Mouse Infestation- protecting pet chinchilla

Hello all,

As of last night it has come to my attention that there is a mouse problem in my new apartment. I have 5 year old chinchilla and I am wondering if anyone has experience with ridding themselves of mice that does not involve anything that could possibly hurt my little sweetheart of a chinchilla?

I don’t believe the previous tenants were as clean as I am. There is no food out or anything to attract mice beside my chinchillas food bowl.

I would love help finding the most human...

Mouse Infestation- protecting pet chinchilla

Pink Himalayan Salt Lamp

Long story short, I’m actually expecting a new chinnie friend in April. It was unexpected the way it happened but I truly felt the way it did happen was meant to be, and I’m extremely excited for him to get here.
I’m slowly getting everything I need for his arrival (I just ordered all of my fleece products and a new bottom pan for my Critter Nation), and was told by someone with a vet background In a chinchilla owners Facebook Group that I should remove all things with a scent out of my...

Pink Himalayan Salt Lamp

Oxbow hay alternative?

Hey! So my chin loves Oxbow Timothy Hay, but recently the packaging of the hay has changed. By the packaging, I man the way the hay is compressed into the bag. The hay is now just a bunch of short pieces and pretty dusty, so I'm not sure what to do...Does anyone know a Timothy hay brand that sells hay that is packages with long pieces? Like--when you pick up a bunch it stays together in long pieces really well (and doesn't fall into a million pieces)?
Also, I've been wanting to start growing...

Oxbow hay alternative?

Healthy Chin With Smelly Poo

So my one year old chin just got over a bout of antibiotics for a parasite followed by some bad constipation. I took him to the vet yesterday and he got a clean bill of health (his fecal test came back normal). He is now pooping just fine (it is really hard now), but I still notice a slight smell. You got to get in real close to smell it, but it bothers me that it is still there. Could it be that he is still passing the built up gas or is this just how he probably is?

Bloat- How long should it last?

Hi all, first time posting. My little Lima (6m, Female) has been suffering symptoms of gas/bloat. She has been pressing her hips and belly to the floor periodically and rolling and stretching lots, as well as passing droppings with small gas bubbles/shiny bits on them. I also heard gurgles coming from her belly. Her digestion was still absolutely fine, eating and pooping lots, so I started her on simethicone drops immediately and observed her for a few days. She continued much the same, I...

Bloat- How long should it last?

How do you tell if a chinchilla likes a show

Hello I was just wondering how I can tell if my chinchilla likes a certain show. Also what shows should I try personally I cant watch anything that doesn't have an animal as a focus thought by college I would grow out of that xD

Bedding The Chinchilla Villa

Okay, I almost have enough money for the entire Chinchilla Villa!

For those of you who don't know, the Chinchilla Villa will be a large wooden cage for my little dude Pedro. I'm gonna have tons of cool ledges and huts, a feeding area, and more. I will also have 2 or 3 smaller cages, probably with only 2 stories. One will be one story and built for dust baths. The cages will be connected through a system of tunnels, which I will also be building. The tunnels will have little doors so I can...

Bedding The Chinchilla Villa

Loved & Spoiled Chinchillas for Sale w/All Supplies in Oakland County Michigan

After much consideration I've decided it would be in our chinchillas & our best interest to find them a new loving home... my mother has been ill and we have some big changes planned which will take up all my extra time & remodel our basement where the chinchillas live.

4 female chinchillas, born Summer 2015 (I have actual birthdates & baby photos). Amethyst (Violet TOV), Myst (silver mosaic), Ruby (pearl), & Onyx/Nixie (ebony). I purchased them all as kits from the same breeder, they are...

Loved & Spoiled Chinchillas for Sale w/All Supplies in Oakland County Michigan

Inherited 3 grey chinchillas

Hi All,
I hope you are well.
Due to a family tragedy we had to take care of 3 grey chinchillas. I don't know much about this species but initially it was said these are 3 female chinchillas.
As the time progressed it turned out one of the couple is a buck.
By analyzing their weight the oldest female is about 6.5 months old while the sister/brother couple (look alike) is about 5.5 months old.
I don't know if they were kept together or separate or together at play time because there were 2...

Inherited 3 grey chinchillas

Chinchilla possible ringworm infection

Hello everyone! I just discovered my chinchilla Emi having a little bald spot on her nose. I freaked out and went to google and saw that she could possibly have a ringworm infection. I’m not sure when it could have started or what could have caused it since there could be many factors. I am a college student so there were times I was only able to clean her cage about only once a week to every two weeks. I have also realized that it could be from her possible hay since we have been using it...

