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ChinMom

Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2014
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I thought it might be helpful to add a thread where we can post useful items for chinchillas and their habitats that we find in common stores. There is so much garbage sold out there it could be helpful to point someone in the right direction by telling where and what we currently find in common stores that would be a better choice.

I saw these stainless steel bowls in the bird section at Petsmart today. They have plates with a wing nut to keep it mounted on a wire cage. Preferable to the similar plastic ones.
http://www.petsmart.com/bird/bowls-...-catid-400014?var_id=36-14054&_t=pfm=category
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To the best of my knowledge, these grapewood bird perches that are sold in Petsmart are also ok for the chinchilla cage. They have two large washers and a wing nut to attach to a wire cage. The packaging says they are heat treated.
http://www.petsmart.com/bird/perche...6-5179983/cat-36-catid-400036?_t=pfm=category
pPETNA-5179983_main_enh.jpg


This chinchilla food sold at Petsmart is a good choice.
http://www.petsmart.com/small-pet/f...6-catid-600005?var_id=36-1842&_t=pfm=category
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This fish bowl sold at WalMart makes a good dust bath container. It does not tip easily. It is glass so do not leave your chinchilla unattended with it and use it on a main bottom level. I tried the candy jar idea but it tips forward too easily so I prefer this over that.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Anchor-Hocking-1-Gallon-Fish-Bowl-1ct-Fish-Aquatic-Pets/19400134
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Please feel free to add your suggestions.
 
There is the lava ledge and lava triangles. I know for a fact those are safe and I will buy them once in a while. Everything is just so darn expensive toy wise so it's better to just order from trusted vendors. You will get more bang for your buck and be certain everything is safe!

Lava ledge: http://www.petsmart.com/small-pet/t...d36-25975/cat-36-catid-600014?_t=pfm=category

I have purchased willow toys and sticks from petsmart in the past and they are probably okay, but I would rather save money and get better quality stuff from vendors.
 
The hay and shavings they sell are from Oxbow. In a pinch I will run to Petsmart for food and hay.
 
I love this idea for a thread! Especially since there isn't much selection where I live.. :/

I would really like one of those grape wood perches... Is there a way to tell what kind of wood it is, or does it specify on the label?
 
Litter trays sold in pet stores are made out of plastic. A good alternative is a Pyrex dish from Walmart. I paid $6 for it. Eli did take to it, and pees in it all the time! (Filled with aspen shavings).

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GREAT IDEA FOR THE LITTER TRAY!! Will my chins learn to use it if I do that and not put shavings in the rest of cage??
 
 
Just went to Walmart for the Pyrex dish and got off name brand for $3.88.:thumbsup:
 
*Amber* said:
GREAT IDEA FOR THE LITTER TRAY!! Will my chins learn to use it if I do that and not put shavings in the rest of cage??
Click to expand...

I think it depends on the chin! Some take to it naturally, others will still go wherever. I only have shavings in the Pyrex dish, the rest of the cage is lined with fleece. Eli will only pee in the dish! :)

Try it out! If your cage already has shavings in it, take some of the peed-on ones and place them in the dish. If he smells his scent in there, he may continue to pee there! A lot of chins like to pee in the same spot.
 
 
Petco currently has their Critter Nation cage over $100 less than Petsmart (Petco $239.99 Petsmart $349.99) and if you have Amazon Prime you can get a really good deal ($218.84 with free shipping).
http://www.petco.com/product/116474/Midwest-Critter-Nation-Double-Unit-with-Stand-Small-Animal-Cage
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Amazon also carries a cover set (http://www.amazon.com/Ferret-Nation-Accessories-Kit-Model/dp/B007ZOC11K/). Has anyone tried these?

Also on Amazon, Oxbow "Poof" blue cloud chinchilla dust bath. 100% Blue Cloud Dust with no additives.
http://www.amazon.com/Oxbow-Animal-Health-Chinchilla-2-5-Pound/dp/B00CI4TFF2/
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I noticed pet stores selling treat containers.
I made one out of an empty gum container lol :D

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I like the lava items (Bites, perches) and the wood perches... and that's about all I'll buy at the pet stores! I get the rest of my items in bulk.
 
I love the idea of the gum container as a treat-box!

I re-purpose the 48 oz plastic chocolate covered raisin containers (the big one from Sam's Club) as a food-storage. I could never get the bag to re-seal :facepalm:
 
Also, metal shower curtain hooks come in handy for hanging your own toys, apple wood sticks, or hammocks. It's $2 for a 12 pack at Walmart.

You can see the hammock I made for him in this picture. :) The fleece I used is also from Walmart & costs only $5.
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This is a great thread, very helpful.

Can anyone recommend a good waterbottle to go on an FN cage? Preferably glass, but if you've found something else that works well tell me about it, too! I'd love to be able to just pick it up from Petsmart/Petco or order it real quick off Amazon.
 
hobbit721 said:
This is a great thread, very helpful.

Can anyone recommend a good waterbottle to go on an FN cage? Preferably glass, but if you've found something else that works well tell me about it, too! I'd love to be able to just pick it up from Petsmart/Petco or order it real quick off Amazon.
Click to expand...

A lot of people rave about lixit. They have it in glass too, scroll to the bottom, it's the third last item. It seems small, but it's a great size for chins since they need fresh water. :)

http://www.tjschinchillasupplies.com/chinchilla%20accessories.html

I know my pet stores don't carry this brand, but I don't have a petco. You might find it in stores too.
 
Minccino said:
A lot of people rave about lixit. They have it in glass too, scroll to the bottom, it's the third last item. It seems small, but it's a great size for chins since they need fresh water. :)

http://www.tjschinchillasupplies.com/chinchilla%20accessories.html

I know my pet stores don't carry this brand, but I don't have a petco. You might find it in stores too.
Click to expand...
Sounds like exactly what I'm looking for, thanks for posting.

I've had mixed experiences with the LIXIT brand, but I'm certainly willing to try again - the last one I had might have been a fluke - it was the type that hangs from the top of the cage, and it just Would. Not. Stop. Leaking. But this other one you mention is designed differently and might work better.
 
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