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Post by Jamie on Aug 3, 2011 0:40:32 GMT -5
This thread is open to all, guests and members.
At Lucky's Place we want to help people to know as much as they can about chinchillas. Chinchillas deserve the best care and it's important to us to share what we know here with the public.
If you are thinking of getting a chinchilla we hope this care sheet will answer the questions that are on your mind. For specific questions please join our free forum.
This Care Sheet is a work in progress and the information you see has been provided by Bonnie (who won the care sheet contest) and will be supplemented in future days and weeks with info from our members, our rescuers and the administration.
Guests see very little that goes on our forum. Please consider joining us , its free , fun, entertaining and important. We talk about and love all pets.
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Basic Care
Temperature --- Chinchilla needs an air conditioned environment during warm days throughout the year; depending where you live. The room should be between 60 and 70 degrees. Some people say 75, but I prefer to stay under 70. You might want to have a thermometer in the room with your chinchilla so you will know what the temperature is.
Food --- Your chinchilla needs the best food possible. Food full of treats isn’t healthy for him/her. Quality Chinchilla foods are Oxbow, Mazuri, Traditional, or Manna Pro Sho. Be sure to transition your chinchilla to their new food slowly, so that you don’t upset their digestive tracts. Also, treats aren’t needed to keep your chinchilla happy. S/he will be fine without them, but as many chin parents alike, we all want to spoil them with treats; be sure to get safe chinchilla treats such as Rosehips or rose buds. Water --- Your chinchilla needs a water bottle on their cage at all times. Avoid using a bowl so s/he doesn’t get wet from spilling it. Water needs to be filter or bottled water, not tap. Tap water can cause your chinchilla to become sick. Hay --- A daily supply of fresh Timothy hay is needed. You can give loose hay or hay cubes. I, personally, prefer to give both. The hay helps wear down the back teeth of your chinchilla; so loose hay helps with that. I feel, that hay cubes aid in wearing down the front teeth more than loose hay does, therefore, I give both. =)
Cage --- A tall cage is needed for your new chinchilla. Most prefer the Ferret Nation, but many cages will actually work, but modifications made to them. Your cage shouldn’t contain plastic, though many have found that plastic bases don’t really hurt. Plastic shelves and such should be avoided. If the plastic is chewed and ingested, it can cause a blockage in the digestive tract. Wood shelves made from a chinchilla safe wood such as KD Pine or Poplar is suggested. Bedding is needed as well. Aspen or KD Pine shaving would both work; some might suggest carefresh but if a chinchilla eats and ingest it, it can cause an impaction. Fleece liners are another alternative as they are usually a one time buy. They are easily shaken off and washed. When washing, be sure not to use Fabric Softener as it makes the fleece less absorbent.
Basic Necessities Toys --- Chinchilla require chew toys to keep their teeth wore down as well. Hanging toys and toss toys are recommended. No plastic on the toys as well. Toys not only help wear down their teeth but also keeps them from getting bored. If they get bored, they can start to chew fleece or their own fur, which is known as fur chewing. Some chinchilla safe toys include pumice stones, bamboo shredders, cardboard tubes, and chinchilla safe woods. Woods include apple, pear, KD Pine, mulberry, etc. Fruit trees that have pits aren’t chinchilla safe, such as Cherry. Dust --- A high quality dust is best for your chinchilla to bath in such as Blue Cloud or Blue Sparkle. Kaytee chinchilla dust will work as well. Avoid scented dust and sands. Wheel --- While in the cage your chinchilla needs to get exercise. A chinchilla safe wheel is needed such as The Flying Saucer, The Chin Spin, or the Silver Surfer. The wheels are a tad bit expensive but last for years and years, so defiantly worth the money. Wire wheels sold in most pet stores are not safe as a chinchilla can get it’s leg caught in the side bar when they get off or a foot caught in the spaces on the wheel. NEVER place your chinchilla in a plastic hamster ball, they get hot in there and can die. Playtime --- Your chinchilla should be allowed playtime every night or every other night for about 10 to 20. Playtime MUST be supervised at all times. Even if you walk away from a few seconds an accident can happen; they happen quickly. During playtime, be sure to shuffle your feet so your chinchilla isn’t accidentally stepped on when you are walking.