Chinchilla possible ringworm infection

Chinchilla won’t eat oxbow pellets?

Hey so my chinchilla Minchi is usually a great eater and LOVES pellets. She used to eat them like I never fed her before when I’d fill her bowl back up. She’s been on oxbow pellets her whole life (not the garden select) and lately I’ve noticed that 1. She spends a ton of time at the pellet bowl eating slowly and 2. She’s leaving a bunch of half eaten pellets in the bowl (more than the norm for her, and no it’s not crumbled just in half). She gets very excited for the oxbow digestive treats...

Chinchilla won’t eat oxbow pellets?

Which Cage Would You Recommend?

Hi everyone,

Our baby chinchilla Tay Tay is now 8 months old and when we got her she was 3 months old and small. Because of blessed lockdown, we bought a cage that was for a guinea pig but fairly tall. Now that she’s grown quite a lot, we’re going to get her a new cage better suited for a chinchilla.

We’re looking at both the Critter Nation and Ferret Nation Double Cages.

From what I’ve gathered by looking at the two, the Ferret Nation Cage’s bars are vertical and spaced 1” apart...

Which Cage Would You Recommend?

3 chins to rehome in Tucson AZ, including 2 Ferret Nations

I have a sweet lady (around 11 years) and her twin sons (around 7 years) who I am looking to rehome. I've had the mom since she was less than a year and her sons were born from mating with the sweet boy I had previously (he's since passed away right around the time of the kits birth). I have loved my little puffs dearly and to the best of my ability over the years, but I have never been able to give them the attention they truly need. Mom is white with grey ear/tail tips; boys are pretty...

3 chins to rehome in Tucson AZ, including 2 Ferret Nations

Tile bedding

Getting a baby (8 week old) chinchilla and im worried about the coming summer...I have an AC and getting a chinchiller but I'm dont want to take any chances! I'm thinking about (atleast while she's little) getting a cooling tile floor. I'm getting the single level critter nation cage. Here are my questions...
What size is the critter nation tray?
What type of tile do i need? Granite?
I know I need treated tile (waterproof)
Is that right?
Is this info accurate?

Quick Questions

I put my chin on a strict hay only diet and noticed that his poo is very small and not as plentiful. This is normal, correct? I also noticed that he doesn't seem to be drinking much, but I have seen him eating. The fact that he is eating is indicative of him drinking as well, correct?

Bonding With A Baby Chinchilla

This lady:

says playtime is how you typically bond with them but according to @Amethyst, playtime can make chins under 6 months overheat...
How else can I bond with them? Im gonna have 6 siblings, 5 which are under 6, including one that will be newborn...I've heard to not handle them at all the first week but my mom doesn't understand that you can't play with them the first week. She says they have been socialized and handled alot by our...

Bonding With A Baby Chinchilla

4 month female chinchilla for sale -Sacramento

Sweetest thing ever!

Dried Medicine in Chin's Fur

My chinchilla Buttons is taking liquid medicine. Despite using the burrito method, he likes to spit the medicine out and, of course, it ends up in his fur. I tried my best to wipe it off, but there were a few patches that dried and are now pretty stiff. He has since taken two dust baths, but the fur problem still remains.

Will the fur soften up on it's own or is there something else I can do for him?

Small poop

At night I separate my two chinchillas in their two level CN cage. I've noticed Mr. B leaves some pretty small poop in the morning, and am trying to figure out what is causing that. I removed his small pet select grass chews so that he only has timothy, orchard hay, oxbow essentials pellets, apple sticks and sometimes rosehip chips for a few days. But there were still small poops the next morning. These seem to only appear sometime late at night, because during playtime/evening he has...

Small poop

Help, chin is wobbly!

We have a chinchilla and noticed that he tends to lean toward his right side and his balance isn't very good. We have reason to believe that he has an ear infection, but he doesn't have any discharge or redness in the ear. We are new chinchilla owners and don't know what an ear infection in chinchillas may look like. We had him looked at by a vet and she said it could possibly neurological, but another thinks it may be an infection. Has anyone had a chin with similar problems?

ferret nation accessories

ive been putting off getting pluto a cage for almost a year now because i planned to move before covid but it still hasn't happened.. so im finally just giving in and getting him a proper cage and worrying about having to move him and all his stuff later lol

i already know ill be getting the ferret nation 182 but i want to get any accessories and stuff beforehand. im looking for high quality liners and deep pans specifically if anyone has some good recommendations!

How to / DIY project listing

Below is a listing of “How Tos” that I found in this section. If you see one that should be listed, let me know and I’ll add it in.

