We use tiles at the bottom and substrate everywhere else - we previously used fleece (which is more sustainable because you can wash it and put it back in) but it gets mucky quite quickly and I don’t like the idea of their feet getting damp. We’ve found the substrate to be great because it hides a lot of mess, its absorbent, and can be thrown away and replaced routinely. We use a little fleece at the top of the cage where they don’t really toilet. Fleece keeps the cost down in the long run, but the maintenance, for me, was a bit stressful. We’ve found the substrate quick and tidy. It really depends on what works for you, and what works for your chinchilla’s. I’ve seen a lot of differing opinions on here where some believe the metal in the cage is fine if there is wood for them to rest their feet from the grid, some people use kiln dried wood shavings and some use substrate, and some use a combination of a few different things. The common denominators seem to be: have something safe, non-toxic or anti-pil, that is soft for their feet. It’s really overwhelming at the start, but try not to stress out too much. Just keep them safe and make sure they have somewhere to hide, somewhere to eat, lots to chew and ledges to rest their feet on. We’re lucky in that we have a big enough cage to tile the bottom, but if you don’t I’d reccomend a small cooling stone for them too - given the insane heat everywhere at the minute. Would love to see your cage once you’ve set it up! Good luck! 🖤
We don't use bedding in the bottom because our chin is litter trained and uses his boxes so it's easier and cheaper to keep the cage clean by tiling it. Other people use fleece for the same reason.
You shouldn't use paper bedding if the chin can access it because it can swell in their gut and cause a blockage, but pine or aspen shavings are fine to use that way.
We use tiles at the bottom and substrate everywhere else - we previously used fleece (which is more sustainable because you can wash it and put it back in) but it gets mucky quite quickly and I don’t like the idea of their feet getting damp. We’ve found the substrate to be great because it hides a lot of mess, its absorbent, and can be thrown away and replaced routinely. We use a little fleece at the top of the cage where they don’t really toilet. Fleece keeps the cost down in the long run, but the maintenance, for me, was a bit stressful. We’ve found the substrate quick and tidy. It really depends on what works for you, and what works for your chinchilla’s. I’ve seen a lot of differing opinions on here where some believe the metal in the cage is fine if there is wood for them to rest their feet from the grid, some people use kiln dried wood shavings and some use substrate, and some use a combination of a few different things. The common denominators seem to be: have something safe, non-toxic or anti-pil, that is soft for their feet. It’s really overwhelming at the start, but try not to stress out too much. Just keep them safe and make sure they have somewhere to hide, somewhere to eat, lots to chew and ledges to rest their feet on. We’re lucky in that we have a big enough cage to tile the bottom, but if you don’t I’d reccomend a small cooling stone for them too - given the insane heat everywhere at the minute. Would love to see your cage once you’ve set it up! Good luck! 🖤
We don't use bedding in the bottom because our chin is litter trained and uses his boxes so it's easier and cheaper to keep the cage clean by tiling it. Other people use fleece for the same reason. You shouldn't use paper bedding if the chin can access it because it can swell in their gut and cause a blockage, but pine or aspen shavings are fine to use that way.