(Part 2) Top products from r/chinchilla

I'm not sure if you're trying to get a special customized wheel, but I got the basic kaytee silent spinner wheel and my babies love it. And it's actually pretty silent. Durable, easy to install on the standard cage.

How do I insert photos here?
well anyways, here's my chin Pookah enjoying hers :)
https://www.instagram.com/p/aHu1vUuCvH/

The other suggestions of cloth wrapped ice packs are worth trying, but I'd look at how to make the AC more efficient.

1. Can you move the cage closer to the AC? Even if the whole room is warmer, the area closest to the AC will be cooler.
   
   
2. If there's windows in the room, add window film to insulate and decrease heat coming it - it's cheap and easily removable if you rent (I rent and have them up). Just make sure it's non-adhesive, static cling film. Something like this https://www.amazon.com/Gila-Privacy-Static-Residential-Adhesive/dp/B000HE57JS or this one https://www.amazon.com/FILMGOO-Privacy-Control-Anti-UV-Non-Adhesive/dp/B07CYY7PQW/
   
   
3. You could make or buy a solar (or battery) powered swamp cooler. In small spaces it can work shockingly well, but it's annoying to have to check the water level every few hours. You can also buy swamp coolers prefabbed, but if money is a concern you can DIY it. https://www.google.com/search?q=solar+swamp+cooler
   
   My boy starts looking uncomfortable over 76, so I would be very worried keeping him in temps of 80+. I shoot for 72 degrees and he seems comfortable plus or minus a few degrees of that.
   
   Refrigerated stone slabs do help for short term relief, but ultimately you need to keep the temp down. Chinchilla don't sweat, and can't release body heat that way. If you aren't comfortable in a long sleeve shirt or sweater in the room they're in, then it's too hot for the chins.

Great idea! I might have to do this myself!

As for protecting the cord, you could try one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Cord-Protector-CritterCord-Protect-Hazardous/dp/B000EH2I5O

Springs work well too since they're metal. I'm sure a trip to your local hardware store can probably help for finding random plastic tubes that could fit over a cord!

Don't forget timothy hay!

As far as food, make sure to get a type without a lot of "junk" in it-- just plain pellets. I use Oxbow Chinchilla Deluxe
and make sure you get some of their old food so you can make the switch gradually if you need to switch from what they are currently eating.

Start calling around to find an exotics vet who has experience with chinchillas. Chins don't need to visit the vet regularly but you need to know who to have on speed dial in case of an emergency.

I highly recommend investing in the Ferret Nation Cage (if you buy one used, avoid one that's been used by a ferret though-- yuck. Speaking from first hand experience) and using fleece liners. My chins love their large metal flying saucers. As a rule, chinchillas shouldn't have any plastic in their cage--- some chinchillas are more voracious chewers than others, but you should be aware that some chinchillas have died from digestive issues caused by ingesting plastic.

They will also need a hidey house-- Most pet stores don't sell any good ones, so if you can, it's best to build your own from kiln dried pine, or there are some online sellers who build them especially for chins.

I have a HEPA air filter tower fan (http://www.amazon.com/GermGuardian-AC4825-Cleaning-Reduction-22-Inch/dp/B004VGIGVY/ref=sr_1_32_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1457712944&sr=8-32&keywords=tower+fan) which i would highly recommend. It is quiet and helps filter a lot of the dust/hair out of the air. Be prepared to clean out the filter weekly!

I was using something like this
but i didn't feel like it was very effective, and it was so hot and uncomfortable I ended up adjusting it and touching my face a lot thus negating its use.

The thing you linked sure does look serious! I'm just curious if you (or anyone) have tried something like this..? it also seems to have good reviews from allergy sufferers.

I have a set of those plastic drawers like this [http://www.amazon.com/Sterilite-29308001-3-Drawer-See-Through-Drawers/dp/B000MPQ2S2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368652796&sr=8-1&keywords=plastic+storage+drawers] That I keep by the cage and keep food and accessories in. I put the hay in Rubbermaid totes that fit on the shelf underneath the cage. As for fleece fabric? You know I have a ton for the stuff I make, that's usually in an extra drawer in the dresser or an organized box in the closet lol.

All three of my boys love apple wood. They of course prefer the sticks that come from Whimsy's Chinchillas or other vendors who cut and prepare their own. However, the also surprisingly love the brand I get at Walmart. They prefer the Walmart sticks to the ones I get at the pet stores. Crazy beasts.

Other ideas are loofah and those Lava Bites or Lava Ledges: http://www.amazon.com/Pets-Inter-Super-Lava-Bites/dp/B005OCWQ3S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463507060&sr=8-1&keywords=lava+bites

Bought it from Amazon, hopefully won't get in trouble for posting the link!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005CAZ6XE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_n.NADbK7HNF4B

this is the most useful thing i've ever put in my chinchilla cages. i have a box full of various wood sticks/blocks/coins, pumice stones, etc, with holes drilled in them so i can string them on the ka-bobs as needed. i also keep a lot of pumice/wood ledges all over the cages, which are useful as perches and as chew toys. and, of course, there's an endless supply of loose cardboard pieces for them to shred.

Thanks for the reply, the tray actually sits on top of the wire mesh. It’s similar to this:

https://www.amazon.com/MidWest-181-Leak-Proof-locking-Measures/dp/B000F4UNCG

So it’s just that black tray at the bottom. I guess I should be putting the bedding over that then?

My chins use this dust bath: http://www.amazon.com/Super-Pet-Ceramic-Chinchilla-Colors/dp/B0002DJ4PM It's not plastic so it's chew safe.

"Frosted Mini Wheats", without the frosting = Shredded Wheat. It IS cereal lol.

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https://www.amazon.com/Post-Shredded-Original-18-Biscuits-15-Ounce/dp/B000E1FYBA/ref=sr_1_9?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6MWcsNKW4wIVlozICh1xZQt4EAAYASAAEgJmlPD_BwE&hvadid=323402811492&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9007324&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=b&hvrand=9923926474615672143&hvtargid=kwd-298439552776&hydadcr=29168_10188752&keywords=shredded+wheat+cereal+original&qid=1562084543&s=gateway&sr=8-9

https://www.amazon.ca/Kaytee-Rabbit-Rollin-Hay-Holder/dp/B0006G7TCU this is what it looks like it hangs on the side of her cage.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001W8S4M0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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This is a cage I have for my <1yo boy. Absolutely love it, we have another same style, but twice the height for the other two chins who are a bonded pair.

I only use aspen bedding, tried fleece once, but we didn't like it. Hope this helps!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0006IK0PQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1417282301&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40 thid is the link for it on amazon. It's 12 inches

One of these? Try putting it up higher so he can't leverage it out. Not that this doesn't stop my girls from picking up pellets individually and dropping them everywhere.

I use these for pellets;

https://www.amazon.co.uk/OXO-Good-Grips-POP-Container/dp/B000UI0KA2/ref=mp_s_a_1_13?keywords=airtight+coffee+container&qid=1569926595&s=gateway&sprefix=airt&sr=8-13

As for hay, I buy it in large bags that I scrunch up and peg. It's also stored in a chinchilla only cupboard by their cages - along with their treats and sand.