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Chinchillas => Q & A => Topic started by: luvmychinchins on June 19, 2006, 05:24:30 PM

Title: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: luvmychinchins on June 19, 2006, 05:24:30 PM

Hi, :::grins:: My chin is three years old and he doesn't chew on his toys ::shrug::. His brother chews on everything. I  have to take him to the vet every other month to get his teeth trimmed :do:. Is there anything I can do for him???

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Jo Ann on June 20, 2006, 04:16:59 AM

::silly:: Hi,

    Chewing is normal/natural for all chinchillas ... the only reason I can think of that he will not chew would be that there might be something wrong with his teeth or a tooth ... making it to painful to chew. 
     On a temporary basis, something stuck between the teeth or between a tooth and the gum, or an infection, but on a long term basis, that's completely different.
     He could have malocclusion, a split tooth, a bone spur, sharp edges left when the teeth are trimmed ... something is keeping it to painful for him to chew, would be my only guess.
     Has your vet x-rayed your chin's teeth?  It may be well worth it to possibly find out the cause of the problem.
     Malocclusion is not only the over growth of the part of the teeth you can see, but often overgrowth of the roots of the teeth.  They can rap around the jawbone, entangle the base of the chin's tong, and even grow into the brain and kill it.
    Do you give your chins loose hay or hay cubes?  Chewing these help with a chin's teeth. The fresh hay is good, and with the chin that does not chew it's toys, is really needed.  The cube hay makes them chew more to get the same amount of hay, but it is hard and harder to chew, he may not want them until the problem is corrected.
    Do they have a lava stone in the cage at all times?  This is a must ... the lava stone provides the chin a safe way to gently grind it's teeth.
    Popsicle sticks are good for chins to chew and are easily handled by the chin.  You can take a raisin, cut it open and rub it all over the Popsicle stick ... they usually love this!  rofl
    Even a small amount of clean fresh dust bath dust is often chewed by the chins to help smooth their teeth.  Sprinkling about 1/8 of a teaspoon over their food once a week will help in severe cases.  You will hear them doing what sounds like grinding their teeth, but they will be smoothing them down.  ::nod::
     Getting the teeth trimmed is treating the symptom, but if the cause can be treated, that would be even better.   :::grins::

    ::wave::
Jo Ann

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Jenova on July 25, 2006, 10:24:59 AM

I know I'm not an expert, but have you tried using natural things like a branch from an apple tree (or another tree that is fine for chins). I think that they like to eat the bark and then chew on the wood, so that might encourage him. Like I said I'm not an expert, just trying to help.  :)

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Jo Ann on July 25, 2006, 10:59:00 AM

::silly::Good idea, Jenova!  ::thumbsup::  I totally forgot about the apple tree branches ... they do seem to love them! :P
  Just make sure the tree has never been sprayed and there are no bugs or mold on the branch before you give it to him.

 ::wave::
Jo Ann

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Debbie.nl.ca on July 25, 2006, 11:30:50 AM

If he is getting a trim every other month at such a young age I would think he has a genetic defect for malocclusion. His mouth hurts so he can't chew.
How long has the trimming been going on?
After the first year he should be able to go several months between trims.Sometimes it can take up to 2 years to get control of such a defect.
Mine like the small animal mineral chew blocks, they also have calcium in them.
You will need to up his Vit'c intake, and the best I've found was recommended by Betti Cogswell, calcium ascorbate powder, yes it's Vit.C. You can add it to the water bottle.Cranberry juice is good of he'll drink it.
It helps the gums heal from infection and firms them up so they can hold the teeth better.
Very important to a chin getting trims.
Get as much calcium as you can into him, either Tums, calcium chews, or anything else he will eat.
Yes keep trying him with everything you think he may chew, even a solid cardboard tube may get him started, then work him up to harder things.
Timothy hay is the best for wearing down those back teeth, so if he's eating his hay that's a good sign.
How is his food intake?
How are hos droppings?
You can tell a lot about what goes in by what come out.
The poor little guy.
I have one here now that has been getting trims 6 years, he's about 12 years old now.
It can be done, but you will have to decide if your chin can tolerate this kind of life.
It's not easy nor any fun for either of you I know.
Give him a chinny kiss from me will you, I know what he's going through, and you.

