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[Ari and Ingram]

Ingram has started itching alot. Literally like a dog with fleas. It has gotten worse the past couple days too. Is it possible for him to have fleas? Is he maybe allergic to his dust bath or hay or something? Any ideas?

[Jenova]

It's more likely to be a skin allergy or mould. Try and get to a vet who is experienced with chinchillas to be on the safe side. Can you see any redness or hair loss?

How often does he have a dust bath and what do you use? If it's too often his skin could be drying out or if it has anything in it like a fragrance that could be irritating him too.

[Ari and Ingram]

There is no redness or hair loss at all.

I use the critter bath powder by super pet. Is that a good brand or not? He only takes a bath like every three days. Im going to watch him extra close and try and develop a pattern and see if it is more constant after baths.

Thanks for the help!

[Jo Ann]

    What part of the body is he scratching? Is this constant or just once or twice a day?

Often, scratching at or near the ear can be a warning of an ear infection or ear mites.

Dry skin (over use of dustbaths in the winter) or an allergy is always a possibility.  Chinchillas have allergies to different things, just like humans. 
I would make sure he is not around any colognes, air fresheners, cleaning products that are scented, etc.

Is there anything inside or near his cage that is washed in the washing machine?

The dust bath you are referring to states it is made from volcanic ash, which is what is should be for a chinchilla.  Powder form, not sand.  And not scented.

A chinchilla's fur is to thick to support ticks, fleas or other creepy crawlies.

If the fur looks matted ... check for an injury.

Any more info to add other than scratching?

   Jo Ann

[Ari and Ingram]

He seems to be mostly scratching around his neck area and on his tummy. He will sometimes rub his nose too, but I saw in another post something about if their nose is watery and they are itching that is bad but his isnt doing that. It is definately not constant but I do notice him doing it a good bit. Are there any other signs of ear infection or mites other than itching? Like build up in his ear I need to be looking for. Thanks

[Jo Ann]

   A certain amount of scratching is normal ... sometimes they will scratch an area that feels ticklish or where the fur is molting.
Under the chin and behind the ear are often favorite scratching places.
Wiping the nose is a normal thing not to worry about ... unless the nose is wet, red or flakey skin is apparent.
Does the fur appear to be any thinner in the area he is scratching?   
For a temporary test ... you may want to make sure the room he is in is between 66 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.  Give him a dust bath twice a week, adding 1 teaspoon anti-fungal powder (human foot/athletes powder), per 1/4 cup dust bath dust.  Use a fresh clean dust bath container and dust bath dust each dusting.  Do not share the dust bath with other chinchillas.

If the amount of scratching increases or irritation appears, I would get a vet to check it out. 

   Jo Ann

[Ari and Ingram]

Fur is thick and fuzzy like normal. I will definately try the things you suggested. Thanks!