Chinchilla Blog

Day 1 with the new flying saucer wheel. So far B-B and Haze don't get it. It is also very big! We tried putting treats on the wheel and placing them on it, but they quickly jump off. We will see how tomorrow goes!

It's been about a week now, and I have seen Haze standing on the wheel, but never running on it. He has been sleeping under it though...

Huge break through! Haze finally seems to get it. I had to kind of trick him onto the wheel by holding a raisin treat in front of him like a carrot on a stick...but he did it! He ran on it just long enough to take a bite out of the dried fruit and then after he was finished with the treat he jumped back up and tried it again! He ran on it for a few seconds and then jumped off and tried it one more time. B-B his girlfriend was a little confused on what the heck he was doing, but I think he likes it. It is really quite.

NOTHING in your chinchilla's cage should EVER be plastic. It is toxic to them when chewed and tiny fragments can severely damage the GI tract. If you aren't willing to invest in safe accessories for your pet, please don't get a chinchilla, because clearly the cheapest options are not the safest. THANK YOU!

Where did you purchase the plastic wheel?

I purchased it online. I feel sort of guilty singling out the website, as they do have quality products...this just isn't one of them

I agree with Amanda regarding plastic and chinchillas.This goes for keeping an eye on how close they are to a wall, curtain dresser, pillow or anything else they can get their hands on, as they will chew it. The plastic chin wheel did not last long, and now it is trashed. 
 
The wheel they use now is great. It is pricey, but it will or should last forever. It is also safe, easy to clean and gives them great exercise. I would recommend saving up for the flying saucer wheel. I am currently saving up to get the wheel for my other chinchilla cages.

oh and for the good wheel (the METAL one) and other great chinchilla products I recommendwww.chinchillas.com. Below is a link to the wheel page. 
 
http://www.chinchillas.com/estore/detail.aspx?ID=19

The Silent Spinner is horrible for a chinchilla. It is too small for them to run with a complete stride, it is plastic which means they can chew it, AND it is not sturdy/does not attach well to the cage. I know of a few people who've had that wheel fall onto their chinchilla while they were running on it. The only appropriate chinchilla wheels I've found are the Quality Cage flying saucer, Quality Cage Chin Spin, Edstrom wheel, and a Silver Surfer. They are all very sturdy metal wheels that are large enough for a chinchilla and aren't dangerous like the plastic wheel.

Everyone seems to be going on and on about how much chinchillas chew anything that is plastic. Well... I have had my chinchilla for about 4 months now... and he has not chewed on a single plastic item in his cage. He chews his woodens toys and his wooden house to bits... but he leaves everything plastic alone. And there is a LOT of plastic in/on his cage. I recently saw that my local PetSmart was selling the plastic version of the flying saucer. After going through 2 wheels that attach to the cage... and not only having the wheel break but ALSO the cage break... I decided to give it a try since it did not attach. Chi Chi LOVES it! It sort of rotates around slowly as he runs since it isn't attached... but he doesn't mind a bit. He loved his first 2 wheels, and I felt so bad about taking them out when they broke or damaged his cage... but he is quite happy and content with his new plastic saucer. Although it is not silent... it is MUCH MUCH MUCH quieter than the noisy plastic wheels that attach. Trying to sleep through those wheels was nearly impossible! The saucer does not bother me at all though. So if you happen to have a well-behaved Chin who does not chew plastic like mine... I highly reccomend the plastic saucer. It's a much cheaper version of the metal one... and I am very happy with it!

Jen, 
 
 
 
I'm glad you commented because it is my belief that there are many readers out there who are similarly, and likely unknowingly, willing to risk the health of their pets. While it sounds as though you have been lucky so far that your chinchilla has not been interested in chewing the plastic components of his cage, it is a FACT, not an opinion, that plastic is harmful to chinchillas when chewed. It would be heartbreaking if you had to say goodbye to your innocent Chi Chi because you decided he wasn't worth the investment in safe cage accessories. 
 
 
 
While I COMPLETELY understand that metal wheels can be more of a financial burden than plastic wheels, it would be in your chinchilla's best interest not to have any wheel at all than to put a plastic wheel in his cage. If you think about it, though, the metal wheels are better value in the long run because you are purchasing a wheel that the chin will have for a lifetime (assuming he doesn't eat plastic, they can live up to 20 years!) From your post, it sounds like you are at least on your 3rd wheel and probably would have a metal one paid off by now! 
 
 
 
My recommendation is the Chin Spin from Quality Cage for a solid wheel that is incredibly durable and not as pricey as the flying saucer. There are other less expensive metal wheels out there though. Aside from the chewing aspect, you should really purchase a wheel that attaches to a wall or the floor of your chinchilla's cage to ensure that it will not fall off a shelf or tip over, injuring your pet. 
 
 
 
I'll say it again, you are your pet's only advocate. It is your responsibility to do the research and only introduce safe items into your chinchilla's cage. Do not rely on the pet store to have accurate knowledge regarding these exotic pets. If you have questions regarding what is safe for chinchillas, this is a great resource: http://www.chincare.com/ 
 
 
 
It's not too late to make changes! I hope you decide to do so for the sake of your pet, and not your ears at night! 
 
 
 

Also, I failed to mention that if your chinchilla is young, his chewing habits will undoubtedly change as he ages. My chinchilla Tango is now 2.5 years old and he chews a bit more "boldly" than he did at 4 months! We have to keep a much closer eye on him now when he has time outside of his cage. Because your chin didn't chew something yesterday does NOT mean that he won't start chewing it tomorrow and at the point you catch him, it may be too late! 
 
 
 
*Sigh*... my heart goes out to these poor animals :(

You make it sound like I am abusing my chinchilla! "Sigh... my heart goes out to these poor animals." I love my animals very much and would NEVER do anything to harm them! I risked getting in trouble at work the other day because I threw away a glue mouse trap that the manager set because I thought it was cruel and inhumane! First of all... you say I need to get a wheel that attaches to the cage to better protect him from it falling on him and injuring him... the whole point of me getting one that does not attach is because the first 2 that DID attach fell off both times! It was NOT the wheel that broke... but the cage itself! The wheel was too heavy with him running on it, and the wire litterally snapped! The saucer that he has now is in NO way endangering him... it can not fall on him. It is on the bottom level, so it can not fall off of a shelf on him or with him on it. I even added a weight to the base of it to keep it from moving when he runs... and it is working like a charm now! He stays put... he is safe... and he is loving his new wheel. I'm sorry that I can't afford a cage with better wiring that costs several hundred dollars... or a metal wheel that costs almost a hundred dollars... but I think that I take excellent care of my chinchilla. He is happy... healthy... and has a better life than a LOT of animals out there. IF I do see that he starts chewing on the plastic parts in his cage... I WILL take the necessary steps to make it more safe for him. But until then... please do not make it sound like I am abusing my animal to everyone out there reading these posts... he is MUCH better off now that he has this saucer than he was when he had the wheel... and I keep a close eye on what he is doing in his cage every day. I would never put him in danger. I am one of the biggest animal lovers I know!

