Especially when it’s something she loves and I can see how much fun she’s having.
One of her favorites is her chinchilla wheel.
But these wheels can be a risky purchase.
Many of them don’t work well, and some are downright unsafe. They can be costly, too, so you can easily waste money.
That’s what I want to help you with today.
Keep reading for a rundown of the best chinchilla wheels on the market, plus everything else you need to know regarding wheels for your chinchilla.
Best Chinchilla Wheels Compared
If you’re short on time, any of the recommendations from the table will work great for your chinchilla. But if you have a little more time, I encourage you to read the rest of this article.
Below, I dive into breakdowns of each of the best chinchilla wheels and answering other frequently asked questions new chinchilla owners often have about chinchilla wheels.
4 Best Chinchilla Wheels Reviewed
These brief reviews of the 4 top wheels for chinchillas will help you decide which model is best for you and your pet.
#1: Quality Cage Crafters Chin Spin Chinchilla Wheel
- Heavy duty construction (will not need to be replaced)
- No plastic construction (eliminates chinchilla chewing)
- One year replacement warranty
- 100% chinchilla safe
- Open design to prevent overheating
- More expensive than other chinchilla wheels
This chinchilla wheel runs away with first-place by a long shot. It’s hard to even sum up all the perks and benefits of this specific wheel without getting too long-winded, but let’s give it a whirl.
First, it’s offered in 6 different colors, which makes customization and placement into your chinchilla’s cage easy.
You can choose between the following colors:
- Blue
- Pink
- Purple
- Light Blue
- Metal Light Gray
- Dark Gray
At the end of the day, this wheel is definitely a bit more costly than the other options on this list, but it’s well worth the money.
It’s safe, durable, and backed by a warranty. You know for sure that you won’t have to replace it.
Heck, it even offers replacement bearings in case it loses some of that “spin” your chinchilla is bound to love. A clear-cut choice for the best chinchilla wheel currently on the market.
#2: Felix And Fido Spin Safe
- No plastic
- Strong and durable design
- No exposed edges
- 1 year warranty
- Slightly pricey
- May be too large for some chinchilla cages
The Felix and Fido Spin Safe Wheel is a close runner up to my number 1 ranked wheel. It’s another excellent option to consider.
It looks very similar to the Quality Cage Crafters wheel, but it’s not offered in all the different colors. It’s still the same large 15 inches and is a durable and long-lasting option to consider.
Overall, compared to the previously mentioned chinchilla wheel, it’s nearly identical apart from the color options. It offers nearly the same construction and peace of mind warranty.
However, due to not having the replacement bearings readily accessible and no additional color options, it only comes in 2nd place on my list.
#3: Angel Wheel Metal Chinchilla Wheel
- All metal construction eliminating chinchilla chewing
- 16 inches (biggest option on this list)
- Quiet spin with sealed bearings
- Included bonus items like dried flowers and meadow hay
- Textured surface (allows for better grip while running)
- No color customizations available
- No 1 year guarantee
- Large wheel may not fit all cages
This chinchilla wheel is my #3 ranking option. It is also an appealing and safe for your chinchilla.
Once again, this wheel does not present the customizations available with the Quality Cage Crafters wheel, but for the price difference, it’s a must-consider option.
Overall, this wheel is saving you about 30% to 50% compared to the number 1 and number 2 ranked wheels.
Considering, color customizations are about the only significant loss, I certainly believe it belongs on this list and should be considered for anyone looking for a safe and budget-friendly option.
That said, the other two wheels are definitely better made and will likely last much longer (the fact that this one does not come with a guarantee speaks volumes). Get this one if on a strict budget, but go for one of the other two if you have the funds
#4: Kaytee Comfort Wheel
- More affordable
- Solid construction (good for chinchilla's feet)
- Sturdy stand to rest on
- Not as robust as options 1-3
- Not as long lasting
- Plastic opens the door to chewing
The Kaytee comfort wheel is another great and safe option. You do, however, need to be careful when ordering this wheel because it is offered in three different sizes.
- 8.5 inch
- 10 inch
- 12 inch
Go with the larger wheel if possible, meaning if it fits in your cage. I also like that this wheel has different colors to choose from: blue, red, and pink.
Overall, my biggest complaint about this chinchilla wheel is that it’s smaller than the other options. It’s also plastic, which is just begging to be chewed by your chinchilla.
However, for the price difference and the fact that it’s a sturdy and reliable option, I still believe it deserves a spot on this list. Not to mention, I have always liked and trusted Kaytee products.
Buying Guide For Chinchilla Wheels
Now we move into the essential details. The meat and potatoes of the post. It’s important you understand exactly why I recommend the chinchilla wheels above.
Several considerations are essential to keep in mind. Here’s a look at a few of them.
Material Matters
The material you use for anything related to a chinchilla is always critical. Mostly because chinchillas are about as chew happy as a new puppy x 10.
They will chew about anything they can reach or access. This is clearly a concern.
First, it’s a concern for your chinchilla’s health.
You don’t want your chinchilla chewing something harmful or anything that can potentially cause a blockage in its sensitive and small digestive tract or stomach.
Next, who wants to buy something that’s ultimately going to be chewed and ruined. I know I don’t, and I’m assuming you don’t either.