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: FluffBall on July 25, 2006, 09:51:02 PM

should a healthy chin have cranberry juice offered to him as well and mine won't chew tums is there a fav. flavor?

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Joyce on July 26, 2006, 09:03:33 AM

As far as the Tums go........Some of them like them and some don't.  I have a set of beige twins that need extra calcium daily for a deficiency.  One of them LOVES getting her 1/4 piece of Tums daily!!!  The other one runs as fast as she can to get away from it!!!  I have even offered every flavor  ::shrug:: 
They both like those calcium critter cones though. 

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: FluffBall on July 26, 2006, 12:05:00 PM

any one know about the cranberry juice and also I have been on an orange binge well clementines actually cause they are easy to peel and none of that white gunk is left on them well any way I went to play with my chins this morning after I ate one and they were licking my fingers and cleaning the white stuff that got under my thimb nail from peeling them can they have oranges?

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Joyce on July 26, 2006, 01:05:41 PM

Personally, I would never give my chinchillas oranges.  They get no fresh fruits or veggies.

As far as the cranberry juice 50% water/50% juice.  I always get the cranberry juice cocktail rather than the cranberry juice.  It doesn't have the extra additives like grape juices etc...
My pregnant chin & her hubby are getting cranberry juice now. I have never given it to my herd just for the heck of it!  But that would be hard to do with 25.  I have given cranberry juice to some of my sick chins as well as chins recovering from certain illness.  Good for chins who need to drink more fluids and/or need more calories and for chins who have UTI's.
Not sure about giving it all the time someone else may be able to answer that one.  Sorry.
 
Always remember to also give them a bottle of their regular water as well.

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Jo Ann on July 26, 2006, 02:04:32 PM

::silly::Hi FluffBall,  Thanks for bringing the question up  ::nod:: ... I'll add a little more to it, also. 

To All Newcomers to chinchillas ...

     Please keep in mind the size of anything you give your chin, especially when it comes to treats.  Remember, he/she is little ... a raisin may look small to us, but comparing it to the chinchilla's size ... that raisin is as big if not bigger than a softball.
     A chin's system is not made to process or handle acid fruits.  NO oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits,  clementines, or tomatoes, please. ::)
     Watery fruits and veggies (watermelon, lettuce, etc.) can cause diarrhea.
     Fruits grown with a pit in them (peaches) are poision to a chin.
     It's just like nuts ... nuts have oil in them naturally ... a chinchilla's digestive system can not process the oil and they eventually end-up with a fatty liver.  Many die from it. :'(
     Meat is another one ... chins are strict vegetarians.  I had a very troubling e-mail a couple of years a go from a young lady who's parent's friends gave her chin a BBQ rib (because they could not resist that sweet little begging face)... it loved it ... smacked it's little lips in appreciation.  She knew they were vegetarians, so she wanted to know if it was OK this one time, or what she could do if it was not.  I had to explain to her ... prepair her ... her little one would not survive very long and there was nothing she could do for it.   It died early the following day ... he could not digest the meat ... it blocked his intestines and shut down his system.
      This is where I am a firm believer in posting the dos and don'ts for everyone to see ... just encase you are not there when other family members have guests over and you are not there to tell them the rules. 

 ::wave::
Jo Ann[/i]

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Misskitz on July 26, 2006, 02:10:10 PM

Jo Ann i was wondering is Tums are OK i heard from other people but didn't know, also what kind of fruit branch is OK? ::shrug::

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Jo Ann on July 26, 2006, 02:15:11 PM

::silly:: I got side-tracked again! :doh:

Yes, cranberry juice is good for all chinchillas.  
(1) It helps moms get their milk in faster ... the taste makes them want to drink more ...
(2) It helps with urine infections ... flushes the system ...
(3) All kinds of good stuff in it for them, but I would not use it as a constant ... to much of anything can be bad AND you do not want your chin to get to where it is not drinking it's water.  If this happens ... remove the cranberry juice for a week or so.  
 I mix it (Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice) 1/2 and 1/2 with water and put about 1/2 a bottle up at a time ... in addition to their regular water bottle.
CAUTION:  This is summer ... it can cause an ant invasion ... ants love it, too.