Home Remedies A few home remedies in case your chinchilla gets sick or injured in the middle of the night or on a holiday when the vet is close. Blu-Kote --- Blu-kote can be used in case your chinchilla gets a scrape. Also used for fungus. Critical Care --- Used to feed a chinchilla when sick, after surgery, etc. Bag Balm --- Used to treat dry, cracked feet and/or ears. Saline Solution --- Used to help clean wounds or flush out the eye from irritation. Tenactin --- Used to treat fungus. The powder can be added to your chinchillas dust bath and the cream can be placed on the area needed. (TIP: Be sure to wash hands after handling the chinchilla with fungus, so you don’t spread it to other pets) Desenex --- Also used to treat fungus. Powder form can be placed in the dust bath. Infant Gas Drops --- Used to help relieve gas; also always consult a vet in cause of gas. Pedialyte --- Helps replace electrolytes lost from diarrhea or heat stroke. 100% Pumpkin --- Helps aid in constipation and to persuade a sick chin to eat. Activate Charcoal --- Helps to clear up diarrhea. Burnt toast or a shredded mini wheat will help with this. If it doesn’t clear up in a few days, seek a vet. Tums --- helps maintain a chins orange tooth color. Rosehips will also help with this. These should not be given with Rosehips.
Chinchilla Personality/Behavior
When you first bring your chinchilla home, it will be shy and hide a lot. Give him/her time to adjust the new sounds, sights and smells before trying to play with him/her. Sit by his/her cage talk quietly, read a book, or do homework. Let him/her get used to you being around. Chinchilla aren’t cuddle lap animals like cats or dogs; so don’t be disappointed if your chinchilla doesn’t want to be held a lot or sit in your lap for a movie. Chinchilla usually sleep during the day and run around at night, so try not to bother him/her during the daytime, but check on him/her through out the day. Chinchilla hide illness very well so if your chinchilla is laryngitic seek a vet immediately. Usually by this time, it is serious.
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Post by biRd on Jun 12, 2013 2:40:53 GMT -5
Jamie, how do i know if Kevin has gas? he is acting quieter for the last few days... stays in his wood house. he is eating and drinking fine. but the reason i'm asking is he is rounder... not sure if that makes any since.
Jamie, You have so much going on ... i didn't want to bug You.
I know You are going to say that i'm not... Jamie Your heart is 100% bigger than most.
Hugs.. biRd.. & a fluffy Kevin
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Post by Jamie on Jun 12, 2013 5:34:18 GMT -5
Jamie, how do i know if Kevin has gas? he is acting quieter for the last few days... stays in his wood house. he is eating and drinking fine. but the reason i'm asking is he is rounder... not sure if that makes any since. Jamie, You have so much going on ... i didn't want to bug You. I know You are going to say that i'm not... Jamie Your heart is 100% bigger than most. Hugs.. biRd.. & a fluffy Kevin my friend Bird this forum is here to help each other and you are correct ...you are not and never are. If I can be of help .. I will always do my best to do just that. Rounder doesnt mean much. There are times ( every 3 months) when a chinchilla goes into prime. The fur will look extra plush when that process happens and fully grows in however Bird the quiet part is something to look into At this time of year most places get warmer... Please make sure he is in a cool place, out of direct sunlight etc I have been keeping my downstairs at 65 degrees so their room upstairs can be below 75. Their moods and their health certainly changes with the temps Gas? The thing to look for is the size and quantity of their poopies a chinchilla with bloat will either stop producing poops ,. or they will be really tiny Its a good idea to immediately feed infant gas drops... (simethicone) you can get that at most supermarkets, and of course pharmacies they cant overdose on it and most like it alot Many people think that you should dose them once a week or every two weeks to keep things moving I dont do that ...but certainly if the poopies were small I would if you do find Kevin's poops to be tiny , or not there please get those gas drops be ready to massage his tummy 3-4 times a day and we ( I ) can give you more remedies Lets hope Kevin is just relaxing and nothing is wrong keep us posted hugs Jamie
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Post by chinchillalover123 on Sept 8, 2013 15:15:29 GMT -5
