures, and where are they from?

See this incredible video from Animal Wonders in Montana for more information:

So, with that understanding, let’s dive into how they play.

Understanding Chinchilla Play Behavior

Before diving into toy recommendations, it’s crucial to understand chinchilla behavior and play preferences. Chinchillas are nocturnal animals that are most active during the evening and night. They enjoy climbing, jumping, chewing, and exploring. So it’s key to provide them toys that cater to these natural behaviors as a way of keeping them entertained and happy.

Types of Chinchilla Toys

1. Chew Toys:

• Wooden Chew Sticks: Made from chew safe and nontoxic woods like apple, willow, or aspen, these sticks help maintain their dental health.
• Pumice Stones: Sounds weird, I know. One would think giving them literal rocks would be an issue. But oddly enough, natural pumice stones are excellent for gnawing and help keep teeth trim.
• Edible Chew Toys: Toys made from hay or alfalfa are both nutritious and entertaining.
• This small business has some really great options that are made just for chinchillas: https://www.whimsysmenagerie.com/chewtoys

2. Climbing and Jumping Toys:

• Ramps and Ladders: Provide ramp and ladder setups with various heights and angles for climbing. This will help exercise their little muscles and allows them to play around.
• Platforms and Shelves: Multi-level platforms encourage play, movement and exploration, as well as provides a place to rest.
• Hanging Toys: Swinging toys made from safe materials (think sisal rope or nontoxic fabrics) add an element of fun and challenge. Please don’t make it too high of a jump though, chinchillas do have small stubby little legs and cannot take a high drop.

3. Hideouts and Tunnels:

• Wooden Houses: Natural wood houses offer a cozy retreat for them to chin-chill. And realistically, it’s a place to chew.
• Fabric Tunnels: Soft, chew-resistant fabric tunnels mimic natural chinchilla burrows and encourage exploration and play opportunities.
• Cardboard Tubes: Similar to the fabric tunnels, but a little more simple, inexpensive, and also is great for chewing (DONT USE TREATED CARDBOARDS WITH PLASTIC OR EPOXY. PLASTIC IS BAD FOR ANYTHING WITH A PULSE).

4. Exercise Wheels:

• Solid Surface Wheels: Wheels with a solid running surface are safer than wire wheels, preventing foot injuries. Open slats in the wheel offer really awful opportunities to break your little dude’s legs 🙁
• Silent Spinners: These quiet wheels allow for nighttime exercise without disturbing you. And they will be exercising at night.

5. Interactive/Foraging Toys:

• Puzzle Toy Treat Dispensers: Toys that release treats when manipulated or pushed around help develop their problem-solving skills.
• Hanging Forage Balls: These can be filled with hay or herbs, encouraging natural foraging behavior, while also being a source of fun.

A Few Toy Recommendations:
– I do not get paid for these suggestions btw, just think they’re good –

Chew Toys & Foraging Toys:

• Kaytee Perfect Chews: A variety of textures and shapes to keep your chinchilla’s teeth healthy.
• Rosewood Pet Carrot and Fennel Sticks: Edible chew sticks that are both tasty and beneficial for dental health.
• Living World Teach N Treat Toy: An interactive toy that rewards with treats.

Climbing and Jumping Toys:

• Prevue Hendryx Natural Wood Ladder: Ideal for climbing and perching. You can tie to perches or on the enclosure directly.
• Exotic Nutrition Chinchilla Platforms: Multi-level platforms that attach to the cage, providing ample jumping opportunities.

Hideouts and Tunnels:

• Ware Manufacturing Wooden Hideout: A durable little hideout made from safe wood & twigs.
• Oxbow Timothy Club Tunnel: A tunnel made entirely from Timothy hay, perfect for chewing and hiding.

Exercise Wheels:

• Chin Spin 15″ Chinchilla Wheel: A solid surface wheel that is safe and pretty quiet.
• Exotic Nutrition Silent Runner: Designed to provide a quiet exercise experience.

Creating The Perfect Chinchilla Environment:

To maximize the benefits that these toys can provide, here’s a few tips on using them within their overall environment.

1. Rotate Toys Regularly:

• If you have the ability to, try to change the toys in your chinchilla’s cage every few days to keep things interesting.
• Introduce new toys gradually to prevent overwhelming them, and cycle them out as mentioned above.

2. Provide a Variety of Textures and Shapes:

• Offer toys made from different materials to cater to chewing, climbing, and hiding needs.
• Include toys of various sizes and shapes to keep things engaging.

3. Ensure Safety:

• Always choose toys made from non-toxic materials which are safe for chewing.
• Regularly inspect toys for excess wear and tear to help prevent unneeded injuries like splinters or cuts.

4. Create Multi-Level Play Areas:

• As mentioned previously, use shelves, platforms, and ladders to create vertical space for climbing and jumping.
• Ensure all levels are secure and stable to prevent falls or potential breakages.

5. Offer Supervised Playtime Outside the Cage:

• Allow your chinchilla to explore a safe, chinchilla-proofed area outside the cage.
• Supervise playtime to prevent accidents and ensure they do not chew on harmful objects or get up to mischief like hiding from you.

Providing your chinchilla with a variety of toys and an enriching environment is crucial for their well-being. By understanding their natural behaviors and preferences, you can select the best toys to keep them entertained and healthy.