Bedding for Chinchilla

Pardon for the lack of updates. :)
From the title, it will be about bedding. The choice of bedding affects individual and chinchilla as well.

We have tried and tested 3 brands of bedding. Therefore, we decide to share a little of what we thought of each bedding. Do note it's a personal preference so it's up to individual! ;)

Let's start!

1) Breeder Celect

99% Recycled Paper with no additives and chemicals. It is environmentally friendly too!
It's slightly more economical as compared to wood chips and lighter.

However, it is not effective in retaining the odour. After leaving it for more than a day, there will be a strong ammonia smell. Totally unbearable for me! With the strong odour, the pee pan must be cleared everyday. You wouldn't want the room to smell of pee!

2) Cat's Best, Universal

It is an ecological wood bedding that has odour binding effect and adsorb easily! Thinking of an environmentally friendly way to dispose it? No worries! You may scoop the area which has been absorbed by their pee and discard it in the toilet bowl. Just a flush! Hassle-free. It is made of organic fibre from specially chosen, untreated, domestic fir and spruce timber.

The best part of Cat's Best cat litter? It comes with strawberry scent too! This masked the smell and able to leave a light strawberry smell in your room. If you are not comfortable with the strawberry scent, no worries about it, you may opt for the original Cat's Best cat litter. It has the same clumping effect too.

It is one of good cat litter that we prefer to use for our chinchilla.

3) Pee Wee

Made of wood pine, does not contain any additives and has good odour control. It is said to be able to adsorb 3 times more than it's volume. Well, it does! So, remember, if you are using Pee Wee cat litter, please do not fill the entire pee pan with the bedding. You may fill it to about half the height of the pee pan. It will expand in volume. The moment the chinchilla's pee comes in contact with the bedding, it will swell and reduce to dust once there is sufficient moisture.

If you do not have the time to clear the bedding everyday, it is fine to leave it for the another day. Remember! Your chinchilla has to live in a clean and comfortable environment, so, if the bedding has all reduced to fine wood particles, please change the bedding. They will appreciate it! :)

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We are currently using Pee Wee cat litter but might be changing back to Cat's Best, Universal with the strawberry scent. I guess Cat's Best is able to retain odour slightly better than Pee Wee.

This pretty much sum up the 3 types/brands of cat litter that I have tried. Pick the right one and it will be a breeze in cleaning the chinchilla's cage. :)

Introduction of the cage

Let's explore the little home of Lobo and Latio's! :)
It is a little cosy yet generous in its space.

 

This cage is approximately SGD200.

 

I bought it in a package with the water container, carrier, pee pan, food pellets, dust powder, beddings, porcelain house, wooden platforms and wooden house.

 

That's lobo, deciding to be in the photo when it was taken. (Notice that the cage door is open? :)) It has the sufficient space for the two chinchilla to roam and jump about.

 

Now, let's take a look at the little furniture in the house.



 

 

The porcelain house. The food bowl.

 

One is sufficient for the two chinchilla. Either Latio or Lobo will occupy it at a time. Only at times when Latio or Lobo is playful or wants a companion while resting, two will occupy it at the same time. Well, it will only be a maximum of 5 minutes as either one will find the space too small.

 

 

A little something cooling for the chinchilla.

The cooling plates mentioned in awhile are from different brands, thus, different pricing too.

 

A Japanese brand cooling pad.

It's about SGD30.

 

 

The other cooling pad.
Brand: ALEX

It is approximately SGD10+.

 

Initially, we bought the Japanese brand cooling pad for Lobo. Then, Latio came along so we bought the other one. It's not that we're bias. Just that the shop we went to did not carry the Japanese brand so we bought Alex's. So far, no major differences were noticed. I guess, Alex cooling pad is good enough and it's cheaper.

Something for their daily needs.

The pee pan that came along in the package.

Bedding: Breeder Celect

 

It's made of paper. Not great in odour control so we have been trying other brands and other bedding material. Hoping to find one that is cost saving and great in odour control. I'll touch on the bedding brands soon.

The necessity! The chew toys.

 

The wooden blocks.

 

 The combination of pumrice, wooden and whatsnot blocks.

 

The pumrice is their favourite! However, it creates more dust than the other chew toys. Each chew toy cost less than SGD10, some less than SGD5.

 

Chew toys are an essential as they allow the chinchilla to grind their teeth. If their teeth are not grind, it will create health issues and threaten the chinchilla's life.

 

The hay holder.

Bought it at Pets Safari.

 

Timonthy hay is the preferred hay as to date. ;)

 

 

That's all about the their living space and the stuff they use for their daily life.

 

 

I'll end this post with a picture of... The lovely Latio.

*^-^*

Introduction of the two chinchilla

Chinchilla are like the greatest things on earth. They bring great enjoyment into your life and low maintainence too! However, you have to take note that they have the habit to chew on anything. From my wooden furniture to my door to my wall and everything I owned. I guessed it is a love and hate relationship when you have a pet to take care of. Personally, I find them awesome. Companions that I can't ask for more.

Brought 2 chinchilla back home months ago. Let's do the introduction now! :)

Name: Lobo

Colour: Mosaic

Age: 1 year 9 months

Over a period of time, he grew bigger and fatter. He always sleep through the day, wakes up only to take sips of water, little munches and pee. Activities will begin at night, close to midnight. Then, he will be jumping around in the cage, eating, drinking, chewing on the wood. Not to mention, enjoying teasing and playing with Latio, his chinchilla companion.

Let's introduce the little girl!



Name: Latio

Colour: Black Velvet

Age: 8 months

She's such a beauty and a favourite among the family! She loves being cuddled in our arms. When the food bowl has been emptied, she will nudge us for food. Whenever she is running around in the room, her head will pop out when we call out for her. Then, We will know where she is. ;) Such a sweetie, isn't she?

So... that's all for now! As days go by, I'll be updating on their daily lives and stuff that are related to chinchilla. Thus, this is also known as the Chinchilla's journal. *^-^*