A complete 180 in her behavior!

Cuddlebug · Dec 2, 2011

In the past, I mentioned a little rescue I have here that is scared to death of everything. She was charging, biting and running around in a blind panic whenever I reached in her cage. I have been working with her and it seemed like it was going to take a long time to bring her around (which I did not mind). She did however, stop biting me. I was worried that she was going to injure herself during one of her panics so I moved her from the Chinchilla Mansion to the Chinchilla Condo. Her behavior changed almost instantly. She lets me scratch her, pet her, give her treats, and pick her up without any fuss what so ever. She even climbs all over my arms within seconds of putting them in the cage. Her old owner said that she had been housed in a cage the same size as the chinchilla mansion. Apparently, this little girl is so insecure when she is in a large cage that it seriously impacts her behavior. It is now day 3 of the new cage and she is still just the sweetest little thing you ever met. Needless, to say, when I adopt her out, I will be recommending a smaller cage for her.

Has anyone else experienced something like this, or is my little Violet just unique?

Tillygizmo · Dec 2, 2011

I have no similar experiences but this is such a cute/sad story. Im so glad you figured out this quirk so she is now happier

Kansas City Chinchillas · Dec 2, 2011

I had one chin who was like this. Some chins just don't feel comfortable in a larger cage. Glad you found out what her problem was. She must have been stressed and now she is happy.

Godofgods · Dec 3, 2011

My chin did a complete 180 too after a while. He did a lot of the same behavior. However he still lives not only in the same size cage, but the very same cage lol. So i guess i got lucky their. But I'm pretty sure my guys problem was his environment and treatment, not the cage.

I'm glad your chin is doing well!

Edit: My girl is changing her attitude quite a bit to actually. She has always been fiercely independent. Whether she was buy her self or with the male chin. She was even the same way after having her first (male) kit.

But ever since she had her second little of two girls several months back, (she lives with the girls, male lives separately with his father) she has actually started to become a lot More friendly and personable. Its amazing lol.

I'm a little worried tho, her one kit is insanely jealous. If you try to pet either of the girls she will come barging in to make herself the sole target lol. Even if your petting her with one hand and petting another with the other, shell leave her hand to go check the other chin out lol. But its never been violent or anything so I'm glad for that.

Cuddlebug · Dec 4, 2011

She is incredibly happy now. Violet lets anyone reach in her cage and pick her up now. She even likes to come out and be held. I am sooooooo happy for her. She shares a cage with another female and they have wild parties during the night. Every morning, the cage is a complete mess. I guess they are two of a kind.