Dear Jen, 
 
 
 
It was not my intention to make you seem abusive - the post really wasn't meant to be a personal reflection on you and I apologize since you clearly felt that it was. But my job here is to educate readers about chinchillas and especially their safety and I disagreed whole-heartedly with your initial post endorsing a plastic wheel, just as I disagreed with it's mention in the original article (which I think was later agreed upon by all). My loyalty is to the animals and I'm sticking to my guns here: a chinchilla's cage is no place for plastic!  
 
 
 
I don't doubt your love for animals, I'm just trying to show you that you could potentially be harming your pet without even knowing it. My advice, before even bothering to purchase another wheel, would be to save for a metal cage. Besides the cage material being hazardous, I'm doubting that a plastic cage could even be made large enough or sturdy enough for a chinchilla. And I agree - these things ARE absolutely pricey, so let that be a warning to readers who are considering purchase or adoption of one of these exotic pets. They are incredibly fun and loving little guys, but also a long-term commitment. 
 
 
 
It is our intuition that we can trust products sold at pet stores to be safe for the animals to which they are marketed (believe me, I once fell for it too!), but sadly it is not always the case. You wouldn't believe how apathetic people become so long as it's raking in money. OF COURSE I don't believe that you would ever intentionally harm your pet. I was just afraid you had been given some inaccurate information that plastic is suitable for chinchillas when actually it is quite harmful. Maybe you already knew this, but I don't want other readers to be mistaken regarding the facts of chinchillas and plastic upon reading your post. 
 
 
 
Please keep us updated as to how your Chi Chi is doing. Also, I know of a small discount on a high-quality metal cage, so when you are able to upgrade please contact me again. 
 
 
 
Best wishes, 
 
Amanda 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I never thought of putting a weight. interesting.

I have already purchased the plastic flying saucer before making the post... which is the reason I made the post in the first place. So reconsidering it and saving for a metal one is not an option. And just like you are sticking with your guns on your opinion... I am sticking with mine. My chinchilla has a LARGE 3 level cage... a wooden house... a new pastic flying saucer wheel that he LOVES... a hammock hanging from the top... and plenty of wooden chew toys. He is happy, healthy, and I am in no way putting him in harm being that he does NOT chew the plastic (at this time). Again... if that becomes a problem, I will deal with it then. Until then... I go back to what I said when I said that I highly reccommend the plastic flying saucer wheel to anyone who has a chinchilla where chewing on plastic is NOT an issue!

I have already purchased the plastic flying saucer before making the post... which is the reason I made the post in the first place. So reconsidering it and saving for a metal one is not an option. And just like you are sticking with your guns on your opinion... I am sticking with mine. My chinchilla has a LARGE 3 level cage... a wooden house... a new pastic flying saucer wheel that he LOVES... a hammock hanging from the top... and plenty of wooden chew toys. He is happy, healthy, and I am in no way putting him in harm being that he does NOT chew the plastic (at this time). Again... if that becomes a problem, I will deal with it then. Until then... I go back to what I said when I said that I highly reccommend the plastic flying saucer wheel to anyone who has a chinchilla where chewing on plastic is NOT an issue!

Sorry for the double post... I didn't think it worked the first time. Also in response to Jennifer's post... the weight works GREAT! It was a 5 pound round weight that I got for 5 bucks at Walmart. I just taped the base down on top of it... and it really does stay put!

My fiancé and I have two great chinchillas, Starsky and Hutch (living at his house). We bought them together (they are brothers) because the owner was moving and wanted to give the chins a better home. As soon as we bought them, we went looking for a large cage. We wanted to build them a cage, but because we would be moving out when we got married, we decided we would buy them one. When we first started looking in stores we knew we wanted a big cage with lots of room for the chins to run and jump off things but we realized that not much has been made just for chinchillas. That was when we found a ferret cage. It’s called Ferret Nation. It is huge! And it works perfect for our chinchillas. We removed the wire ladders (they actually never used them and they would just jump from level to level) and trays sit on top of the wire shelves. The levels can be adjusted for different heights and we use wooden blocks for them to help jump from level to level. We think it is amazing and it was such a good buy. It is expensive but well worth it. It gives both of the chins there personal space and they get great exercise from leaping and jumping. I just thought I would let everyone know. :) 
 
 
 
Mandy 
 

Hi Mandy, 
 
 
 
Thanks for your post. I checked out the Ferret Nation on google and it seems like a great recommendation. I'm glad to hear you took out the ladders - they are certainly unnecessary and potentially dangerous (can cause broken legs.) We always appreciate input on safe chinchilla products. They are indeed tough to find in pet stores! Looks like you found a good buy - thanks for the recommendation! Readers are encouraged to check out the "Tango's Corner" link above for other recommended chinchilla products. 
 
 
 
Amanda

Since there seems to be a lot of chin experts on here i thought i should explain my chins situation and possible get some feedback....  
 
Okay. my girlfriend and i adopted a chinchilla one day on a whim(i dont regret it!!). well actually we bought it. 
 
the chin we adopted is only 2 1/2 months old.... he is pretty small. is this a problem? ive heard they shouldnt leave the parents till 4 months. i mean he seems lively but now that i've read more im a little concerned. Should i be?  
 
anywho, the chin came with a cage that is 30"x30"x24" it is wire top with a plastic basin as the base. it also has another plastic level with a plastic ramp. Yoda seems to like the space and the second level. also it has a hanging hammock. i had heard the plastic subject before and i was concerned so he has plenty of wood and seed filled toys to play with. we were also thinking of a wheel due to a not yet chin proof room. is there a specific wood i should use to build yoda some toys or should i buy them? i was thinking about building him a solid wood castle with a wood bridge for his play time... do they like open spaces or tunnels and cubbys? also anyone recommend any good chin flooring for easy waste recovery? 
 
im so nervous about this joint venture. im used to raising large dogs and german shepards..medium size.. so owning a chin is akward. but yoda seems to like me best and i like him...this could work ;-}

Hi Zac, 
 
 
 
Glad you stopped by and congrats on your new little companion! You asked a lot of good questions in your post and I'll try to answer as best as I can. 
 
 
 
First, baby chins are the one thing I don't claim to know a lot about, but hopefully Jennifer can help you out with that one because she's raised them since birth. Sorry I can't help there! 
 
 
 
As for the cage, the dimensions sound alright, but the plastic is definitely a hazard. As soon as possible, look into purchasing an all wire cage and perhaps one that is a bit taller that would give Yoda (cute name, by the way!) some more levels to explore. Check out the "Tango's Corner" link above for some examples. They are going to be more expensive that Yoda's current cage, but if you read my comments on Tango's Corner, I think you will understand why it's a good investment. 
 
