Anxious/Neurotic Chin

[FuzzLuv620]

Hi,

I have two chinchillas, one who is normal and the other who is slightly, well different. The nutty one has this thing where he throws his cardboard house around almost all night until I guess he just gets so tired that he gives up and falls asleep in it where ever it may lay. Be it teetering on top of the food bowl or wedged upside down in a corner. If anything else is in his cage besides the house he throws that around too. In the morning it looks like a tornado has hit. I don't know what this man needs (besides a sedative haha). Toys? Something wooden to destroy? I only give him cardboard stuff because I'm afraid he might hurt himself throwing around anythiny heavy. He is also very twitchy and a fur chewer.
Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[ticklechin]

Does he have a wheel?

 

[Tanya]

You can try herbal stress and anxiety remedy. It is a safe product; one of the reviews is posted on the webpage.

 

[chechinchillas]

Is the herbal remedy safe for moms?

 

[Tanya]

Is the herbal remedy safe for moms?

This herbal remedy in not appropriate for daily use during pregnancy, but it can be used once or twice a week.

 

[FuzzLuv620]

Hmm, he doesn't have a wheel, maybe he'd like one.

 

[kenko]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, since I'm pretty new to chin ownership myself, but don't chins need more than just cardboard to chew to keep their teeth properly worn down? Also, isn't cardboard an impaction risk if ingested?

Maybe you can try some hanging wooden toys, many forum members here sell them at very reasonable prices; since they're tethered to the cage, he wouldn't be able to throw them around!

 

[greychins]

Ideally, yes, they should have more than cardboard to chew on. Some cardboard is fine, you know, bagels, paper towel rolls, they can have fun shredding that stuff, but it's not actually hard enough to wear down their teeth. I mean, I can tear through a paper towel roll with my hands, how tough can it be? That's why they need actual wood to chew on, because the wood is harder and will ideally wear down their teeth.

Cardboard can be an impaction risk. Course, so can just about anything they ingest. They can get impacted on food if the gut's moving slow enough. In my experience, I've never had a problem with impaction due to cardboard, and I think that's because mine just seem to chew it apart, rather than actually eat it.

To the op --> I would say get a house that can be secured to the wall of the cage. Several members (myself included) sell hidey houses with optional hardware. Once attached to the side of the cage, he won't be moving it anywhere. Hanging toys are another good option, because they are clipped to the cage walls, so he won't be able to toss they around at will, though he can still play with them since they will still swing around somewhat.

 

[addictedtochins]

Try making/buying him 2-3 cuddle buddies. I bet he will pee on them that's why you need more then one. I make one by getting a fleece scrap like 6 inches by 24-36 inches long. Cut a couple strips off the 6 inch side so they will be like 6in x 1"-2" wide. Doesn't need to be neat or straight. Ok, roll it up like a big fat 6 in wide jelly roll. Take the 2 narrow strips and tie off both ends tight. Those 6 inch scraps will be like a foot long when you pull them taunt.

 

[FuzzLuv620]

He has wooden ledges and those pumice ledges to chew on, the only cardboard is his house. He doesn't eat it, he just throws it and then sleeps in it. He and his house have like love/hate relationship. Very strange.