You’ve heard about pumice stones for chinchillas.
But what you’ve heard is contradictory.
Some say chinchilla pumice stone is great for your pet’s teeth. Others say it can be dangerous.
So who is right?
Both! Pumice stones can be great, but you need to make sure you only get ones that are safe for chinchillas. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about pumice stones for chinchillas.
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Chinchilla Pumice Stone
Pumice stones are a great way help grind down a chinchilla’s teeth. This is essential since their teeth grow continuously throughout their life.
Pumice stones should not be the only chewing opportunity, however. You should also give your pet a steady supply of hay and plenty of chew toys, so that it can keep its teeth in check. Pumice stones are a big help on top of that and they also help improve digestion.
The one problem with pumice stones is that not all are safe. You need to make sure you only give you pet pumice stones that are safe for chinchillas. This means they should not have any chemical treatments or other additives.
Let’s go ahead and take a closer look at pumice stones for chinchillas.
What Is A Chinchilla Pumice Stone?
A chinchilla pumice stone is a type of volcanic rock that is found in many pet stores. It helps grind down the teeth of chinchillas and improves digestion. It is a good way for them to keep their ever-growing teeth from growing too long and causing health problems.
Pumice Stone Benefits
Because pumice is a volcanic rock, it contains several minerals, such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These minerals are good for chinchillas’ bone health and overall metabolism, but they don’t need them from this source. They get all they need from their diet of hay and pellets.
Chinchillas, like all rodents, have continuously growing teeth that need to be worn down to prevent overgrowth and health problems such as malocclusion. Chewing on pumice stones can help to file down their teeth and provide some additional minerals at the same time.
Pumice stones are a natural and safe way to keep your chinchilla’s teeth in check, as opposed to scissors or clippers, which can be dangerous when dealing with small animals.
Is It Safe For Chinchillas To Eat Pumice Stones?
Even though it is safe for chinchillas to eat pumice stones, there are still concerns about the risks associated with feeding a chinchilla a pumice stone.
Pumice stones are hard and rough, which means they can cause injury to a chinchilla’s mouth or digestive tract if not used correctly. If a chinchilla chews on the stone for too long, it can cause dental problems or even break their teeth.
Additionally, if a chinchilla swallows a piece of the stone, it could cause an intestinal blockage or, in severe cases, lead to surgery or death.
If you decide to give your chinchilla a pumice stone, I would recommend a few things to keep in mind to ensure its safety. First, make sure to select a pumice stone that’s safe for chinchillas and has no added chemicals or treatments.
Always supervise your chinchilla’s interaction with the stone. If you notice it chewing on the stone for longer than a few minutes, remove it from the cage immediately. Lastly, make sure to clean the stone regularly to prevent any bacterial growth or contamination that could put your chinchilla’s health at risk.
How To Use Pumice Stones For Chinchillas
Choose the right size of pumice stone: Depending on your chinchilla’s size and age, you should select a pumice stone that is not too small or too large. The stone should fit comfortably in their mouth and the cage, without posing a choking or injury risk.
Our article on the best toys for chinchillas (see it here) includes a lava stone chew toy.
If your chinchilla hasn’t had pumice stones before, start by offering a small piece to see how they react. Some chinchillas may be hesitant at first or need encouragement to try new things.
Place pumice stones in the chinchilla’s cage and it will naturally start chewing on them. It is best to use a pumice stone with a rope or cord attached, to make sure it stays in one place. When the stone has worn down, you should replace it.
Lava Rock Alternatives
There are many alternatives to pumice stones, such as chew toys and wooden blocks. Chew toys help grind down chinchillas’ teeth and also provide them with something to play with.
Wooden blocks are also a good option, because they are soft and won’t cause any harm when chewed. Apple sticks are another great chew option.
Pumice Stone For Chinchilla: Final Thoughts
A chinchilla pumice stone is a great way to help your pet keep its ever-growing teeth from growing too long. Give your chinchilla a pumice stone in addition to other chew toys and a steady supply of Timothy hay.
Just make sure that any lava rock you buy for your pet is safe for chinchillas. Avoid anything that has been treated with chemicals or that has other additives. Those can be dangerous.
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