Questions from a paranoid new owner

[MT-Trex]

Hi,

I have two new chinchillas that I bought from a reputable ranch in Ohio and got them transported here to California.

I've had my chins for a month now and my chins are both males, and both born in November of 2015.

Recently I'm been noticing that they're sleeping a lot more and was wondering if that was normal. I feel like a butt, but because they have both their eyes shut I sometimes worry so I go over there sometimes and stick my knuckles near their noses. They respond to me just fine and they also eat and drink just fine. They also perk up to some noises, but goes right back to sleep. They just sleep a whole bunch.

I also notice they eat their poops a lot when they're half asleep, they would have their eyes closed, wait for a poop to come straight out of their anus and eats it and then sleep-chew all while their eyes are closed.

As these are my first chinchillas, I try to research as much as I could and they seem "normal" to me, it might not be the case. So I just wanted some confirmation from long time chinchilla owners to maybe educate me a little.

I also haven't gotten to the point where I can pick them up yet. They both have curious personalities but are still skittish and hate to be petted or touched. So I don't know how I can weigh them but I can see their teeth, see the ears, and touch their noses. Teeth is a good coloring of yellow orange-ish, ears are not red, and noses are not wet. I live in an area where temperatures are at a constant 64-68 degrees Fahrenheit (17.78 - 20 degree Celsius). I have a digital thermometer and humidifier reading that is on all day.

I have them both housed in a midwest critter nation cage with klin-dried pine bedding.

I just realized I typed a whole essay to prove that I'm not incompetent and trying to make these babies as comfortable as they can be, but I'm still new to this and therefore will be incompetent because of the lack of experience.

TL;DR Chinchillas are sleeping a lot should I be worried? What else should I check for and note in behavior to catch illnesses?

Thank you! Any replies will be appreciated!:wacko:

 

[Amethyst]

One possibility is that they are now finally comfortable after a month in the house to sleep fully. Some need about 30 days to fully settle in to a new place, some take less time some more time. Chins do sleep a lot though (12-20 hours), like a cat, and just like a cat will take many naps throughout the day, and are most awake during early morning and late evening. So depending on your schedule it is possible that they are simply awake when you are not there. Just like other animals they sleep when bored too, so make sure there is plenty to do in the cage as well. Different types of toys, hanging, toss, shredding, etc, also at 6 months you can introduce a wheel (minimum 15" solid metal like the metal flying saucer, chin spin, or silver surfer).

It's a good sign if they pop up when you disturb them, the time to worry is if they don't. Also they are only about 6 months? That means they are still young, so they could just need more sleep. If they are both eating their pellets and hay just fine and are drinking fine, and not acting lethargic when awake, chances are they are just fine.

Eating some poop is normal, chins have special poops that they eat that contain bacteria from their gut. They poop so much that they need to recycle some of the bacteria back into their gut since they lose some every time they poop. Think of it as something like a self made probiotic, lol.

I would work on getting them able to be handled, even if it's just getting them into their dust bath or a box so you can weigh them. One of the first signs of an issue is weight loss, and at 6 months you should only be seeing weight gain or no gain.

I suggest you spend some time checking out this forum, there is tons of info on here that should answer most questions and help you do the best for the chins.

 

[MT-Trex]

Hi Amethyst, thanks for the reply! Yes it seems they're just fine and dandy, I stayed up a little later into the AMs and I do see them running on their saucer and looks like everything is good!

I'll also keep a look out, and try to find a way to weigh them properly.:thumbsup: