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1

Q & A / Re: Worries about chinchilla weight

« on: July 29, 2015, 09:26:47 AM »

He was an unexpected gift and my friend took him from a girl who wanted to get rid of him... she couldn't tell me his exact age nor whether he was took from a breeder or a pet store... she could just tell me he was "about" 6 months. The previous owner is unreachable, I cannot contact her to ask more about him. He was playful and really friendly so I never worried about him.

I'll keep monitoring him and I'll take him to a check as soon as I can, chinchilla veterinarians are a rarity around here since they're not exactly a common pet.

2

Q & A / Re: Worries about chinchilla weight

« on: July 29, 2015, 08:20:04 AM »

No, no, no fruits or sugars, just pellets. I attached some photos of it, it's called Chinchilla and degu Complete. They used to have just for chinchillas too but for some reason I can't find it in any pet stores anymore.

3

Q & A / Re: Worries about chinchilla weight

« on: July 29, 2015, 07:42:49 AM »

His normal weight is around 370-380, he's been constant, this is why at first I was like maybe this is just how he is, especially since he's so active, but after seeing a lot of chinchillas his age being bigger I thought that maybe I'm not feeding him the right way or there is something I'm not doing well

4

Q & A / Worries about chinchilla weight

« on: July 29, 2015, 07:07:53 AM »

Today I've weighted my chinchillas and while Kina, 4yo, is in the normal range weighting 595 g, Casper is worrying me with just 386g... He's 2yo and he's Speedy Gonzales, chinchilla version, he just can't stand still and he's never been big. I'm checking his teeth weekly, his poopoo and how & how much he eats to see if there are any changes and everything's been ok. As treats he only gets goji berries/rose hips/ raisins but only once in a few months or on special occasions. I've been giving him porridge oats but again, in small amounts. Their diet is based on hay and Versele laga chinchilla food ( i live in Romania and it's the best food i've found around here) which they enjoy.

So what I'm asking is since his health is ok, he's never been heavy and he's eating alright ( please let me know if you advice against the type of food i'm giving them ) should I be worried about his weight and if so, what can I do to help him gain some?

I've attached a photo of him.

Thanks in advance!

5

Health / Re: nose fur problem

« on: July 19, 2014, 03:20:51 PM »

I wouldn't say "pain" but he does act strange... At first i thought that it was because of the new chin but now he just can't stand being touched. He used to love neck scratches and now he runs away when we scratch him but not scared/ in pain/ antisocial way, more like he just doesn't like that ... And tonight when he screamed when i tried to hold him... That scared me!

I'll keep an eye on him these next few days and i'll do the marker thing.

6

Health / Re: nose fur problem

« on: July 19, 2014, 03:03:10 PM »

No, nothing... We don't have any other pets..... Could it be that he may have gotten into a fight with Kina during playtime? But then he should have other marks too, I guess

Or   okay, this sound weird, but when he runs in his wheel he keeps his nose outside the wheel and i guess it may be rubbing his fur off... But that doesn't explain the behaviour

7

Health / nose fur problem

« on: July 19, 2014, 02:20:37 PM »

I have two chins, Kina and Casper and I was away for three weeks and my family took care of them.

Tonight, when I came back, I noticed that Casper layed on his side for a few moments and that was something that he just wouldn't do. He was and is just as active as always and happy and curious so I didn't have any reason to worry - no food change, fresh water every day ( not tap water) regularly changed bedding- , but when I held him and looked closer, I noticed that some fur on his nose was missing.

I have a photo attached - best i could take, tempted him with a raisin so he's "stay put"... what do you think it could be? The skin looks normal, it isn't red or weird in any way..... My family didn't notice anything as Casper is not exactly the touchy kind - he actually screamed when i held him, again, this he would never do -  so he wouldn't let them take really close looks.

 I'm getting really nervous so if you have any idea of what it may be and what i could do for him.... I'll be forever in debt to you. Thank you in advance.

8

Q & A / Re: new chin and old chin trouble

« on: June 24, 2014, 05:52:00 AM »

Hahahhaha!!! Exactly!!! He's now such a hugger haha. I looove them so so much!  it's so cool to see how they do have personalities and they're so mischievous :p

9

Q & A / Re: new chin and old chin trouble

« on: June 22, 2014, 09:20:13 AM »

Yeah I guess he was a little jealous.
However, I am super glad to announce you that now they're best friends and get along super good . They spent time in the same room, then i let them play together and now they sometimes share the cage. Since she can't have babies, i let them share the cage but i haven't notice any weird behavior. Kina's a sweet pie,we still have a lot to work on but they're both cool

here are some pics, the one on my shoulder is Casper ( people love calling him Stitch, tho, and me Lilo because we're inseparable) and the sweet lady is Kina.

10

Q & A / new chin and old chin trouble

« on: May 16, 2014, 03:09:33 PM »

Hello there.. So I just got a new chinchilla from a breader who wanted to get rid of her because she didn't have any babies and she was already 2 yo. Named her Kina. Got her home, put her in her new cage and the problem I have is that she keeps barking very loudly and Casper, my 8 months chin which i've had for 4 months is now acting weird. I keep them in different rooms but the noise gets trough and he just is soooo nervous. I opened his cage and he jumped straight in my arms- and he hates being handled or held- and then straight under the wardrobe. We have a very strong bond and I really want to know what could i do for him to adapt to the new chin. All the sites talk about how to make the new chin at home but none about how to help your first pet adapt to the change. Now he started barking from my room and it's like they are communicating... He only barked twice since I got him, the first two nights he's been here.

11

Guestbook / Re: Hello from Maine

« on: April 11, 2014, 02:35:03 PM »

Hello there and welcome Glad to hear about Effie! Hope everything's going well with her accomodation

12

General Chat / Re: A Special question for the Ladies ....

« on: March 22, 2014, 03:11:09 PM »

Saw this post last month and payed a little more attention to casper's behaviour.. he did seem a little wilder and he'd avoid contact with me... we played just like usual, but he wouldn't spend too much time on my lap/shoulder/head... this was really interesting

13

Guestbook / Re: Hi from Europe

« on: March 22, 2014, 07:04:43 AM »

In sfarsit inca cineva din Romania!

Welcome aboard! Pufi's one cute chin. How old is he?

14

Guestbook / Re: Hello!

« on: March 22, 2014, 05:06:07 AM »

Hello there! That is one super cute picture

15

Guestbook / Re: Casper says "Hi" from Romania :)

« on: March 22, 2014, 05:04:37 AM »

Heey, thanks for welcoming us here, we're really greatful for this site and it's been of great help

Videos are soon to come ^_^



Well, I'm no expert since I've only had Casper for a few months but there are a few things about which I feel like they helped us bond.
First, music. Music is something we both love. We didn't get off on the right foot - long story- but music realxed him and allowed us to have quality time. He loves Debussy, Beethoven, Bach, Paganini... Guns N'Roses, Queen.. haha. Quite a versatile taste, right?

Something else were the treats- at first raisins but now goji fruits. I only gave him treats in order to educate him and after learning something, I stoped treating him so he'd want to see what else can he do in order to receive them . Apparently, it worked. He goes back to his cage everytime i tap on the door without any problems. He gives kisses and he knows what not to chew on - which is amazing since i study architecture so my house is full of model making materials and papers.

Something I did and i noticed a lot of people advise against is that i let him out of his cage a lot. I let him play even 2-3 hours if i have the time to watch him, and I noticed that this makes him more obedient when it's time to go back to his cage because he knows he'll get plenty of play time the next day..... Maybe this is something that only works for my chinchilla, I don't know, but Casper is happy and this makes me happy