• How to make shelves: http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9311
  
• How to prepare wood: http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41
  
• How to make a cuddle bed: http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14245
  
• How to make tube covers...

How to / DIY project listing

Is Vita Prima chinchilla food safe?

When I first got a chinchilla, I didn't know much about their diet and I was feeding them all the wrong things. Since then I've done a lot of research about chinchillas and have them on a steady diet of timothy hay and pellets, along with the occasional chinchilla safe treat. However, I was searching if Vita Prima food is safe for them, and I wasn't able to find any answers. Has anyone used this food before, and most importantly, is it okay for chinchillas to eat?

Chinchilla Common Sickness

What are some common sicknesses in chinchillas? I know dental disease but what else do chins get?

Is this right?

I want only the best. Be completely honest!
Food: Mazuri Chinchilla Pellets
Water: Bottled water in a glass drip bottle
Hay: Primarily Timothy but add in small amounts of other types
Bedding: Tile slabs from lowes
Temp: 60°-70° Farenheit
Cage: Double Critter Nation
Material in cage: Certian types of wood, fleece, metal, steel(no plastic!!!)
Chew Toys: Apple Sticks and Pumice Stones
Bathing Dust: Chilldust
Age: Getting baby at 8-9 weeks old
What types of toys are your chin's favorite?
Am I...

Is this right?

How to avoid dental disease in chinchillas

I dont have a chinchilla yet but I'm getting one. Anyone know anything about dental disease? Like, how to prevent, how to treat, etc...


@Amethyst do you have any info on this subject?

Chinchilla breeders

So I live kinda in the center of pa and I was wondering if there are any breeders in central PA. I found breeders near the jersey border but there are good like 4-5 hours away and I don't feel comfortable having a chin in the car that lone dur to the risk of over heating from having the heat on in the car but the carrier I have

Chin Spin - FREE! (you pay for shipping)

All:

I have an older Chin Spin that I don't need (we got a flying saucer for Asa and he likes it better). It spins smoothly, and aside from a few nibbles is in great shape (see attached pictures). They are currently going for $119 on Amazon, so you could save your money for something else.

If you live in the DC/MD/NoVA area, you can just come and pick it up (contactless pickup in my driveway or at a shopping mall parking lot). Otherwise, you would have to pay for shipping.

PM me if...

Chin Spin - FREE! (you pay for shipping)

Are there any infamous chinchilla breeders?

Hello, I was just wondering if there were chinchilla breeders that are well known for being horrible. I was wondering this because I know that with dogs there is but I was not sure about other animals.

Critter nation vs Ferret nation

i know i already started a thread for cages buti really want to make sure my chin gets the perfect house!

should i get the ferret nation 182 http://www.petco.com/product/116383/Midwest-Ferret-Nation-Double-Unit-with-Stand-Ferret-Cage.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch

or the critter nation http://www.petco.com/product/116474/Midwest-Critter-Nation-Double-Unit-with-Stand-Small-Animal-Cage.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch

i can price match both of these with...

Critter nation vs Ferret nation

Are these supplies high quality?

Are these supplies high quality? Im trying to get ONLY the best! Here is the checklist and the links to each item...

Glass water bottle
AMAZON:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003TTY3UC/ref=twister_B005BPQ8WS?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
A dust bath house
MY BREEDER:
https://lonestarchinchilla.com/shop/ols/products/chinchilla-dust-pan
Marble or granite cooling tiles
AMAZON...

Are these supplies high quality?

Lone Star Chinchilla

I am purchasing a baby from lone star chinchilla and was wondering if anyone had ever gotten and baby from them? Are they good breeders? Are they trustworthy? They seem really nice but just wanted to see what everyone thought... I know most of their products are high quality!

Do chinchillas get along??

Hi!
I already have one chinchilla, Totoro, who is 6 months old now, and I was thinking of getting another one.
Would it be easy to introduce the new chinchilla? Are they getting along generally? Do you have any advice?
Both would be males.
Thank you in advance!

Chinchillas first time eating an oat.

Hello! My Nigel I must admit used to get raisins as a treat. However after learning how they are not an ideal snack, I got some slow cooked traditional oats! I put them in a papermache fleece covered treat dispensing ball (only like 3 in there) for him to try during his supervised playtime. He loved them. I'm so glad that I can still give him a treat every once in a while and not have to worry about it harming him. Thankyou chins and hedgies for teaching me so many things about chinchillas.

Do chinchillas inow what they are capable of?

I've been wondering this for a while. I know chins can jump 6 feet, but do they realise that they can? I know my little Nigel has never jumped that high let alone anywhere close, but I dont think that he has tried. Does anybody know anything about this?