 
 
In terms of wood, I have posted a list of woods that are safe for chinchillas to chew on (and therefore safe to use as cage shelving as well). They are listed here: http://www.chinchillaplace.com/chinchilla-blog/?Tag=Safe+Woods+for+Chinchillas 
 
 
 
Definitely beware that there are woods that are toxic to chinchillas. Of course, you do not want to go cut down some branches from the tree in your front yard without ensuring that species is on the safe list, it has *never* been sprayed with chemicals, and preparing it properly. (There are instructions on the site above as well.) Also, while you would think you can trust that products marketed for chins in pet stores are safe for them, but sadly this isn't always the case, so you will similarly want to double check any wood you are buying in the pet stores to make sure it's non-toxic (on the safe list.) Personally I buy all of Tango's accessories, food, treats, etc. from trustworthy online retailers. Chinchillas are exotic pets, so I would be surprised if a part time pet store clerk would know a lot about them. (I sure didn't until I adoped one!) 
 
 
 
You definitely want a wheel if Yoda isn't getting exercise outside his cage currently. The dilemma you will find, however, is that you need a sturdy wheel, but you can't put a sturdy wheel in a flimsy cage and the cheaper wheels in the pet store are usually not chinchilla safe (i.e. made of plastic, don't attach to the cage, etc.) You will find that if you put a high quality wheel in a high quality cage, your chin will get your money's worth out of it! Check out my recommended wheels at the Tango's Corner link at the top of the page. Tango has used both the Chin Spin and the Flying Saucer and has loved them both. They last a lifetime (we just upgraded to the Saucer later because I couldn't afford it in the beginning.) 
 
 
 
Last of all, don't be nervous! We're here to help with any questions you have! Take a look at the resources on the site. Jennifer has done a great job posting info. I try to add when I can, but I'm currently a medical student which, as it turns out, is quite time consuming! :P Best wishes and many thanks to you and your girlfriend for helping out a chin in need!

Zac thanks for coming by the site! 
 
Chinchillas have a very long pregnancy and their kits are born fully furred and their eyes open within minutes. They also wean pretty quickly between 6-8 weeks. Our baby ghost started nibbling hay by or before the 3rd week, so I am sure that Yoda will be fine as long as he is eating solid food and seems active. Getting them that young has some advantages as they are easier to train and bond with their human friends. 
 
It is recommended to separate male chinchillas from their mothers at 8 weeks. Male chinchillas can become sexually mature as early as 8-10 weeks. 
 
The castle idea sounds really fun! You will have to send some pics our way. Make sure to take a look at Amanda's article on safe chinchilla woods before you get started. 
http://www.chinchillaplace.com/chinchilla-blog/bid/6051/What-chew-talkin-about 
 
As for a wheel, it is nice to have and they really enjoy it. I recommend getting the flying saucer wheel. It is pricey, but it should last a lifetime. 
 
I own a greyhound as well and have loved having chinchillas! I am sure you and your girlfriend will have a lot of fun with Yoda.

I love these postings; this is my first visit to your site and I am excited to find other chin owners and to be able to ask questions. Here is one of my one thousand and one questions about chinchillas. I know that apple wood is preferred for chins. We have an organic apple orchard in Oregon which makes getting enough wood for our chin easy. Although, as I took my walk yesterday I was enjoying all of the fall colored leaves and it hit me! WHAT ABOUT THE LEAVES!!! What about the leaves can the chinchillas have the leaves of the apple tree? So, I picked some of the colored ones and some that were still green when they dried out I offered one to our chin Hobbs and he just devoured it. The next day I offered another one and the same …he devoured it too. So, I have withheld any more leaves until I hear back from you. It would be so easy to pick and dry them (or can I offer them fresh) to make a year round treat. I sure hope they are not harmful. Thank you in advance for your time. Cindy Sue

Hi Cindy Sue! 
 
 
 
Welcome! We're so glad you stopped by and hope you continue to visit us :) 
 
 
 
Great question! I have to admit, you totally stumped me with that one and I had to refer to my chinchilla expert. But alas, the verdict is in, and dried, *unsprayed* apple tree leaves are not harmful to chinchillas in moderation. I would advise not giving more than one a day, perhaps even every other day. And just to emphasize again for our readers, make absoulte positive that the leaves/tree has not been sprayed with any pesticides or other chemicals. You can actually order these leaves from chinchilla product retailers and some breeders, but purchse them from one that you trust and can guarantee they are coming from an unsprayed tree. 
 
 
 
Good question! Keep 'em coming :)

On that note, visit the "Safe Woods for Chinchillas" link for a list of safe and unsafe woods for chinchillas to chew on: 
 
http://www.chinchillaplace.com/chinchilla-blog/?Tag=Safe+Woods+for+Chinchillas

Hello! I have recently adopted my chinchilla Pippen, and have a few questions to ask. We adopted him from one of our friends, so he gave me the basic rundown as far as bathing and feeding go, but there are still a few things I would like to know. I have been on a few websites that talk about snacks, and I think I may have been giving my chin too many raisins( about 2 a day) what do you guys recommend? Also He doesn't seem to eat or drink very much9probably as aresult from his treats. The food I use does have the pellets as well as some vita bites (it's the same stuff the previous owner used) but he seems to mostly eat the vita bites and leaves therest in the bowl. What can I do about this? Should I worry about the water situation? I do give him cold filtered water, as that is what I have read. He also seems a little lazy (heat is not the issue, we keep our house 60/70 degrees). i have not been able to purchase alot of playthings for him b/c I haven't had enough money, but I did buy him a pumice block, which he doesn't seem to use for anything other than a table. In addition to his feed I also use a cardboard tube which I place timothy hay in for him, he doesn't chew the cardboard he just pulls the hay out. I plan on purchasing some new items for him this week and was wondering if you all had any suggestions on some key items I might buy him for funtime. As far as his behavior goes, he is pretty friendly. I have only had him for about one week, but he seems to be closer to me than my husband already ;). I let him out to run around when I get home from work everyday. He mostly runs up and down my arms and wherever I may be. He doesn't do alot of jumping in fact he seems a little scared of it. I am glad that he seems to have formed a bound with me, now I need to focus on making his home a little more comfy for him. My last question would be about chins with other animals. I have a basset hound (whom is like our child) and I was wondering if it would be possible for them to live in harmony. Pip does let Lucy get near his cage and sniff, but gets startled when she comes into the room when he is out of his cage. Any suggestions would help! Thanks for your time!

People get ansy about raisins and other fruits on here because chins are very sensitive to sweets. Someone has even said to consider chins to be diabetics. 
 
In my experience, chins love raisins, and in moderation they aren't likely to kill your chinchilla. If chinchillas could talk, they would say, "Plez dont tak away my razins."  
 
I used to buy chinchilla food with all the treat-looking stuff in it, but the chin just dug out all the treats and dumped the real food on the floor, just as in your case. The best thing is just to buy the regular chinchilla pellets, and keep the treats for play time. You can also use a bowl that attaches to the side of the cage to make tipping much more difficult. 
 
