<html><head></head><body>Rodents (chinchillas, guinea pigs, rats, and mice) and lagomorphs (rabbits) all have teeth which have grow continuously throughout their lives.  In the wild, the consumption of fibrous plant items helps to wear the surfaces of the cheek teeth of herbivorous rodents/lagomorphs while gnawing on wood, bark, or other hard items helps to keep the incisors in check.  

![Malo Chinchilla Skull Lateral](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/5u6cVyJIVMbH6CVYyqWxXh/a2f200c24f3bd37f4cae84b87c591eb3/chinchillaskulllateral.jpg)
###### Image of chinchilla skull showing overgrown incisors and cheek teeth (Legendre, 2003)

When we keep these animals as pets, we need to ensure they have safe items to chew on to maintain their dental health.  I mentioned the importance of hay in a previous blog post but now let's talk about safe items for wearing the front teeth, the incisors.

Pumice is a light porous volcanic rock that can be purchased from most pet supply retailers and is effective as a gnawing agent.  There are natural pumice stones which are gray in color and some pet supply companies coat them with food-grade dyes, such as these [Lava Bites](https://amzn.to/3Ag7mGi "Lava Bites").

![Envy with a Lava Bite](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/3nX5Z8VzorqpXbt6Xl9fJo/e1892302e8a9413f6dfa61829507206e/EnvyLavaBite.jpg)
###### Chinchilla with a Lava Bite

Wood chew items can be in the form of sticks (small branches/twigs) or coins (branches cut crosswise).  They can even be drilled for stringing on chain for a hanging toy.  Large wood pieces can also be used as perches or ledges.  

![Sticks and Coin](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/3t74MCm7hiKhKwkBW6qqpV/e87fe3db65d1018cbd90a650a144d817/DSC03955.jpg)
###### Different size wooden sticks and a coin

![Applewood Ledge](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/1hraRKzIxYP5jmx0wAp6rY/ee1b615da4bf01a5b37c18276fc77ee7/DSC04012.jpg)
###### Applewood ledges

A popular type of small wooden chew that can often be found at the petstore are [apple sticks](https://amzn.to/3fJYfnO "apple sticks")!  Another favorite here are kiwi sticks (hence, the name "Kiwistix") but these can be harder to find!  Kiln-dried pine, pear, manzanita, cholla, grapevine, and willow are also popular chews often readily found from pet supply sellers.

If you have a non-toxic species of tree that is organic/never sprayed with pesticides without any moss or lichen growth, you can also process your own safe wood for your pet by cutting appropriate-sized pieces, scrubbing, boiling, and baking until dry. These processing steps are important to kill any pathogens and prevent mold growth.  Then you can store your wood in a cool dry place such as a paper bag or box that is not airtight to prevent condensation buildup.

In general, wood from trees that bear stone fruits or in the genus Prunus are not safe as these trees produce cyanogenic glycosides (converted to cyanide when ingested!)  Highly resinous trees such as cedar are also not safe.  Below is a list of known unsafe and safe woods:

__UNSAFE WOOD:__
- Cedar
- Pine that hasn't been kiln dried
- Apricot
- Cherry
- Citrus
- Oak
- Peach
- Prune
- Plum
- Plywood
- Nectarine

__SAFE WOOD:__
- Apple
- Arbutus
- Ash
- Aspen
- Cholla (a form of cactus)
- Cottonwood
- Crabapple
- Dogwood
- Grapevine
- Hawthorn
- Kiwi
- Larch
- Manzanita
- Ocotillo
- Pine (kiln dried)
- Pear
- Pecan
- Poplar
- Sycamore
- Quince
- Willow

![Chinchilla with Cholla](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/2ohv61u8LtCNg9QhWEMflP/1391a4a160e6452e8d3358b8766f2601/r_DSC05557.jpg)
###### Chinchilla with cholla wood

I hope this helps you enrich your pet's life with lots of fun chewing materials to keep their teeth healthy!  Happy chewing!

References

Legendre L. F. (2003). Oral disorders of exotic rodents. The veterinary clinics of North America. Exotic animal practice, 6(3), 601–628. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1094-9194(03)00041-0</body></html>

<p>Which wood would be best for your pet? Find out how to safely keep your chinchilla or small pet's teeth filed down and healthy with safe wood items!</p>


Which wood would be best for your pet? Find out how to safely keep your chinchilla or small pet's teeth filed down and healthy with safe wood items!

The Need to Chew - Which Wood Would Be Best?

<html><head></head><body>*As this is a health-related topic, I want to preface this article with the disclaimer that I am not a veterinarian.  My knowledge on this topic is through my formal educational background in biological sciences and my 14 years of experience with my own herd of show and pet chinchillas.*

Loose stools, bloat, and diarrhea in chinchillas are most frequently caused by an upset of the digestive tract due to rich/sugary treats, excessive grains, fruit or vegetables.  Chinchillas are quite sensitive to digestive issues and can get dehydrated and go downhill quickly if not treated promptly so it's important to make sure your chinchilla gets proper treatment.  

Stopping treats, removing pellets, and just feeding unlimited Timothy hay (or other staple grass hay such as orchard), a tiny 1/2" piece of BURNT (I'm talking burnt to a charcoal crisp!) followed by a [probiotic](https://amzn.to/3oYvpCO "Benebac") and a dropperful of [simethicone infant gas drops](https://amzn.to/2KhkZj4 "simethicone infant gas drops") (to ward off bloat) are often enough to alleviate any symptoms of soft stools due to something your chin ate.  But if stools don't firm up, worsen, or become watery, your chin really needs to see a vet ASAP.  In chins, even a small amount of diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration and it is important to get vet care.  

Other than diet-related issues, diarrhea can also be caused by infection of tiny single-celled parasites called protozoa.  These infections are acquired orally, through unfiltered water, consumption of contaminated food, or even through the grooming of paws that have stepped on feces containing the parasites.  In addition to diarrhea, the stools often develop a foul odor as well.  A vet can help determine the cause of your chin's diarrheal symptoms and prescribe appropriate medication if it is due to a protozoal infection. 

