Can chinchilla poop hurt a hamster?

Burakki · 05-19-2018, 03:38 PM

As some of you already know, I recently lost my beautiful 8 months old Syrian boy and I just can’t understand why and what happened.

My mom suggested a theory that now drives me crazy. We got a chinchilla two months ago and he sometimes jumps on top of hamsters’ cages. My mom suggested that he could’ve pooped in them and my hammy ate it and it killed him.

Can chinchilla poop actually hurt a hamster? I’m now really paranoid about letting my chin out for playtime, even covering my other ham’s cage when he’s out of his cage.

The chin was bought from a breeder and does not seem to have any health problems other than a diarrhea he had when we just got him but it went away the day I switched him from the breeder’s food to the one I bought.

Drago · 05-20-2018, 07:51 PM

Worry not, it’s less harmful to hams than a cracker is

It’s mostly just fiber. It won’t hurt them, it would probably give them a nutritional boost if anything.

Either way though, I wouldn’t allow your chin to jump on your ham’s cage, as they could spook the hamster or shift the cage too much. So sorry to hear about your loss

Burakki · 05-21-2018, 03:01 PM

Drago, thank you very much for the reply. I can relax now, and stop torturing my poor chinchilla with limited playtime due to the fear of anything getting into Marti's cage.

I try not to let him jump on the cages, but he's just so quick. And the hammies never seemed to mind, always giving him whisker kisses through the bars. It seemed that he was more afraid of them, than they of him. But I'll try to prevent jumping on the cages in the future.

Thank you for the condolences.

dreamtree1234 · 05-21-2018, 09:03 PM

I am sorry that I must have missed seeing this thread earlier. As Drago stated, I also don't believe that Noir's poop would have harmed Prince Lemon. The only way it would have caused a health concern for him is if Noir was sick at the time, but this does not appear to be the case. I do believe that Lemon passed due to it sadly just being his time rather than it being anything that you could have prevented. Hugs to you.

Burakki · 05-24-2018, 05:26 AM

dreamtree, thank you for the condolences and helping me during this difficult period. It helps to know that my hyperactive chin did not harm my Lemon, now I can let him out to play with light heart.

dreamtree1234 · 05-24-2018, 06:45 AM

I'm glad that I was able to help; that's what friends are for, being there to celebrate in the good times and giving comfort during the hard times. Take care of yourself, Burakki, and know that I am always here for you. You are a wonderful person and an amazing mum to your little furry family. Hugs to you. Please give Marti and Noir a cuddle for me, too.