Chinchilla fur falling out?

NatashaLinney · Sep 9, 2012

Okay, so I've recently been discovering mounds of what seems like fur - inside my chinchilla cage... It is the same colour as one of my chinchillas (Herbie) and feels the same as his fur... But, when I examine my chinchilla he does not seem to be malting or showing any signs or fur loss.

The only other option is I know my other chinchilla (Hunter) likes to pull and chew this hammock thing I have in the cage, which is made of fleece and it creates hair balls if he pulls too much of it off... It's not the same colour as this fur I've been finding though.

What could be the problem with my chinchilla? Is it normal to malt in huge clumps? He doesn't show any signs of malting actually on him and I only seem to find it when I discover it, when cleaning the cage. I have not seen him biting or chewing his fur off himself, but my other chinchilla likes to groom him lol.

I don't find this fur everyday, I have seen this only twice now, while cleaning his cage.

HELP! What is it!!

Stackie · Sep 9, 2012

Are your chins together in the same cage?

Vyxxin · Sep 9, 2012

Hard to say, could be a lot of things as youre description isn't terribly helpful. It's one of those, hard to describe things

if you can get a photo of the chinchilla broadside and/or photos of the fur while it's still undisturbed in the cage we may have a better idea. Chinchillas DO shed, some of mine are right now, but it's not in clumps. Fur in clumps is usually a sign of fighting.

NatashaLinney · Sep 10, 2012

Thanks for replying.

My chinchillas are in the same cage and they do get along. They only really fight sometimes when they want to get to the food bowl first... but its just a little scuffle and that's all.

They have been introduced the correct way and all that stuff and they've been housed together for about 2 months now.

Anyway, I will try and get a photo of the fur un-disturbed next time I see it.

Lynn & The Chins · Sep 10, 2012

Give them 2 food bowls so there's no bullying for food.

Keep a very close eye on them -- even though they have lived together succcessfully, they could turn on each other and fight to the death. It has happened to members of this forum.

Make sure you have an emergency cage in case you have to separate them.

jbcstratton · Sep 11, 2012

Sounds like fur slip, they are probly fighting over food. I would definetly do a second food dish.

Stackie · Sep 11, 2012

If he is losing large amounts of fur I would be concerned. They may very well be fighting in the middle of the night when you are sleeping. Chins can get along perfectly and then out of the blue, begin to fight. If this continues you should consider separating them as often times the fights do not quit, only escalate and get worse. They can and will do a lot of damage to each other and may even kill another.