Escape Artist

[alspeari]

Hi guys,

So I got my first chinchilla in April. The woman I got him from said that he a a big chewer and that he particularly likes dry wall. Well, I've provided him with several different chew toys and he only seems to like the lava level. He barely chews on his igloo, food bowl, ledges, or wheel (brand new, that he doesn't use). However, he has started chewing on his cage pan, which has produced a big enough hole for him to squeeze out of whenever he wants. I now have to purchase him a new cage. (the one he is currently in is a cat cage; which is 4xs bigger than his old cage)

My question is why is he only chewing certain things? I take him out for play time on a regular basis, he has even taken up the bad habit of hoping out of the cage when I open the door.

I don't know what else to provide for him, that will interest him and stop these bad chewing habits. I've given him a few different chew toys as well, and he doesn't like apple wood either. He just munches for a few seconds and then goes right back to chewin on his pan.

Let me know if any of you have any suggestions! Thanks!

 

[inzeos]

You might consider getting a new cage that is not made of plastic or wooden parts.

The FN-142 or the FN-141 come highly recommended by the community. Out of the box there are several plastic parts, including a bottom pan; however, for < $40~ USD you can get replacement metal pans made.

Remove any other plastic items you might have in your cage as well. Sounds like he chews it often enough that it could become a problem for him if he is digesting any of it.

Have you tried purchasing for him Pumice stones? We have one chin who goes crazy for lava perches, bit and the narrower perches. He also enjoys pumice, which I need to order more of.

Do you have any wooden ledges, house or bridges for him?

 

[alspeari]

It's just that he only chews on this pan and tasting things when he's out of the cage. He has a lava perch that he's chewed, but has lost interest in. He has plastic and wooden levels in the cage that he hasn't chewed on at all.

I'm in the market for a new cage, but I'm VERY limited on funds right now. I'm a college student, so I've been searching for bargains. I got Reggie (with cage, dust bath, igloo, water bottle and food bowl) for $25. I bought his new cage for $30. And probably around $100 in food and toys. I think the FN-142 cages are REALLY nice and around the same size as his new cage; which would be perfect. I just don't have the money to spend on those cages.

I've thought about making a cage for him. I'm just really not sure where to start. I've tried researching them online, but everything I've found you have to pay for the plans.

Thank you for your advice! I'll have to look into the Pumice stones and see if he likes those!