help my chin wont chew

[burkirs]

I have pumice stones on a chain and small enough to hold as well as wood chews and my chin will not chew. She has chewed plastic that i have taken out he cage and she tries to chew on the cage but it is metal. What can i do to get her to chew on the toys? Also why is plastic not safe?

 

[ann1]

I would try some different types of chin safe woods. My chins love apple. There are quite a few people on here that sale wood, maybe you can get a sampler to see what your chin likes.
Plastic is not good cause it can get stuck and cause a blockage. Your chinchilla can die from that

 

[BooBoo*TheKiddo*]

Are you certain your chins not chewing? She could be chewing just a little bit. I've got some that chew to no end while others don't chew nearly as much.

Also check out the classified and didn't members stores for different types of chew toys. Give her a variety and see what she likes.

 

[eroomlorac]

How old is your chin. I noticed when my chins were young, they didn't chew very much but they always had chews if they so desired. Now that they are adults, they chew like crazy.

 

[gella]

Do any of the wood chews you provide have bark on them? That might be enticing to start some chewing. Maybe try giving a toy to her as a 'treat' in addition to having some offered in the cage - my chins love when I give them little twigs after playtime.

 

[eroomlorac]

Oh, and plastic could be harmful if they chew the plastic and ingest some pieces. They may not be able to pass it and it could cause a blockage. I don't think it happens very often but it is a possibility that could be avoided.

 

[macygray]

I think you should try a variety of things...Maybe see about getting a sample pack from some of the sellers on here. My chin loves apple and willow but doesn't like pumice so much. He also loves like most chinnies lava bites which can also be bought at petshops.

Buying from members on the forum works out cheaper than petshops and chinnies desire their chews much more! (Probably not stale like shops!!)

One off the top of my head: www.camphorchins.com / Alli73something, I forget..Anyone?

 

[burkirs]

my chin will be 14 weeks wednesday and yes her wood chews do have bark and she has lava bites buut i will just try a sample pack and she what she pefers

 

[macygray]

Oh shes a youngin'! Maybe she needs time also

 

[Sesame]

Some chins prefer to have pieces that they can hold with their paws vs. hanging toys. I always offer a variety for my chin, hanging toys vs. foot toys/single pieces of wood or pumice, various woods, pumice vs. lava bites, etc. Having a variety is more exciting for them and you'll be able to see what your chin likes. I've found out that my chin prefers being able to hold the chew item with her paws more than trying to chew it off a chain.

Your chin sounds a bit young, so just experiment with different types of wood and styles (whirlies, twigs, coins, thin pieces, thick pieces, etc.)

 

[ann1]

Mine seem to like the little apple twigs (the real small ones) they should be chewing at 14 wks tho. You should see some form of them chewing.

 

[AndreaMD02]

my hamster (i know not the same..) would never chew wood like she was supposed to. she prefered to only choose the cage bars and eventually the plastic in her cage. i think they do that cause they are trying to escape (my hamster has escaped numerous time). so for the two years i had her she never chewed wood =( only the cage.
i wish i coulda found something better for her.
keep trying different wood and different set ups for the wood. maybe put the wood near the door where you let her out so she thinks she's trying to escape. idk.

good luck.

 

[burkirs]

she chews a little but not much but ill figure it out

 

[jenjenn2005]

A chin that young usually takes awhile to start vigourously chewing on wood and chews. Are you offering hay? Hay can help grind down the back teeth and prevent teeth problems in the future. I know when I first got my chin she was just a baby too and it took her a few months before she chewed a lot but she absolutely loved hay. Definitely give your chin a variety of things to chew and see what they like best. Plastic is bad as it can cause intestinal blockages and sharp points that they chew off can cause intestinal problems such as punctures... not to mention if they chew a hole in the cage or toy and there is a sharp point it can cut their skin. Just offer a lot of things and give it a few months... I'm sure your chin will be chewing in no time

 

[burkirs]

she does love hay and is constantly eating it so its good to know that can help a little