 ::wave::
Jo Ann

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Jo Ann on July 26, 2006, 02:23:21 PM

::silly:: Hi MissKitz ... you caught me while still on line  :D

    This is what an orthopedic doctor (for humans) told me ... " Tums are nice as an antiacid" ... BUT ... "calcium needs to be in an acid environment to be processed properly and used by the body" ... I am going to assume that the same would go for a chinchilla's system.  I do not use Tums ... I use cuttle bones from the bird section of the pet store ... it's best (and more economical) to get the ones without the hanger ... the hanger has to be removed ... it's made of aluminum and chinchillas will eat aluminum (not good for the tummy). ::puke::

 ::wave::
Jo Ann

We had the answer to the tree question on another post ... I'll have to look it up to be sure ... I'll add it to this post when I found it.

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Joyce on July 26, 2006, 02:36:29 PM

 :::grins:: I'd like to get a cuttlebone for Mia especially good for when she is nursing!  However, something still sticks in my head very strongly that was posted in the old forums. 
Someone said they had a chin or their friend had a chin that died from eating a cuttlebone.  A sliver came off and it got it stuck in it's throat and choked to death. :-[

So I have never been brave enough to make the plunge.  Even though I have heard good things about it from the BEST information sources!

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Misskitz on July 26, 2006, 02:39:10 PM

Ok i didn't know about Tums I'm not going use them. But again what fruit branches ARE ok?

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Jo Ann on July 26, 2006, 05:02:09 PM

::silly::Hi Joyce,

   Wonder if it was a sliver of the cuttlebone or the wire/metal holder?  Many people do not like the idea of it being on the floor of the cage and will leave the holder on it or will strap it to the bars with wire.   

    If you are afraid to put one in the cage, maybe you could just shave some of it off on to her pellets or mix it in her critical care? 
    If you don't have critical care ... take a few pellets, some hay and pulverize it in the blender ... shave a little bit of the cuttlebone in it ... add a tiny amount of Nutri-Cal (about the size of a pea), to hide the taste of the cuttlebone (of course some chins like the taste) ... mix well and form little balls of it (chin-paw-size) and give it to her as a treat.  Place in an airtight container and refrigerate.  If you don't have Nutri-Cal, you can use a tiny amount of yogurt.  Make sure you refrigerate in an air-tight container.

 ::wave::
Jo Ann

P.S. Still trying to find the post about the acceptable woods ... I think Jamie posted the answer ... I know apple, and pine are safe.  Apple safe IF it has NOT been sprayed. Pine has to be seasoned, not fresh.

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Joyce on July 26, 2006, 06:02:37 PM

 ::shrug:: What exactly is cuttle bone made of?  I went to pick up my 75 pounds of pellets tonight and forced myself down the "cuttlebone isle".  They look to me like the body of a filet of flounder.  Seriously, it really looks fishlike. 
 :blush2: Of course I left without one again.  Still can't get passed it.  Sorry.
What else can I give her when she is nursing that is really rich in calcium?

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: FluffBall on July 26, 2006, 10:22:31 PM

OK Jo Ann
ok woods are :
Peach, Apple, Birch, Aspen, Maple, Willow, Manzanila, & Hazelnut
no no woods are Cedar, Plum, Cherry, Oleander, & Redwood

ok to use untreated wicker baskets(double as a second home or hiding place that is safe)
wooden toys (lincoln logs, tinker toys)
cardboard paper towel tubes
kleenex boxes are fun too

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: chinclub on July 27, 2006, 06:39:15 AM

Anyone know about pear trees?  I am thinking they are ok but not entirely sure....

