If you read some of the chinchilla forums and FB groups it certainly could seem that way.
You’ll find a lot of people complaining about the noise their chinchilla makes at night and how it keeps them awake.
Do chinchillas really make that much noise at night?
And even if they do, aren’t there things you can do about it?
There sure are. And the main thing you can do is easy and seems like complete common sense to me.
Keep reading to learn how noisy chinchillas get at night, and the steps you can take to make it a non-issue.
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Are Chinchillas Noisy At Night?
Yes, chinchillas can be noisy at night. They are crepuscular, which means they are most active at dawn and dusk, but also tend to be quite active at night.
When they are active, they will jump and climb throughout their cage, which usually makes quite a bit of noise, depending on your cage set up. And as we know, everything sounds louder at night.
The firs thing to understand is that this is normal. Most chinchillas are noticeably more active at night, which is why many people mistakenly think they are nocturnal creatures.
However, as mentioned already, they are crepuscular. This makes it completely natural for a chinchilla to be lazy and sleepy during the day.
Then at night, they are wide awake and ready to jump all over the cage.
The good news is that if you take a few precautions ahead of time and make a few small adjustments, your chinchilla climbing all over the cage shouldn’t bother.
So let’s jump right in to some tips and tricks you can implement to curb some of the noise a chinchilla may make at night, along with some other helpful words of advice.
4 Tips For Dealing With A Noisy Nighttime Chinchilla
I implemented all of these tips myself, so I can definitely vouch for them. The first one was definitely trhe most important change I made. I sleep sop much better now.
Tip #1: Don’t Keep Your Chinchilla In A Bedroom
The first tip I can give you to avoid the frustration of noisy chinchilla behavior at night is to simply not have your chinchilla in the room where you sleep. Or in anyone else’s bedroom.
This is going to help you avoid all of the sounds a chinchilla may make at night. That can be the sound of them running around like crazy, or it can even include barking.
Have a separate room in your home dedicated for your chinchilla cage.
In another post I have broken down the proper sizing for chinchilla cages, I discuss the importance of having a large cage in a separate room of the home for this specific reason.
Keeping your chinchilla in your bedroom is not a good idea. Unless you are not a fan of sleep. Trust me, I did this when I first got my chin. Big mistake.
Having the cage in a room where you don’t sleep that’s not too hot and not too cold is the best plan of action.
I mention the temperature, because that is always a hugely important consideration with these little rodents. A hot room can easily lead to heatstroke for your chinchilla.
And if you are thinking you can just make your chin stop its nighttime activity, this is not a good idea.
Not only is it difficult, but you really shouldn’t try to hinder your chinchilla’s natural desire to get a little crazy at night time within its cage.
Tip #2: Use Fleece Liners Instead Of A Wire Bottom Cage
Tip 2 may seem somewhat “out of the box”, but it works great.
It’s part of the reason I recommend the cages I do. You can see which cages I recommend in my article that breaks down the top chinchilla cages you should consider.
Some chinchilla cages are more suitable than others. This has to do with size and what you can do with the cage after purchasing it.
This tip requires a cage like the Critter Nation 2 dual-level cage (review here). It is the cage I use myself and the top pick in that article on the best chinchilla cages.
However, a few other cages also allow for fleece liner upgrades. I love these cages because half of the noise a chinchilla makes at night is simply the sound of it bouncing around inside the cage.
The Critter Nation 2 and other cages that allow for fleece liners upgrades are going to dramatically reduce the sound your chinchilla makes when running around inside of the cage.
Especially compared to other options such as wire bottom cages.
With the cages I recommend, you can purchase chinchilla safe fleece liners to place on your plastic trays.
As you can imagine, fleece doesn’t make nearly as much noise when your chinchilla runs around playing with various items within the cage at night.
Not to mention, it’s extremely easy to clean and helps your weekly cage cleanings go much faster and smoother.
If you haven’t seen these liners for chinchilla cages, check out the fleece liners I use. They are specifically designed for use with the Critter Nation 2 cage.
- Designed specifically for Critter Nation Cage
- Includes: Two large pan liners (one with a notch/cut-out for the ramp opening, Two small shelf liners and three ramp covers
- Available in various designs
Tip #3: Allow Your Chinchilla Out For Playtime Once A Day
This is by no means a requirement, but I would consider it the ethical approach to owning a chinchilla.
Envision owning a chinchilla like owning a dog. Can dogs get crazy sometimes and act up or misbehave inside the home?
Sure, but what does the vet always recommend when you raise these concerns?
Walk the dog or allow it the chance to get out and burn off some energy. The same is true with a chinchilla. Giving it the chance to burn off some energy will go a long way toward less activity at night.
While it’s completely acceptable to skip time outside the cage from time to time, you should do your best to provide your chinchilla this pleasure every single day.
Not only does it let them burn off some energy, but it also helps you build a bond with your chinchilla. And it allows your chinchilla to show affection toward you.
But most importantly for our purposes here, it should result in your chinchilla being a little more laid back when inside of its cage again.
Tip #4: Embrace That An Active Chinchilla Is Normal
The final tip I have for you is to simply understand that your chinchilla getting a bit crazy at these specific times of the day is completely normal.
It shouldn’t bother you nor steer you towards not wanting to adopt a chinchilla. Embrace it and roll with it.
Owning a chinchilla is awesome from just about every angle imaginable. If they want to make a bit of noise at night, it’s not a deal-breaker by any means. It is something to expect with these pets. It is what they do.
Chinchillas Being Noisy At Night: Final Thoughts
As stated several times in this post, chinchillas can be noisy at night. But you likely won’t notice this much if you follow the tips laid out for you in this post.
Chinchillas are not hard to take care of. Some noise from time to time is simply part of the journey.
Chili and I wish you the best of luck with your new chinchillas and the journey you have ahead of you.
Now it’s your turn to share!
What tips could you add to this list?
Does your chinchilla get a bit noisy at night as well?
Be sure to share those thoughts, stories, and concerns by dropping a comment below.
As always, Chili and I appreciate you stopping by and reading today and we will see you again next time.
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