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[Joel]

I was chewing on ice the other night and a small piece (slightly larger than a raisin) fell out of my mouth.  My chin came over so I gave it to him.  Now he seems to enjoy running off with it and chewing on pieces that I give him.  Is this unsafe.  Being water, I figure it's not a big deal, but i wanted to check if anyone else knew more about it.  Thanks

[Mel Apple]

As far as I know, its ok, as long as it isn't right out of the freezer (so cold that anything damp will instantly stick) and as long as your chinnie isn't getting too wet from it.  I usually hand feed crushed ice to my chinchilla when he's looking too warm...it helps to cool him, and he thinks he getting a special treat 

[Jo Ann]

   Same here ... I don't see any harm in it as long as he does not get wet and the ice is from a glass of water, not a soft drink with ice in it. 

You might want to set out a mason jar filled with ice cubes and a metal lid screwed on tightly.  If he gets hot or thirsty, you will see him huddle near the jar and/or lick the condensation off the side of the jar, while he enjoys the cool air right around the jar.     

The only problem with giving him your ice is that if you are sick or getting sick, it could also make your chin sick.

   Jo Ann

[cadillactaste]

The condensation won't make them wet? With the ice in a jar trick...

[Jo Ann]

    If you make sure the metal lid is on tight, there should not be a problem.   Usually, they will not get their whole body up that close to the jar ... usually they just stand close enough to feel the cooler air and lick the condensation off of the outside of the jar (their personal waterfountain).      They will sometimes get the tips of their fur a little wet, but not much ... I've never seen it get past just the tips of the fur.   Once you see them huddling close to the jar ... that's a sign he/she is getting to warm and it's time to put them back in their cage to rest and cool down.    If they are just going over and grabbing a quick drink by licking the jar, that's fine ... it's when they seem to want to stay close to the jar that means they are to warm and playtime is over for now.

   As a general rule, only the floor/carpet gets a little wet ... I tried putting a paper towel under it ... that didn't last long ... the chin started chewing on the paper towel.       Lots of people keep a few jars and chin-chiller stones handy to use encase of a power failure. 

   Jo Ann

[Hoppinchins]

Thats cool. i didn't know that you can give chins ice. I'm going to have to try that. 

[cadillactaste]

Ahhh I was assuming this jar went into their cage...so basically it's a playtime thing for them to enjoy...Gotcha. We have a chin chiller...I am wondering I think I need another one. We have central air...And it feels cool to the touch. But they are to be switched out for one in the fridge correct? If so...I need to get another one or two...

[Joel]

Thanks for the help.  Sometimes he wants ice, while other times he wants nothing to do with it, but its good to get confirmation.  The pieces I give him are too small to get him wet.  I figure if I can give him water as a treat its a good thing.

[Hoppinchins]

What is a chin chiller? I have a marble slab thing I put in the fridge to keep cool, is that what you are talking about?

[Jenova]

I give mine ice cubes sometimes and they love them like treats. I have a wire mesh floor on the cage so any drips just go down there.

[Jo Ann]

  

What is a chin chiller? I have a marble slab thing I put in the fridge to keep cool, is that what you are talking about?

Yep, that's it.  You can use marble (make sure it's thick, thin ones break easy), or granite, or just simple clay or ceramic pots.  Unless you have a pot with a large flat surface, you will need to lay it on it's side.  I have chimaneas in many of our cages.  Granite is more durable and seems to hold the cold better.

Ahhh I was assuming this jar went into their cage...so basically it's a playtime thing for them to enjoy...Gotcha. We have a chin chiller...I am wondering I think I need another one. We have central air...And it feels cool to the touch. But they are to be switched out for one in the fridge correct? If so...I need to get another one or two...

The mason jars filled with ice cubes can be used inside the cage also, make sure it has a metal lid and the lid is screwed on good and tight.  Do not freeze water in the jars ... it could cause the glass to crack or break ... use big cubes of ice ... crushed ice melts to fast.

Yes, it is best to keep the chin-chillers in the frig.  It's good to have several on hand so you can switch them out.  My husband liked to have croaked when he found out I purchased 300 marble tiles, that's when I found out how easy it is to break ... now, wish I'd gotten granite.  No refrigerator big enough, so they are kept in the coolest part of the basement and I have enough that I can change them out every hour or so, which allows the ones used to cool back down.  (We have about 100 chins.)

Of course, when I opened my mouth, I jinxed us ... our central air went out during the night last night.  We have 5 backup window and/or floor units for just such an emergency ... it will run the utility bill up ... but our chinnies will stay cool!   

   Jo Ann

[cadillactaste]

Oh wow...every hour your to change them out...Geesh! I didn't know that...Thanks...

Yeah I read on another post about your central air problem...that sucks! So glad you had a quick back up plan.

[Jo Ann]

Oh wow...every hour your to change them out...Geesh! I didn't know that...Thanks...

That's only when it's real hot and we loose electricity ... and when the chins are out playing.  When one runs over and sets on the marble tile, I know it's time to put him/her back in the cage.   Some can handle a longer playtime better than others.  I have two that I purchased, then found out they have heart murmurs.  I will not ever put them into breeding and I keep the stones in their cages 24/7.  I just change them out once a day ... with the air conditioning, they stay pretty cool, even just sitting in the cages.

   Jo Ann

[Hoppinchins]

 jo ann, Sorry your ac went out.

[Jo Ann]

   Thanks, but no problem ... it's cooled down here ... we're not suppose to even get to 70 today.  They'll be out to fix it first thing in the morning.     The other units are working just fine for now. 

    Jo Ann