wow great information if Stitch ever gets hurt! now i know what wood to use for his cage. thanks a bunch. from chinchillalover123 and Stitch the naughty (ive been calling him that)
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Post by penguinshoe on Sept 25, 2013 15:29:05 GMT -5
Hi Jamie My name is Susy and I contacted you on youtube but I was unable to figure out the communication block. My chinchilla is named towhee, she is really warming up to me and climbs on my lap. She has the run of my room in the evening. Then I place her and her cage in bathroom at night where she runs in there and plays. The place where I bought her told me that she is about 2 months old. I bought her a decent sized cage but she is out in evening in my huge room. Another thing is that she can escape through the 1 1/2 inch bar spacings. I keep my door closed so she cannot escape out of my room. Can she hurt herself doing this? Should I rewire the cage with a smaller bar spacing or will she grow more and not be able to fit through bar spacing? I appreciate your time and your really informative videos on youtube. Thank you and have great day.
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Post by Jamie on Sept 25, 2013 15:40:23 GMT -5
Hi Susy So glad you have joined us
well first Im gonna paste the response to you that I couln't get to you on youtube
_________________________________ As to your questions...................... Chinchillas are prey animals and will always and forever have the instinct to run, and be skiddish.I have had 17 year old chinchillas who still take off when someone wanted to handle them. Think of it this way... you are a giant to them, they have been hunted , killed, skinned , even eaten for generations by almost every animal as well as human beings. So when you wanna pick them up its a bit like you are in bed, or walking around and a 20 foot giant puts his/her hands around you and lifts you in the air. As a rule and unfortunately for chinchillas so so many are in rescues cause people thought since they are so soft and cuddly that they can can somehow make these creatures into cuddly , petable friends, and thats not the case
You in time will form a bond where they will take food from you, jump on you, seek your attention.. but if you just create a mind set that THEY are the boss you will be in better shape.
There is NO alternative to air conditioning for warm temperatures. The total should not and never be more than 140 F. This means..first ..you cant have a chinchilla in more than about 75 degrees but even at that highest of temps the HUMIDITY cant be more than 65
You see fans work by cooling humans perspiration and chinchillas do NOT sweat. So fans, swamp coolers dont work
While a tile floor could be somewhat cooler than a chinchiller tile floors will not save a chinchillas life.
You pick them up like you might a small puppy and its good to have your other hand in front of their front legs so when they bolt ( wanna jump off ) they are held back
Their spines are extremely fragile so never hold too tightly
If you are like me and let them ride your shoulder be sure to have them over soft stuff , carpet, a bed comforter something to pad them falling also that takes a bit of practice , where you feel when they might take a leap and you learn to protect them
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Post by penguinshoe on Sept 25, 2013 18:56:26 GMT -5
Hi Susy So glad you have joined us well first Im gonna paste the response to you that I couln't get to you on youtube _________________________________ As to your questions...................... Chinchillas are prey animals and will always and forever have the instinct to run, and be skiddish.I have had 17 year old chinchillas who still take off when someone wanted to handle them. Think of it this way... you are a giant to them, they have been hunted , killed, skinned , even eaten for generations by almost every animal as well as human beings. So when you wanna pick them up its a bit like you are in bed, or walking around and a 20 foot giant puts his/her hands around you and lifts you in the air. As a rule and unfortunately for chinchillas so so many are in rescues cause people thought since they are so soft and cuddly that they can can somehow make these creatures into cuddly , petable friends, and thats not the case
You in time will form a bond where they will take food from you, jump on you, seek your attention.. but if you just create a mind set that THEY are the boss you will be in better shape.
