Is this normal?

[Ilovemychin]

I have had my chinchilla for about four months ago. About a month and a half ago her sleeping patter changed a little bit. She will sleep from about 7 in the morning to noon and stay up for 3 hours. Then she will sleep untill 6 and then stay up for a few hours, then nap, sleep then nap. She seems healthy and loves playtime. she's eating and drinking and pooing normal. Lots of chewing action going on. I just don't get it. I dont know if this helps but she usually eats driend papaya as a treat three times a day. (They are very very small...like 2cm cubes.)

 

[Stackie]

Chins can adjust their sleeping schedule. She may be up during that time of the day because that's when you're around. It's nothing to be worried about.

On a side note, fruit is not a good treat for chinchillas. Even dried fruit is too sugary and can cause problems. 3x a day is WAY too much. Switch to safer treats such as old fashioned oats, shredded wheat, apple sticks, rose hips. Even the safe treats should be given in moderation. My chins only get a treat once a week, if that.

 

[addictedtochins]

That really is a bad choice for a treat, pure sugar. I probably killed my 1st chin that way. I gave her a tiny piece of a mini candy cane, she looked so #@^* cute waving it around. Read up on healthy treats, and btw 2cm cubes are huge, after all that's bigger that their hands.

 

[AZChins]

My chins sleep from 11 am until about an hour after it gets dark. They all develop a schedule according to what their humans are doing usually.

Three times a day is a little much, I agree. Papaya is alright, but maybe once or twice a week as a treat. I use it more as a supplement than a treat because it can have a favorable impact on digestion...but only in a very small amount and not terribly often. One treat a day, that's it. I agree with Stackie. If you have to give treats try something like shredded wheat or rosehips, and mix them up a bit so that the chin gets a different treat for the daily treat. Or, no treats at all, they don't really need them. I don't give out treats anymore really...maybe just to get them to hold still for a photo!

 

[Brittney]

I have started to find out that my boys are the noisiest and most active at about 4:30AM. Usually 30 minutes until my alarm goes off for my run. They like to move things in their cage, wrestle with each other, chase each other, and shake their cage at this time. They sleep during the day but always perk up and want attention when I come in the room. You can tell they are tired, but still want a scratch. Their playtime is around 8ish, so they are up by then waiting. Usually 7 is when they wake up because that’s when the sun goes down.

 

[Rickman]

Brittney - sounds like they trained you pretty well! [haha] 1/2 hr before "run time" gives them just enough time to say goodnight!
I think they all fluctuate with human time!

 

[Ilovemychin]

That really is a bad choice for a treat, pure sugar. I probably killed my 1st chin that way. I gave her a tiny piece of a mini candy cane, she looked so #@^* cute waving it around. Read up on healthy treats, and btw 2cm cubes are huge, after all that's bigger that their hands.

Sorry i meant two millimeters sorry and thanks to everyone for the great advice I will start giving her treats less often. Once a day and a very small treat.

 

[sheri7]

Mine are up and down all day and night. I usually let then out for a little playtime in the morning and at night and on weekends they could be romping around in the middle of the day. After playtime they usually zonk out.

 

[Dragonflye]

Sorry i meant two millimeters sorry and thanks to everyone for the great advice I will start giving her treats less often. Once a day and a very small treat.

Have you tried apple wood sticks? Much better than anything sugary...just a thought...

Sticks and shredded wheat (in moderation) are the universally loved treats around here! :thumbsup: