Taking a chinchilla off raisins

[mojoe]

I have a friend who has owned her chinchilla for 5 years. Every day she has owned him she has given him 3-5 (and sometimes more) raisins each night as treats.

I read on this board that they are very bad for chinchillas and will cause bloat and often death. I told her to stop feeding him raisins and two nights ago she did. However, he has been acting pretty strange. During playtime he spends a lot of more time hiding and has not been as energetic as usual. He usually likes to be held...however he has been very squirmy and not very cuddly lately.

Is this just a phase? Do you know how long it will last? Is changing his diet so drastically bad for him?

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Basket_of_Chinchillas]

It will pass. The absence of raisins in his diet will have an overall positive effect. He could just be acting out because of a slight change in his routine or it could just be a coincidence. If she is looking for safe treats to give him in the place of raisins, rosehips and apple sticks are a great alternative. Some people also give a pinch of whole oats every now and again, a little plain shredded wheat, or a cheerio.

 

[xkatxrinax]

After learning recently that raisins are bad i've taken my two chins off them for a bout a month now, and at first they sulked and sulked and begged for raisins and refused to eat their nice healthy rosehips out of protest (they're so funny) but now they like their rosehips and are back to normal well I can still see the look in their eye when they're eating rosehips of "this isn't as good as a raisin is it?" x) But in the long run definitely a better choice

 

[Cuddlebug]

They are pouting and will get over it. Do not give in to the begging and pouting. It is for their health, not for their likes.