Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Nikki]

So back in September my boyfriend got me two chinchillas for my birthday. They are two years old and brothers. We had no problems with them and they adjusted quickly. I was searching things about them because I don't know much about them and came across different colors and my boyfriend fell in love with the beige ones so of course he had to get one lol So we adopted another craigslist chinchilla. We introduced them slowly put their cages about a few inches away then everyday they moved closer until the cages were together and the could smell each other they were like that for two days before I got them out together. The brothers didn't like him much so I let him use their dust. After that they were fine. They played together great. No signs of aggression or anything. The brothers even cuddled with the new guy. lol I Let them in his cage to see how they would do housed together. They did fine. So I tried putting the new guy in their cage. Everything was fine. Well after trying it out making sure everything would be ok I left the new guy in with the brothers. Everything is still fine but now they all smell like pee. They are getting their dust baths. I actually just changed to the kaytee dust. That's what the new guy was using and he was so soft and pretty. The brothers were using the pet scentations vanilla dust and even though it smells really good they felt a little dirty after their bath and wasn't as soft. So I'm trying this. Anyway for my question will the dust be enough to get the pee smell out of them and why do they smell anyway? Should I put the new guy in his own cage?
Also leave any tips for a new chin owner!!!! I have only had them a little over two months. I got the new guy right a few days after the brothers.

[Jo Ann]

   When using a colored print other than black, please make sure it is easily seen    I just about crossed my eyes trying to read your post.   

Scented anything is not good to use with chinchillas ... fumes from the chemicals used to make these nice, pleasant smells can cause respiratory infections in the tiny lungs of chinchillas.

Blue Cloud is the best, if it is available to you.  Otherwise, just make sure it is dust bath dust and not dust bath sand.  The sand is not good for the chins' fur ... it will damage it.

Sounds like they are having urine fights ... I would probably separate them if it were me.  Chinchillas are smart ... they may behave themselves when you are watching them, then act-up when you are not around to see it.  Are you absolutely posative all three chinchillas are males?

How long are you leaving the dust bath container in their cage?  Once they are finished bathing, they will often pee in the dust bath dust.  If this is the case, you will need to dump it out, wash and dry the container and replace the dust bath dust when you are ready for them to take their dust baths again.  They only need about 15 minutes each day in their dustbath.

   Jo Ann