Chins are so unbelievably cute that for most chinchilla owners, it was a case of love at first sight. The chinchilla is native to the Andes Mountains in South America, where it lives the life of a nocturnal rodent.
As such, in their natural habitat, chins spend most of their time foraging and digging burrows to escape from predators. These rodents, therefore, have evolved to lead a high-energy lifestyle, which means that the only time a chinchilla can stay still for extended periods is when they are ill.
As a chin parent, therefore, it is your responsibility to provide your chinchilla with mental and physical stimulation to keep them healthy and comfortable. This is where chinchilla toys come in.
The following are reviews of the best chinchilla toys on the market today. Read on to find the ideal one for your pet.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorite Picks in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Emours Soft Hanging Chinchilla House
Allows your chin to “hide”
Made from soft material
Removable bedding for easier maintenance
Check Price
Best Value
Pawliss Teeth Grinding Lava Blocks
Great toy for chewing
Prevents chins from grinding against cage walls
Affordable
Check Price
Premium Choice
Living World Teach N Treat Toy
Great source of mental stimulation
Makes your chin smarter
Allows for progressive learning
Check Price
Kaytee Chinchilla Chiller Granite Stone
Easy to maintain
Compact size
Provides a cool spot to hang out on
Check Price
Kaytee Silent Spinner Wheel
Provides physical stimulation
Quiet spinning
Can attach to a wire cage or be free-standing
Check Price
The 9 Best Chinchilla Toys
- Emours Soft Hanging Chinchilla House — Best Overall
Check Latest PriceBeing prey animals, chins have evolved to be constantly on the lookout. This is why they dig burrows to hang out and sleep in, as burrows do not make them feel exposed.
Even though your chinchilla does not face any predatory threat in your home, it is still hardwired to find safe spots to sleep in. This is why it is so important to get them a house where they can hide.
Check Latest Price
Being prey animals, chins have evolved to be constantly on the lookout. This is why they dig burrows to hang out and sleep in, as burrows do not make them feel exposed.
The Soft Hanging Chinchilla House by Emours is a cozy little hideout that resembles a loaf of bread. It measures 10 inches long, 8 inches wide, and 8 inches tall and is made of the luxurious and soft flannelette fabric.
Your chinchilla will have a great time hanging out and sleeping in this soft crib. However, since these animals poop frequently, the fabric is likely to get stinky quite fast, which means that you will have to wash the bedding regularly.
We have this product as our top pick due to the comfort that it allows your chinchilla; any other type of toy will be meaningless if your pet is not comfortable in the first place.
Pros
Allows your chin to “hide”
Made from soft material
Removable bedding for easier maintenance
Cons
Has to be washed and dried frequently
- Pawliss Teeth Grinding Lava Blocks — Best Value
Check Latest PriceLike with other rodents, the front pair of incisors on chinchillas never stop growing throughout their lifetime. As a result, chins need to gnaw on something constantly to trim their incisors. Without something to gnaw on, dental issues are bound to develop, which can cause your pet a great deal of pain.
The Grinding Lava Blocks from Pawliss are among of the best toys that your chin can gnaw on. In addition to helping them keep their teeth trim and healthy, they also prevent them from grinding their teeth against the cage wall or other materials in the cage.
Allows your chin to “hide”
Made from soft material
Removable bedding for easier maintenance
- Allows your chin to “hide”
- Made from soft material
- Removable bedding for easier maintenance
Has to be washed and dried frequently
- Has to be washed and dried frequently
Like with other rodents, the front pair of incisors on chinchillas never stop growing throughout their lifetime. As a result, chins need to gnaw on something constantly to trim their incisors. Without something to gnaw on, dental issues are bound to develop, which can cause your pet a great deal of pain.
Each lava block is a 2-inch cube, and a pack comes with six of these cubes, which should last for a considerable period.
At their price, you should not feel a dent in your wallet even if your pet goes through a pack in a week, which is highly unlikely. This makes them an incredibly cost-friendly chewing toy for chinchillas.
However, you need to be careful when unpacking them from their wrappers, as too much force can cause the blocks to crumble.
Pros
Great toy for chewing
Prevents chins from grinding against cage walls
Affordable
Cons
Can crumble when held tightly
The Teach N Treat by Living World is a unique, interactive, and educational toy that is a great source of mental stimulation for your animal. Additionally, it allows you to spend quality bond time with them.
Great toy for chewing
Prevents chins from grinding against cage walls
Affordable
- Great toy for chewing
- Prevents chins from grinding against cage walls
- Affordable
Can crumble when held tightly
- Can crumble when held tightly
By now, you might have already realized that your pet is quite a curious creature. Beings that are blessed with curiosity require a great deal of stimulation to quench their inquisitive nature. Consequently, if you do not provide them with adequate stimulation, you risk having a depressed chinchilla on your hands.
Check Price on Chewy
This toy allows you to engage your animal’s observation, listening, and learning skills by utilizing a system that rewards them whenever it solves a puzzle. This ensures that your chin’s mind stays active and alert, while making them sharper.
