Chinchilla help please?

Question

I have had my chinchilla for 5 years and compared to other pics of chins that I see, mine is sooo small! Is this normal? He eats normal and drinks normal... should I be worried or did I just get the runt? I don't mind because he's so cute, I was just wondering. Also, for the past 3 years my chin hasn't been able to keep fur on his lower back or belly. I'm not sure if he's pulling it out or if it just won't grow back completely. I had heard that some chins can get a type of worm that lives on their skin and to rub athlete's foot powder on them and to put some in their dust bath. Has anyone had this problem before? Why would he not have hair? I keep his cage clean, he has plenty of food and water, an exercise wheel and gets plenty of treats. He is an only chin. Is he stressed, or do you think he has the skin worm, or what could be causing this. When I started to use the foot powder it got a little better but then the hair went away again. What is going on??

Answer 1

As for being small, I wouldn't worry about it, he's just small.

The hair thing could be him pulling fur from stress, I'd make a vet appt. to be sure there isn't something medical going on. If that comes out clear, start looking at stress factors.

Answer 2

Don't worry about you're chinchillas size, chinchillas come in all shapes and beautiful colors!

As for the fur issue, is the back and lower belly completely bald and stays that way? than dont worry about it i think. If fur grows back and then falls of, your chinchilla is stressed. he might be lonley. Do you spend a good amount of time with him? maybe consider getting a friend for your chin! they travel in hundreds in the wild, so its natural for him to feel lonely if he doesnt have anymore of his species with him! But i htink you should go to the vet and see about that hair issue. it might be stress, or a fungus. you need to take him to a vet for a check up!

Good luck with your chinchilla! Hope hes ok.