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: FluffBall on July 27, 2006, 07:46:06 AM

nope on the pear I am still a little questionable about the peach tree cause I remember Jo Ann saying something about no wood from trees that have pits in thier fruit? I am not sure so I will just stay away until I find someone
( a breeder that has breed for many many years)that has used it several times and it is ok

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Sweetnessheart on July 27, 2006, 07:51:12 AM

Mine love pear trees.  We have several trees and I just go out and cut off branches.  They will even roll over and over on them like a dust bath! ::silly::

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: chinclub on July 27, 2006, 07:59:26 AM

I have heard that about the pitted fruit too, but I am sure that peach is OK.  That came right out of the Joy of Chinchillas book.  They do extensive chinchilla research so we can trust them.

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: FluffBall on July 27, 2006, 09:25:04 AM

ok thankyou when I find one I will get them one
oh the willow they are talking about do they mean the weeping willow one or is there a diff kind of willow? I have 2 black thumbs and don't know much about plants and trees and such

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: tinabeana on July 27, 2006, 10:33:58 AM

Maggie doesn't really chew on things by herself. I don't know if its because she's spoiled, or just doesn't see it, but she tended to only chew on things if i hold it for her. She has no interest in wood blocks, lava stones or ice unless I'm holding it.

I also occasionally wonder about her sense of smell or sight. I haven't read anything about how good chinchilla sight is. I guess I assumed because she is a rodent she had less then sharp eyesight but keen smell. However she doesn't seem to realize I have a raisin unless I hold it close in front of her face, and if I move it away even a couple inches she rarely follows it. I know its not that she loses interest because she will wrestle me for a raisin.

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Summer on July 27, 2006, 02:32:49 PM

;)Hi mine love the apple tree I bought them. I just go out and get one. ::silly:: ::silly::

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: FluffBall on July 27, 2006, 05:42:21 PM

mine do too the bark is almost gone from it and they love to climb on it too  :chin:

does anyone know about willow wood? ::shrug::
if it is the weeping willow tree or something else cause I don't want to give them something I thought was ok and is actually not
if there is a wood just called willow or it is short for weeping willow?

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: FluffBall on July 28, 2006, 04:04:56 PM

hey you might want to try ice cubes I jsut found out that my chins love them
It may help if your chins teeth are tender or sore  :)

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Summer on July 28, 2006, 05:26:33 PM

 rofl My chins love the ice too. ;D

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: FluffBall on August 14, 2006, 12:44:44 AM

Jo Ann I just got a cuttle bone for my chins and well they LOVE ITthey hate tums I guess I am lucky to have chins that only like the things that are good for them and not the things that are not so good for them

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Debbie.nl.ca on August 15, 2006, 05:41:43 PM

Quote

Of course I left without one again.  Still can't get passed it.

 ;D :D
What's up with that Joyce?????? You haven't got to eat it and the chins love them.

I break them up into paw size piece so they can do the snatch and run.

I do believe they are made from fish bones though aren't they guys?????
I'm still giggling Joyce, sorry.
I'm trying a liquid calcium as we speak. 95% of them will take it right out of the dropper.
After I tried several other ways to sneak it on them, they loved it.
That soy shake that was mentioned on another thread by Lori would be another.
Check at you local health food store, they are a wealth of information.
Tums, alfalfa, calcium chewable tablets or reg, chew stones from the pet shop. Hartz has a great small animal mineral block with calcium.

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Joyce on August 15, 2006, 08:30:37 PM

 :::grins:: Debbie, you are so funny!  I am snickering at you snickering at me!!!!  OK, so someday I'll get a cuttlebone ya'll.
For now we have gotten a perscription calcium from our vet for Mia.  It is a liquid and is called "Calciquid".

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: FluffBall on August 15, 2006, 08:49:49 PM

yo should really try the cuttlebone my chins love it  rofl

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Leslie on August 16, 2006, 08:31:36 AM

I have two questions:  ::howdythere::

1. If cuttlebones are made of bones, and chinchillas are natural vegetrians... then why is it a good idea to feed them cuttlebones?  They might have a lot of calcium, but isn't there a vegetable source that would be more appropriate for their diet?

2. Are grape vine wreaths okay for chins?

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Jo Ann on August 16, 2006, 08:32:27 AM

::silly::Hi All,

cuttlefish ... a marine mollusk having 10 arms with suckers and have a hard internal shell called a cuttlebone.   :::grins::  You're right, Debbie.