![giardia tap](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/1MuZMBKZhqsmUv4xHwNV7Q/570fac72af8d5ad5f8edbffa5a728351/shutterstock_1387808339.jpg)

To prevent protozoal infections, it is important to use only filtered water for chinchillas and to ensure feed is stored properly, away from access by other animals.  Additionally, when bringing new chinchillas into the home, it is important to quarantine the new additions for at least 30 days so that their health can be monitored.  Chinchillas sometimes get stressed in a new home which can lead to soft stools; it is important to monitor new chins to make sure any soft stools clear up and that they are healthy before any introductions with your other chinchillas.  Quarantine is just good practice; there are many other types of pathogens that can also be contracted from chin to chin; "Strep" (*Streptococcus equi* subspecies *zooepidemicus*) and ringworm fungus, to name a few.

For more detailed info on two of the most common protozoal infections, giardia and coccidia, please take a look at the article below.  A fellow chinchilla breeder, Shahna Thomas Powell of [Kiss Chinchillas](https://www.kisschinchillas.com "Kiss Chinchillas") and I wrote an article on this topic several years ago, which was published in the August 2011 issue of The Empress Chinchilla Breeder, the monthly magazine of [Empress Chinchilla Breeders Cooperative](http://www.empresschinchilla.org "Empress Chinchilla Breeders Cooperative"):

### Battling Protozoal Infections in the Chinchilla

__[Shahna Thomas](https://www.kisschinchillas.com "Kiss Chinchillas, Grass Valley, CA") and [Sumiko De La Vega](https://sites.google.com/site/chinchillachateau "Chinchilla Chateau, Manteca, CA")__

Empress Chinchilla Breeder, August 2011
Vol. 67, Issue 8

Download the PDF:
[Battling Protozoal Infections in the Chinchilla - Thomas and De La Vega](//assets.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/5pzP0TJ8fTX6bWmapeY0zT/e95c008b09f0566234c6fa1cca005e16/PDF_Battling_Protozoal_Infections_in_the_Chinchilla_-_Thomas_and__De_La_Vega.pdf)</body></html>

<p>Battling Protozoal Infections: Diagnosis and Treatment of Giardiasis and Coccidiosis in the Domesticated Chinchilla</p>


Battling Protozoal Infections: Diagnosis and Treatment of Giardiasis and Coccidiosis in the Domesticated Chinchilla

More Than an Upset Stomach

<html><head></head><body>Spoil your chin this holiday with some new cage accessories! Here's a guide of some items I found that can ordered online if you're doing some holiday shopping for that special chinchilla in your life!

# Homes, Sweet Homes!

These are durable houses and hideaways that you can place in your chin's cage to give them some security.  As chins are prey animals by nature, they appreciate having a place to dart into if they happen to be startled.  Why not give them a stylish place to serve that purpose?

### [Chew-proof Metal 2-Story House](https://amzn.to/3p53v9b "Chew-proof metal 2-story hidey-house") 

[![xl house](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/2mf8VUzgBpa0Ff4A0mM8d4/38b4f607487274b21574cc0729ea6ecd/xl.jpg)](https://amzn.to/3p53v9b)

Home in a home in a home - this gives me inception-like feelings as this metal 2-story home can be placed in your chin's home... inside your home!  Hah!  Before I bought this, I was actually a little afraid that the edges would be sharp but they're smoothed down and blunt.  The quality is great - it's solid and durable, and because it's metal, it can keep your chin cool in the summertime if you first put it in the fridge or place it on a chin-chiller tile.  It's also big enough that it can fit more than one chin, if your chin has cagemates!

### [Chew-Proof Metal Hidey Hut](https://amzn.to/3k6I9Vc "Chew-proof Metal Hidey Hut")

[![hut felix fido](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/rET4gVTwRsqMA1JCEZIxu/b31f973b96ddc8218b49483c69449a1f/hut.jpg)](https://amzn.to/3k6I9Vc)

This is the simpler hidey-hut version of the previous house, made by the same company.  Again, great quality and can be cooled in the fridge to keep your chin cool in the summer.  It also takes up less vertical space than the 2-story one, if you have a lot of other ledges and items in your cage.

### [Large Terra Cotta Chew-Proof Hideaway](https://amzn.to/2U0BX6G "Large Terra Cotta Chew-Proof Hideaway")

[![terracottahideaway](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/41xnnH2JSA7HpuyEu8RNNJ/3e79f3a70edf12b0a6bea70786b746a2/terracotta.jpg)](https://amzn.to/2U0BX6G)

Do you like warm earthy colors or Mediterranian design style?  If so, this terra cotta hideaway would be a great addition!  Terra cotta is a fired clay material that can be used as a chilling item if you place it in the fridge first.  These hideaways are quite heavy so your chin can't move it around the cage or flip it over like they often do with wood huts.  It's basically a cool tunnel that chins can hide and snooze in!  Just make sure you get the large one and not the small (for hamsters)!

# Home Cardio 

A lot of us have been forced to stay at home during the COVID-19 crisis and have had to completely change our exercise routines, investing in weights and home gym equipment.  Compared to how pricey equipment is for us, exercise wheels for chins are relatively much less expensive, and they can be put directly in their home for their at-home fitness programs!

Let's be honest though - most pet store exercise wheels are NOT chin-safe.  Many are too small in diameter which can cause your chin to injure its back from overly arching while running.  Many are also made of unsafe materials like plastic (which chins will chew and if ingested, can cause impaction in their intestines!), wire mesh (these can catch toes!) or made with metal crossbars (quickly moving crossbars can injure limbs!) The wheels listed below all have a solid metal running surface and are large enough in diameter to not injure your chin's back. 

They may seem pricey but consider them a purchase for the lifetime of your chin... I still have Chin Spin wheels that have been working since their purchase in 2006!  

### [Spin-Safe Exercise Wheel](https://amzn.to/3n6APuN "Chin-Safe Exercise Wheel")

[![spin safe wheel](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/4oEr3Tn9FK199ulldIPbeN/e33006848881c2e2e8d60ac18023f871/spinsafe.jpg)](https://amzn.to/3n6APuN)

The Spin Safe by Felix and Fido has a solid metal running surface with a solid wood back.  There is no plastic or exposed wood parts.  The diameter is 15" to allow your chinchilla to run comfortably without arching.