The chinchilla's natural habitat is the Andes Mts., which is actually near desert conditions: very dry, with mostly scrubby, non-nutritious flora. Which is why chinchillas don't need much water, but eat so much food. Still, it's good to have that water bottle full, and check the spout with your finger to make sure it's functioning properly. And I use tap water, it just depends on how nasty your water is, the chemicals, etc. If the water smells, maybe consider using bottled, filtered, what have you, but never distilled. 
 
Finally, if you want to get your chinchilla something fun, buy a toy he/she can completely destroy. Wood blocks are essential too; read Amanada's article on here somewhere about the proper wood to use.

Oh, I almost forgot, we have a greyhound, and she was excellent with the chinchillas, never even wanted to look at them, let alone bother them. 
 
Then one day, one of our roomates who was close with the dog moved out, and she got jealous. One chin escaped...  
 
and well, just be careful.

Well I see everyone waited until I had a busy exam schedule to visit the site! Haha, just wanted to say that I intend to add my two cents to all of the great questions asked - hopefully this weekend. Four more exams to go! 
 
 
 
Here's the short version: 
 
 
 
April - I personally wouldn't give more than 1 raisin a day. Try substituting for healthier treats like a rose hip or dried banana chip with NO ADDED SUGAR. I also give Tango 2 pieces of NON FROSTED Shredded Wheat cereal. Make sure the water bottle is functioning properly - room temperature is fine - and make sure it's clean. He may not like the taste of the water you're using if you don't see the level going down. Just pick up a gallon jug of distilled water next time you are at the grocery store. If he's really not drinking anything, this could be a serious problem and you should contact your vet immediately. As for treats and toys, this is one of my favorite retailers: http://geocities.com/forchinatechins/chincessories.htm . I advise replacing the cardboard hay bin ASAP. Cardboard is toxic if Pippen were to decide he wants to start chewing on it one day. (I'll post more on that later.) Pumice blocks are good for their teeth - if it's too big, he won't show any interest in it. As for food, I recommend Mazuri Chinchilla Feed - it's pure gold - Pippen will love it and it's highly nutritious. Kudos on going with Timothy hay - most foods are loaded with Alfalfa and too much isn't good for them. Lastly, I don't see any problem with the Basset hound so long as they are always supervised while in the same vacinity (chins don't like to be bothered during the day in general, however, so maybe close the door if Pippen is in a room.) 
 
 
 
Sorry to be short. I'll get more in depth as soon as I have more than 5 min to post! I'm sure you'll provide a great home for Pippen. Good for you for doing your research!

Hi,  
 
I just received a chin from a house that was un-intentionally neglecting him. After learning thins I made a few comments to the previous owners concerned about Dulopp's health. They were unfortunately, very defensive and refused to take responsibility.  
 
Problems with Dulopp: He came to me in a one level house FULL of chewed on plastic. There was nothing wood and NO chew toys, or toys of any kind. He has chewed off almost all of his hair that he can reach. He was sleeping in a plastic dust bath house. 
 
I immediately bought him a deluxe chin cage, all metal. The floors were wire so I covered them in wood; I took out the latter’s and bottom tray so he is directly on the bedding. I have gotten him many chewing toys and the metal flying saucer. 
 
Problems I need help with. He refuses to take a dust bath. The little bit of hair he has left is matted and oily. I have tried baiting him with treats, which he will not eat, and I have tried rubbing the dust on him, he gets mad at me for that too. I have also gotten him new dust and a different glass dust bath house (large fish bowl). He grabs my fingers and tries to bite me when I go to pick him up. He is not very active and does not eat much food. Please help, I have asked others with no response. This is my first chin and I don’t know what else I can do for him. When I let him out he generally just sits in one spot. I can tell he does not trust humans and understand that lots of this will be solved with love and time. As far as the dust bath goes, what can I do? 
 

Adrienne, my heart goes out to you and Dulopp. Often times people who mistreat chinchillas do so because of a lack of knowledge. I am sorry to hear that he did not have the proper chew toys available to him that are necessary to wear down his teeth and prevent health problems. The fur biting is usually a nervous habit and done when a chinchilla is very unhappy. Sometimes this is due to a lack of space or interaction. Chinchillas are social creatures they need interaction with other chins or their human companions to be happy and healthy. Chins also need a lot of space. It sounds like you did the right thing with getting him a large cage. How long have you had Dulopp? I am concerned about his lack of appetite and energy. Unfortunately if a chinchilla is not given dust baths from a young age he may not ever be willing to take them and this does not make for a very happy chin. With regard to the health issues, without a healthy haircoat, your chin is more vulnerable to parasites and fungus. Dusting absorbs the oil, allowing the hairs to stand up and be fluffy. It acts as a dry shampoo and a healthy dusted chinchilla is less vulnerable to ringworm as well as fleas,mites and other parasites. A chins thick coat acts as a natural barrier repelling fleas and mites. A greasy coat is going to contribute both to chilling and overheating as it doesn't allow the chin's natural insulation to work properly. I would recommend putting him in a chinchilla proof room with easily accessible dust. If he does not dust himself I would probably pour asmall bit of dust on what's let of his fur. 
 
Considering his previous life it a great thing that you are his new owner. That being said chances are he will never want to be held. Some chinchillas do not like being held even if they have the best possible living conditions. Just showing him love and bringing routine to his life should help him adjust. He should eventually come to trust you and begin taking treats from your hand and growing back fur. 
 
It sounds like you have tried to bait him with treats, I would keep that up and don't get discouraged if he doesn't take the treat right away just leave it near the area you first offered it.  
 
A final but important side note, I would have him checked out by a chinchilla vet or exotic pet specialist. I am not sure if his problems from eating plastic could be more serious, but getting him checked out will be for the best. Also with such little fur left you will have to be especially careful with your chin getting to hot or cold. Good luck and thank you for contacting chinchilla place. Please come back and let us know how Dulopp is doing. 

Thank you for your response. A BREAKTHROUGH!! I purchased Dulopp some very fine dust bath powder and immediately he started pawing at it. After a few days of manually poring it on his back he started rubbing his face in it and today, he flipped over on his back and gave himself a bath. My 2 year old daughter LOVES watching him take a bath and is really good to not touch or disturb him. Also, I am pleased to announce that his hair is growing back in. He has made such great improvement in such a short time. It goes to show a chinchillas will, though once neglected, is very resilient and open to new trust if properly taken care of. 
 
I have just installed my new metal flying saucer wheel. He is curious but not yet running on it. Does this just take time, or is there something I can do to help him understand what it is.  
 
He has started eating from my hand and his favorite is organic raw peanuts. I give him about 3 nuts, out of a shell, a night, is that too much? He doesn’t seem to be eating very much of his pellets, or hay and he drinks very little water.  
 
My husband made him wooden shelves and a wooden house out of popular, it this wood safe for him? I also have a pine house but I thought pine was potentially bad for a chin. The wooden chew toys at pet stores are mostly pine, is this safe and if not who sells aspen, willow or other chew toys that are chin worthy? 
 
