The Best Toys for Chinchillas

Written by Katie Melynn Wood
Updated: March 8, 2023
© kesterhu/Shutterstock.com

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Playing with your pet chinchilla is both fun and rewarding, especially when they have toys that can help enrich their environment. These energetic and cute little pets need plenty of stimulation. In the wild, they spend most of their time burrowing and digging to avoid predators and stay safe. While they may not have to face the same risks while living the life of a pampered pet, chinchillas still need to put their energy somewhere. This is where quality toys come in.

We’ve rounded up the best toys for chinchillas and their owners. These toys are great for enrichment, simulating the natural environment, independent play, and interaction. Our favorites work in multiple scenarios to keep your little pet engaged and happy. Whether you are looking for something as an outlet for your chinchilla’s energy or want a cozy place for them to sleep, there is a chinchilla toy on our list that we think will work great.

Check out our top recommendations for chinchilla toys based on use and personality.

  1. Naturals by Rosewood Trio of Fun Balls Small Pet Toy
    • Contains three different balls
    • Safe for chewing
    • Can stuff treats and hay inside
    • Budget-friendly option
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  2. SNOMEL 10 Pack Small Animal Combo Apple Wood Activity Toys
    • Comes with ten toys
    • Made from natural materials
    • Can be used for all small rodents
    • Help to keep teeth growth in check
    Check Amazon
  3. Kaytee Lava Ledge Small Animal Toy
    • Easily attach to the cage
    • Made from a naturally coarse pumice stone
    • The dyes used are all food safe
    • Supports dental health
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  4. Emours Small Animal Warmly House Cage Hanging Bed
    • Provide a safe place
    • Easily attach to the cage
    • Features a soft plush interior
    • Inside bedding can be removed to be washed
    Check Amazon
  5. Quality Cage Crafters 15" Chin Spin Chinchilla Wheel
    • All metal/wood construction
    • Chew-proof
    • Dual ball bearings keep it working for a long time
    • Mounts to all wire cages
    Check Amazon

Top Picks: The Best Toys for Chinchillas Today

#1. Best Overall: Naturals by Rosewood Trio of Fun Balls Small Pet Toy

In our review, the best toy for chinchillas is the Naturals by Rosewood Trio of Fun Balls Small Pet Toy. This simple toy can provide hours of play and enrichment for your chinchilla. Your little pet can roll them, chew them, and explore the different textures. The trio comes with three balls. One is made of rattan, one is made of seagrass, and one is made of water hyacinth. They are all safe for chewing and can actually help keep your chinchilla’s teeth clean and trim as well.

The weave is open enough to stuff treats or hay inside. This replicates the rooting for food behavior that chinchillas do in the wild. The different textures are also great to help owners find out what types of toys their pet prefers. Just like people, pets have their own personalities and preferences. One reviewer used them to learn more about her pet. 

These are budget-friendly toys, which is important considering they will most likely get chewed up before too long. You can buy them in a 3-pack or 9-pack. You can also look for other toys from Naturals by Rosewood that have the same materials or features that your chinchilla liked best.

As with any toy made for chewing, it’s important to know what materials and chemicals go into the production of the toy. These are made without any glue, staples, plastic, or metal so you can be sure that they are safe. However, one of the downsides is that the balls aren’t very bouncy. This means that your chinchilla might not find them as fun and engaging as other toys.

Pros and Cons of the Naturals by Rosewood Trio of Fun Balls Small Pet Toy

ProsCons
Available in either a 3-pack or 9-pack of different balls.The balls are not particularly bouncy, which means they may not keep every chinchilla entertained.
Each ball is made from a different type of fiber such as rattan, seagrass, etc.
Chinchillas can safely gnaw and chew on these balls.
The open-weave design means you can add treats inside them.
They are designed without any glue, staples, metal, or plastic materials.
Best
Naturals by Rosewood Trio of Fun Balls Small Pet Toy
  • Contains three different balls
  • Safe for chewing
  • Can stuff treats and hay inside
  • Budget-friendly option
Check Chewy Check Amazon

2. Best Multi-Pack: SNOMEL 10 Pack Small Animal Combo Apple Wood Activity Toys

For a great variety of toys, consider the SNOMEL 10 Pack Small Animal Combo Apple Wood Activity Toys. It comes with ten toys: a small bell roller, dumbbell, unicycle, water grass ball, rattan ball, molar block with rope, apple branch, molar string, pine ball, and programming ring. Your chinchilla may only like one or two for repeat play but this pack is a great way to let your pet explore. It also helps you learn more about their preferences.

