Any suggestions for my problem?

[readingchinlover]

This is probably a silly question but I need advise! My male chin tootie is alittle over 1 year old and is a black velvet. I have had him since he was about 5 mos. He comes and goes out of his cage at will into a fenced playarea in my home, everyday I get into the pen with him and he now jumps right on my lap for his treats, he loves to be scratched on his head and will stay only alittle time on me before he jumps off. Here is the crazy part I have never actually held him and really feel alittle scared about being bitten so what should I do, gloves would scare him I know and I don`t want to undo all my progress with him. This probably sounds crazy to alot of you chin owners but I`m almost 70 years old and for some reason just don`t want to deal with a bite. I have never had a chin before but have loved and had many many different kinds of pets in the past. Any suggestions please???:hmm:

 

[RDZCRanch]

Chinchillas don't NEED to be held and most don't want to be held. That the chin jumps into your lap and lets you scratch his head should be plenty of attention. Sounds like you have a very friendly chin. If you aren't comfortable holding him...chances are he won't be comfortable being held in return. I'd just let him be as he is since this is normal chinchilla behavior.

 

[mishellyshel]

the only time that it would be truly necessary to hold him would be if you need to take him the to vet. so personally, i would try and hold him to get him acclimated to you.
you dont need to grab him, i would sit with him during playtime and let him jump in your lap and scratch his head and try to gently scoop him up and then let him go. a couple of my chins will let me hold them for a bit and some want no part of it. the chances of him biting you are pretty slim, although he will probably kack at you if he doesnt like it.

 

[VolunteerChin22]

I agree it's not typical for chins to love being held. It is a good idea to be comfortable with holding him just in case you ever do have to go to the vet or give meds. Just make sure you hold the base of the tail while you support his body so he doesnt fall or jump from your arms and injure himself.

I have only been bitten a few times hard enough to break the skin and 1) I was checking out chins to buy at a ranch (so they didnt know me from Eve) and 2) I was giving meds and he bit through a part of the syringe, it was on his mouth and stupid me didn't think and I went to brush it off his mouth so he didnt eat it and he mistook my finger for the syringe again. It can happen but I wouldn't focus on it.

 

[mk94]

Hmm... I never had a problem with holding either one of my chins. My boy was especially easy to hold. It was so cute too because I would cup my hands around him and he would place his front paws on my hands in order to brace himself as I picked him up. He would always sit calmly in my hands unless he was scared about something, like when I would take him to the vet. Then he'd be trying to hide in my hair! LOL!

 

[Kansas City Chinchillas]

He won't mind it if you wear gloves.

 

[Parkerspetchins]

I have girls but I thought that with boys you are supposed to do a monthly hairring check? You may want to get him used to being held. I would attempt it and see what happens. He may not mind all that much. I have 5 girls and have only ever been really bit when one was a kit and got precocious ).

 

[Peep_erz]

I've only been bitten hard enough to break the skin twice. Once I was pestering Polo to get him to come out of the hammock so I could wash it. He got really mad and defensive over his hammock and bit down on my finger really hard. He is a biter but that is the only time he has ever bitten hard enough to break the skin. Normally he nips me and runs away. The other time I got bit was when I first got Coda and was bonding with him. He decided to groom my nose and just groomed a little too hard. I don't think he expected my nose to be so squishy. All of my other bites are just enough to feel their teeth and a little pressure but nothing too serious. I would say don't be to afraid to hold him. If anything he will squirm more than bite.

Now that I'm thinking about it I think I have gotten more injured from scratches than bites. Make sure your wearing sleeves when getting use to holding him if severity of injury is what you are worried about.

 

[VolunteerChin22]

I have girls but I thought that with boys you are supposed to do a monthly hairring check? You may want to get him used to being held. I would attempt it and see what happens. He may not mind all that much. I have 5 girls and have only ever been really bit when one was a kit and got precocious ).

this is true...you will need to check out his manly bits to make sure there is no debris or hair around the penile shaft...I think there are some instructions or a video on here somewhere...