I am looking into finding a proper vet. 
 
Thank you so much for helping, overall Dulopp is making great strides to becoming more healthy and happy! 
 

Yea for Adrienne and Dulopp! I am so happy to hear that he has started to take an interest in dusting and began to take treats from your hand. It seems like he is adjusting nicely to his new (less stressful) life. That is great. 
 
As for the flying saucer wheel, mine didn't get it at first either. It took a couple of weeks for them to understand what it was for. I ended up baiting them:). I held a treat above the wheel until they jumped on it and let them take little nibbles of it as they walked on the wheel. That was the real breakthrough for Haze. He is a pretty smart chin, and once he got it BB his mate also started to run on the wheel.  
 
I used to give my chin whole peanuts in the shell too. Make sure they are not salted and if they are rinse them off with cool water to get rid of as much salt as possible. There is a lot of debate about proper chinchilla treats. Some say raisin are bad others say they are ok. So in short lots of back and forth on this topic. Honestly I buy a bag of mixed fruit and nut treats from the pet store and during Halloween I save the pumpkin seeds and dry them out for my chins. They love them. However Amanda one of our writers who is also in medical school wrote a list of recommended chinchilla treats here http://www.chinchillaplace.com/product-reviews/bid/7514/Chinchilla-Treats 
she highly recommends rose hips and banana chips. 3 peanuts does not seem to be too excessive, but chins have sensitive digestive systems. If you notice his droppings looking runny or off I would cut down on the treats. 
 
We also have a great in depth article on the proper wood to use for http://www.chinchillaplace.com/chinchilla-blog/bid/6051/What-chew-talkin-aboutchinchillas 
 
Thank you again for letting us know about his progress. We are excited to more about Dulopp and how well he adjusts to his great new life.

Hey Adrienne, glad to hear of Dulopp's improvement! A little TLC sure goes a long way.  
 
Be patient with the saucer wheel - it takes most chins a while to figure it out, especially if he is living alone. It took Tango 3 months, but now he runs on it constantly. You may just want to spin it with your hand or hold a treat over it to get him more interested in it. 
 
I'm a little concerned that you say Dulopp hasn't shown much interest in eating. Have you taken him to the vet to be examined? You probably want to rule out a malocclusion. Chinchillas don't eat a LOT of food and eat small amounts through out the day - is it possible you have just missed him during his eating times? I highly recommend cutting back the peanuts, if not eliminating them altogether. Peanuts are difficult for them to digest and can give them indigestion (bloating), which might actually be the reason he hasn't seemed interested in eating! You might want to try a more mild treat, like 4-5 flakes of plain (non-sugared/non-flavored) oatmeal per day to reward him (they don't need much - be sure not to over-indulge him!). 
 
Poplar is indeed a safe wood for chinchillas, as well as aspen and willow. You are right, with pine, the line gets a little fuzzy because there is a safe way and an unsafe way to prepare it. Kiln-dried pine is alright for chinchillas (probably the shelving material is fine). You want to avoid fresh or pressure-treated pine (like what you might use to make a back deck, or something - this kind has usually been treated with chemicals).  
 
Thanks for the update. I hope you continue to see improvements! 
 
Amanda

Hy I'm new here and I will buy myself a chin in 3 weeks. Is a cage 80 x 48.5 x 64 cm enough? And also what do I have to look for when buying a chin, how do I choose the best there is? I also have a cat and 2 guinea pigs. Will my cat frighten it? What can I do if the new chinchilla didn't take a dustbath before? 
 
 
 

Hi Nicole, 
 
Welcome to Chinchilla Place! Take some time and look around the site - there is a lot of information about chinchillas that a new owner will need to know. 
 
Those cage dimensions are actually a bit too small for a chinchilla. It is important that they have room to stretch their legs and they like to hop around on multiple levels. Check out the cage I recommend at this link: 
 
http://www.chinchillaplace.com/product-reviews/bid/6585/Cage 
 
If you keep a chinchilla in a cage that small, he or she will likely develop health and behavioral problems. Another important aspect of the cage to consider is the mesh size (how far apart are the bars.) The link above has some info on that as well. Above all, the cage absolutely *cannot* have any plastic components. You more than likely will have to look outside of pet stores to find a suitable cage. I've had the most luck online atwww.martinscages.com andwww.qualitycage.com . (If you haven't noticed yet, chinchillas can be expensive pets! The good news is that most of these purchases are "one time" buys, if you get quality products.) 
 
Each chin varies in personality and tolerance to other animals. My chinchilla Tango is essentially afraid of everything and I suspect that he would develop behavioral issues if I were to ever get a cat. Other owners, however, report that their cats pay no attention to their chinchilla. My advice would be to put the chinchilla's cage in an area that can be isolated from the other animals for times that you cannot supervise (like a spare bedroom where you can close the door while the cat roams). If you notice behaviors such as tail biting, missing fur, or other general fear responses, you definitely want to separate the animals right away. 
 
Chinchillas usually pick up on the dust bath concept quickly - in the wild, they bathe in volcanic ash. Just start by introducing the bath house/tray and moving it around - the chin will know what to do when it steps in it. Be sure not to exceed 3 baths per week (don't leave the bathhouse in the cage - it's harmful for the skin to bath too frequently). 
 
I don't know how to tell you which kind of chin is the "best". I tend to think they are all sweet and deserving of good homes!  
 
Best of luck to you! Please come back with any questions that you have :) 
 
Amanda

I fist hand can say that plastic is harmful and toxic to Chinchilla's as me and my partner just lost our beloved 1yr old Poncho four days after purchasing him from a Petstore they sold us a plastic house for him to sleep in and he chewed it and died. Even now the pet store believes that plastic is ok, when infact it isnt. PetWorld, In Northlands in Christchurch, New Zealand gave us false information and what we believed was good for Poncho, killed him. and to make matters worse the pet store is refusing to offer a replacement when as a first time owner i relied on the information they gave me, to be a responsible pet owner. Since the information was false Poncho as a result, died. If anyone has been through this or can help please email us it would be appricated. It's sad to know that the right information could of saved Poncho and i wouldnt be fighting for a replacement. Any help would be welcome.

Wow. Poor Poncho. Well, I don't know what to tell you except that you should never go to that pet store again. It's strange that they would deny that the plastic killed Poncho, when the alternative is that they sold you a sick Chin.  
 
And that may be the case; it might not have been the plastic. There's no way to know for certain without an autopsy, even if you saw him eat some plastic. You can't rule out the possibility that they sold you a Chin that had a disease and/or defect.  
 
The reason I say this is because you might want to make sure to sterilize the cage and everything in it before you go out and find Poncho II (from another pet store).  
 
