Mom wetting food - is this normal

[sindmama]

My sister-in-laws chin gave birth on 11/8 (we didn't know she was pregnant). Weight at that time was 47 grams and he has been gaining steadily. The baby is drinking water, eating hay and nursing just fine. Last week the mother started wetting the pellets (daily) so that they get mushy. She's taking large mouthfuls of water from the water bottle and soaking the pellets in the food bowl. Is this normal? Safe?

 

[AZChins]

Are you sure she's not urinating in it? No, that isn't normal for the mama to wet the pellets. It definitely isn't safe for the chins to be eating it because once the food gets wet it can grow all sorts of bacteria and possibly get moldy.

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

I would say she really is peeing in the food. I don't think they can really 'take large mouthfulls of water and put it in a bowl'. You need to get something else for the pellets so she can't pee in it. I use a ceramic 'covered' dish that attached to the side of the cage. I get them in the parrot section of Petsmart

 

[Godins Chinchillas]

I would also wonder about drooling. Are you seeing a wet chin making you think she is transferring the water to the food dish?

Jessica

 

[AZChins]

Oh man, I hope that that isn't the case! If she's drooling and she has kits, get this chin to the vet right away...