There is NO alternative to air conditioning for warm temperatures. The total should not and never be more than 140 F. This means..first ..you cant have a chinchilla in more than about 75 degrees but even at that highest of temps the HUMIDITY cant be more than 65
You see fans work by cooling humans perspiration and chinchillas do NOT sweat. So fans, swamp coolers dont work
While a tile floor could be somewhat cooler than a chinchiller tile floors will not save a chinchillas life.
You pick them up like you might a small puppy and its good to have your other hand in front of their front legs so when they bolt ( wanna jump off ) they are held back
Their spines are extremely fragile so never hold too tightly
If you are like me and let them ride your shoulder be sure to have them over soft stuff , carpet, a bed comforter something to pad them falling also that takes a bit of practice , where you feel when they might take a leap and you learn to protect them
Jamie Thank you for your in depth answers. Towhee has been a great new addition to my animal family, I love her. My house does not have air conditioning but I am able to buy a portable or window attachment air conditioner. Are there any you personally recommend? I would appreciate it. Thank you Susy
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Post by Jamie on Sept 25, 2013 20:14:39 GMT -5
Susy I have central air but the last house I was in was a ranch and had an extension where the central air didnt reach I bought a great window air conditioner for less than 200 dollars I dont remember the make, but got it at home depot. Swamp coolers dont help, and as previously mentioned neither do fans. As to the questions you asked today. At Towhee's age, you will want to do something with that cage. Until he is 6 months or so , 1/2 inch spaces is the only thing that will keep him in thats why so many of us use the CRITTER NATION. There are many things to think about and I must tell you when I had Lucky *( who this place is named for) I didnt even realize he was in danger or was ruining so much 1. if he is free in your room, you MUST get wire covers. you can go to babies R us, or home depot ,spend 10 dollars and you can cover your wires. First your stuff,,, lamp cords, TV cords, computers will positively be destroyed but also chinchillas get electrocuted , or have their faces burned off by their investigating wires 2. Your baseboards , doors, .etc are surely gonna get chewed Consider going to the post office and getting those free PRIORITY boxes and lining your walls 3. You might consider a pen.. I have 2 of these attached together for my chinnies www.petco.com/product/13911/Midwest-Small-Pet-Playpens.aspx?CoreCat=certona-_-ProductDetail_3-_-Midwest%20Small%20Pet%20Playpens-139114 If Towhee is in the bathroom..REMOVE all chemicals, and make sure things like shavers/razors are gone just last week my 2 took the razors off and chewed them I am feeling awfully guilty about that..... but they are ok 5. Since your cage wires are so wide apart consider "chicken wire" ...gee whiz I forget what they call the mesh that we use to cover the wires ( someone here will remember) hope that helps Susy all the best jamie
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Post by penguinshoe on Sept 26, 2013 22:33:25 GMT -5
Susy I have central air but the last house I was in was a ranch and had an extension where the central air didnt reach I bought a great window air conditioner for less than 200 dollars I dont remember the make, but got it at home depot. Swamp coolers dont help, and as previously mentioned neither do fans. As to the questions you asked today. At Towhee's age, you will want to do something with that cage. Until he is 6 months or so , 1/2 inch spaces is the only thing that will keep him in thats why so many of us use the CRITTER NATION. There are many things to think about and I must tell you when I had Lucky *( who this place is named for) I didnt even realize he was in danger or was ruining so much 1. if he is free in your room, you MUST get wire covers. you can go to babies R us, or home depot ,spend 10 dollars and you can cover your wires. First your stuff,,, lamp cords, TV cords, computers will positively be destroyed but also chinchillas get electrocuted , or have their faces burned off by their investigating wires 2. Your baseboards , doors, .etc are surely gonna get chewed Consider going to the post office and getting those free PRIORITY boxes and lining your walls 3. You might consider a pen.. I have 2 of these attached together for my chinnies www.petco.com/product/13911/Midwest-Small-Pet-Playpens.aspx?CoreCat=certona-_-ProductDetail_3-_-Midwest%20Small%20Pet%20Playpens-139114 If Towhee is in the bathroom..REMOVE all chemicals, and make sure things like shavers/razors are gone just last week my 2 took the razors off and chewed them I am feeling awfully guilty about that..... but they are ok 5. Since your cage wires are so wide apart consider "chicken wire" ...gee whiz I forget what they call the mesh that we use to cover the wires ( someone here will remember) hope that helps Susy all the best jamie Jamie Thank you so much for your suggestions. I purchased a portable air conditioner today and will install tomorrow morning. You are very kind and have excellent information. I keep towhee in bathroom at night, free of anything other than her and cage. As for wire covers. I will invest in some very soon but for the time being I disconnect all wires and hide in a drawer. Thank you
