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1

General Chat / Chico Chewing Bedding

« on: July 07, 2010, 01:41:26 AM »

I use the aspen bedding for Chico -- at first it was the type that is very fine, small pieces, but last time I needed some the only kind available was more like aspen shavings, not as small.  Now I am noticing Chico chewing on it, possibly actually eating some of what he chews.  He seems to like to go after the pieces that are slightly darker in color, I guess because they stand out.

His appetite is still fine, he is eating normally re his hay and pellets, and his droppings are normal, so whatever chewing or eating he is doing of the aspen shavings does not seem to be affecting his digestion -- but I'm concerned.  Is there any risk to him from chewing or eating the aspen shavings?

2

General Chat / Exercise Wheel

« on: May 26, 2010, 02:47:27 PM »

Chico loved his original wheel -- ran in it like crazy a lot, and slept under it.  However, the bar that stuck out in the center of it lightly brushed over his back when he ran and I found fuzzy bits of his fur.  His back does not look bald or anything, but it concerned me to see the fuzz. 

So I bought another wheel, one of those Silent Runner ones, which has the advantage of only having a small knob in the center rather than a bar that sticks out.   

He can't seem to get up the same speed in the new wheel.  It is made of a different plastic, and he looks more like he is "bouncing" in it than running.  Also, because it curves slightly inward around the outer rim, his droppings kind of collect in there and rattle around.  He does like to sleep IN this wheel, he curls up and looks like he's in a cradle.  But he's not running much in it. 

I can put the first wheel back in.  But should I be bothered that it rubs some fuzz off his back?

3

General Chat / Does your chin suck its thumb?

« on: March 17, 2010, 01:33:33 PM »

Mine does!

Actually, Chico puts his mouth on the top of his right paw.  He'll sit up and hold it up to his mouth like that, or sometimes he stretches out and rests his head on his paws but with the right paw up to his mouth.  For all the world, looks like he is sucking his thumb, it is SO cute!  Also, kind of seems like it is a "self comforting" thing that he does.

And he likes to sleep upside down under his wheel sometimes, too. 

4

Q & A / Paper Roll -- Is It Safe?

« on: December 23, 2009, 05:32:47 PM »

I'm wondering if the light-weight cardboard rolls that come with paper towels and T-paper are safe for chins to play with and chew on? 

Think I have seen that they are, but I am wondering about the glue used, so thought I'd better ask!

5

Health / Asleep with Eyes Open?

« on: December 01, 2009, 11:03:50 AM »

This morning when I got up, Chico was sitting on the second floor of his cage when I went out to say Good Morning to him.  His back was to me, he was facing toward the kitchen, eyes open.  I spoke to him several times and he didn't move, and his breathing rate didn't change.  So I reached in and touched his back, and he still didn't move.  I petted his head and his ears lowered a bit, and I stroked his back a number of times but he still didn't move.  But then, all of a sudden, he seemed to "wake up" and whisked up to the third floor of his cage as if very startled. 

Was he asleep with his eyes wide open?  I am kind of wondering if he might have epilepsy and was having a petit mal seizure.  Can chins have epilepsy?  Usually when he's asleep during the day in his hut, when I check on him his eyes are shut or mostly shut. 

6

Q & A / Good Online Store to Buy Chin Stuff -- Recommendations?

« on: November 26, 2009, 01:41:48 PM »

I'm an hour's drive from the nearest pet store, and there are a few things that Chico needs.  Would like to know where would be best to get

Chinchilla pellets  (and what type is best)

Pumice for chewing

Chinchilla dust

a Cooling Pad

The regular pet stores (PetSmart, Petco, etc.) are also online and I can order from them, but are the regular pet stores the best places to buy what Chins need? 

I'm good on hay.  A few months ago I just went out and bought a whole bale of timothy and 5 big plastic storage tubs, and I still have most of it (still smells really good and fresh, too).  If anyone can do that, it's a huge savings over buying the small bags in the stores, but there needs to be room to store it and in a way that it can't get dusty and full of bugs or anything. 

7

Q & A / New Chin, Just Checking on Couple Things

« on: November 26, 2009, 12:06:06 AM »

Hi, I'm new to the forum and new to owning a Chinchilla!

My Chin is a male, about 2 years old, and I've (re)named him Chico.  He belonged to my step-niece who has had him the entire 2 years but now between school and her other activities, she doesn't have time to give him, so she asked if I would like to take him when we were over there on Sunday.  Thus, I've had him 3 days. 

I had a triple-decker cage not being used, and I cleaned that up again and transferred him to that.  Formerly he had no toys in his cage, but now he has 2 hanging chew toys. 

He has seemed to enjoy running up and down the 3 levels, but mostly he stays down in the bottom where he has a metal shelter.  I understand that Chins are mainly nocturnal and pretty much sleep during the day, but so far he isn't really coming out until way late at night, after we all go to bed and turn out the lights.  We are night-owls here, so normally the lights go out around 2 to 3 AM.  I thought he'd be coming out and around in the evenings even though we have lights on -- but so far, nope.

Also, I'm not sure he is eating much.  He did eat most of the hay I put in for him last night, but not much of the hay-pellets (if any).  His poos look okay to me, which is good.  Just after reading in here how "piggy" Chins seem to be, it has stood out to me that most of his pellets and some of the hay are still sitting around. 

Do you all think that his behavior is probably due to the overall general stress of moving to a new place and new cage?  Maybe I should put him back in his old cage for a while?  It's a nice size, just has a couple of platforms and nothing for him to "do" in there, but maybe he'd settle in better if I did that? 

On a good note, although he barked and stamped at me the first day when I went to pet him in the cage or pick him up, he's not doing that any more.  I pick him up gently by the scruff of his back over his shoulders, and then put my other hand under his feet to support him and lift him out to cuddle against my upper chest where he sticks his head under my chin.  Briefly, then he wiggles a lot to get down so back in the cage he goes.  He bit me a few times the first day, but not so hard that it did any damage -- just nippy, and he has not done that yesterday or today.