### [Chin Spin Exercise Wheel](https://amzn.to/3l4gYvB "Chin Spin (Quality Cage Crafters)")

[![pink chin spin](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/3oTiU6Dv5rx7Fc3cJFjVyE/bd9a7cb179472dc396f085d4df41035f/chinspin.jpg)](https://amzn.to/3l4gYvB)

The Chin Spin by Quality Cage Crafters is the original chin-safe exercise wheel with the solid metal running surface and solid wood backing.  It has a 15" diameter and can be purchased in the original silver vein color or in several powder-coated colors. 

### [XTRA Soundless Spinner](https://www.etsy.com/listing/770294236/rainbow-xtra-soundless-spinner-xtremely?ref=shop_home_active_28&amp;frs=1&amp;crt=1 "XTRA Soundless Spinner (Pandamonium Pets)")

[![XTRA Soundless Wheel Pandamonium Pets- Rainbow](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/2nn0QQhJEMbPs3Wl5kNuy9/f0834a272f3f81c400bb7389170e0abe/rainbow_xtra_sounless_spinner.jpg)](https://www.etsy.com/listing/770294236/rainbow-xtra-soundless-spinner-xtremely?ref=shop_home_active_28&amp;frs=1&amp;crt=1)

If you're not in need of the Amazon Prime shipping speed, the XTRA Soundless Spinner is a solid metal wheel available on Etsy from Pandamonium Pets.  It comes in many powder-coated colors including a really pretty iridescent rainbow color.  This new XTRA version is also extremely quiet.

# There's Levels to This

Chins are rock-hoppers in their natural habitat so providing different types of ledges and platforms at different levels of their cage can give them spots to hop and perch on.  A lot of cages marketed for chinchillas actually have unsafe ledges or ramps made of plastic or improperly-sized wire mesh which can catch toes; removing those and replacing them with metal or wood (kiln-dried pine or aspen) ledges will make the cage much safer for your chin!

### [Wood Platform with Chewing Toys](https://amzn.to/2IcTs10 "Wood Platform with Chewing Toys") 

[![Ledge with Chews](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/2MfFtKJLcJTDrTIi0WLxc6/4010211312d318a882fc6940a0530599/ledge.jpg)](https://amzn.to/2IcTs10)

This item by Alfie Pet is both a ledge and a chew toy in one!  The ledge attaches to the side of your cage and also has wood and pumice pieces strung on metal chain.  The best part, even after everything is chewed up, you can reuse the chain and restring new chewing items onto it!

### [Cooling Platform](https://amzn.to/343qXeb)

[![metal platform](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/7K21pvwVEflo5XgX5HKYxx/3bc91df7839dbe266a9bf80fc3475454/metal.jpg)](https://amzn.to/343qXeb)

This platform is made with metal which is great for keeping your chin cool as it helps dissipate heat away from their body.  Metal is also a great material as it is easy to clean and sanitize.  [Carolina Chinchilla Ranch](https://www.facebook.com/tiffanyschinchillas/ "Carolina Chinchilla Ranch") also sells metal ledges if you contact them directly.

### [Wooden Bridge ](https://www.etsy.com/listing/598171698/plain-wooden-bridge-w-plain-wooden-beads)

[![bridge](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/3A9Xih7oDYmZCzfdMcxXZl/081e4606fbf3c446e898b81eb79dcb44/bridge.jpg)](https://www.etsy.com/listing/598171698/plain-wooden-bridge-w-plain-wooden-beads)

This bridge by Pandamonium Pets connects to opposite sides of the cage to create a unique path for your chin to traverse!  It's wooden so can be safely chewed and new planks can be restrung on the metal chain if they chew it up.

### [Wooden Ledges](https://www.facebook.com/MillersCreatureComforts/)

[![ledges](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/plHdmbZTkFDv0HK4wRIuC/f6a31ca67392d447ac58cc8a0f86eded/sanded_wooden_ledges.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/MillersCreatureComforts/)

Miller's Creature Comforts makes all sorts of cage items including these wooden ledges with sanded edges.  They don't sell on Amazon but have great customer service - you just need to contact them through Facebook!

# FURniture and Fleece

### [Wooden Picnic Table with Bowl](https://amzn.to/356HYF4 "Wooden Picnic Table with Bowl") 

[![picnic table](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/5iioIpFia2EToV9O7oVvCJ/d34aa39840489f303c3162970817ea15/picnictable.jpg)](https://amzn.to/356HYF4)

Time to eat!  This picnic table originally designed for feeding squirrels makes for some cute photo ops, especially once your chin learns that there is food at the table!  I'd only use the above as an out-of-cage photo prop because while it is made of safe kiln-dried pine, it does have visible wood staples so chins should be monitored while playing with it, in case they try to chew.  [Pandamonium Pets](https://www.etsy.com/listing/783459614/critter-picnic-tables "Pandamonium Pets Critter Picnic Tables") makes a version which just has a couple wood screws and [Miller's Creature Comforts](https://www.facebook.com/MillersCreatureComforts/) makes a version that only uses wooden pegs - no metal.

### Chin-Chill Out!

![cupcake on house](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/13m3ZWKAizFpjE07qNjWDG/e18474275b42c196eeea79a6013decb6/image_6483441.JPG)

What chin doesn't like to chin-chill out in some cozy fleece?  Fleece is a material that does not unravel and is generally recognized as safe for chinchillas.  Of course, if your chinchilla is a voracious chewer, fleece shouldn't be used, but many chins do not chew fleece if given lots of other chewing items.  Fleece items can add a nice touch to your chin's cage.  The following vendors make fleece hammocks, beds, fleece-covered tubes and ledges, fleece hanging houses, tray/shelf liners, and even chin-shaped cuddle buddies for your chins to snuggle up with!

### [Chin Chic](https://chinchic.bigcartel.com/ "Chin Chic")

### [Chinnie Boutique](https://chinnieboutique.com/ "Chinnie Boutique")

### [Carolina Chinchilla Ranch](https://www.facebook.com/tiffanyschinchillas/ "Carolina Chinchilla Ranch")

### [Pandamonium Pets](https://www.pandamoniumpets.com/ "Pandamonium Pets")

Have fun decking out your spoiled chinnie's cage!  Someone needs to start a "Chinchilla Cribs" series so we can explore everyone's chinnie mansions! ;)</body></html>

<p>Deck the Cage With New Accessories, Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la!</p>


Deck the Cage With New Accessories, Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la!

