.A roomy, multilevel cage is a must, but initially you should be able to gently and patiently scoop your chinchilla out of his or her cage, so a smaller cage or large terrarium is fine for a baby animal that is getting accustomed to handling. Do not give the chinchilla anything to hide in initially until he or she seems fairly tame and calm in the surroundings, otherwise you will get a chinchilla that always hides as an adult. Solid bottom cages with newspaper or nontoxic pine shavings (cedar shavings can be toxic) or wire bottom cages are fine. If you have a wire cage, always put newspaper or solid wood (not plywood) on part of the wire bottom so your pet has a resting area. Large cages designed for parrots, with perches, or large ferret cages with different levels are both good for adult chinchillas, but it may be best and cheapest to build your own. Never put anything chewable on, in, or near the cage, as swallowing these can lead to serious, even fatal, complications. Chinchillas can, and will, chew anything available such as blankets, towels, plastic bags, plastic food dishes, hanging electrical cords, milk cartons, etc.