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1

Q & A / Chinchilla Food

« on: August 16, 2010, 01:22:15 PM »

I've had Monte for a little over a year now. He doesn't eat his food, ever. At least, not that I can see. There is always food left over in his bowl the next day. Which I replace. He ALWAYS eats hay, and his treats, but the stuff I get from the store isn't appetizing to him.

I've tried maybe a total of 4 different foods over the last year - mixing with each other so he can get used to it - but it seems like he doesn't ever eat it - and just eats the timothy hay.

I put about a half cup in the cage everyday - and there always appears to be the same amount at the end of the day/following day.

Any suggestions?

2

Q & A / Re: Bitter Apple Spray

« on: June 22, 2010, 12:16:16 PM »

You can try it but mine didn't even know it was there.
I tried spraying cords and baseboards way back when I had just a few, but they chewed right through it.
Can you move shelves so he can't reach his favorite spot? Sometimes it's just a matter of moving things around. A change may give him something else to do.
Sounds like he just wants out, but some seem to enjoy just chewing at the cage.
I'd try putting sometime new in the cage every few days swiching out for other things.
Hanging toys are good as they have to work at playing with them.

That's a good idea. As for switching out the cage, it's wired all over - three level with shelves, etc. He loves to sit on the top shelf and just knaw at it. I will buy him some more toys (has more than my dog did!) to see if that stops.

The little bugger!

3

Q & A / Re: Bitter Apple Spray

« on: June 21, 2010, 01:15:06 PM »

I wouldn't spray anything on him as their furr can get too wet which in turn may allow a bacterial infection to grow..plus I would be afraid to get anything into their eyes. How big is your cage and what kind of chew toys do you have and how many??? Is the chin alone? Maybe he is bored...I am sure that once some breeders on here read this, they will have better advice. Sit tight, there are some very helpful people on this sight! 

Thanks for the response. Just to clear up, though - I wouldn't be spraying it on him - just the wires of the cage - so when he starts to chew on it, he's turned off by the taste.

I wouldn't want a little hairy, sour apple smelling critter running around

4

Q & A / Bitter Apple Spray

« on: June 21, 2010, 12:44:36 PM »

Hi all,

I wanted to get some advice from people who own chins - rather than my "know it all" friends.

I've had Monte, my chinchilla, for a little over a year now - he is about 16-18 months.

He has 3 different lava rocks, and a lava rock ledge that he choose on sometimes, but usually uses it as a perch.

Every night I hear him chewing on his cage. It's so annoying. He's pulling the wires, and letting them snap back - being real loud about it. He shouldn't be chewing on the cage - he has plenty of chew toys!

My question is, can I spray some bitter apply spray on the cage, the stuff you use for dogs to get them to stop chewing on furniture? Or will that hurt him? I certainly don't want to do that - and I imagine it wouldn't - but since chinchillas have finicky digestive systems, I just wanted to be sure.

The spray might not even work - I just want him to stop gnawing on the cage. It's so loud and annoying.

Any suggestions?