Some of these toys can be hung on the top or sides of your chinchilla’s cage. This allows them to stretch and move in a different way. Other toys roll. Additionally, all of the toys are safe for chewing and can help keep your chinchilla’s teeth healthy. Many reviewers opted to give just a toy or two at a time to make the multi-pack last for a longer time. However, some reviewers mentioned disappointment at the small size of the toys. They felt that their chinchillas went through them rather quickly.

Pros and Cons of the SNOMEL 10 Pack Small Animal Combo Apple Wood Activity Toys

ProsCons
This 10-pack includes a wide variety of toys.Some reviewers felt that the toys were too small.
These toys are safe for your chinchilla to chew on.
Some of the toys can be hung up on the sides of your chinchilla’s cage.
Best Multi-Pack
SNOMEL 10 Pack Small Animal Combo Apple Wood Activity Toys
  • Comes with ten toys
  • Made from natural materials
  • Can be used for all small rodents
  • Help to keep teeth growth in check
Check Amazon

3. Best for Chewing: Kaytee Lava Ledge Small Animal Toy

Your chinchilla will love gnawing away at the Kaytee Lava Ledge Small Animal Toy. Lava rocks are a great chewing enrichment toy for chinchillas. The Kaytee Lava Ledge attaches to the side of their cage using a built-in attachment point. Your chinchilla can climb and chew, getting both exercise and teeth cleaning. It is made of a naturally coarse pumice stone that supports dental health. Unfortunately, due to its size, your chinchilla won’t be able to do more than just perch on the ledge. 

These are one of the more colorful options for your chinchilla’s environment. This novel stimulation can be a great way to introduce a new thing for them to explore. Don’t worry — the dyes are all food safe and won’t harm your beloved pet. The lava ledge comes in blue, yellow, or pink. You can also purchase them individually or in sets of three. You should expect to replace them once they have been chewed down to the point where your chinchilla can’t climb or perch on them safely.

Pros and Cons of the Kaytee Lava Ledge Small Animal Toy

ProsCons
Provides your chinchilla with a great option for chewing and climbing.The ledge is only large enough for your chinchilla to be able to perch on it.
It is made of naturally coarse pumice stone.
The ledge comes in a variety of colors.
Best for Chewing
Kaytee Lava Ledge Small Animal Toy
  • Easily attach to the cage
  • Made from a naturally coarse pumice stone
  • The dyes used are all food safe
  • Supports dental health
Check Chewy Check Amazon

4. Best Burrow: Emours Small Animal Warmly House Cage Hanging Bed

Emours Small Animal Warmly House Cage Hanging Bed is the perfect option if you’re looking to provide your chinchilla with a safe space. Chinchillas need the option to find a safe place for seclusion and to hide from potential predators. Even though your pet is not likely to have many predators around, this natural behavior is still a vital part of their healthy life. Adding a burrow toy like the Emours Soft Hanging house is a great way to do this.

This toy attaches to the cage and can be hung from the bars. It has a soft plush interior. Some chinchillas may like to have additional bedding added, such as hay or straw. Since it is made out of plush material, this little chinchilla home will need to be washed pretty frequently. Luckily, the inside bedding can be removed and washed. The entire chinchilla house can also be thrown in the washing machine on a gentle cycle to keep it in tip-top shape. 

Some owners found that their chinchillas also liked to perch on top of the house. It is sturdy enough to support its small weight, although you may need to hang it a bit lower to allow for that space.

Pros and Cons of the Emours Small Animal Warmly House Cage Hanging Bed

ProsCons
This is a safe space option for your chinchilla thanks to the soft plush interior.It will need to be washed pretty frequently because of the plush material.
The house can be hung in their cage.
You can machine wash both the inside bedding and the overall house.
It can support your chinchilla’s weight if they decide to perch on top of the house.
Best Burrow
Emours Small Animal Warmly House Cage Hanging Bed
  • Provide a safe place
  • Easily attach to the cage
  • Features a soft plush interior
  • Inside bedding can be removed to be washed
Check Amazon

5. Best for High-Energy Chins: Quality Cage Crafters 15″ Chin Spin Chinchilla Wheel

Your high-energy chinchilla will love taking laps on the Quality Cage Crafters 15” Chin Spin Chinchilla Wheel. Finding an appropriately sized exercise wheel for chinchillas is more difficult than many owners assume. This is because chinchillas are bigger rodents and they need an exercise wheel that won’t damage their backs. The Quality Cage chinchilla wheel is perfect thanks to its large size. 

