Anyone with a chinchilla? Is this run too small?

[Curlybrunette]

Hi all,

I have grey chin (Cilla) a gorgeous 10 year old, and up until very recently I have let her run in my downstairs cloakroom. It is big for a cloakroom and I obviously sit in there with her, so she is safe from going near the toilet etc. and was getting out for a run 2-3 times per week for up to an hour. My situation has changed at work and I am working more (was part time before) and am also doing a degree which means I need to be sat at my computer more. I have seen this run do you think it is too small?

www.amazon.co...05881284&sr=8-1

I know it isn't ideal but I was thinking that as her cage is in our playroom (Cilla and my kids love each other, but they are too small to be able to get her out themselves) so on an evening if I am working, or at the computer doing uni work, I could put the run in whatever room I'm in (or hubby would put it in the living room if I'm at work), with some toys and her box in, and it would at least be a change of scenary, and I could make sure she still gets out for a proper run in the cloakroom once a week. I feel so bad that in the last few weeks she hasn't got out so much, but my degree is part time so it's going to be at least 18 months before I'm finished.

What do you think?

x

That link doesn't work.

One of our chins really enjoyed a big ball - bit like a hamster ball but about 12" across (actually might be a bit bigger). It was fine except when he got himself wedged - but he could get around really well, decide where he wanted to go, steer round corners etc - had it when visiting friends (with chins too - long story!) and he even chased their cats in it.... I think his favourite though was the hall in my parents house - about 20' - when he'd slam the ball into the cupboard door at the end (having built up a nice turn of speed) on purpose - and then roll ball back down to the other end so he could do it again. That meant he could be out and active without needing constant watching to stop him gnawing wires/ lampshades/book spines/ skirting board etc. He would dash around in it for 30 - 40 mins and then go to sleep - at which point we'd put him back in his cage.

Sorry here is the link chinchilla run I thought about getting a ball but have read some scary stories abobut them so haven't dared, mainly saying they are meant for animals which run. like hamsters rather than hopping/jumping like chins. Your's were always ok thought?

x

'about' even!

One of them loved it - and really knew what he was doing - steering round corners etc - the otherone would just sit and wouldn't move it at all. We only had him in it under supervision though, would never have left him even for a few mins in it without being in the same room. Same chin loved having a BIG wheel (solid, no chance of catching toes in it) too - could have generated our own energy. Other one would sit in it and nibble it.

Ahh yes I've seen the wheels, are they called flying saucers or something? I might look at them
x

Ours wasn't, cant' even remember where we got it....