High Quality Chinchilla cage for under $150

I am getting a chinchilla in a couple of months and need a high quality cage. Preferably one alot like the critter nation one, but one that is a little more affordable. The critter nation is like $250.(will replace the ramps, floors, etc)

New chubby chonker unit: Gus Gus

Thought I'd pose some photos of my new chubby chonker chin, Gus gus! Named after the lil fat brown mouse in Cinderella.

He's about 6 months old now. Loves the little wheatie things in the timothy hay and apple sticks! He likes doing parkour wall jumps in his cage, and going bonkers whenever a car/noise outside startles him. When I pet him he likes to groom and nibble on my hand, but doesn't liked being petted on his head. Chin and chest scritchies are ok-ish, he really just prefers...

New chubby chonker unit: Gus Gus

Labored breathing?

I took my chin to the vet a month ago and he was in perfect health ( he still is I believe ). I have noticed his breathing seems weird, but then again I have never paid attention to his breaths. He eats, drinks, pees, poops, plays, runs, jumps, everything that a chin should do. He doesn’t cough or wheeze either. He has no symptoms of any issue but I want to be sure!

http://imgur.com/a/Zq2Y0k8

Labored breathing?

What does labored breathing look like? My chinchilla went to the vet last month and was in perfect health, he plays, eats, poops, drinks, pees, runs, all of that. He isn’t lethargic nor does he cough or wheeze. His eyes and nose are good as well

http://imgur.com/a/Zq2Y0k8

Help making no sew cuddle buddy

Please does anybody have some good instructions on how to make a no sew cuddle buddy

Free Chin Spin (you pay shipping)

Hello!

I have an older Chin Spin chinchilla wheel that we haven't used for a couple of years now (we got a flying saucer wheel, which Asa likes better). We are unpacking from a move, and it dawned on me that it should go to someone who can put it to use! It is an original Quality Cage Crafters Chin Spin, 15" diameter and 6.25" wide. They are currently selling on Amazon for $119. Per the description there, "This open-wheel design is made with a quality wood backing inserted into a 15"...

Free Chin Spin (you pay shipping)

Questions to ask breeder?

What questions should I ask my breeder when I pick my baby girl/boy up? It's my first chin! Really excited!! Can anyone help?

Baby Chinchilla Care

I'm gonna make this simple. I need any info on raising chinchillas as I have never had one before. I'm on the waiting list for a baby and can't wait! I'm new here and would love help. I've researched alot but would love help from experienced owners! Again, I'm getting a baby so info on caring for babies would be most helpful!!

How to make playtime more interesting?

Hi everyone!

When I first got my chin I was living with my parents and so her room was my room, and I used to just let her out to explore my bed, bookcase etc. As you can imagine it resulted in a lot of damage to baseboards and furniture while I went through the process of trying to train her not to eat whatever she finds on the floor and not to tear up the room. Training didn't go very well despite being very consistent with it. She's very...very mischievous.

Skip forward 2 years and I've...

How to make playtime more interesting?

Chinchilla Dust and Silicosis? I may have an irrational fear and I think posting here might help

Hey everyone,

I recently realized that chinchilla dust is made from silicates generally. I've been using them since probably 2010, and have used both Kaytee brands and Oxbow (Blue Sparkle).

Does anyone know of any silicosis cases that have occurred due to Chinchilla dust?

I know most chinchilla dust is made from Pumice which is considered to be Amorphous (Compared to Crystaline Silica that is known to cause it). And I imagine even if it was Crystaline, the dust is likely not under 10...

Chinchilla Dust and Silicosis? I may have an irrational fear and I think posting here might help

Minor Chin Belly Ache?

Last night, I noticed my one year old male chin's poo smelled really bad. it was a little bit on the moist side, but his poo has always looked a little on the squishy side despite retaining it's shape. I do what I like to call the 'roll test' to see if his poo is firm enough to roll around and while the foul smelling poo stuck a little bit, his poo afterwards were firmer and had no smell. My question is can chin's have the occasional minor belly ache and have it sort itself out? I tried...

Minor Chin Belly Ache?

You Know You're A Chinchilla Owner When...

This is just a little funny list that a thought of. Everyone, feel free to reply and add more reasons to the list! All the statements on the list below certainly apply to me as a chin owner! P.S. Moderators, if you think this would be better suited for the chit chat section, please move it, thanks!

You Know You're A Chin Owner When....​

1. You have a panic attack when the temperature creeps above 70 degrees
2. You have a fierce allegiance to one of the "Big 3"...

You Know You're A Chinchilla Owner When...

PLEASE HELP! Chinchilla Might Have GI Stasis!

