Hi everyone!
I have a chinchilla that is a severe fur biter. He chews himself bald and is currently bare on his front legs, back legs, stomach, and side. I got especially concerned when it seemed as if he was drooling and grinding his teeth. I took him to the vet but the vet said his teeth are fine. He has also lost weight but the vet just thinks it stress. I have looked up all kinds of idea online. I have tried changing his dustbath, tried giving him a wet bath incase he had something stuck in his fur, I've given him more attention, and even less attention. We have tried cleaning his cage more and giving him different types of wood incase it was an allergy. The room he is in is temperature controlled and it has a quiet air filter too. We have tried darkening the room further. Nothing has really changed prior to the behavior. We actually have three chinchillas in total. They are brothers and have been together since birth and get along well. The vet recommended trying to separate them but said that might backfire since he may get lonely. I think it would since they cuddle a lot and since the cage is already quite large so its not like he can't get away if he wants too. His brothers aren't fur biters though and it would seem to rule out anything fungal.
I am beyond desperate. I know fur biting isn't supposed to be 'dangerous' but his is severe. The fur he is chewing off is getting caught in his teeth and it's causing his poop to string together instead of coming out individually. It was clearly causing him digestion problems as he would get really still and unhappy for a bit and then a string of 4 or so would come out. I have started him on Petromalt, the malt flavored one, a couple of times a week to help with the digestion but I'm looking for something, anything that might at least lessen his fur biting. I have heard perhaps chamomile or there is some type of drops? What do you guys think might be safe and effective or do you think there might be something worse going on? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
I have a chinchilla that is a severe fur biter. He chews himself bald and is currently bare on his front legs, back legs, stomach, and side. I got especially concerned when it seemed as if he was drooling and grinding his teeth. I took him to the vet but the vet said his teeth are fine. He has also lost weight but the vet just thinks it stress. I have looked up all kinds of idea online. I have tried changing his dustbath, tried giving him a wet bath incase he had something stuck in his fur, I've given him more attention, and even less attention. We have tried cleaning his cage more and giving him different types of wood incase it was an allergy. The room he is in is temperature controlled and it has a quiet air filter too. We have tried darkening the room further. Nothing has really changed prior to the behavior. We actually have three chinchillas in total. They are brothers and have been together since birth and get along well. The vet recommended trying to separate them but said that might backfire since he may get lonely. I think it would since they cuddle a lot and since the cage is already quite large so its not like he can't get away if he wants too. His brothers aren't fur biters though and it would seem to rule out anything fungal.
I am beyond desperate. I know fur biting isn't supposed to be 'dangerous' but his is severe. The fur he is chewing off is getting caught in his teeth and it's causing his poop to string together instead of coming out individually. It was clearly causing him digestion problems as he would get really still and unhappy for a bit and then a string of 4 or so would come out. I have started him on Petromalt, the malt flavored one, a couple of times a week to help with the digestion but I'm looking for something, anything that might at least lessen his fur biting. I have heard perhaps chamomile or there is some type of drops? What do you guys think might be safe and effective or do you think there might be something worse going on? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