Additionally, it comes with three sets of configurations with differing levels of difficulty, which allows you to keep challenging them.
Even though some might find this toy to be quite expensive, it will go a long way in helping you engage your pet’s instincts effectively.
Pros
Great source of mental stimulation
Makes your chin smarter
Allows for progressive learning
Offers a fun, bonding platform for both you and the chin
Cons
A bit pricey
As such, if you live in an area with a warmer climate, it would be a good idea to have a cool surface in their cage where they can relax whenever they are feeling hot, as it will make them more comfortable. Additionally, temperature changes can also provide stimulation to your chins.
Great source of mental stimulation
Makes your chin smarter
Allows for progressive learning
Offers a fun, bonding platform for both you and the chin
- Great source of mental stimulation
- Makes your chin smarter
- Allows for progressive learning
- Offers a fun, bonding platform for both you and the chin
A bit pricey
- A bit pricey
As mentioned, chinchillas are native to the Andes Mountains, which happen to be quite cold, with an average temperature of 64°F. As a result, in warmer environments, these animals can be prone to overheating.
The Kaytee Chinchilla Chiller stone is made of granite, which is a material that stays cool even when room temperatures elevate.
To use, simply place it anywhere inside your pet’s enclosure. Even though it might take a little while to get used to, once your chin tries it out, it will probably become their new favorite hangout spot.
Some people recommend placing the stone inside a freezer for about 10 minutes before placing it inside their cage, as doing that will make the stone to stay cooler for longer.
This stone, however, can be susceptible to breaking if dropped.
Pros
Keeps your animal healthy by regulating their body temperature
Easy to maintain
Compact size
Provides a cool spot to hang out on
Cons
Breaks if dropped
The Silent Spinner Wheel by Kaytee is great because its design ensures that it does not make noise while in action. Additionally, it easily attaches to a wire cage or can even be free-stanidng.
Keeps your animal healthy by regulating their body temperature
Easy to maintain
Compact size
Provides a cool spot to hang out on
- Keeps your animal healthy by regulating their body temperature
- Easy to maintain
- Compact size
- Provides a cool spot to hang out on
Breaks if dropped
- Breaks if dropped
To ensure that your chin is getting enough exercise, you could use a spinner wheel. It will tire them out so they do not become susceptible to stress due to inactivity.
When looking for a spinning wheel for your chin, solid floor wheels, such as this one, are usually the best options. This is because solid floor wheels eliminate the potential for your chin’s feet getting caught or stuck in the holes in the wheel.
Moreover, the fact that you can attach it to a wire cage makes it great because chinchillas are exceptionally strong and can easily tip over wheels that are free-standing.
Some buyers, however, say that the wheel can be stiff.
Pros
Provides physical stimulation
Quiet spinning
Can attach to a wire cage or be free-standing
Attractive design
Cons
The wheel can be stiff
You simply place a stick inside the enclosure or attach it to a “kabob” toy for extra stimulation. A pack of these sticks usually consists of 10 pieces; however, you can get larger packs if you want to.
Provides physical stimulation
Quiet spinning
Can attach to a wire cage or be free-standing
Attractive design
- Provides physical stimulation
- Quiet spinning
- Can attach to a wire cage or be free-standing
- Attractive design
The wheel can be stiff
- The wheel can be stiff
These all-natural chew sticks by Kaytee are a good source of physical and mental stimulation for your animal. Additionally, they provide your pet with a good gnawing material to trim their teeth so they can remain in good shape.
As mentioned, chinchillas need to trim their teeth constantly to prevent them from overgrowing. However, having only one type of material to gnaw on can quickly become boring for your fur baby. Therefore, by using a variety of options, you will keep your animal stimulated in addition to preventing them from becoming too picky.
Pros
Good for wearing down the teeth
All-natural apple tree sticks
Provide mental and physical stimulation
Cons
Some animals do not show much interest in these sticks
To use, simply hang it to the roof of the enclosure, fill it with fresh hay, and then watch as your chins jump at it to get the food inside the ball. This toy also comes with a little bell attached to the bottom that rings whenever your pet touches it.
Good for wearing down the teeth
All-natural apple tree sticks
Provide mental and physical stimulation
- Good for wearing down the teeth
- All-natural apple tree sticks
- Provide mental and physical stimulation
Some animals do not show much interest in these sticks
- Some animals do not show much interest in these sticks
This toy is a Ware Manufacturing Hay Ball of chew-proof wire. It is designed to provide your chinchilla with mental and physical stimulation and is also a feeder.
The hay ball also provides a good workout because the chins will have to jump to reach the hay. Some buyers say that their chins love feeding from the hay ball so much that they stopped eating the hay on their feeder. Another benefit of using the hay ball is that it results in less messy feeding.
Some chins, however, do not seem to care much for hay balls.
