As with all rodents, Chinchillas' teeth grow throughout their lives, including their front teeth and their molars. From a "survival in the wild" perspective, this constant growth is required to ensure that chinchillas' teeth don't get worn down to nothing from all the chewing their food requires. As pets, we need to make sure our chinchillas have many items to chew on plus their food.
Maintaining Tooth Health with Food
Chinchillas innately know that they need to chew on things continually to keep the growth of their teeth in check. The first step is to ensure that they have teeth-appropriate foods. One example is timothy hay which is quite coarse and reportedly popular with chinchillas and their owners. As a backup, we've heard that high quality meadow hay is also good. Check the hay to make sure it doesn't smell musty or dusty.
Chinchillas should be given as much hay as they want. Unlike with treats, chinchillas won't overeat hay so it's safe to keep a constant supply in their cage. It also makes sense to keep the hay in a rack of some sort attached to the side of the cage to keep it from getting soiled. Hay that has been compressed into cubes is also a good way to keep it from being inadvertently used as bedding.
Other Ways to Maintain Tooth Health
In addition to the right food, you'll want to make sure that chinchillas have enough other things to chew on. Of particular importance is supplying them with safe wood. Cardboard boxes are also good and your chinchilla will enjoy being able to hide in them. For those with a little extra money to lavish on their chinchillas, there are various chew toys available, many made out of wood.
Sources:
eRodent
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August 16th, 2006 at 10:59 am
I'm hoping to get a chinchilla real soon! I already have 2 gerbils. I always give my gerbils paper towel and toilet paper tubes. Can you give these tubes to chins or do they not have to chew on them? Thanks for answering my comments/questions, you've been a lot of help!
August 16th, 2006 at 1:03 pm
Kacy,
Chinchillas will chew on just about anything. More so than hamsters or gerbils. Paper tubes are fine, but you'll want to make sure that your chinchillas are not eating the tubes instead of their regular food. Cardboard boxes are also good chew toys along with safe wood such as aspen.
May 11th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Are chinchillas supposed to have yellow teeth? I have one chinchilla and he has had yellow teeth since I got him about a year ago.
May 11th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Kelly,
Yellow teeth are the norm. No need to worry.
June 2nd, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Yellow teeth in chins shows they have enough Vitamin C in their diet for healthy teeth. If your chins teeth aren't yellow is when there is a problem.
June 28th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
can i give my chin guinea pig food. I had to throw out his food, because magots were in it. thanks.
June 28th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Kelly,
The formulation is likely different so we don't recommend it.
September 6th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
i have baught a mineral block for my new chinchilla, its called "gnaw it chinchilla nibble" is this going to be ok? it looks kinda like a pumice stone type block, i was just wondering as i know there are many products sold for chinchillas that arent actually very good for them.
September 6th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Kimmey,
As long as it is just a pumice stone you should be fine. We have one. Our chinchillas don't chew it all that much though.
October 13th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Hello, your ansswer with my previous question was very halpful, but I have a few more:
Since their teeth grow throughout their lives does that mean that they are prone to malocclusion or abseces?
Have your chinchillas had either one?
if so, was the treatment difficult or alot of extra maintanence?
I'm sorry, I know that those are alot of question but the answer really affects my decision to get one. Thanks for all your help.
October 13th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
Di,
If you provide your chinchillas with a lot of options for chewing (wood, pellets, pumice stone, etc.) there shouldn't be any problems with their teeth. Also note that chinchilla teeth are supposed to be yellow and not white as you might expect.
Our chinchillas haven't had any teeth-related problems.