Why does a chinchilla eat its own droppings?
Expert Answer
A chinchilla eating its droppings is very common among rodents, for two reasons. First, to re-absorb nutrients: when food reaches the cecum, special bacteria further break down plant fiber and release more nutrients. Though the colon absorbs some, much remains, so the chinchilla eats its droppings to recover it.
Second, to replenish probiotics; eating its droppings adds gut probiotics. Long-term lack of probiotics lowers resistance and easily causes gut disease. Owners can also supplement probiotics to avoid this.
My chinchilla does the cecotrope thing and at first I panicked, but it's normal rodent behavior, they re-eat soft droppings to reclaim nutrients and probiotics their gut made. As long as he's eating, active, and the normal hard pellets look right, it's fine. If he stops eating those or the droppings change, that's a gut issue. Don't shame the behavior, it's literally how they digest fiber.