My chinchilla likes laptop heat?

[AshesR]

So when I got my chinchilla he was severely underweight and still is. Don't worry, I took him to a vet and he's been on medication and now he has probiotics and critical care food, yadda yadda, but I have a question.

I've been keeping the ac at 65 so he won't overheat, but I've noticed when I have him out for playtime he just figured out my laptop is super warm on one side where it plugs in, and he likes to sit on it.

I assume he's not overheating himself because that wouldn't make sense, right? So is he cold?

I also made him a bunch of fleece items for his cage and he used to sleep in his little wooden house but now his favorite place to sleep is in a fleece cube I made for him. I assumed he just liked it because it felt more secure but maybe it also keeps him warmer? Should I turn the ac to 70 instead of 65?

 

[Newt]

When my old chin Poppy had her emergency spay, the vet mentioned she might like a warm pad to help ease her pains a bit, and keep her nice and comfy. I was skeptical, but put a fleece covered heat pad in one corner of her cage anyways....and she hardly ever left it, until she recovered.

I think if a chin is sick, they just enjoy that extra comfort. Maybe you could do what I did, and offer a chin-proof heat pad....just for a while, until he's gained some weight?

When you're skinny, your body has less insulation, but when your weight is healthy, it's easier to maintain a normal body temp.

He wouldn't overheat himself on purpose: he'd just move off the heat source when he got too warm.

 

[AshesR]

OOh that's a great idea! Thank you

 

[Godofgods]

I would imagine you can up the AC to 70 and he would be fine. I haven't dealt with malnourished chins before tho. If he is not over heating and seeking warmer places, then i would assume its worth trying. Just keep an eye on him for signs if you do.

My chins do perfectly fine at 70-75 degrees. Tho there are some out there that need only 70 or below before starting to overheat. Much like us, some can handle heat better then others.