Chin Fur Chewing

Description

Section ? Top Description Causes      Genetic Predisposition      Behavioural Reactions      Cage Mate      Nutritional Deficiency Treatments      Behavioural/Environmental Remediation      Stress Alleviation      Medication      Proper Diet CopyRight

Fur chewing is a behavioural disorder among Chins. While the potential causes may be varied and indeterminant [see next section, "Causes"] , its appearance is fairly consistent among afflicted individuals. The chewed fur areas are typically located about the haunches, legs, and, in many cases, the tail. The fur itself will be very short as the bar, if any, and fur tips will be cropped. Among Standard Greys and Black Velvets, the slate grey underfur will be exposed. With other colours such as Wilson White and Tower Beige, a dramatic colour change will not be evident as the entire fur strand is already coloured white and beige, respectively.

Fur chewing cannot be confused with other fur ailments such as Fur Fungus [aka Ringworm] or metabolic/nutritional disorders as there will be no bald patches. In contrast, Fur Fungus will be characterized by bald patches with red dots or areas on the skin itself and often begins about the side of the face. Baldness due to metabolic/nutritional disorders will look similar to fur fungus except that the skin will have normal pigmentation, it typically begins at the rump, and the Chin will be severely underweight.

Here are some examples of severe fur chewers [click on each thumbnail image below for a fullsize image which will open up in a popup window] :

Higgins (September, 2001) [Courtesy of The Chinster ]
All photos of Higgins are copyrighted ( © 1999-2007 ) by The Chinster

Ame from Dakota County Technical College [DCTC], Minnesota, USA (September, 2002) [Courtesy of Emily ]
All photos of Ame are copyrighted ( © 2002-2003 ) by Emily

Coolio (September, 2002) [Courtesy of Alison ]
All photos of Coolio are copyrighted ( © 2002-2003 ) by Alison

Quoia of Chin Colores (October, 2002) [Courtesy of Pamela ]
All photos of Quoia are copyrighted ( © 2002-2003 ) by Pamela

Quoia, a Black Velvet, is a particularly striking example because he shows a dramatic colour change on the dorsal surface from the normal jet black of the fur tips to the slate grey of the underfur.

1.      Genetic Predisposition

Section ? Top Description Causes      Genetic Predisposition      Behavioural Reactions      Cage Mate      Nutritional Deficiency Treatments      Behavioural/Environmental Remediation      Stress Alleviation      Medication      Proper Diet CopyRight

Ranchers are usually of the opinion that fur chewing is a compulsive disorder that is the result of a genetic disorder/mutation and that entire lineages must be removed from breeding to eliminate the problem. However, attributing fur biting to genetics is simplistic at best. It is like attributing a direct genetic cause for, for instance, nail biting in humans when in fact the behaviour is a learned expression of underlying personality traits and stress coping mechanisms. Behaviours are the result of a complex interaction between environmental and hereditary factors and determining the relative contribution of each is exceeding difficult for complex behaviours.

2.      Behavioural Reactions

Section ? Top Description Causes      Genetic Predisposition      Behavioural Reactions      Cage Mate      Nutritional Deficiency Treatments      Behavioural/Environmental Remediation      Stress Alleviation      Medication      Proper Diet CopyRight

However, it is becoming apparent that fur chewing may merely be just one of many stereotypies [repetitive behaviors in caged animals] common to many animals [ie., jumping, pacing, somersaulting, bar-biting, and occasionally self-mutilation] and are a result of such factors as stress, anxiety, boredom, loneliness, mental illness, etc. These, in turn, may arise from such situations as isolation, lack of a Chin companion, environmental disturbances, infrequent dust baths, monotonous diet, poor housing, etc. Consequently, if allowed to continue, these behavioural patterns may become quite ingrained, resistant to change, and possibly even more compulsive and bizarre. In extreme cases, self-mutilation such as tail-chasing and tail-biting may result.

These behaviours can be learned via observation and imitation [ie., from cagemates or neighbours] OR develop in isolation. Any apparent genetic component would seem to reside in a particular animal's ability to cope with stress rather than in any specific behaviour pattern.

3.      Cage Mate

Section ? Top Description Causes      Genetic Predisposition      Behavioural Reactions      Cage Mate      Nutritional Deficiency Treatments      Behavioural/Environmental Remediation      Stress Alleviation      Medication      Proper Diet CopyRight

Many overlook the possibility that it is actually the Chin's cagemate that is doing the fur-chewing. You will need to either observe firsthand who is actually doing the chewing ["catch him/her in the act"] or remove the cagemate for a several weeks and observe whether the fur-chewing continues.

4.      Nutritional Deficiency

Section ? Top Description Causes      Genetic Predisposition      Behavioural Reactions      Cage Mate      Nutritional Deficiency Treatments      Behavioural/Environmental Remediation      Stress Alleviation      Medication      Proper Diet CopyRight

Fur-chewing due to nutritional deficiency is considered quite unlikely but the MCBA has published some evidence linking fur chewing to a deficiency in sulphate amino acids. However, this avenue remains inconclusive.

1.      Behavioural/Environmental Remediation

Section ? Top Description Causes      Genetic Predisposition      Behavioural Reactions      Cage Mate      Nutritional Deficiency Treatments      Behavioural/Environmental Remediation      Stress Alleviation      Medication      Proper Diet CopyRight

Fur-chewing that is behavioural in origin should in many cases be amenable to behavioural/environmental manipulation. Such remedies include

a) environmental enrichment: provision of toys, variety of substrates [bedding material]
b) behavioural stimulants: extra interaction with humans, a Chin companion, treats, extra romp time
c) behavioural training [ie., using classical and/or operant conditioning techniques].

Fur-chewing due to genetic predisposition is not normally cureable but triggers such as stress, etc can be minimized. The maintenance of a stable environment would fall into this situation.

3.      Medication

Section ? Top Description Causes      Genetic Predisposition      Behavioural Reactions      Cage Mate      Nutritional Deficiency Treatments      Behavioural/Environmental Remediation      Stress Alleviation      Medication      Proper Diet CopyRight

In the more resistant cases, medication may be effective. ChinMom chinmom@earthlink.net has reported in the past some success with tranquilizers and mood modifiers such as paxil and valium.

Persistent fur-chewing may lead to the development of furballs in the Chin's digestive system. ChinLady chinlady2000@aol.com suggests that one can use Laxatone or Laxaire to prevent intestinal fur blockages. Since Chins love the taste of it, you can simply put it on their paws or just let them lick the stuff off your fingers or a tongue depressor. Others provide regular doses of papaya enzyme for the same purpose.

4.      Proper Diet

Section ? Top Description Causes      Genetic Predisposition      Behavioural Reactions      Cage Mate      Nutritional Deficiency Treatments      Behavioural/Environmental Remediation      Stress Alleviation      Medication      Proper Diet CopyRight

Although fur-chewing due to nutritional deficiency is considered quite unlikely, it would be best alleviated by the provision of a proper diet and decreasing the amount of treats. Refer to the ChinMania Chin Diet for suggestions and guidelines.

Created by ChinMania