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Post by Jamie on Sept 27, 2013 14:34:05 GMT -5
so fantastic Susy Here in Utah its already a bit cold I wont be needing air conditioning for 6 months
I am so glad you are here and I really do appreciate your kind words
thank you Susy
Jamie
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Post by RoyalCheerio on Aug 26, 2014 4:29:15 GMT -5
So, I know this is a very late comment, however I have a bit of question. I live in Great Britain, so the food examples you've listed aren't available to me. Do you know of any food brands in the UK that I should feed a chinchilla (I don't have one yet - I'm just researching)? Also, most people say to steer away from mueslis and mixes, however there is one that has stood out. It's called Nature's Touch. The reason why is that I used to feed my late hamster their hamster food and he lived to a year over the average age! I've found that chinchillas can be specific with their food, however on their website Nature's Touch highlights this and basically says that they've used food that chinchillas likely won't pick out. So, in a nutshell, is Nature's Touch any good and if not which nuggets, which are available this side of the Atlantic, would you recommend?
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Post by Jamie on Aug 26, 2014 17:46:50 GMT -5
So, I know this is a very late comment, however I have a bit of question. I live in Great Britain, so the food examples you've listed aren't available to me. Do you know of any food brands in the UK that I should feed a chinchilla (I don't have one yet - I'm just researching)? Also, most people say to steer away from mueslis and mixes, however there is one that has stood out. It's called Nature's Touch. The reason why is that I used to feed my late hamster their hamster food and he lived to a year over the average age! I've found that chinchillas can be specific with their food, however on their website Nature's Touch highlights this and basically says that they've used food that chinchillas likely won't pick out. So, in a nutshell, is Nature's Touch any good and if not which nuggets, which are available this side of the Atlantic, would you recommend? welcome to our forum, you might consider joining us , its free. Guests dont see 1/2 of whats here anyway ... you are in luck as there is GREAT food in the UK first of all most of us really favor Oxbow food and you can get both the pellets and great hay here in the UK www.petlifeonline.co.uk/?p=products.for.small.animals.#oxbowalso Beaphar is there which is a very very good food Any treat food or mueslis food is not good for chinchillas no matter what their ads say their nature is to only pick out treats , its like a little kid that has been introduced to M and M's ( chocolate candy) Hamsters, Gerbils, Rats, even pet mice are not as needy of this kind of pure nutrition, chinchillas have a very specialized digestive system and are also hind gut fermenters Hope that helps thanks for your question and welcome Jamie
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Post by TheRoyalCheerio on Aug 26, 2014 18:36:44 GMT -5
Thank you, if do get a chinchilla then I think I probably will sign up. When I got my hamster I signed up to a forum and it was a great source or help. And, also, thanks for responding! I hope I'm responding back in the right way (this is my first time using forums for a few years), but sorry if I'm not. I'm presuming you're referring to Beaphar Care+, as there's also Beaphar XtraVital, with the former being a nugget and the latter being muesli. However, I just wanted to clarify this first, so I don't go buying the wrong thing. In case it is is Care+ that you're referring to, do you have any opinions of Special Science Selective or Burgess Excel? The two nuggets available at the local pet shop are these two, with the rest on sale being mixes or mueslis. Obviously, I'd rather go to the pet shop than order online so if those two are any good then I'll think I'll opt for one of those, but of course I will order online if they aren't great. As a final question, I've seen that people use raisins as treats and that you must be careful not to give them too many. How much, would you say, is the right amount to give them and how often? And, whilst on the topic, I believe somewhere I saw Cheerios being used. My question here is basically the same as that for raisins, but with Cheerios instead. -TheRoyalCheerio (not my real name! )