That’s why there is only one plastic wheel on the list and it is ranked #4. I wanted to include one plastic option for those on a budget and the one from Kaytee is far and away the best.
But the metal wheels, especially the first two, are worth the extra money. They are far more durable.
Don’t get me wrong, though.
A plastic chinchilla wheel won’t be chewed to pieces the first day you place it inside the cage. And that’s why I still included a plastic version. It is cheap and will last for a while before it needs to be replaced.
But it won’t last a lifetime, like the top two choices can.
Size Is Critical
Next comes the sizing. I personally like chinchilla wheels that are at least 15 inches in diameter. I think they provide more space and more of a chance for your chinchilla to enjoy using the wheel.
While the smaller 12-inch wheels work just fine, if you can spring the few extra dollars, I’d go with the larger option. Especially if you have space inside of your chinchilla cage for it.
Surface Makes A Difference
The surface is also a big topic of concern. You want to make sure your chinchilla is comfortable when it is using the wheel.
Never use a wheel with open bars.
This is also one of the reasons I advise against using wire bottom cages.
Chinchillas have tiny feet, and open bars could cause their foot or toes to slip between the bars. They could get stuck or even break a bone.
Stick to wheels with flat surfaces, or flat surfaces with texture. This is the most comfortable and the best option overall.
Should Chinchillas Have A Wheel?
Wheels provide entertainment and exercise. They are also perfectly safe, as long as you buy the right kind of wheel (like the ones listed above). So yes, it is a great idea to get your chinchilla a wheel. That said, some chinchillas simply don’t enjoy them as much as others.
Do All Chinchillas Like Wheels?
It depends on the individual chinchilla. Some chinchillas enjoy playing on a wheel and are on it all the time, while others may use their wheel far less frequently. Not all chinchillas react to wheels in the same manner.
How Big Should A Chinchilla Wheel Be?
A chinchilla wheel should be at least 10 inches. 12 and 15 inch chinchillas wheels are best (with larger always being better), if your cage permits this size.
Are Wheels Safe For Chinchillas?
Yes, wheels are safe for chinchillas, assuming that they don’t have open bar construction where a chinchilla’s feet can slip between the bars.
Also, never allow your chinchilla to use an enclosed wheel. This can cause overheating. It’s imperative that chinchillas remain at proper temperatures to stay safe due to their dense fur coats.
How Do I Get My Chinchilla To Use A Wheel?
Shockingly, some chinchillas don’t realize right away that a wheel will move and bring them hours of fun. Once they realize that the wheel moves, they will be ready to use it in most circumstances.
The first thing you can try is placing some chinchilla dust onto the wheel.
This will get your chinchilla investigating, and once it places weight onto the wheel and realizes it spins, it will begin to figure out that it has a fun new toy to play with.
If you can’t get the dust to work, you can also try using a treat to get your chinchilla to realize that the wheel moves.
Wait for your chinchilla to move in that general direction and use the opposite hand to begin slowly making the wheel spin once your chinchilla is in place.
One way or another, I feel confident that you can get your chinchilla using the wheel quickly.
Chinchillas are smart animals. They adapt to their environment quickly, and a wheel shouldn’t present much of a challenge for either of you.
Just be sure to keep an eye on things at first to make sure everything looks safe and that everything is functioning correctly.
Best Wheels For Chinchillas: Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, any one of these best chinchilla wheels is an excellent upgrade for any chinchilla cage. Not to mention, it can provide mental and physical stimulation for your chinchilla.
If you go with another model that wasn’t featured here, ensure it is a reputable and recommended brand and be sure everything seems safe.
I’m sure your pet will love the wheel just as much as my chinchilla did. I wish you the best of luck with your chinchilla and its new wheel.
If you end up buying a chinchilla wheel, could you let us know?
As always, I enjoy it when the readers chime in on my blog posts.
Which wheel did you end up buying? How is it working out? Does your chin love it, or has it not taken to its new toy yet?
Let me know by dropping a comment below. 🙂
As always, thanks for stopping by, and thanks for reading. Chili and I appreciate it and will see you next time:)
Jennifer says
Ugh, wheels have been my latest headache in getting our chin’s cage all set up. She came with one of those flying saucer-style wheel, which she hasn’t touched. We did just move her into a new, much larger cage, so I was hoping the extra space might help make the wheel more appealing to her….but if she still hasn’t used it in the next week or so, I plan to order her a more traditional wheel that mounts to the side of the cage.
Problem is, I really, REALLY don’t want to spend $100+ on a wheel. On the other hand, I don’t really like the cheaper options. The Kaytee wheels are just too small (even if they weren’t plastic). I use a 12-inch Silent Spinner for my rats, and chinchillas are much larger critters. The one that looks like a pie tin might be a good compromise….but I’m concerned by how narrow the running surface is. Did that present an issue for your chin? The other wheels are a good deal wider on the running surface. Also, from the reviews on Amazon, it looks like the pie tins tend to wear out after a few years, and if I have to buy a second one, that’s going to erase whatever money I saved on it to begin with.
….yeah, I’m probably going to end up just biting the bullet and getting a Chin Spin. Chin enthusiasts seem to agree almost universally that it’s the best. I still don’t think a rodent wheel should be that expensive, but not needing to replace it down the line will be cheaper in the long run. I know this. But that price tag still hurts.