The wheel is made from both metal and wood. This wheel is pricey and almost double the price of plastic small animal wheels. However, it is chew-proof and will last for a long time, an important component for chinchillas who love to chew anything and everything in their cage. The wheel can be easily mounted in their cage as well. There are four metal brackets that help you to secure the wheel to the frame of your chinchilla’s cage. Thanks to the ball-bearing mechanism are also much quieter than many other options. 

Finally, another fun part about this wheel is that it is available in lots of different colors! This means that you can choose the best color to complement your chinchilla’s cage aesthetics.

Pros and Cons of the Quality Cage Crafters 15″ Chin Spin Chinchilla Wheel

ProsCons
This wheel provides chinchillas with a large running surface.This is a pricey option.
It is made from metal and wood and is chew-proof.
The wheel can be easily mounted in the chinchilla’s cage.
The ball-bearing mechanism keeps the wheel quiet.
Best for High-Energy
Quality Cage Crafters 15" Chin Spin Chinchilla Wheel
  • All metal/wood construction
  • Chew-proof
  • Dual ball bearings keep it working for a long time
  • Mounts to all wire cages
Check Amazon

How to Choose the Best Toys for Chinchillas

The right toy for your chinchilla can greatly improve their mood and overall well-being. Chinchillas need to be kept active and they also need toys that they can chew on. After all, their teeth never stop growing, so having something to gnaw on is great for their dental health. In addition, there are other factors that you must consider when choosing a toy for your chinchilla. 

For example, when deciding on a chinchilla toy, consider how your pet likes to play and interact, the space that you have available, and if you want to replace the toy in the future.

When it comes down to choosing the best option, there are three main factors that you should consider: 

  • Pet’s personality 
  • Space 
  • Replacement 

Let’s take a look at each of these factors in more detail below:

Pet’s Personality

Most chinchillas engage in similar behavior, including chewing, running, burrowing, and exploring. Your individual pet’s personality can impact how much time they spend doing each of these activities as well as what textures, sizes, and types of toys they prefer. Choosing a multi-pack or a set of toys with different textures can help you learn more about your chinchilla’s preferences overall.

Space

Most chinchilla toys are small and sized appropriately for these small animals. However, some do take up more space in their cages, such as wheels and treadmills. Chew toys are often the smallest but your chinchilla may want to carry them around, scattering them throughout their cage. To maximize the space in your chinchilla’s environment, you may want to include toys that can be hung or mounted on the sides of their cage. Just make sure that they are still accessible and won’t hurt your pet if they try to jump down.

Replacement

Chinchillas love to chew so don’t be surprised if you need to replace their toys periodically as they chew through them. This is a natural behavior and necessary for their healthy development. Additionally, chewing is also a great way for them to trim their teeth and keep them clean. If you don’t want to worry about ordering replacements often, look for toys that you can buy in bulk or ones that are cheap enough to buy multiple of at the outset.

The 2 Different Types of Chinchilla Toys

As we have gone over, not all toys for chinchillas are made the same. There are different types and each of them serves a different purpose. While chinchilla toys serve a variety of functions, you can divide them into consumable toys and permanent toys. Each type has its own pros and cons, discussed here.

The most common pros and cons include: 

  • Consumable chinchilla toy — Great for chewing. Cheap. Often made of natural materials. Can create a mess. Need to be replaced periodically. Costs can add up. 
  • Permanent chinchilla toy — More durable. Great for shelter. Can add permanent features to your cage. Often more expensive. Take up more room. Not all chinchillas like them.

About the Author

Katie is a freelance writer and teaching artist specializing in home, lifestyle, and family topics. Her work has appeared in At Ease Magazine, PEOPLE, and The Spruce, among others. When she is not writing, Katie teaches creative writing with the Apex Arts Magnet Program in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. You can follow Katie @katiemelynnwriter.

The Best Toys for Chinchillas FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What kinds of toys do chinchillas enjoy playing with?

There are a variety of toys that chinchillas enjoy playing with. These include toys that allow them to exercise such as an exercise wheel, toys that they can chew on, and toys that they can burrow into.

What kind of toys should I avoid getting my chinchilla?

When it comes to toys, you’re going to want to avoid any that are made from cheap materials. This is because more often than not they may be manufactured with toxic materials. However, it is important to look at how they are made and not just assume that a fairly priced toy is bad for them. Make sure that anything the chinchilla gets as a toy is safe for them to chew on as they are known to chew a lot.

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