New Chinchilla Owner and Need Help!

[BrunosMyLove]

I just bought my chichilla 5 days ago and I am still not sure about the dos and donts of owning one! I bought a grassy roll-a-nest for him to go into and i need to know if sisal is good for a chinchilla to eat?? I also bought him a round about ball...is it safe if he uses it on cool days where he wont get overheated? He is only 8 weeks old and very hyper so I thought that the ball would help him a little! Please help me

 

[CJR]

The roll-a-bout ball is also known as the death ball. Even on cool days, you really shouldn't use it. You could get him a wheel for exercise, but it has to be a big one - 15 inch diameter, and preferably metal. Plastic is toxic to chins and it can also really damage their insides if they swallow it. Wheels that people on here use are the Flying Saucer, the Chin Spin, and there are others that I can't think of right now.

 

[Parkerspetchins]

Read over all of the FAQs on this forum, they are great for getting the basics. The balls are not good for chins, they cannot control their waste so they will be running around, possibly overheating, while having their poo flung around them continuously...gross. The sisal house is fine though it probably won't last long and I think they are costly. A kiln dried pine house is a great choice for them since they can sleep in it and it takes them a while to chew through it ).

Chins only need quality pellets (Oxbow, Mazuri, some high quality Show rabbit pellets are OK as well), clean water free of bacteria, and hay. They need to be kept in a safe cage and in temperatures from 60-75. They need to be dusted 2-3 times weekly and be given safe woods and chews to keep their teeth trim. Plastic is not always safe for chins who love to chew since it poses an ingestion hazard. Other than that, you can read up and have fun with your new chinnie, congrats!!

 

[Jazicat]

We use a playpen made for pets when Edgar is out but before that we would have out time in the bath tub. Both have worked really well for us.

 

[Bostongirl'sChin75]

For the hay, the majority of us use timothy, mountain, or orchard, with alfalfa used only in certain situations. For the holder, I have found that the ceramic chinchilla dust houses work great and there is no chance of them getting caught in it like with the hanging hay balls or the wire hay hangers. Make sure for the dust bath you get blue cloud or blue sparkle, though there are some people that use sweet PDZ. NEVER use the bath sand that the pet stores sell, this will ruin your chins coat and can harm the chin.
You are i the right place so far, for this site is a godsend for new chin owners! Good luck with your new friend and Pics are a must on here!