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Post by Jamie on Aug 26, 2014 19:43:14 GMT -5
Thank you, if do get a chinchilla then I think I probably will sign up. When I got my hamster I signed up to a forum and it was a great source or help. And, also, thanks for responding! I hope I'm responding back in the right way (this is my first time using forums for a few years), but sorry if I'm not. I'm presuming you're referring to Beaphar Care+, as there's also Beaphar XtraVital, with the former being a nugget and the latter being muesli. However, I just wanted to clarify this first, so I don't go buying the wrong thing. In case it is is Care+ that you're referring to, do you have any opinions of Special Science Selective or Burgess Excel? The two nuggets available at the local pet shop are these two, with the rest on sale being mixes or mueslis. Obviously, I'd rather go to the pet shop than order online so if those two are any good then I'll think I'll opt for one of those, but of course I will order online if they aren't great. As a final question, I've seen that people use raisins as treats and that you must be careful not to give them too many. How much, would you say, is the right amount to give them and how often? And, whilst on the topic, I believe somewhere I saw Cheerios being used. My question here is basically the same as that for raisins, but with Cheerios instead. -TheRoyalCheerio (not my real name! ) We cant get Beaphar in the states but some of our members in the UK and my co owner Ilka who lives in Germany sometimes helps us out. Beaphar uses extruded pellets that are good for chinchillas with dental problems. I have been to the UK many times ( I am a musician), but the products you have listed are not here so I dont know HOWEVER please contact BARBARA at www.cheekychinchillas.comlet her know you were on this forum ( tell her Jamies forum) and she will help you She has had several chinchillas with malocclusion ( severe dental problems) and I believe she uses SCIENCE SELECTIVE If its in the states I havent seen it in the major stores. Though YES Raisins have a reputation as a treat for chinchillas they are bad for them 1 raisin is equivalent to us having an entire bag of candy I would say if you must feed a raisin then once a week , one of them the problem is the chinchillas love them, and they are so cute most of us cant stop at one I would like to advise you that healthy treats or healthier treats would be 1. natural ROSE HIPS 2. GOGI berries ( also in small amounts 1or 2 a day is ok 3. shredded wheat ( unsweetened) 4.cheerios , unsweetened a pinch of rolled oats You can also make your own cookies for them by grinding oats into a flour , and adding water putting them in the over and so forth. Some people make treat cookies out of the pellets , and also timothy hay I give very little in the way of treats and sometimes I just break one of their OXBOW pellets in half and offer it as a treat Sugar is really hard for them to digest, its also not good for their teeth Glad you doing research, I wish more people did If you go to youtube and type in TAKING GOOD CARE OF YOUR CHINCHILLA ( by jglaser).. you will have 5 episodes that can help you a lot with chinchilla questions Jamie
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Post by RoyalCheerio on Aug 26, 2014 19:56:34 GMT -5
Alright, thanks for the reference. I'll be sure to visit in the morning, thanks. That's useful information on the treats, thanks. I'll be sure to look at some of the others. Thanks. I would just hate myself if I found I was mistreating a chinchilla or if I had to give it away as it wasn't what I was expecting. Ah yes, I've seen all those videos already . Though, I really ought to watch them again. There's so much infirmation that I doubt all of it has sinned in. Just one very last round of questions (sorry). I looked on the website you linked. Which of the hays would you recommend, if I were to go for those? And, would you say their straw bedding is safe to use? I've yet to see any mentioning of straw chinchilla bedding. If it were good to use then it would become a conveneince to go on online as almost everything I'll need to restock on is on that page. -RoyalCheerio
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Post by Jamie on Aug 26, 2014 22:22:56 GMT -5