Pros
Chins can work out while feeding
Provides stimulation
Does not result in much mess
Cons
Some animals may not be interested in them
Lava ledges are made from pumice rock and are coated with “pet safe” food colors to allow your chinchilla to use them for wearing down their teeth and nails to keep them healthy. Additionally, they come with fasteners to allow you to attach them to various points on the cage so they can act as ledges for your chins to jump on, thereby allowing them to get in exercise.
Chins can work out while feeding
Provides stimulation
Does not result in much mess
- Chins can work out while feeding
- Provides stimulation
- Does not result in much mess
Some animals may not be interested in them
- Some animals may not be interested in them
The Lava Ledge is another great toy by Kaytee, and it works to not only act as a nibbling surface but also as an exercising tool.
A pack comes with several ledges to allow you to place them at different levels on the cage walls to encourage your chinchilla to hop around, which results in a stronger and healthier animal.
Pros
Encourages natural jumping behavior
Provides gnawing material
Easy to install
Compact size
Cons
You might need to replace them frequently
- OxGord Playpen
Check Latest PriceWhile the OxGord Playpen is not a “toy” in the traditional sense of the word, as it provides you with interactive space for your chin to chill in when looking to give them a change of scenery from their usual enclosure.
Coming in at a diameter of 45 inches and a height of 24 inches, this playpen is exceptionally large, thereby ensuring that your animal has a great deal of playing room. Additionally, it comes with storage compartments where you can place their other toys. As such, it is the perfect bag for carrying your chin with in case they are to accompany you in your travels.
Encourages natural jumping behavior
Provides gnawing material
Easy to install
Compact size
- Encourages natural jumping behavior
- Provides gnawing material
- Easy to install
- Compact size
You might need to replace them frequently
- You might need to replace them frequently
While the OxGord Playpen is not a “toy” in the traditional sense of the word, as it provides you with interactive space for your chin to chill in when looking to give them a change of scenery from their usual enclosure.
Moreover, regularly switching your chin between its enclosure and this playpen will help prevent boredom.
However, it comes with a strong smell that your chin might not like much. Fortunately, that smell wears off after a couple of washes.
Pros
Provides a different environment for your chill to chill in
Easy to assemble
Easy to clean
Breathable mesh screen
Two-door access
Collapsible for easy storage
Cons
Strong initial smell
Buyer’s Guide
Getting the ideal toy for your chinchilla is easier said than done, as there are so many options. It is especially difficult to make the right choice for first-time chinchilla parents. To help you make the right decision, consider the following tips when looking for the best toys for your chinchillas.
Provides a different environment for your chill to chill in
Easy to assemble
Easy to clean
Breathable mesh screen
Two-door access
Collapsible for easy storage
- Provides a different environment for your chill to chill in
- Easy to assemble
- Easy to clean
- Breathable mesh screen
- Two-door access
- Collapsible for easy storage
Strong initial smell
- Strong initial smell
Avoid the Cheap Stuff
When we say “cheap,” we are talking more than just the price of the toy; we are also talking about how it is manufactured.
Some chinchilla toy manufacturers utilize an automated system to produce as many toys as possible within a given period, which definitely affects the overall quality of the product.
Since chins will nibble at almost anything, you want to be sure that any toy that you provide them with cannot harm their health. As a rule of thumb, avoid cheap chinchilla toys, as it is highly likely that they have been cheaply made.
However, this is not to imply that all costly toys are of good quality. As such, it is important to look for information about any product before buying to find out whether it is safe for your pet.
Purpose: Chewing vs. Playing
The purpose you are looking to fulfill by getting a toy for your chin plays a big part in the type of toy that you should purchase.
If you already have toys that help your animal keep their teeth in good condition but are concerned about the shape that they are in, then you are better off looking for a toy that will get them working out, such as a spinner wheel.
Safety
Chins can be especially susceptible to injuries due to their delicate nature. As such, the toy that you get should have a low risk of injury. When it comes to spinner wheels, avoid those that have horizontal spokes. Instead, go for those with a flat, even surface. This prevents your animal from trapping their legs in the spokes.
Conclusion
Your cute chinchilla can be a handful as their intelligent, inquisitive nature calls for a great deal of mental and physical stimulation. Considering that the average lifespan of a chinchilla is between 15 and 20 years, not providing them with adequate stimulation will make for one dreadful existence for the animal.
Fortunately, there is a wide variety of toys for chinchillas. The issue, however, is finding the best one.
After checking out different products, we are confident that the Soft Hanging Chinchilla House by Emours is a must-have toy, as it mimics a chin’s natural environment by providing them with a place to hide and rest.
Our value pick is Pawliss’ Teeth Grinding Lava Blocks, as these are made of safe, high-quality materials that your chin can grind their teeth against, and this product is quite affordable.
With chin toys, however, it is important to have variety. Therefore, in addition to those two, you can also get a toy that helps your animal to exercise to ensure that it remains in great shape. You cannot go wrong with any product from the reviews in this article.
For more reviews on gear for your Chinchilla, check out these posts:
- Best Chinchilla Food
- Best Chinchilla Wheels
- Best Chinchilla Dust Baths
- Best Bedding for Chinchillas
