Davidson Chinchillas - Specialising in Charcoal Chinchillas

An Alternative Feeding Regime for Sick Chinchillas

When chinchillas become ill one of the first signs is often a lack of appetite and constipation or no faeces at all. This can be a result of a slowing down of gut motility (peristalsis), accompanied by an imbalance of gut flora (the ‘good’ bacteria is swamped by ‘bad’ bacteria and possibly yeasts).

Traditional attempts to stimulate a poorly chinchilla into eating has focused on treats – getting the chin to eat anything in the hopes of stimulating healthier eating and encouraging production of faeces by promoting gut motility. Treats are usually high in sugar and even quite sick chinchillas will nibble a raisin or two.

However, it may be that an increase in pathogenic (bad) bacteria and yeasts, combined with an increased sugar intake, and poor gut motion may lead to bloat. The theory behind this is yeast combines with the sugar in the gut and ferments, causing formation of gases. This is then very painful for the chinchilla and can lead to rapid deterioration in general condition and even death.

A chinchilla who has not been eating for a few days is traditionally given some form of high fibre food substitute such as Supreme Science Recovery or Critical Care. This gives the chinchilla’s gut a mass of fibrous bulk which the then distended gut cannot move along due to decreased gut motility.

Basically it may be a vicious circle – without food and roughage the gut cannot move food along and goes into ileus (stops moving) and without movement of food the gut builds further gases and undesirable bacteria, leading to pain and a decrease in appetite.

It is possible then, that traditional treatments may not be the best form of help for a sick chinchilla. If the theory proposed is correct then it may be better to give probiotics to promote healthy gut flora and stimulate the appetite for “good foods” rather than give treats which increase the sugar content of the stomach.

Appetite can be stimulated by using apple cider vinegar (1/2 teaspoon in 250ml water) Probiotics contain bacteria which are acid-loving (acidophilus). The inclusion of cider vinegar may inhibit the growth of undesirable bacteria and yeasts in the gut and aid in the production of “healthy” gut flora.

Following on from this theory then, a logical proposed treatment for chinchillas who go “off their food” would be:

Please ensure that professional veterinary intervention is sought if a chinchilla shows signs of abdominal discomfort or bloat.

This article has been compiled after considerable research and thought. My thanks go to Debbie ( Azure Chinchillas )for her valuable input.

I believe that this alternative treatment for chinchillas who go "off their food" is based on sound reasoning and clinical knowledge and I have implemented it with success in several of my chinchillas.