The Holiday (Online Shopping) Gift Guide for Chinchilla Lovers #3 - Deck the Cage

<html><head></head><body>Hay -- those grassy stalks that we lovingly nestle into our chinchilla's cute ceramic hay holders or wooden slat hay racks, or perhaps place in a neat pile next to their food dish... we know how it always ends up -- inspected one-by-one with the rejected pieces strewn all over the cage to be urinated on...  but as much as it seems our chins sometimes waste their hay, the pieces that pass the test and get eaten are extremely beneficial to a chinchilla's health!

![kiteatinghay](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/7zKQ2YxKgY3fbPD0tmlZc0/71669174767e8ad3afc0dd500f65223b/kiteatinghay.jpg)

# Benefits of Hay

### Gut Health

Hay should actually be considered the staple of a chinchilla's diet.  Yes, it's that important!  Chinchillas are herbivores and their digestive tract is designed to process a diet very high in fiber.  They have a large pouch in their intestines called a cecum which contains colonies of "good bacteria" whose job is to break down plant-based food items and extract nutrients from it.  As chinchillas are native to a cool, dry region in South America (think: a dry, rocky desert atmosphere but at a cool, high elevation), their digestive system is meant to handle a diet that is mostly grasses and fibrous plants.  In fact - feeding them foods which are nutrient-rich or sugary often ends up disrupting their gut balance and can lead to bloat or diarrhea; this is why fruits and veggies are not good foods for chinchillas.  Chinchilla pellets are made up largely of alfalfa hay and are fortified with vitamins, but lots of loose hay should be provided to your chin as well to give them the fiber bulk they need to be moving through their gut for a healthy digestive tract.

![Chinchilla natural habitat in South America - photo by Jamie E. Jimenez](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/1DTGKL43Kh12fN2rFMOO8P/da234c49aacf39067a4ce6cd03f28810/chin_habitat.jpg)
*Chinchilla natural habitat in South America - Photo by Jamie E. Jimenez*

![Chinchilla Habitat in Chile - credit M. Belov and www.chileflora.com](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/2TTf04VG6M2tNCUe5IvFd4/bce4be1ad46b9002838d3a845fa34f65/chileflora.jpg)
*Chinchilla habitat and native grasses in Chile - Photo by M. Belov/Chileflora*

### Dental Health

Other than the fiber source that loose hay provides, hay also contains silicates which provide the roughness needed to help file down the cheek teeth (premolars and molars) of a chinchilla.  Chinchillas are rodents so their teeth will grow continuously throughout their lifetime.  Gnawing on hard surfaces like wood and pumice helps to wear down their incisors (front teeth) but having a diet with lots of loose hay helps to wear down those back teeth.  Pellets are combined with other ingredients such as grains and vitamins, processed, and extruded into a pellet form, so they tend to crumble when chewed - while nutritious, pellets alone aren't the best for maintaining healthy teeth.  Chinchilla teeth are unique in that they're open-rooted; without adequate wear of the surfaces of the teeth, the chewing surfaces may become misaligned (malocclusion) and the roots will begin to elongate.  Overgrown roots can eventually protrude into the sinus cavities and eye sockets on the top and into the jaw bone on the bottom - this is why one of the telltale signs of dental problems is wet eyes, and/or drooling.  It is a painful condition and while there is a genetic predisposition to it, diet is one of the factors contributing to if or how quickly "malo" develops.

![Figure 9. Radiograph of a chinchilla skull with graphic overlay, showing the above limit for maxillary teeth apices. - Photo by Kathleen Hermans](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/11TSVL1gBBTsbeWDrtNOk4/48dd0c3aec00ee3f686f7cd1899411fc/Radiograph-of-a-chinchilla-skull-with-graphic-overlay-showing-the-above-limit-for_W640.jpg)
*Radiograph of a chinchilla skull with the yellow line showing the above limit for maxillary teeth apices. - Photo by Kathleen Herman*

# So What Hay Should I Feed?

### Grass Hays, Every Day!

The staple hay for a chinchilla should be a loose grass hay, such as Timothy or Orchard.  Grass hays have the correct ratio of the minerals, calcium and phosphorous, so these hays can be given daily and in abundance. While some chins are great hay eaters and will eat their hay daily, some can be picky and getting them to eat hay can be a challenge.  Soiled hay must be thrown away and replaced daily so it can be frustrating to have wasteful chinchillas.  The one good thing is that the hay does provide them with some enrichment, even if they're just tossing it around... but we do need them to consume the hay for its dental and nutritional benefits.  

![navi hay](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/5GJcIiuLHDtIulEcmJq8Rv/3b585118c1d82658257521251c6b40ec/navi_hay.jpg)

## Tips to discourage wastefulness and encourage hay consumption:

### Use Your Senses!  

Old, overly dried-out hay won't be appetizing for a chinchilla but wet, moldy, or improperly stored hay isn't safe either.  Use your senses to determine the quality of the hay.  

  __Look at it__ - The color does not necessarily need to be bright green as the sun often bleaches the color during drying.  Just take a look at the hay that isn't on the outside of the bale or package and ensure that there are no hidden discolorations, clumps, random items, weeds, or black spots indicating mold growth.  Once you take it home, make sure it's stored properly in a breathable bag or container.  I don't like plastic bags for storing hay because condensation can build up and result in mold growth - paper bags, cardboard boxes, or big canvas horse bale bags (if you buy in bulk!) are my favorite storage methods.

  __Smell it__ - it should smell slightly fragrant, not musty or sour. 

  __Touch it__ - Bend and twist a small handful of hay - you should be able to break the stalks and leaves apart but it shouldn't be so brittle that it immediately snaps upon bending or disintegrates to dust upon touch.  On the other hand, it shouldn't be so moist that it is flexible either - damp hay isn't properly cured and is more likely to mold.  

