is it normal for chins to poop alot?

[peachydays]

Nope, they won't stress eat. With chins, it tends to be more the opposite: they might stop eating if they get super stressed. This is a problem because their guts need to keep moving at all times. When their guts stop moving, it's called gastrointestinal (GI) stasis, which is deadly. I won't get into the whole thing here, but if you do a forum search you'll be able to find more information on it if you're curious.

So, long story short, eating is a great thing! You might want to try putting just a little more food in their bowl each night until you see a little left over in the morning. That way, you'll have peace of mind knowing that they definitely had enough to eat the night before.

 

[MeganS]

well, the thing is the bowl is about a cup and a quarter in measurement and i fill it up to the top everyday cause there are two of them and usually that will last about a dayand a half to two days. i fill there hay to overflowing whenever i see its low. its just that when they go home they were running around and stuffing there faces like they hadnt eaten in days. the food i left for my sister was almost gone and i gave her enough for three days worth even though we were only gone two. they're fine now and my husband built them a play area and they've been running eround for a while. i was just worried that i stressed them out too much by moving them. thank you everyone for all the wonderful feed back and advice. i love this site and i am soooooo greatful i was told about it.

 

[Chinniechantel]

So I got them back from my sister's last night and now they're happy to be home, but they're acting kind of strange. Do chins stress eat? They've eaten two big bowls of hay and they had a full bowl of food last night when I went to sleep and it was empty this morning. They didn't dump it so I know they ate it. I filled it back up and its almost empty again. I know my sister fed them cause she's responsible and she takes excellent care of her animals, that's why I trusted her.

Maybe they were stressed while you were gone, and now that you are back they are happy again? I know my chins, even if I have a familiar pet sitter who knows their routine, they get depressed when I am gone. They don't eat as much, get cranky, and lose weight. When we come home, they are mad, but better. I swear they miss us!

 

[MeganS]

That could be. But do yours hold grudges? Yesterday and the day before Harley bit me hard everytime I put my hand in the cage. Fatboy has been fine though. Harley is better today, but he was being really mean the last two days. My husband built them a little play land and they loved it but when we put them away for the night they dumped their food and pee'd on everything and flipped their houses over. They're so bad sometimes. Is it normal for them to have temper tantrums?

 

[AZChins]

Yes, completely normal. Chinchillas get angry about all sorts of things - getting put away before they want to go back, having their humans go on a trip and being away for even just a few hours, not getting their nighttime treat, etc, etc.

 

[MeganS]

good to know. they make me feel like a bad mom:nolove:

 

[lauralynne]

Nope, you're not a bad chin mom! The other day Lola was po'd about something and got up on her ledge by her food dish and just started flinging the pellets all over the place. She hadn't ever done it before, and hasn't done it since. Their personalities are so funny.

 

[MeganS]

I think they're just really spoiled. I'm always online trying to learn more about them so I don't accidentally do something harmful to them. I've completely changed their diet and I regulate their play time and I keep their treats to a minimum and I don't think they like it very much. They're used to running around in a garage for hours and eating fruit and seeds and doing whatever they want pretty much. They were loved and cared for, but I don't think she knew all of the proper care for them. The only reason I do is because of this site and all of the helpful people on here. I am very greatful to all of you.

 

[AmandaDi]

I just couldn't help but laugh at the title of this thread. I get that question quite often. Someone on here had a saying in their siggy... "They poo and chew... that's all they do" or something to that effect!

 

[Chinniechantel]

Lol, this is a great thread. They definitely do hold grudges and even throw little fits, kacking, spraying even if you are lucky! I think they stay mad for a very long time, it takes a month to get them back into a routine. And yes, it is because they are spoiled. I never thought about it...but I never let the pet sitter give them treats when I am gone because I figure the less she opens the cages the better, but I bet they are mad because of that! They are smarter than we think.

 

[MeganS]

well, i think mine need more space. they're getting fatter. i think its cause they eat better and they get hay everyday now. they seem to be growing and i dont want them to start fighting cause of lack of space so i'm building them a cage. one with a pull out drawer so they can poop as much as they want!! they love me again by the way. harley was giving me cuddles today.