Initial Setup Cost: Cost to Purchase the Chinchilla Depending on whether you choose to purchase the chinchilla from a breeder or a pet store, the price may vary. The price can range from $75 to $250. I bought Twister for $150. Housing/living arrangements Chinchillas need large cages with multiple floors so they can jump, run and stretch their legs, as they are very active animals . The cage can be made of wire, but the wire should have a very small gap between it, as their feet can easily get trapped and their delicate legs can break. You can get a cage with a removable bottom to make cleaning easier, but make sure some parts of the cage have a solid bottom so the pet's feet don't get irritated. A decent cage will cost at least $100 and can go up to $300. I purchased my cage for $200. You can purchase a used cage from Craigslist for slightly cheaper, but you need to make sure the cage is completely clean and free of diseases that could be transmitted to your pet. Bedding is optional, but it helps control odors and provides a soft place for your chinchilla to rest. It's best to buy in bulk and buy a large package of bedding for $35 a month. To stretch your bedding a little more and reduce costs, you can tear up old newspapers and mix them with the bedding, so the package can last about two months. ½” Exercise Requirements Chinchillas require a lot of exercise, as it is crucial to their health and well-being. They should be allowed to exercise outside the cage for at least 1-2 hours each night. Without exercise, a chinchilla will suffer from depression, feelings of fear, extreme anxiety, and neurotic habits such as pacing. you can purchase a package for just $1.ToysChinchillas love to play, so toys are a must. A hideout is usually needed so they have a place to retreat to when they feel uncomfortable and can be purchased for $15. They also need to chew, as their teeth are constantly growing. Wooden chew toys keep your chinchilla entertained and their teeth healthy and generally cost $5. These need to be replaced about every two months as they wear out quite quickly. Overall Cost Within the first month, getting started with everything you might need would cost $521. For the first year, you would spend $505 on maintenance. Bedding - $210 Dust Bath - $40 Food - $204 Miscellaneous - $51 In total, for the first year of owning a chinchilla, you would pay $1026, not including any emergency vet visits.