Chin keeps bitting and pulling at cage??

[Avery155]

Hello everyone!

I have a question as you can see from the title. I have two male chinchillas (Dusty and Dash) That are about 8 months old. Dash has recently started chewing and pulling at the wire bars in the cage. Dusty is normally the calmer one that just relaxes and runs around a bit. I always give them there play time and keep wooden logs to chew on as well as a hanging wooden log array with a bell to cure there boredom. They have a running wheel there cage is 24x24x48 I believe and has 3 shelves and 2 extra ledges for them to run on. Is it time for a bigger cage? Or is Dash just going through a phase? My two boys get along great together and normally keep me up most of the night so I know there happy and healthy. Let me know your inputs or suggestions! Thanks!

 

[Rickman]

After I gave the herd those 2x2x2 chew blocks from Drs. Foster and Smith seems like they quit picking at the bars, at least I've not noticed it!
Buy 1 for each, and replace them when they're small enough to get throught the bars - they really hurt when you step on them!!

 

[Riven]

Chins don't bite the bars because they are wanting to chew... He just wants out! Possibly due to boredom. Maybe up the ante a bit and redo the cage, move some shelves, add some new toys, or hammocks. Check out some of the cages on here for ideas, and check out the supplies for sale section for some great products!

 

[Avery155]

Thanks for your input! I switched their cage around and they both seem to enjoy exploring their new setup! So we will see what happens but they seems nice and happy now!

 

[Riven]

Hey, if you lived in one room all the time it would get really boring! Glad they like the new places to explore!

 

[nicky]

I have a chin that always wants out. 10 minutes after playtime you hear her trying to chew her way out. She'd be happy if I let her have run of the room at all times. I think she just gets bored quicker than most. Try putting a paperbag in the cage with a little dust, hay and a stick inside of it. It usually works to keep them busy for a while.