Weeping Willow ... I found two sites in particular that give a very good description ... apparently the willow and the weeping willow are the same thing.  Here is the on line dictionary version to help you know there is actually 350 different kinds www http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willow    Here is another one that also give you a good description of the willow wood and is a kid friendly sight. http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/veg/trees/willow.htm

Quote from: chinclub on July 27, 2006, 07:59:26 AM

I have heard that about the pitted fruit too, but I am sure that peach is OK. That came right out of the Joy of Chinchillas book. They do extensive chinchilla research so we can trust them.

Thanks, Jamie, I wondered about that, but if they say it's OK ... great!  I should have looked it up.   :blush2:

Quote from: tinabeana on July 27, 2006, 10:33:58 AM

Maggie doesn't really chew on things by herself. I don't know if its because she's spoiled, or just doesn't see it, but she tended to only chew on things if i hold it for her. She has no interest in wood blocks, lava stones or ice unless I'm holding it.

I also occasionally wonder about her sense of smell or sight. I haven't read anything about how good chinchilla sight is. I guess I assumed because she is a rodent she had less then sharp eyesight but keen smell. However she doesn't seem to realize I have a raisin unless I hold it close in front of her face, and if I move it away even a couple inches she rarely follows it. I know its not that she loses interest because she will wrestle me for a raisin.

 ::nod:: BOY DOES SHE HAVE YOU TRAINED!!!    :D  Have you had a vet check her eyes?  You might want to, just to be safe.  

 ::wave::
Jo Ann [/i]

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Debbie.nl.ca on August 16, 2006, 05:21:37 PM

We do have a great laugh eh Joyce. :D Takes less muscles than frowning.

Quote

2. Are grape vine wreaths okay for chins?

Mine love them.

Quote

I have heard that about the pitted fruit too, but I am sure that peach is OK. That came right out of the Joy of Chinchillas book. They do extensive chinchilla research so we can trust them.

The pit thing I read in that pet shop chinchilla book by Barron's but I have never heard anyone on the net say it was a no no.
Barron's Chinchillas book, " A complete pet owner's manual", says it's ok to feed the fresh fruit, chinchilla pellets contain corn, and that a steady diet of rabbit pellets will cause liver damage.
Hmm get this it's an updated revised edition from a German book from 1992, and printed in Hong Kong. :doh:
No wonder people are so confused.

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Chins To Love on August 26, 2006, 08:24:49 AM

I never knew it was from a fish  ::shrug::, but I always thought it looked like one too. You never quit learnin. ::nod::

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Debbie.nl.ca on August 27, 2006, 10:36:43 AM

Mine tend to like fruit flavored chews, either in the tums or calcium chewables.
Cody loves banana, so I have even crushed them up in a little scrape off a fresh banana for him.
Too much cranyberry juice could cause soft droppings so just keep an eye on them.
No reason a healthy chin couldn't have some.
When ever I put things in their water bottles I use a second water bottle.
Some just don't like certain things so I keep a plain water bottle there all the time as well.

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Jenova on November 27, 2006, 02:10:06 PM

I'm going to buy Cheech a cuttlefish tomorrow but I was wondering how much to give him. Is it possible to give him too much?

You guys are great answering all my questions. Thanks.  :::grins::

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Debbie.nl.ca on November 27, 2006, 06:45:23 PM

Na I wouldn't think he could have too much, but either tie it to the cage, or break it up in hand size pieces to keep it clean. ::nod::

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Abby W. on November 27, 2006, 07:50:15 PM

Yeah cuttlebone seems to be pretty easy on their systems.  I have some who will eat an entire whole bone in one sitting...no problems yet.

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Jenova on November 29, 2006, 06:37:04 PM

I bought him one and he can't get enough of it. I don't think he put it down for 24 hours.  :::grins::

Thanks for the advice everyone.  :)

Title: Re: Chin doesn't chew on anything
Post by: Abby W. on November 29, 2006, 06:50:07 PM

I'm glad he liked it so much.  It is always so much fun to watch them play
with a new toy!