At least in the US, we have a Better Business Bureau we can file complaints about businesses that do things like sell sick animals to people and/or misinform them in a way that causes harm. But I don't have the slightest idea about New Zealand. Sorry I can't be more help.

hey where can i get one of those flying saucer wheels??? i cant find them!!

never mind

First: I'd like to say, your site is great! It's an active site and there's TONS of information on it. So I need some advice and I think this is the place to get it!  
I adopted 2 chins almost two months ago. Long story short, they "supposedly" were used to people and being handled, but they don't seem to be at all! I've been very patient and tried not to force my hands on the chins and let them get used to me, but they dont seem to want to bond with me! They'll eat treats out of my hand, and when I let them out if I sit on the floor with them, they'll run up to me and even jump on my legs, but thats it, and if I move at all, they scamper away. Any advice? The major problem is that I let them out as often as I can, but then when it comes time to get them back in the cage... well that's when the trouble begins! How often should I be placing my hands in the cages? I try herding them back into their cages, but it always freaks one of them out, what can I do?

i have the same problem with my new chin Ghost, he likes the trets, but i dont let him out of the cage because it causes problems to get him back in, he tries to move on my hand but my hand is too tiny so he keeps falling of, i think that if we will make them understand that they wont get sth if they dont do what we want them to. Try giving treats when they come over your hand, but i bet that they want to get out of he cage whenever you do that, well i dont really know what to do either!

Hi Adriana, 
 
 
 
Thank you so much for the compliment. We are fortunate to have loyal readers such as yourself! 
 
 
 
If you don't mind, I'm going to move your question to the "Bonding with your Chinchilla" page here: 
 
 
 
http://www.chinchillaplace.com/blog/bid/4329/Bonding-with-your-Pet-Chinchilla 
 
 
 
You will find my response there! Thanks :) 
 
 
 
Amanda

I have found that the best way to get Tango to get out of his cage for play time and back into his cage when play time is over is to stick to a steady schedule. Try to let your chin out around the same time each night (at LEAST for a half an hour every day - this is important, even if it's inconvenient!). Eventually, he learned that if he headed back to his cage at the end of play time, he would be rewarded with a treat. The worst thing you can do is not let your chin out because it's a hassle to put him/her back. This only enhances the mentality of "I better stay out here and avoid the cage as best I can, because I know my owner hardly ever lets me out." If the animal learns that he/she will be let out every day, it will be more compliant in going back to the cage at the end of play time. They are major creatures of habit! 
 
 
 
It's also important not to over-treat your chinchillas. Aside from "killing them with kindness", if you give too many treats, you are taking away their training value. Use treats as a reward for good behavior, such as when the chin goes back to the cage on its own. 
 
 
 
Make sense?

Don't chew people out for putting plastic in a chins cage! Where I live the pet stores sell cages,wheels,toys,etc all are specified for chins and everything is plastic! You need to start with the pet stores, because that is where most people first think to go for a pet. I first saw a chin at a pet store,I waited over a year to buy one, to make sure I really could commit to one. I read books from the library/pet store. Never was I told not to put plastic in the cage. I ended up adopting a 8 month old chin who needed a home. He came with a huge cage and a lot of plastic! My chin cannot have a wheel, the only ones sold in a 4hr radius of my home are plastic. I cannot afford to order one on-line because with tax/shipping they are over 100.00. That is way out of my price range.I get my guy out, several times a day,but still he is bored at night and he destroys his cage, also makes awful noises and has pulled out fur. I bought a 40.00 hard plasctic wheel, and he has calmed right down and is back to normal. He does chew on it, but has not taken any chunks out. What am I to do? Give him away?,sell him? because if "I don't have the money I should not own a chin?" as someone so nicely said here? I am allergic to dogs,cats,rabbits and most everything else. I have had every rodent known to man,but they die too soon and I get very attatched. I am not allergic to my chin and I have Lupus,so I am home a lot and lonely. My chin means a great deal to me. So don't go getting all high and mighty and tell people this and that! I do the best I can, but the pet stores really do mis-lead people. I guess I am an unfit chin parent because I cannot afford 100.00 for a wheel and gave in and bought the only one I could get my hands on.

Hi Minn, 
 
 
 
You are absolutely right - it is the pet stores and manufacturers that ought to be ashamed for selling items that are unsafe for chinchillas. Of course, it is not the safety they are concerned about, but rather the money in their pockets. However, if people continue to purchase these unsafe items, stores will continue to sell them, and manufacturers will continue to make them. So consumers surely do have a role in perpetuating or putting a stop to this cycle. This is the same reason that, while I desparately want to buy each poor helpless chinchilla I see cooped up in a pet store, I have to resist because as soon as I buy him, the store will think, "hey people are buying these," and call up the breeder for another. For many, it's about the bottom line.  
 
 
 
It's my goal to have readers realize that chinchillas and their *safe* accessories are indeed very expensive, as you too have noted, so they don't get one home and wonder why Fluffy is miserable in his glorified hamster cage that a pet store says is "for chinchillas" and is pulling out his fur. There are just certain standards (I didn't write them, by the way) for chinchilla safety and I think it's fair to educate people here on what they are. Sorry if that seems blunt, but I'm being honest and, like I said above, my loyalty is to the animals. I'd like to think people appreciate that! I want people to know that it's important to have a safe environment for the chinchilla (you wouldn't want to "rescue" a chin from an unsafe environment only to put him in another unsafe environment somewhere else) You DO have options. 
 
 
 
Rather than putting plastic in the cage, some owners will start with the basic metal cage with wood shelving, then when they can afford it, will add a metal wheel, followed by other accessories. There are inexpensive metal wheels available, that I've posted before. For example, here's a homemade metal wheel from Forchinate Chins. It's only $20, probably the same cost as the plastic ones at the pet stores: 
 
http://www.geocities.com/forchinatechins/chincessories.htm . (Scroll down to homemade wheels). Some people start with one like this, then upgrade to a Chin Spin or Flying Saucer when they save the money. 
 
 
 
Hope that helps. I'm allergic to larger animals too, so Tango is my world :) I can definitely relate to becoming attached, but stress can definitely shorten their lives and the cage environment plays a huge role in that. I assume that people buy plastic cages & accessories for their chin at the same time they buy him/her from the pet store, so I try to educate them here on the harm of plastic that, likely, most part-time pet store clerks wouldn't even know about. If people choose to provide plastic after they are informed of the hazard, then that's their perogative and my hands are clean of it! Just where I stand... 
 
 
 
Amanda

where do you get metal flying saucers? i need one aare they very expensive?

Hey Elli, 
 
 
 
Here is the original flying saucer wheel: http://www.chin-chillas.com/exercisewheels.html (you might have to copy and paste because sometimes the hyperlink doesn't show up for some reason). They are fairly expensive, however, it's generally meant to be a one-time purchase. It should last years, whereas some of the cheaper wheels you have to replace yearly when they break and many are just unsafe. It's definitely a good investment if you can save up the money! 
 
