i know joann has been with chins for many long times years.. so i don't want to go against her,
but i have to ask joann.. i was was taught that they are like that because it depends on when they ate last.. if they just ate not too long ago, their poop will be bigger in size ..etc... or is the other way around...
you know what i mean.. all my poops are different sizes.. they are all about 3-4 years, i think.
jean
![Sily! ::silly::](http://www.chinchillaclub.com/forum/Smileys/default/silly.gif)
If you have gone over many of my threads/responses, you will note I often say/use the words "ususally" , "as a rule", "most of the time", "there are always exceptions to the rule" ... etc. Rarely is there a rule than can not be broken at one time or another and it still be safe for chinchillas. I do not always list the exceptions,
![Ha! ::hah::](http://www.chinchillaclub.com/forum/Smileys/default/hah.gif)
because, my posts are usually long-winded enough.
If you will note, I did say:
As a general rule ... if all is well ... all or most of the individual poos will be the same size, shape and texture ... if their diet is consistant and if they are healthy ... they will usually be soft, but firm ... moist, but not wet or sticky ... normal size, not smaller than normal, and not dryer than normal. Stress can also affect a chin's poop.
There are always circumstances that will change the poop temporarily. What they eat/drink can effect the poop. The "condition" {pregnancy} can have an effect on what the poop looks like, as well as illness. When a chinchilla's healthy poop goes 'down hill'
consistently, they do need to be checked out ... as a precaution, if at all possible.
In the wild, as it is still today, chinchillas will hide an illness, until it is almost taken over. In the wild, even the smallest signs of illness or injury would allow a predator to have a chinchilla snack. Chinchillas still carry this "natural instinct" with them today. When an owner realizes a chin is sick, many times, it is already very close to death. A chinchilla's poop can give you early warning/notice of things that may lay in the near future.
His poops are still irregular sizes but i guess thats just the way it is.
![grin :::grins::](http://www.chinchillaclub.com/forum/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
Very good to hear! I'm glad the vet checked him out. Better to be safe than sorry.
Looks like
his 'normal' is different than most ...
It never hurts to be aware and keep an eye on something that "might" be a warning of what is to come.
Jo Ann