![KMS bluegrass hay](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/1rNmLDG6Nkw0lNGz46Eq3T/90a1ff053aa664c6db3cd77c579b12f8/IMG_7792.JPG)

### Switch up the Flavors!

While you want to give your staple hay (orchard or timothy) on a regular basis, adding in other hay varieties on occasion can entice your chin to eat more.  Here are some hays which are good as the occasional mix-in:

  __Brome, bluegrass, and meadow hay__ - these are all __grass hays__ and a nice handful can be given with their timothy hay.  Each of these varieties have different flavors and textures than timothy and can help keep your chin interested in their hay.    

  __Alfalfa__ - this is a __legume hay__ which means it is higher in protein and calcium.  It is especially good for young growing chins or pregnant/nursing moms but it is also a nice fragrant treat hay. Alfalfa should not be given daily in large portions to non-breeding adult chins.  I consider it a treat hay for non-breeding adults as it is quite rich and can cause loose stools in chins that don't have high protein and mineral requirements.

  __Oat or barley hay__ - these are __grain hays__ which tend to be higher in carbohydrates and higher in phosphorous than calcium.  Grain hays should not be the staple hay; however, they tend to be thicker-stemmed and more "crunchy," so they are really good abrasive hays for helping to maintain dental health.  A small amount as an occasional treat hay can provide nice variety for your chin.

### Vary the Cuts!

It's only natural to become bored with the same thing all the time.  Another way to give your chin variety in the firmness and texture of their hay is by purchasing different cuts!

Remember that hay is grown in fields and is harvested multiple times during the growing season.  The first time the fields are cut, that hay is 1st cutting hay; the second time, 2nd cutting hay, and so on, if the growing season permits.

  __1st cutting__ - tends to be stemmy, more abrasive, less leafy, high fiber

  __2nd cutting__ - has flexible stems, more leaves, and some seed heads

  __3rd cutting__ - a leafier and softer hay, more flavorful for picky eaters but lower in fiber and less abrasive

![Yuna angry hay cube](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/1CCBE4DbadRdX9rymsfxX1/7fae95d0f13698e9bd5516b79934b65c/haycubeangry.jpg)

### Shape-Shift!

  __Loose__ - loose hay is what I recommend giving on a daily basis.  The long-strand hay provides the most fiber and is best for wearing down those teeth.  However, some people have allergies to certain types of hay and loose hay can sometimes trigger allergies when handling it

  __Cubed__ - hay can be purchased compressed into cubes - these provide variety in the shape and are also quite hard, requiring chins to gnaw on it with their incisors.  Alfalfa, timothy, oat, and blends of either of these are often available at pet stores and feed stores.  The one pro of these is that they are less dusty and less allergenic.  I developed allergies to timothy hay over the past few years and now give hay cubes more often than loose hay.  However, it should not entirely replace loose hay as it doesn't do AS good a job at wearing the back teeth.

  __Pellets__ - while hay can be purchased from feed stores in a plain hay-only pellet form, their regular chinchilla pellet is really the only pellet they need.  Giving an additional hay-only pellet is unneccessary.  Their chinchilla pellet is formulated with all the vitamins and minerals they need and there is no need to give them an additional crumbly pellet that doesn't help with their dental health.  Stick with loose and cubed hay as your forms of providing them hay.

# Where to Buy?  

Hay can be purchased from your local pet store, online, or even a feed store.  If purchasing an entire bale from a feed store, make sure to ask for horse-quality hay (which is higher quality than bales used for feeding cattle) and inspect the hay bale well.  

One of my favorite hay vendors is Small Pet Select. Their hay is always great quality and they sell different cuttings as well as variety packs if you want to try out different types of hays.  And if you have Amazon Prime, you can get it shipped to you in two days.

If you're interested in trying some new types, I'd recommend this sampler box from Small Pet Select which comes with 2nd cutting Timothy, 3rd cutting Timothy, oat hay, and orchard:

[![Small Pet Select Sampler](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/3WRR5wdX8F5QcETiwNUD0k/720cf64c20b0429edea549b475810e0c/sampler_box.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y336MK8/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=kiwistix-20&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B06Y336MK8&amp;linkId=67d0d5d7b1ef238e593374454acd4ceb "Small Pet Select Sampler Box")

[Small Pet Select Sampler on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y336MK8/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=kiwistix-20&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B06Y336MK8&amp;linkId=67d0d5d7b1ef238e593374454acd4ceb "Small Pet Select Sampler Box")

Some other brands of hay which I've tried and liked are Oxbow which has small packs of hays under $5 if you just want to try it out like [botanical hay](https://amzn.to/3qCGGKM "Oxbow botanical hay") (makes a great treat with dried flowers mixed in) or [oat hay](https://amzn.to/34a0dZB "Oxbow oat hay").  Another company, [KMS Hayloft](https://amzn.to/3lZmGyd "KMS Hayloft Bluegrass") also has nice bulk boxes of hays and my chins especially like their bluegrass.

I hope you enjoyed this article on hay - I know this was a long post but I had so much good info to share with you all!  Feel free to share with other chinchilla owners who might like to learn about the benefits of hay.  Happy hay-ing!

---

__References__

Crossley, DA. Clinical aspects of rodent dental anatomy. J Vet Dent. 1995 Dec;12(4):131-5. PMID: 9693638.