 
 
Amanda

I purchased the Chin Spin about a year ago and it fell apart two months ago. I found the wheel part laying on the cage floor, and the mounted part still attached to the wall of the cage, the bearing wore through the wood and made the hole so big it just slipped off. My husband fixed it, but now it doesn't work properly, so I'm stuck shopping for a new wheel. I just wanted people to know this is a possiblity since you are directing them to the Chin Spin. I was a bit upset causeif they were on there when the wheel fell of they could have been hurt, the wheel is pretty heavy.

I'm sorry to hear that :( Did you contact the company and explain what happened to see if they would replace it for you?

No, cause I figure most items only warranty a year anyway. I just thought people should know it's a possibility that it may fall apart after a while, I bought it thinking it would last for a while, I'm going to try the ones at Chincessories, I have their hammock and LOVE it, so I figured it'll be worth it to try their wheel.

Please, please can you help me and others by giving me some advise on what to do. 
 
 
 
I unfortunatly allowed my chin Willow to play in my upstairs bathroom without giving it proper inspection. 
 
 
 
The problem is... the bath panel had a gap around the pipework which he unfortunatly has ventured into.  
 
 
 
I have removed the panel, to my horror to find a hole in the floor that was made by the plumber to accomodate the trap. Willow has ventured into it and has been several hours under the floor space. I am at my wits end and I am trying to remain calm as not to frighten him. I have spent all night in the bathroom quietly calling his name and trying to encourage him out. I have heard him scurrying underneath over night, but unfortunatly there is no sound from him this morning. I hope and prey that this is due to his sleeping. Can you please give any advise that will help me and other new Chin owners how best to avoid and recapture a lost chin.

Wow, very sorry to hear what has happened! Any luck coaxing Willow out yet? You are wise to remain calm. Think of some sounds that are familiar to your chinchilla. For example, the sound of food being poured in his dish, or the hay bag crinkling. Also, you can google chinchilla sounds and play the ones that are positive (like the "is anybody out there" one, or a mating call, or just chattering at the hole where he entered. Obviously don't play the panic alert call.) The sounds *might* entice him to come back you. He's probably getting pretty desperate for food and water by this point so he may venture back. If you are not still spending all your time in the bathroom, you might want to just set these things out in the room in case he does come back while you're not there - at least he won't starve or become dehydrated. 
 
 
 
He will definitely need medical attention, even if he comes out willingly at this point. I'm sure the floor space is full of materials that should not be injested by chinchillas. I advise calling your vet and explaining the situation. They might have some advice for you. 
 
 
 
I'm sorry this has happened - poor Willow. I hope all now realize the importance of supervision, even in an enclosed room. Unless it is like a cinderblock room with nothing else in it, you must stay in the room with your chin. They can chew on base boards with toxic wood and lacquer finish, or chew furniture (Tango has gotten in the habit of trying to pull the batting out from the box springs under the bed), or get injured just running around and jumping off things and, as you have learned and shared, they have the ability to squeeze into the tiniest of crevices. 
 
 
 
Please keep us updated. Again, I'm sorry Willow is in this situation. I'm glad you shared with everyone so they can prevent the same situation. Good luck to you both. 
 
 
 
Amanda

Hello all!  
 
My name is Nikki and I have two chinchillas one female named Roxy & Male named Michael (who has been castrated). Roxy was my first chin I bought her at 4 months from a good breeder, after researching about chins for about 2/3years. Roxy is very social & would get bored quickly, hence why i bought Mic it took me a longgggg time to introduce them, in the end had to get Mic castrated and now they get on like a house on fire.  
 
 
 
They both love their big cage it has wooden shelves, but ive also installed some leap n ledges all around the cage which they seem happy to jump around on. I want to get them a metal flying saucer wheel so badly but the UK supplier fs wheels do not have any in stock. can someone please advice me where to get one from, as eventhough my chins come out alot Roxy is extremly active compared to Mic as she is a year younger than him (shes nearly a year old now). And i think she needs to burn off alot more energy.  
 
 
 
My friend keeps telling me on how she does not think that their wire bottom floor (which has a pull out try) is suitable for them. Although they dont seem to have the slightest problem which it. they have a little house on the floor which is woven out of hay for them (which i replace regularly) and this house has a bottom on it, so they are not sitting on the floor of the cage. where there food is they have a slate which i also use to keep them cool in the winter. I can undertsnd her concern, but the chin which she owned had plastic bottom floor with bedding, a plywood box a few plastic shelves, water bottle, food and a toy but no hay. unfortunately her chin had to be put down due to a skin disease believed by the vet to be cancer.  
 
I am slighty confused by all this as my chinnies seem amazingly happy as they also have large amounts of timothy hay hunge in different parts of the cage and chube toys and other wooden hang toys and pumice stones. I tried to give Roxy bedding when she was younger and she just never came down to the floor or would chew on it and pull a funny face at me. Am i putting my chins in any harm, as the holes in the mesh are not too big for their feet either, what should i do?

Hi Nikki, 
 
 
 
Thanks for your post - the dynamic you describe between your two chins cracks me up! :) To answer your first question about the wheels, scroll up on this page until you see on the right-sided menu bar "Chinchilla Product Reviews". Click on "Chinchilla Wheel" in this list. When on that page, if you scroll down and read the comments, it will tell you where you can find the flying saucer wheel. 
 
 
 
In my opinion, I have found the wire bottom cages with pull-out litter trays to be a safer option than the drop-in tray where the chinchilla actually walks in the litter for a couple of reasons. First, you don't have to be concerned about the chinchilla ingesting the bedding (some of which is actually toxic if consumers are not careful which bedding they select). Secondly, it is not possible for the chinchilla to roll around or sit in soiled bedding with the slide-out tray which could cause moisture to get trapped in the fur - a serious health concern which it sounds like your friend's chinchilla may have already experienced. Your friend has a legitimate concern if the wire flooring has too big of openings or has too thin of wiring. This could cause damage to feet and may even break legs. For most wire cages, the botton flooring has smaller spacing than the sides (I would go no larger than 1/2" x 1/2") with fairly thick wiring and is considered safe. It sounds like your flooring is fine, especially since you have wood shelving otherwise. I do recommend not using wire ramps if your cage comes with those (you can check out my recommended products "cage" article to read more about this.) Wood shelving is definitely kinder on their feet. 
 
 
 
If you don't mind me asking, what kind of cage are you using? 
 
 
 
Thanks again for your post - it sounds like you are a very caring chin mom! 
 
 
 
Amanda

Going back to the metal flying saucer wheel, Shelfridges are now the Uk & ireland distributor for the original metal Flying Saucer Wheels. 
 
I have both the 10" and 13" diameter wheels in stock, as well as replacment bearings and central dustcaps for earlier wheels. 
 
