I just got a Chin

[damo81]

I just got my Chin about 4 days ago and i have noticed hes not eating all parts of the food i am giveing him the food is a mix of dryed rasiens and dryed bannana'a and pelets and hes not eating the peletes any ideal what to do?

[Andieve]

Sounds like he's picking out the "junk food"! I would look for a feed that is only pellets. I use Mazuri but there are plenty of other pellet only chinchilla feeds out there.

[RockinChins]

When I first got Cedric, I fed him similar food since that is what he was used to. I quickly bought some Mazuri and began the process of switching him over. But in the meantime, I had to pick out all the "treats". That is what I recommend. Pick out all the raisins, banana chips, seeds, and the like and leave JUST the pellets. This way he only has the option to eat the pellets and hay.

[damo81]

I will stop by the pet store and see what els they have beside the type i got from there.

[CHINCHILDREN]

Sounds like he's picking out the "junk food"! I would look for a feed that is only pellets. I use Mazuri but there are plenty of other pellet only chinchilla feeds out there.

yep, you are feeding him low quality food (not blaming you; i am sure that is what the pet store sole you.)
take it away, give your chin a high quality pellet, lots of hay, and don't think he will starve himself to death just because he will ignore the pellets at first.

he is a cutie - congrats.

[damo81]

The only other pelets i have here is for my rabbit and i was told that my Chin probley would not eat it cuz Chin food is longer so they could grab it with there hands when they eat. is that true?

[truefanof24]

I feed my Chins Rabbit food. Purina Advanced Nutrition Show Formula to be excate. Pet stores have no real idea how to care for a Chin.. I owuls just keep asking questions on here....I had 2 girls i took in that ate Charlie the Chinchilla food and it took them about 2 weeks to start eating my food during the switch. they ate LOTS of hay during that time. They are both fine and only lost a few grams in weight. Good luck!!

[copperthunder]

I would try an get some Oxbow Chinchilla Deluxe at www.oxbowhay.com or Mazuri pellets. You can get Mazuri at Petsmart or www.chinworld.com . I heard APD is a great pellet as well. I feed my chins Oxbow.

[parkerspetchins]

There is some high quality rabbit pellets that some do feed their chins but not sure it would be available in a petstore. There isn't going to be much in the way of quality feed in a petstore period. If they have good brands chances are the mill dates are old. I would recommend finding a feed store near you and inquiring with them as to whether they can order a fresh feed for you. Mazuri, Oxbow, Tradition, Purina Rabbit Advanced Show Formula (different kinds may be available more readily depending on where you are located). There are probably other good one that I can't think of right now. You can use the search function for more recommendations. Even more important than pellets though is a good quality hay (usually timothy if your pellets are alfalfa based), chances are if you got that at a petstore it isn't the best either. Read through as much here as you can...there is so much information to know. You can read up on how to switch foods as well...it has to be done slowly (but I would pick out all of the treats and just use the pellets themselves for the switch). Your chin is understandably going to be upset that all the treats are gone. If you can't locate a feed store I would recommend getting in touch with some of the people on this board in the classifieds and see who sells the brand you want to feed, many carry different quality brand feeds here and could ship it right out to you :). Make sure he has good hay!! Also, there is a probiotic called acidophilus (available at WalMart, GNC, anywhere vitamins are sold usually) that many people recommend giving chins and I found it especially helpful when I first brought my girls home and one had loose stools, and I still give them the occassional dose just to help their systems. Please ask lots of questions....the fear is that the petstore gave you false or no information on chins...so read up ask away!! :)

[damo81]

Ill get back in touch with the breeders i got him from and find out where they get the feed for theres at and start useing that kind. Thank you every one for your help.