Maintaining a clean cage for your pet chinchilla will keep it happy and healthy. Clean your chinchilla’s cage at least once a week. Chinchillas are clean animals, so they will get fussy if they have to live in a dirty cage. When you’re cleaning out your chinchilla’s home, remember some of these tips.
Bedding
Chinchilla bedding material should be removed and thrown away. After the bedding is removed, wipe down the bottom of the cage with a mild bleach and water mixture: 1 part bleach to 20 parts water. Before you put fresh bedding back in, rinse thoroughly and let the cage dry completely. You can use a towel for drying or you can leave the cage out in the sun.
Water Bottles
Water bottles should be cleaned daily. You can use soap and water, or a mild bleach and water mixture. Some chin owners even boil their bottles. You should check the sipper tubes multiple times a day for clogs. Clean the sipper tube when you clean the water bottles.
Easy Access
To make cleaning easier, put your chinchilla’s cage in an easy-to-reach area. The less you have to bend and hunch over, the faster you can clean the cage. It should only take 10 to 20 minutes to efficiently clean your pet’s cage. If it takes longer, you are probably not cleaning often enough. Chinchilla owner Sarah Densmore said, “Don’t let them become so dirty that they can’t be easily cleaned! With regular maintenance, it is a fast and easy job.”