Derbaudrenghien, A. et al. Dental pathology in chinchillas. Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift, v.79, n.5, p.345-358, 2010. [https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Katleen_Hermans/publication/230800336_Dental_pathology_in_chinchillas/links/02e7e516faf46deacc000000/Dental-pathology-in-chinchillas.pdf](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Katleen_Hermans/publication/230800336_Dental_pathology_in_chinchillas/links/02e7e516faf46deacc000000/Dental-pathology-in-chinchillas.pdf?_sg%5B0%5D=lrWstUelrRA3sNkvLnuA_56bkftyoCu8S-fDffuwyCHjDMqVZV02MDZiPv8b1EW-QKi9VnhR_Q4vgODu6cNwzA.BbLhbbCkvQ9a53rCIFrQ1tXjQC6Cj3ZRXhcBSnweo20LH5Xb9GwykqieH--yz3o3kqqvErJOQCurzGTTifMIyQ&amp;_sg%5B1%5D=_J2vbOq4wm2qxOfwkUEX_BhahacwNbMiqGUUQSMWfPLxXbBzhoPEGen-qcZiZX0qCIP9xGcwnxHe37kSivTz3zO0jrj2hH36QkcEE49iOl-1.BbLhbbCkvQ9a53rCIFrQ1tXjQC6Cj3ZRXhcBSnweo20LH5Xb9GwykqieH--yz3o3kqqvErJOQCurzGTTifMIyQ&amp;_sg%5B2%5D=3yyhTzK2s3X5349aUznL8JXW63CZq8zLQ9yMCpk6pk6br5NcOTqP4ZDgOHU9eiqe7Q5xUgreEZqXCYVj0BGU_hyI6Avj.BbLhbbCkvQ9a53rCIFrQ1tXjQC6Cj3ZRXhcBSnweo20LH5Xb9GwykqieH--yz3o3kqqvErJOQCurzGTTifMIyQ&amp;_sg%5B3%5D=MNbb_WxEg_Lv6SP1WdsPx-Umeb_zoyYDgzS_OjTwAyXGr-OjYqzU9WCyATYC0ffaeQAAQ2Ge0Qlt9Ic.vr3Tb5QottpjjfRaMa6rNnzKctiF0dANJHwyU_uP09fnpMGEXzQIBOKcf-XPBaXc--VT8cIGC5nPP7Q1VIormw&amp;_iepl= "https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Katleen_Hermans/publication/230800336_Dental_pathology_in_chinchillas/links/02e7e516faf46deacc000000/Dental-pathology-in-chinchillas.pdf")

Osofsky, A. &amp; Verstraete, F. Dentistry in Pet Rodents. Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian. 2006. 28. 

Pérez, W., Vazquez, N., and  Jerbi, H. Gross anatomy of the intestine and their peritoneal folds in the
chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera). J. Morphol. Sci., 2011, vol. 28, no. 3, p. 180-183. [http://www.jms.periodikos.com.br/article/587cb49e7f8c9d0d058b4798/pdf/jms-28-3-587cb49e7f8c9d0d058b4798.pdf](http://www.jms.periodikos.com.br/article/587cb49e7f8c9d0d058b4798/pdf/jms-28-3-587cb49e7f8c9d0d058b4798.pdf "http://www.jms.periodikos.com.br/article/587cb49e7f8c9d0d058b4798/pdf/jms-28-3-587cb49e7f8c9d0d058b4798.pdf")</body></html>

<html><head></head><body>Here is the second installment in my Holiday Gift Guide.  Today I focus on unique gifts for the chinchilla lover! This was really fun to put together because I was basically looking for things I want for myself... heh, heh... ;)

## [Tiny chinchilla spoon ](https://amzn.to/3eyWTea "Tiny Chinchilla Spoon")

![Chinchilla Spoon](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/7pMCk8geAT6V6woXsAbFBs/a8df5abfbd9cf17312f7bc050e66fc7a/spoon.jpg)

This little spoon is perfect for scooping out a serving of chin treats (oats, crushed rose hips, etc) but can also be used for adding sugar to your morning tea/coffee!

## [Magic Chinchilla Mug ](https://kiwistix.com/store/test-glossy-magic-mug-watercolor-splash-cuddly-chinchilla "Magic Chinchilla Mug")

![Magic Mug](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/5rnOUOjZbHSjshMk9S6e8U/5af5894ec6ca28de8176f4ab6ded5aeb/mug.jpg)

![Magic Mug Timelapse](//videos.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/6yNu3bcSGIZ1tHuoTnbmUB/0497f1aa4540008d869fac599e8126b4/joined_video_b0f4e9ff81ee47f687bda368a3e9ed5b.MP4)

Ok, I know I'm biased because these are my own creations but I honestly really love my magic chinchilla mugs.  I love watching as the heat from my coffee reveals those adorable chinchilla faces!  

## [Chinchilla Coloring Book](https://amzn.to/2I6egXV "Chinchilla Coloring Book")

![Coloring book](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/7xisXTKTdZIvdrQuJHCNiR/4006d3bfd6041076f3d9a9b5293149c4/coloringbook.png)

This chinchilla coloring book is perfect for kiddos or stressed-out adults!  My sister actually gave me one as a gift and it's really nice.  The designs are pretty detailed so as an adult, I really enjoy coloring in the intricacies when I just need some time to zone out!

## [Chinchilla necklace](https://amzn.to/3k0UOJd "Chinchilla necklace")

![necklace](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/3bgtYtkZnFjdgnSm2RTpCz/beb2be9b52fce87b6dd11662c19e42dd/necklace.jpg)

These chinchilla necklaces are a great way to show your love for your chinchilla every day -- and it can be personalized too!  I'm thinking about having one made that says "Gizmo" just like my very first chinchilla who started my love for these cute "dust bunnies."  

## [Porcelain Hand-Painted Chinchilla Figurine](https://amzn.to/3lfzWPG "Porcelain Hand-Painted Chinchilla Figurine")

![porcelain ](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/53q4EdZhhGdhF4Orkz4AJY/16c91d85971c798b2127289a4280eaeb/porcelain.jpg)

This porcelain collectible would look nice in a curio cabinet display.  They are handpainted so each one is one-of-a-kind!

## [Socks for Chin-chillin'](https://amzn.to/3l6Ux8X "Socks for Chin-chillin'")

![chin socks](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/20dabeeOqlOnSSysRcmtC7/4c5a00fc54b0f1a831b6ae5f40a2bbd8/socks.png)

You can keep your feat warm and show off this trendy chin-chillin' design featuring a cool cartoon chinchilla with shades.

## [Beware of Chinchilla Sign](https://amzn.to/2JwgPD5 "Beware of Chinchilla Sign")

![Beware of Chinchilla](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/6rTOZ8aAWz0Hn1Fw2wgWhp/30c79b6d0b86014898b77e7d1a364afb/chinsign.jpg)

This metal sign has a retro look and had bold lettering to "Beware of Chinchilla!"  I have this sign hanging on my chin room door and I've seen other chin owners hang it on their cages.  We all know they may not be as innocent as those sweet faces look... I've seen the shapes they chew their sticks into... 