I don't really know if I'm overreacting, but I think my chinchilla may have GI stasis. His buddy passed away just yesterday-he was a beautiful, adorable, lively little chinchilla, Nibbles. Nibbles was taken to the vet with scabs over his body and a low temperature. We don't know what the actual cause was of his death, but it's very likely because he was attacked by Oreo, the chinchilla that might have GI stasis. The two had engaged in pretty escalated fights just a few days earlier, and...

PLEASE HELP! Chinchilla Might Have GI Stasis!

Concerned about urine colour!

Hello. I'm really concerned about my chin Walt. The past week I've noticed his appetite is a little off which isn't unusual for him. He can go through phases of not eating much. He's in good form and just there he enjoyed some play time running and jumping around.
I noticed one spot in his cage that looked strange. His urine is very orange in colour. I have never noticed this colour so I am worried. Of course I googled it and that didn't help me at all with some of the things I read. Does...

Concerned about urine colour!

Chin stories

Hey guys I just a chin 6 days ago( his name is George Today he had his first dust bath since being home. SHARE YOUR CHIN STORIES BELOW

Hello from Texas

Hello Everyone

I'm Rin, from Dallas, TX and I have one female chinchilla, named Chilli, for 9 years now. I recently got another 14 week old female, who I've named Pepper, a week ago. She is still getting used to me, her new home and an older female, so things are a little intense. I've read topics on this site over the years but never actually joined. Finally did it. Looking forward to knowing everyone and their chins.

Cheers,
Rin

Help chinchilla is humping

My nigel has begun to hump my arm. Why is this happening, and What can I do to stop it because he does it all the time.

Reintroducing Dad & Other Options

My female had two little girls two weeks ago. Dad was removed about 3-4 weeks before she gave birth to ensure breedback doesn’t happen. I see people always point out that she can get pregnant again right after birth, and not to reintroduce dad until 10-14 days after birth. We do not want anymore kits, and I haven’t been able to find anywhere that mentions once the pre-birth estrus is over, how long it typically takes before she’s able to get pregnant again?

When we realized she was pregnant...

Reintroducing Dad & Other Options

Veterinary costs reality check

Hello everyone,

I originally took Taro to the vet because he had watery eyes and I wanted to get them checked out and he had a general wellness exam at the same time. The vet said he looked well, except he seemed overweight (at 540g, really??) and that his teeth looked good... and I came home with some antibiotic eye drops for him. A few days later I noticed his chest fur was damp and that he seemed to be pawing at his mouth quite frequently. I asked the vet if she might have possibly...

Veterinary costs reality check

Question about cage set-up and other specifics

Got two male chinchillas. They told me they are about 10 months old. Got also a cage, one of the cheaper models and set the cage this way.
I'll take them to a specialist veterinarian next week for a first checkup and to ask for more advice.
The woman that recommended her, told me that she told her that people make the mistake of regarding chinchillas like common rodents, while in reality they should be treated like hares and bunnies.

On the ground I put two hay shelters , food and glass...

Question about cage set-up and other specifics

Forage feeding? How to increase activity?

Hello everyone!

Susu had a vet appointment yesterday. The good news is that all tests came out pretty good and there's no immediate health concerns. However, the vet is concerned about her weight. In her words, Susu is obese. I know it's rare for chinchillas to overeat, but the vet was concerned that she could feel fat deposits and recommended Susu loses some weight. This isn't the first time I had heard that but it had been hard to limit her access to pellets while she had a cagemate...

Forage feeding? How to increase activity?

Importing Chinchillas to the US

Hi everyone.

I currently live in Europe, but am considering going to grad school in the US. I do not want to burden my friends or family with having to take care of my chinchilla for 2-3 years so I would like to bring him with me.

Has anyone had any experience with importing chins to the US? I am looking for specific information on what kind of certificates and permits are required.

I have emailed various government agencies, but no luck.

Thanks for your help.

Ronda's Chins now Xia's Chins?

I was wondering if Ronda's Chin store is under new ownership or new management (Xia) and if its still reliable, safe, and high quality as Ronda. Anyone got any info before I order?

Male Hedgie escaped and may have gotten female

Help! My male hedgie escaped his enclosure some how and I found him chasing my female hedgie around in her enclosure. I think I caught him in time but I’m not sure, I know these guys are quick in the act. The issue is the female he was chasing is his daughter. She IS KEPT SEPARATELY of corse but he somehow broke into her enclosure. She woke my up by making an alerting noise and that’s when I found them. I immediately removed him and put him in a new enclosure with a lock on the doors. IF he...

Male Hedgie escaped and may have gotten female