How Much Does A Pet Chinchilla Cost?

Pet Chinchillas are becoming increasingly popular, but many people are unaware of the cost of owning one. We will explore the cost of a pet Chinchilla and what goes into taking care of one. From the actual cost of a Chinchilla to food and housing to vet bills and more, read on to learn more about what you can expect to spend on your new furry friend.

But first How much does a Chinchilla cost?

In total, a pet chinchilla can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000, depending on the breeder, quality, age, and gender of the animal. Pet stores typically have prices ranging from $100 to $300, while breeders may offer more rare chinchillas that will cost more on the higher end.

There are serval different types of chinchillas that people look for with their costs.

Type of ChinchillaCost
Standard Gray Chinchilla$100-$300
Long-haired Chinchilla$300-$400
White Chinchilla$250-$600
Beige Chinchilla$200-$350
Panda Chinchilla$600-$1200
Chinchillas cost based on Breeders list price

Just buying a pet is not the only factor you need to consider when getting one. Setting up a home for your new chinchilla is the most significant expense and requires careful planning. Essential items must be covered first, while others can be added later. Chinchillas have a tendency to chew, so this must also be taken into account when planning the setup costs. The setup for a chinchilla will be more expensive than for a smaller rodent and requires more consideration. Read on for further information about the other necessary items.

How much does a Chinchilla Cage Cost

In total a cage for a chinchilla will cost between $100 to $350. It should have a minimum floor space of 24 x 24 inches, And have multiple ledges and ladders for climbing and resting. The cage should be made of metal as they are known for their chewing habits and can chew through plastic.

To safe some money here you can also check and see if you can find a used cage in good shape, just be sure that it is cleaned well. Then there are the additions that must be added before you can put a chinchilla in it. 

Here comes the fun part of the setup.  Are you like me seeing $$$ rolling by your eyes. You get to make lots of choices that will personalize the space for you and your chinchilla. You can go cheaper now and upgrade a little as you go to keep things new and fresh for both you and your chinchilla.

As we did our research we came up with the best selling cages on Amazon and found the following with the best reviews.

Less than $100 dollar Range –

Metal Chinchilla indoor use with Greater than 1500 4 star reviews.

From $100-$350 dollar Range – This one has the most reviews and is an Amazon Choice

MidWest Homes for Pets Deluxe Critter Nation Double Unit Small Animal Cage More than 9000 4.5 star reviews!

What Accessories Does your pet chinchilla cage need?

A chinchilla cage needs a water bottle, food dish, hide box, chew toys, exercise wheel, litter box, and bedding for a comfortable and safe environment. Choose durable, appropriate accessories and maintain cleanliness.

Water bottle$10-$15A bottle that attaches to the side of the cage to provide fresh and clean water.
Food dish$5-$10A dish to hold food, pellets, and fresh vegetables.
Hide box$10-$20A small box or house that provides privacy and a sense of security.
Chew toys$5-$15Toys made of safe materials that help satisfy chinchillas’ chewing instincts and prevent boredom.
Exercise wheel$20-$30A rotating wheel that provides exercise and physical activity.
Litter box$5-$15A box filled with bedding material to control odors and maintain cleanliness.
Bedding$10-$20A soft material such as wood shavings, hay, or paper to provide a comfortable place to sleep and rest.
Dust bath$10-$20A container filled with special dust used for chinchillas to roll in and maintain their fur cleanliness.
List with Costs

Water Bottle For Chinchilla Cage

$5.-$25. . Your chinchilla must have fresh water available at all times. They are prone to overheat, and their health depends on them staying hydrated. Food Dishes The cost range here will be $5.-$10. I prefer the ones that attach to the cage to prevent tip-overs, this helps keep the cage cleaner, which keeps me, and Mr. Chin both happier and healthier.

Ledges

The Average ledge for a chinchilla cage will range between $10.-$17. Some wood ledges running upward of $30.  A variety of sizes and heights are needed to exercise your chinchilla and have several places to sit.