More gift guides to come including cages/accessories, food/treats, and toys!  I feel like I'm virtual shopping for everyone, haha!  Feel free to share on social media to *hint, hint* about what you'd like for Christmas!</body></html>

<p>Holiday Gift Guide #2 - Unique Gifts for the Chinchilla Lover</p>


Holiday Gift Guide #2 - Unique Gifts for the Chinchilla Lover

The Holiday (Online Shopping) Gift Guide for Chinchilla Lovers #2 - Unique Gifts

<html><head></head><body>One of the fun parts of owning a pet chinchilla is getting to show off your style in the way you decorate your chinchilla's cage!  Whatever your interests are, you can likely find prints or colors that will match your decorative scheme.  

Non-pill fleece is one of the only fabrics considered safe for most chinchillas.  It is commonly used as a cage liner, for hammocks, or as a covering for ramps or tubes.  Fleece does not unravel or result in hanging strings that can tangle around a chinchilla, which is why it is generally deemed safe for MOST chins.  I say "most" though because if your chinchilla is a voracious fleece-chewer, it is best to skip the fleece to avoid ingestion.  In most cases though, if you provide your chin with other appropriate chewing items like wood ledges or pumice, they are less apt to nibble on fleece accessories. If you use fleece, it is good practice to check regularly for any type of chewing damage in case your chinnie decides one day that their fleece should be edible.

Since I was a kid, I've loved video games -- especially Super Mario!  Super Mario Bros for NES was the first video game and system I owned, given to me as a gift from my Dad's best friend, "Uncle Bill."  I had an idea for a Super Mario themed cage and I contacted [Gella](https://www.gellacraft.com/ "Gella") who was selling custom chinchilla cage creations at the time.  She made me the most amazing fleece Super Mario cage accessories!

The Super Mario fleece items:

- 1 Question Mark Box hanging fleece house

- 1 Pirahna Plant fleece tube

- 1 Koopa shell fleece hidey-house

- 1 Power-up Mushroom fleece cuddle pillow

My black velvet boy, Reepicheep, was the lucky chin who got his cage decked out in the Super Mario decor.  Reepicheep resided in one level of a [Midwest Ferret Nation cage](https://amzn.to/2JcYVoY "Midwest Ferret Nation cage") which is a popular size cage for a single pet chin.  The one con about this cage is that it comes with plastic pans/shelves that need to be removed or covered in fleece but if you plan on decorating it anyway, it isn't too much extra work (plastic is a no-no for chins!). The pro is that is has a lot of space for fun accessories and large front-opening doors that take up the entire front face of the cage.

Here are pictures of how it turned out!

![Super Mario FN cage](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/1lMV07QUcmtXSFouNXagYU/9eb59142c1b0f8b2988e79aa0957dffa/740685418325.jpg)

![Super Mario cage - Reepicheep](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/7AE66Huyjv0Fz09Qdvigzy/a66f14ac23092bd8a28b188c0a28386c/740685413335.jpg)

![Super Mario cage mushroom](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/6T7rMcTj0pzXf5Q1q5sdBH/0094cc6d42e59883d07c31b6f19c510b/740690582975.jpg)

And here's another cute picture of Reepicheep, just because!

![Super Mario cage - Reepicheep side profile](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/2pkXofhOsRppy6TXhhzuB6/aa00ed38c1bc5d68d398a799504b806b/740685408345.jpg)

I hope you enjoyed these pictures or maybe are inspired to make your own DIY fleece accessories. I have another cage style theme I'll be sharing soon, based on a more recent video game I'm enjoying!</body></html>

<p>Reepicheep's Super Mario-themed cage!</p>


Cage Style - Super Mario

<html><head></head><body>How many of you collect chinchilla plushies like me or have a chinchilla lover in your life?  I've been collecting them over the years and while I don't put them directly in the cages with my chins, my chins have gotten to "meet" some of them during out-of-cage time or for pictures.  I wish I knew what my chins were thinking when they see the plushies - do they think it's another chin? Do they think it's some kind of strange animal?  I'm guessing they probably just think it's some kind of new chew toy though!

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4JSCVGgUa1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4JSCVGgUa1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4JSCVGgUa1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Chinchillas in California, USA (@chinchillachateau)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

<br><br>

Chinchillas are hard to recreate in plushie form because so much of their shape is due to their dense coats.  Realistic or not, they're still pretty cute! Here are a few plush chinchillas available online that'd be a perfect gift for a chin lover!  Christmas is coming up, after all! 
<br><br>
![whiteandgrayplushies](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/4aZkFQs5LEb9hgXhl5A08c/d5ca71784445a3e8b5f64a71ca90c9ff/whiteandgray.jpg)

## [White and Gray Plushies](https://amzn.to/3pNpemn "White and Gray Plushies")
These plushies come in both white and standard gray! The tail is a bit thick but it's still quite cute.  It's also uncommon to find colors other than standard gray!
<br>
<br>

![lightuptotoro](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/3bumRYLS72OU11wLjwvh8U/8cb0fa098b2b6746f9a90ec23db757d9/lightuptotoro.jpg)

## [Light-up Totoro](https://amzn.to/2Jy2h5U "Light Up Totoro")
Ok, technically this is Totoro but he's very chinchilla-like... and in a light-up pillow!
<br>
<br>

![gizmostandingchin](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/St3Bo2YfmNGJeSOscYseS/8315730eda8be5655fcb2bd080d6610f/gizmostandingchin.jpg)

## [Gizmo the Chinchilla](https://amzn.to/3p26Zcw "Gizmo the Chinchilla")
This standard gray plushie is in a standing position, one of my favorite chinchilla poses!
<br>
<br>

![chinnieboutique](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/2hlCgYTN1VfKehZXcJsgK7/5f70bd64988f5181b15debcf194b5fbd/chinnieboutique.jpg)

## [Chinnie Boutique plushies ](https://www.facebook.com/chinnieboutique "Chinnie Boutique Plushies")
Chinnie Boutique handmakes these realistic plushies.  They can be made in multiple colors and can even have unique characteristics such as ear freckles!
<br>
<br>
![fingerpuppet](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/53gWXfZ0orhHjTLYgnVEcf/071cc38a840c692c07844c72fb5dde80/fingerpuppet.jpg)

