It's not normal for a chinchilla's droppings to suddenly become smaller. This could indicate a digestive issue, potentially due to an improper diet that has disrupted their gastrointestinal function. It's important to address this by supporting their digestive health. A recommended approach is to introduce a diet primarily of alfalfa hay for about a week and observe if the situation improves.
The sudden change in your chinchilla's dropping size is likely caused by a disruption in their delicate gastrointestinal system. Chinchillas are known to have a sensitive digestive tract, making them prone to issues when their diet isn't optimal. If your chinchilla has had previous bouts of soft stool, it's possible they haven't fully recovered. To help regulate their gut health, consider a short-term dietary change. You can feed your chinchilla alfalfa hay pellets or loose alfalfa hay, while reducing the amount of their regular food, for about one week. Usually, this dietary adjustment helps to restore normal stool consistency within a few days. The decreased activity level could be related or could just be your chinchilla's individual personality. However, because they are normally quite active when awake, it is wise to monitor closely. Keep an eye on your pet and engage with them frequently. As long as they don’t show other symptoms, they are likely alright. If your chinchilla is still eating it is typically a good sign, simply monitor their digestive health. Also, chinchillas' breathing is generally rapid, especially when they are awake, so this is a normal finding and there is no need to be alarmed by this, continue the dietary changes for a week and observe if things return to normal.