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[Joyce]

  Debbie, you are so funny!  I am snickering at you snickering at me!!!!  OK, so someday I'll get a cuttlebone ya'll.
For now we have gotten a perscription calcium from our vet for Mia.  It is a liquid and is called "Calciquid".

[FluffBall]

yo should really try the cuttlebone my chins love it 

[Leslie]

I have two questions: 

1. If cuttlebones are made of bones, and chinchillas are natural vegetrians... then why is it a good idea to feed them cuttlebones?  They might have a lot of calcium, but isn't there a vegetable source that would be more appropriate for their diet?

2. Are grape vine wreaths okay for chins?

[Jo Ann]

Hi All,

cuttlefish ... a marine mollusk having 10 arms with suckers and have a hard internal shell called a cuttlebone.    You're right, Debbie.

Weeping Willow ... I found two sites in particular that give a very good description ... apparently the willow and the weeping willow are the same thing.  Here is the on line dictionary version to help you know there is actually 350 different kinds www http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willow    Here is another one that also give you a good description of the willow wood and is a kid friendly sight. http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/veg/trees/willow.htm

I have heard that about the pitted fruit too, but I am sure that peach is OK. That came right out of the Joy of Chinchillas book. They do extensive chinchilla research so we can trust them.

Thanks, Jamie, I wondered about that, but if they say it's OK ... great!  I should have looked it up.  

Maggie doesn't really chew on things by herself. I don't know if its because she's spoiled, or just doesn't see it, but she tended to only chew on things if i hold it for her. She has no interest in wood blocks, lava stones or ice unless I'm holding it.

I also occasionally wonder about her sense of smell or sight. I haven't read anything about how good chinchilla sight is. I guess I assumed because she is a rodent she had less then sharp eyesight but keen smell. However she doesn't seem to realize I have a raisin unless I hold it close in front of her face, and if I move it away even a couple inches she rarely follows it. I know its not that she loses interest because she will wrestle me for a raisin.

  BOY DOES SHE HAVE YOU TRAINED!!!      Have you had a vet check her eyes?  You might want to, just to be safe.  

 
Jo Ann [/i]

[Debbie.nl.ca]

We do have a great laugh eh Joyce. Takes less muscles than frowning.

2. Are grape vine wreaths okay for chins?

Mine love them.

I have heard that about the pitted fruit too, but I am sure that peach is OK. That came right out of the Joy of Chinchillas book. They do extensive chinchilla research so we can trust them.

The pit thing I read in that pet shop chinchilla book by Barron's but I have never heard anyone on the net say it was a no no.
Barron's Chinchillas book, " A complete pet owner's manual", says it's ok to feed the fresh fruit, chinchilla pellets contain corn, and that a steady diet of rabbit pellets will cause liver damage.
Hmm get this it's an updated revised edition from a German book from 1992, and printed in Hong Kong.
No wonder people are so confused.

[Chins To Love]

I never knew it was from a fish  , but I always thought it looked like one too. You never quit learnin.

[Debbie.nl.ca]

Mine tend to like fruit flavored chews, either in the tums or calcium chewables.
Cody loves banana, so I have even crushed them up in a little scrape off a fresh banana for him.
Too much cranyberry juice could cause soft droppings so just keep an eye on them.
No reason a healthy chin couldn't have some.
When ever I put things in their water bottles I use a second water bottle.
Some just don't like certain things so I keep a plain water bottle there all the time as well.

[Jenova]

I'm going to buy Cheech a cuttlefish tomorrow but I was wondering how much to give him. Is it possible to give him too much?

You guys are great answering all my questions. Thanks. 

[Debbie.nl.ca]

Na I wouldn't think he could have too much, but either tie it to the cage, or break it up in hand size pieces to keep it clean.

[Abby W.]

Yeah cuttlebone seems to be pretty easy on their systems.  I have some who will eat an entire whole bone in one sitting...no problems yet.

[Jenova]

I bought him one and he can't get enough of it. I don't think he put it down for 24 hours. 

Thanks for the advice everyone. 

[Abby W.]

I'm glad he liked it so much.  It is always so much fun to watch them play
with a new toy!