Chinchilla Dustbath

Your chinchilla will also need a Dustbath to keep clean, In the wild, chinchillas bathe in volcanic ash. This dry bath helps evenly disperse their natural oils. The average cost for a Chinchilla Dustbath cost between $10-$15. While you should should plan on spending roughly $30 a year the actual dust this item.

I put an old wicker basket in upside down as a ledge and he jumps all over it. With a hole in just the right spot it will also make a nice hiding spot. Like me I’m sure you like Free. You can save cost here and use something just sitting around like and old coffee carafe or a small fish bowl.  

Chinchilla Hideaway

Sleep is essential to keep them healthy. These little furry pets are entertaining when well-rested. If your chinchilla becomes lazy and lethargic it may not be getting enough sleep. These can range from $10-$40, metal ones can help your chinchilla stay cool, as they are temperature sensitive. Hay Feeders: can range from $4-$30 Chinchillas need as much hay as they can eat throughout the day. It is the important part of their dietary needs. Without enough hay they can develop digestive problems. This Item is an absolute must. 

Money saving tip, PVC piping also gives them places to hide, especially the Y and L shaped ones. Or a piece of carpet tubing can be cut, and you can usually pick them up free at a local carpet dealer. Free is a good price.

Remember that nothing that you choose now can’t be changed and upgraded as you go. That is what helps keep the cost down to start. Changing to an upgraded item later spreads the cost out over time.

Start-Up Cost

  • Cost of chinchilla, $150.-$350.
  • Initial Cost for the cage all set up will range in the area of $150.-$450.
  • Food, Treats, Chews, Bath Dust, and Litter an average of $85.-$150
  • Total Start-up on average $435-$900.
  • This cost is if you buy everything new and do not use any cost-saving tips.
  • Much of the cost is a one-time, or a once in a while cost.
  •   Others are ongoing month to month. I found this information very helpful for long-term planning.

Pellets

Pellets come in such a wide range of sizes and quality that the cost is hard to break down.  The average cost will be around $5. a month. 

Hay

Such as Orchard grass or Timothy hay, Should be offered at all times. If they do not get enough roughage it will be very detrimental to their health, most of their diet will be the hay. There are many forms of hay and if you should budget $5. a month for this item. It is important that hay is always available for a chinchilla. Treats: Do not overdo it with treats. Be very careful with the treats that you choose.  You will be safe budgeting $5. a month for these. Dried fruit like raisins and banana chips is another another thing they like that isn’t just a pet treat. Test you chinchilla to see what vegetables they like and how they react to them. 

Toys and Chews: Are two things in one. They will be an ongoing expense. These can range from $3.-$10.  An average of $5.-$8. a month should be a safe range for this item. You can learn what trees like apple, aspen, birch are around and you can get twigs for chewing just by picking them up. 

Veterinary Costs

You should have your new chinchilla checked by a vet within a few days of getting it. This will ensure that your new pet is in good health and it will help inform you on caring for it. You should plan on annual vet visits thereafter.

Vet visits can range from $30.-$100. just depending on your area and if your vet has exotic animal rates. 

Be sure to find one that has experience with chinchillas. Chinchillas are known to have respiratory problems if left untreated it can turn to pneumonia. Gastrointestinal stasis is a condition they get when they are not getting enough hay and will cause constipation.  

Insurance is a recommendation. For an exotic pet, it will vary, but the average is less than $10 a month. 

Ongoing Costs

On the average range from $25- $45. per month

Enjoy your new pet and have a lot of fun. Love it and treat it well.

Rick Matthews

Hello, I am Rick Matthews, I have helped raise 100's of pets in my life living with my Father who while we did not live on a farm, raised all sorts of animals to sell them to families. We had so many different pets we all quickly became experts intending to them and helping them stay healthy. Back then we did not have the internet to look up thing on how to take care of their kids. As my kids got older, they wanted pets and of course, I did not want to have as many as we did when I was a child, but wanted to share my experiences. Many of these articles are written to help educate families on what to expect when looking to get a new pet for their children.

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