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[cadillactaste]

I have never checked their teeth...they eat well...poop well...play well...though the youngest who is a month younger than the other...is catching up in size with the oldest one...And is actually "rounder" unless it's just an optical illusion due to him being a standard and the other is violet...But he definitely looks...chubbier.

But...I was wondering the other day...if I should check their teeth...they chew on their toys so they are chewing...and are growing and active...but...was wondering if one should check the teeth anyways...and if so...how often does this need looked at?

[Jo Ann]

   The teeth should be yellow to orange ... not white.  White teeth, in a chinchilla, is usually caused from a lack of calcium. 
I normally check mine about once a month OR more often
#1 if there is any cut back in the amount of food they are eating, OR
#2 if one develops a watery eye, OR
#3 if they are loosing weight, OR
#4 if they are eating softer foods and leaving the harder ones, OR
#5 if they are pawing a the mouth, OR
#6 if they are drooling, OR
#7 if they seem to be tilting there head to one side or the other while eating.

These are all signs of a possible problem or a possible developing problem.

Catching a problem early on, minimizes the stress on your chin and sometimes even minimizes the cure needed.   

    Jo Ann

[Debbie.nl.ca]

Yes the slightest irregular wear pattern can alert to you any problems very early.
I check mine about once a month or so as well.

[cadillactaste]

OK...I'm sure this will be an "experiance"...But I will start checking them. Fluffy won't be a problem...but Nibbles is not fond of handling.

[ABC Chinchillas]

All mine get a monthly health check, males hair rings, females for pregnancy. all teeth and a good general look over. I mean a really good pull out and check versus the daily scratches and playing they get.

[cadillactaste]

Well not sure what a male hair ring looks like... But when I checked their male parts...My youngest thought it looked as if a BOMB exploded back there! I guess it was due to the fur missing...LOL~ But their teeth were nice and orange. Nibbles was actually a darker orange...I figure like most people their teeth can vary a bit...am I correct or wrong in my thinking?

[Harleychin]

I do a monthly check on all my boys too.
Weight.teeth,feet and the hair ring check.

[Jo Ann]

Well not sure what a male hair ring looks like ...   

It's a ring of fur around the part where the male urinates.  Fur rings are usually caused when a male mates with a female ... if you have no females ... you still need to check them ... If they are humpping a fuzzy stuffed animal, they can also get fuzz off of it and form a hair ring around the penis. 

It's best done with two people ... all four hands are needed ... 2 to hold the chin and one to hold the end while the other pulls the sheath back to check for a hair ring.  If you find one ... the first time, you may want to let your vet show you the correct way to remove it.  If it is red or swollen, definitely let the vet show you.  Most are easily removed by hand, but some can get a bit tricky.  I usually apply some triple antibiotic (Neosporin) after removing one.  Males are usually pretty good about taking care of it themselves, but, occasionally they can not and need help doing so.   

 DO NOT IGNOR A FUR RING ... IT CAN CAUSE MAJOR PROBLEMS ... EVEN DEATH ... IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF PROPERLY AND DONE SO IN A TIMELY MANNER.

I give my chins a tiny bit of Petramalt (found in the cat/dog section of the pet store), about the size of 1/2 a pea once a month ... it helps prevent any clogging of the digestive tract with any fur they may ingest when cleaning themselves.

But their teeth were nice and orange. Nibbles was actually a darker orange...I figure like most people their teeth can vary a bit...am I correct or wrong in my thinking?

Yes, the shades of yellow to orange can vary from one chin to another ... depending on how efficient their body is  in distributing the calcium that is available to them.

   Jo Ann

[cadillactaste]

My boys don't have any stuffies in their cage... ...Should I add some? They enjoy cuddling with each other...though at times they will sleep apart as well.

Thanks for explaining the hair ring... It's something one should think about...and check.

[Jo Ann]

   Adding stuffed toys to the cage???  That's a personal choice. 

I do not for the fear of one of the chins suddenly deciding to chew/eat some of the material that makes up the stuffed toy.

Lots of people let them have a stuffed toy when the are out for playtime outside of the cage ... but only with strict supervision.  If one of my little ones wants to play with some of the stuffed animals I have ... I let them, but, again, with strict supervision.     (Just my personal view.)

   Jo Ann

P. S. If it is not safe for a toddler (eyes that can come off or wires used for forming the ears), then, it's not safe for a chinchilla. 

[cadillactaste]

Thanks Jo Ann...a few times a chin has gotten one of my son's smaller stuffed toys...and drug it around...I took it from them thinking it was a no no...I'll have to pick up a few tiny stuffies for just them... Since I do know they attempted to play with them before. Thanks! I'll leave them out of the cage...just so I too won't worry about them. And it would make stuffie toy time a treat too.