Alright, thanks for the reference. I'll be sure to visit in the morning, thanks. That's useful information on the treats, thanks. I'll be sure to look at some of the others. Thanks. I would just hate myself if I found I was mistreating a chinchilla or if I had to give it away as it wasn't what I was expecting. Ah yes, I've seen all those videos already . Though, I really ought to watch them again. There's so much infirmation that I doubt all of it has sinned in. Just one very last round of questions (sorry). I looked on the website you linked. Which of the hays would you recommend, if I were to go for those? And, would you say their straw bedding is safe to use? I've yet to see any mentioning of straw chinchilla bedding. If it were good to use then it would become a conveneince to go on online as almost everything I'll need to restock on is on that page. -RoyalCheerio Straw bedding is not recommended for chinchillas usually here, but people do use it. Theres nothing inherently dangerous about using it or wrong, just tough to get, if you arent a farmer most of use FLEECE here or if you must use traditional bedding.. ASPEN Oxbow is great hay, and Im sure you have tack shops there , Im sure you can find good quality hay all over the UK please ask as many questions as you'd like thats why we are here Its a complete pleasure and thank you for watching my vids
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Post by RoyalCheerio on Aug 27, 2014 4:24:37 GMT -5
Okay. I've never seem that in any shops before so I presume it's not very popular here, though I have seen it on some American videos. I think yours one of yours might have been one, but as I say, I need to watch them again. I've only really seen wood shavings, Carefresh, shredded paper and straw here.
Okay. Which of the hay types/species are best? I've seen there're all sorts on that site, such as Timothy, alfalfa (though I hear you need to be careful with alfalfa) and orchard grass.
I've been over to Cheeky Chinchillas and I went to the contact page, where it asks for a name (Barabara) and then an email address. Is this the right page, and if so which email address should I put in?
Thanks you so much for all your help!
-RoyalCheerio
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Post by Jamie on Aug 27, 2014 4:59:55 GMT -5
Okay. I've never seem that in any shops before so I presume it's not very popular here, though I have seen it on some American videos. I think yours one of yours might have been one, but as I say, I need to watch them again. I've only really seen wood shavings, Carefresh, shredded paper and straw here. Okay. Which of the hay types/species are best? I've seen there're all sorts on that site, such as Timothy, alfalfa (though I hear you need to be careful with alfalfa) and orchard grass. I've been over to Cheeky Chinchillas and I went to the contact page, where it asks for a name (Barabara) and then an email address. Is this the right page, and if so which email address should I put in? Thanks you so much for all your help! -RoyalCheerio Generally Timothy Hay is what we use. Alfalfa is a great hay up to when a chinchilla is around 6 months old after that you need to be careful and use it sparingly, as alfalfa can cause bladder stones, its too much calcium. The chinchilla pellets ( oxbow) are sourced from alfalfa hay, so there again eventually you will not use Alfalfa. In terms of the cheeky chinchillas, you would fill out whatever contact form with your name and YOUR email address and ask your question and she gets back with you as soon as she can,,, remember to make sure you fill out any "spam" captia or blanks. I know she is quite careful with her sites If you have any difficulty I will write her in your behalf, I not only have her private email but she is the webmaster for the last 10 years for my music website. I can reach her, but I dont give out her addresses. Let us know how you do jamie
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Post by RoyalCheerio on Aug 27, 2014 5:39:33 GMT -5
Okay. So alfalfa until they're 6 months and then switch to Timothy?
Ah, that makes much more sense. Thanks.
-RoyalCheerio
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Post by Jamie on Aug 27, 2014 11:48:43 GMT -5
Okay. So alfalfa until they're 6 months and then switch to Timothy? Ah, that makes much more sense. Thanks. -RoyalCheerio yes thats pretty much the rule of thumb, though I know people who just do the timothy, orchard grass, meadow hay from the start The thing is each grass gives the animal different chewing situations, thats why many of us have a variety on hand though Timothy is the most used Then there are the cuts With Timothy hay we have 1st through 3rd cut , 3rd being the softest and sweetest , other cuts may have more protein Oxbow has a gauge on the bag, it says soft, medium, hard , I think most of the stores around here stock the medium. You are gonna do great if you decide to love a chinnie Jamie
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