## [Chinchilla Finger Puppet ](https://amzn.to/2Jwgm3N "Chinchilla Finger Puppet")
It's a chinchilla - and it's a finger puppet!  It does look a bit squirrel-like but c'mon, who hasn't been asked if their chinchilla is actually some kind of squirrel/rabbit hybrid?!
<br>
<br>
![mini squish baby chinchilla](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/6gUED2eGro20ZOvcazT8MS/a6b8ebf9034d7d47ad57ea22010303e6/mini_squish_baby_chinchilla_7.jpg)

## [Squishable Baby Chinchilla](https://www.squishable.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&amp;Product_Code=mini_squish_baby_chinchilla_7 "Squishable Baby Chinchilla") 
I've followed the Squishable company for a while - they create cute animal plushies that are squishy and round!  Their chinchilla releases are usually only available for a limited amount of time and I've unfortunately missed out on their past designs.  They currently have a baby chinchilla mini squishable though!
<br>
<br>
![DouglasCamillaPlushie](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/2u9oeY8dbNCUilNtkAxNKe/c4887d10765248d5281a13748b173d2d/DouglasCamillaPlushie.jpg)

## [Douglas Camilla Chinchilla](https://amzn.to/35Pvn9w "Douglas Camilla Chinchilla")   
One thing that's unique about chinchilla fur is that each individual strand often has three colors (called "agouti")- in the standard gray, the base color closest to the skin is gray, there is a white bar in the middle, and the tip of the fur is dark. Although the color isn't quite right, this chinnie plushie has agouti fur similar to a real chin.
<br>
<br>
Make sure to follow us for more gift ideas!  And don't forget to check out the [Kiwistix store](https://www.kiwistix.com/store "Kiwistix store")!
<br>
<br>
</body></html>

<h3>Holiday Gift Guide #1 - Plushies</h3>


The Holiday (Online Shopping) Gift Guide for Chinchilla Lovers - PLUSHIES

<html><head></head><body>Hello and welcome to my first Kiwistix post!

I'm sure you're wondering, "what exactly is Kiwistix?"  Well, Kiwistix is a website created as a way to share my love and expertise of my favorite animals -- chinchillas!  The name for this site arose from my chinchillas' favorite wood chews, kiwi sticks!  

![mosaickitwithstick](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/gBzPAaTQln0aoesV2uzFE/1fec4f161bf3b8405868ec346fd190d1/IMG_4090.jpg)

A little about how I got started in chins--in January 2006, I purchased a white mosaic female from the petstore I was working at while an undergrad.  I named her Gizmo and I fell in love with how absolutely adorable she was!  Those whisker kisses, her little paws, how soft and fluffy her coat was--she just exuded cuteness!  And that's how I was bitten by the "chin bug!"

![Gizzykiss](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/1Y3nJNEfdzb2pCytrQjIeA/786d6cbb63aca05b95c7c4b08dde7e05/IMG_7400.JPG)

Fast forward almost 15 years and now many know me through my activities in the chinchilla communities and the US breeder organizations as [Chinchilla Chateau](https://www.sites.google.com/site/chinchillachateau "Chinchilla Chateau").  Chinchilla Chateau and the ranch brand CCHT is my name registered with the ECBC and MCBA breeder organizations.  I began breeding and showing chinchillas in 2006 after I bought a pedigreed breeding pair and I have produced many beautiful champion chinchillas as well as adorable loving pets over the years.  As a small hobby breeder, I'm always proud to see my chins hold their own on the show table against the large full-time ranchers, even at the National level.  

![SumikoBgChinRGSC](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/1TlnNoVxd6balc86izrtq7/f5df758844848b128b73044c03fa8dd3/1555415_10102274408608715_337573067813655831_n.jpg)

As a breeder, my main focus is on top quality standards and beiges as well as whites and pink whites.  I was also involved in the development of the Lowe recessive white mutation (aka "goldbar" or "champagne") since importing them from Canada in 2011. I feel I made great strides in their quality by breeding them to my very best standards; one of my best Lowe recessive whites even took Class Champion!

![LRW Abricot](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/eQlbFm2xG8TXAYV2qfYtG/081f9eedb2ed43d6871ea497254e23cd/LRW_Abricot.jpg)

Although I don't produce many litters each year, I also feel the responsibility as a breeder to assist in rescue situations for chinchillas in need.  Chinchilla Chateau has always taken in rescues and owner surrenders in order to give those chins a second chance at a "fur-ever" home.  We have assisted with several rescue and owner surrender cases, nursing chins back to health and eventually placing them in permanent homes. 

![Stratus Before and After](//images.ctfassets.net/5z9utdpg5ekk/3lj3z6y8mA6cdLNHwsjQD5/8b3ac3d87d3ebaed8376bb6197cc0141/IMG_7526.JPG)

In recent years, I've scaled back my breeding to a smaller-sized herd and have focused more on education.  I have given presentations at the National ECBC meetings, taught 4-H and FFA groups, and pop in to give advice in chinchilla groups on social media.

I know the year 2020 has been interesting for most of us due to COVID-19 lockdowns, travel restrictions, and new ways of daily life.  Being at home more meant I had more free time to play with my chinchillas and other pets.  I also found myself on my computer more than usual and coming up with new creative ideas and thoughts about these amazing animals that I'd love to share with others!

As this website develops, I plan to share my knowledge and expertise in the form of blog posts, videos, product reviews, and of course, I won't forget the cute content of my "dust bunnies!"  I've also created a shop with apparel and accessories with cute designs for the chinchilla lover.  Keep an eye out as we launch for Black Friday!  I'll post a discount code good for that day only.

I hope you'll continue to follow and support this new website! Make sure to subscribe and feel free to share with all your chinchilla-loving friends!</body></html>

Blog

The Need to Chew - Which Wood Would Be Best?

September 16, 2021

More Than an Upset Stomach

December 18, 2020

The Holiday (Online Shopping) Gift Guide for Chinchilla Lovers #3 - Deck the Cage

December 16, 2020

Hay

December 8, 2020

The Holiday (Online Shopping) Gift Guide for Chinchilla Lovers #2 - Unique Gifts

November 25, 2020

Cage Style - Super Mario

November 23, 2020

The Holiday (Online Shopping) Gift Guide for Chinchilla Lovers - PLUSHIES

November 5, 2020

Hello!

November 4, 2020