 
 
 
 
http://www.shelfridges.co.uk/flyingsaucerwheel/

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has any advice for my chinnie. He is a male about 3 yrs old and we saved him from a neglected home this was by no means intentional but they just did not know enough about chins to keep him. My problem is that the previous owners have not given him a drinking bottle, they have given him a dish. He will only drink from the dish and he will not take from the bottle. We have tried the raison trick by rubbing it on the bottle nozzle and removing the dish he does not appear to be responding to this method and I feel the dish is a bad option because of spillage reasons. Any one with some other helpful tricks for my wee guy 'Roo'

plastic will kill a chinchilla. why are you promoting plastic wheels.. please do some more research.,. people will read this get plastic wheels and there chin may die from it.. all because of you.. do you like the thougth that you may be the cause of killing chins.

oops..sorry i should of read it first.. i'm soo sorry..

@ jean 
 
I received our three chinchillas about two years ago, a mother (about 4 or 5 at the time) and her two daughters (maybe 2 at the time). When I first looked at them before taking them, in it were big PVC pipes for them. They were chewed at the ends, and who knows how long those things were in there. 
 
As soon as they were at my home, out went the PVC pipes. They are still alive. Could it be the type of plastic?

Hi all,  
 
 
 
Do you have any information / comment for the below chinchilla wheel, which is a new style on the market. I would like to compare more style before I decide to purchase one.  
 
 
 
 
 
http://www.hoobly.com/0/0/983115.html

Hi everyone...my stepson recently came to me asking for a Chinchilla.. and I have many concerns and questions. Please help! :) I have Lupus and I am on Chemo with a compromised immune system...are these guys a threat in the way of illness, virus, etc??? How dirty are they? Are they easy to keep clean and what not? From what I read it;s seems rather expensive to maintain. Any and all info would be so helpful! Thank you! Feel free to email me too at Pammiej2@aol.com

Hi, 
 
My daughter gave our chinchilla some peanuts (groundnuts) - the fresh kind, not the ones you buy as human snack saltd or roasted. We bought them originally for the hamster. Are these ok for chinchillas? the chinchilla loves them, but i need to be sure they wont harm her. so far she mostly eats hay, and special chin pellets and chinfood from the petshop. 
 
thanks in advance

hi, 
 
i had one chin( yumi) which was supposed to be 7 mon. old now, she has beautifull fur and well behaved in general, but does not try to jump from surfaces over 50cm high(~20in.) . is this because she was raised in a rabbit cage in the store? 
 
 
 
also i got another chin , 6 mon. but about half the size of yumi ( first chin) ,seems hyperactive pushing everything jumping and climbing the cage walls, stairs and the real ladder i left out...and jumped up onto the window ledge ( it's very high). the ears are HUGE on it, is there a chance it will grow into them maybe? what is the normal size of 7 mon. chin? 
 
 
 
fearless chin is also very greasy all the time, even looks wet at times. the fur on his back till the tail is much shorter than the rest . previous owner said it was caused by changing food brand suddenly, can it be? or is it sick and a vet visit is best?

I recently took my sister's chinchilla, Bean, in as my own. Since I did not know very much about chinchillas I have done some research and decided I needed to make some changes; cage, diet, and some other things as well. I am curious how many changes I can make at a time without stressing Bean out. My sister did not have a lot of chin knowledge prior to adopting little Bean so I think it's time she gets the things she deserves but I am nervous to over stress her by changing everything all at once. I'm also looking for a new saucer, she is absolutely obsessed with her current one but it isn't in that great of shape and I'm in the market for a new one, however I'm not having much luck finding one.

I have the (expensive) flying saucer. Not the plastic one. I have had my chin for two years and although it is true that they are $75.00, money well spent! My little man, Bubba, absolutely loves it and he is happy with all the exercise he gets. I would highly recommend saving the vet bills and get the right metal flying saucer first. You will be so happy you did and so will your chin.

It appears tomy study andlifehave undergonesignificant changes,it is like mygood friend, has becomean importantpart, andit makesmy lifemore colorful.

With the development of society, there is growing emphasis on product safety, product safety can only really make people feel at ease. I believe it will develop better, have a broader development prospects.

What has also changed is the fact that jerseys are getting even more and more popular, and they are now more popular than they were in the past. In fact, they are so popular, that jerseys worn by older players can be worth thousands of dollars. Jerseys that are currently worn by high-priced, popular, and especially able players are also expensive, and can be worth a lot if you have a signature to go along with it. Many jerseys are on sale on major websites, such as the online auction hub eBay. Here are some products on jersey. 
Joakim Noah Jersey 
Scottie Pippen Jersey 
Dennis Rodman Jersey 
Mo Williams Jersey 
Derrick Rose Jersey 
Carlos Boozer Jersey 
Michael Jordan Jersey 
Luol Deng Jersey 
Antawn Jamison Jersey 
Jason Kidd Jersey 
Jason Terry Jersey 
Dirk Nowitzki Jersey 
Chauncey Billups Jersey 
J.R Smith Jersey 
Chris Anderson Jersey 
Joe Dumars Jersey 
Kevin McHale Jersey 
Larry Bird Jersey 
Paul Pierce Jersey 
Shaquille O'Neal Jersey 
Danny Ainge Jersey 
Ben Gordon Jersey 
Dennis Rodman Jersey 
Isiah Thomas Jersey 
Tayshaun Prince Jersey 
Richard Hamilto Jersey 
Jonas Jerebko Jersey 
David Lee Jersey 
Stephen Curry Jersey 
Tracy Mcgrady Jersey 
Clyde Drexler Jersey 
Yao Ming Jersey 
Hakeem Olajuwon Jersey 
Bill Russell Jersey 
Rajon Rondo Jersey 
Glen Davis Jersey 
Ray Allen Jersey 
Rasheed Wallace Jersey 
Our jerseys look good and affordable, welcome to buy!

I didn't read the whole conversation, but am very turned off by the indignant assertiveness by Amanda about how readers should take care of their pets. I understand the message that plastic toys are not as safe for rodents as wood and metal, but to imply that owners are neglectful by purchasing these items for their pets is absurd. I do not have plastic toys for my chins, but that is a personal preference and does not reflect my level of care or attention to my animals. Owners who do buy plastic toys are not doing their pets any favors, and I think it is important to spread the message that there are potential hazards associated with these items, but it is not our place to insult or judge other pet owners, simply inform and share experiences. Amanda makes it sound like chins are dropping dead left and right if they touch plastic, and that is simply not the case.

Hey 
My chinchilla ( maryjane ) doesnt have a wheel in her cage i havnt bought her one yet. Which wheel should i get her . Which one is the safest, quiet wheel too get?

I greatly liked your post but I'm still not sure if I agree with you. I think you write not bad and you convey your ideas in a good form but I'm still not sure whether we're on the same boat. Anyways,keep up the good writing. Thanks.

Chemical examination paper out quite hard aiscs shoes outlet button, I'm also looking quite like it is the opposite. Yang Yu also saw two men for a while , burberry handbags he knew the girl before her at the same table

Very nice!I'll share to my blog!Thanks!

It was very informative and I also digg the way you write!I love your article, and I am deeply attracted by your idea and sense among your words.Please keep us up to date like this.

do you love music ,if you do ,i think you will be love these cheap good tone quality studio ,click here cheap beats studio