Exercise and Play

Exercise and Play

Your chinchillas may think it's play, but it's really exercise - and both are vital for a happy, healthy life.

The cage makes a perfect playground. As we said in the housing section there should be shelves and branches, but rails and ramps make exciting new routes to explore too.

A scattering of wooden chewing blocks increases the fun, as does hiding healthy Excel Nature Snacks for your chinchillas to sniff out.

The cage is a great place for games, but a little time exploring the wider world of your room is good too. Rule 1: make the room escape-proof - your chinchillas could be out through a tiny gap quick as a shot. Rule 2: make the room chew-proof - it's especially important to safeguard wires that your pets could easily gnaw through.

Worried about an escape bid or damage? Build a special exercise run or playpen instead - but putting them in a run outside is not recommended as if they do escape you will be highly unlikely to get them back.