Using vanilla on wood/pumice?

[SamiJami]

I know you can use a drop of it on the nose and tail when trying to bond a pair, so I was wondering if you could soak wood and pumice in it? I haven't tried it, I just thought of it last night. Or is it one of those things that isn't safe to ingest?

Thanks!

 

[starleomach]

Have you ever had vanilla? It may smell good but has a nasty flavor, try a teaspoon of it LOL. I wouldn't do it.

 

[SamiJami]

I haven't tried it. Neither will they! haha

 

[AZChins]

I don't think you would want to even add vanilla to anything of the chins'.

and, take a picture of yourself if you down a teaspoon or two. hehehee

 

[Chin_Up_Sunshine]

hmm...

It's true that it doesn't taste good...but isn't that largely because of the portioning? One puts a tiny teaspoon in about 4cups of whatever you're making right? So when we taste it straight into our mouth it's far more proportionally and doesn't taste good...so doesn't it stand to reason that if say a single drop were mixed with water it might not be so vile? Or is it really only good when mixed with sugar-in which case of course you couldnt give any to them. Or maybe it's the baking so maybe you could mix a tiny bit with water, spray it lightly on wood chews and bake them lightly?
Now I'm curious! Maybe there's a chef who knows more about vanilla.
And while we're on the subject of flavoring, I hope the op doesn't mind a tiny thread jack- how do we flavor wood anyway? I know one can dye the wood with food colouring and supposedly there are 'fruit flavored chews' so it happens or is that just dyed fruit wood?

 

[SamiJami]

Chin, you can soak your wood in kool aid, without the sugar, for however long you want and then let it dry out. Some people say to use a few packets to make the color stronger.

I don't mind you asking more questions in my posts

 

[Chin_Up_Sunshine]

So the koolaid has colour AND flavor, now why didn't I think of that? Lol. I knew it could be used as dye, but the flavor part didn't even occur to me! Sometimes I forget to use my brain! Thank you.

 

[starleomach]

I don't understand the need to even flavor the wood. The chinchilla love the wood without flavor. I would avoid chemicals when ever possible. Personally I think natural is the way to go. The less additives a chinchilla ingests in their diet the less can go wrong.

 

[Chin_Up_Sunshine]

It's not a need at all. I just like to try new things with them because we're still getting to know each other and I don't know what all kinds of things they even like. I think, for at least myself and perhaps other "pet only" homes, it's a little bit of spoiling, since realistically, all they "need" is a cage, food/chews, dust baths, and water. The extras like wheels, play time, fun chews and safe treats are all just niceties.

 

[starleomach]

I get the want to spoil your chinchillas. Mine are pets as well as breeder, most have big colony cages with tubes and toys and such. I am just saying a lot of owners end up killing their chinchillas or lowering their lifespan with all the treats and goodies. Sometimes the spoiling is not go for them. Keeping it simpler will give them a longer healthier life.

 

[Chin_Up_Sunshine]

That's true, which is I'm sure why we newbies ask so many questions prior to trying things- to be sure we don't do something unsafe and learn the hard way. I know persoanlly, I've only given all natural apple sticks and hay (and those 'fruit flavored wood chews' from Petsmart that they came with). Vanilla seemed a logical possibility considering it's already a known safe use externally, and I thought Sami's querry a fun avenue to hypothetically explore for those interested in putting together their own toys- like myself. If it was deemed safe by the wise I'd give it a shot like I plan to do with rosehips and rolled oats.