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[Hoppinchins]

I am a new chinchilla owner, I have two baby chinchillas, One is gray and the other one is white. I was wondering if they need to eat hay to stay healthy. Also, Neither of my chins like the yogurt drops and only pogo, the gray one likes raisins. What treats should I give Snowie, the white one. He seems to be a picky eater. 

[ABC Chinchillas]

chinchillas do need hay. I use cubed hay most often, lose hay sometimes. Chinchillas do not need treats. To many treats can kill them

[Hoppinchins]

Ok, Thanks for you help. I'm in the process of buying hay from the lone star chinchilla website. I read on the chin club website that they don't recamend giving treats to babies that are younger than 3 months. My chins are about 2 months old. One will eat treats and the other one won't. Is that because he is too young he doesn't want one? Should I stop giving my other chin treats till he gets older?

[ABC Chinchillas]

I would stop giving him treats personally.....

[Abby W.]

I usually don't give treats until at a chin is at least 6 months old.  Before then, their digestive systems are still developing and just don't handle treats very well.  You could end up with a constipated chin, or diahrrea (yuck!)
After 6 months old you can give treats, but only sparingly...NO MORE than one per day, and only give sugary treats, like raisins a few times per week.

[Hoppinchins]

Ok. My only problem with not giving treats is that that is the only way I can get pogo back into his cage, by giving him a treat. Do you have other ways I could get him back in his cage?

[Deeliteful]

Yes , Pick him up gently and place him back into the cage. He might throw a fit about the treat . Chins are known for having tantrums when they don't get their way. Its normal. Chins are wonderful creatures some of the most thoughtful I have ever had and emotional. But you are going to have to be tough sometimes.  I would just gently place them back in the cage and then let them have their fit if they will have one.

[Hoppinchins]

Ok, thanks. I just have to catch him in order to pick him up. He can be pretty fast sometimes.

[Deeliteful]

OH yes they can be . One thing you might try is rattling the rasin box . My chin hears that an knows it means treat and he comes a running . Doesnt mean he will get one but its a way of getting them to come .

[Hoppinchins]

Thats a good Idea. Thanks. I always take the raisin box out when it gets close to getting him back in his cage and he always jumps on it and tries to get some i think.

[ABC Chinchillas]

or use the dust bath to catch him

[Hoppinchins]

Thats what I do sometimes. He hasn't wanted to take a good dust bath latley. Today, I was able to get him in his cage without a treat! I got Snowie, my other chin in and after about 10 mins of trying to get Pogo in, he finnally just hopped in the cage. But then he got a little mad bc I didn't give him a treat.

[Harleychin]

Maybe you could give them apple sticks as a nightly treat.No sugar and some fun chewing action for them.All three of my boys love them.

[Hoppinchins]

Ok. Thanks for the idea. I think I ordered some of the apple sticks.

[mylittlechinchilla]

All chins need a high quality pellet (Mazuri, Tradition, Manna Show Pro, PANR, Pen Pals) and hay DAILY 24/7.

Chins do NOT need treats, I rarely give treats other than chew sticks and blocks.  I usually only give treats when I'm trying to take pics...