GlassOnion24
Member
Hello,
Odd question since affection and cuddliness is usually a good thing to get from a pet but... My chinchilla, Darwin, was never one for cuddles. When I let him out for play time he usually runs around like crazy, bouncing off of walls and just does his normal chin thang, occasionally jumping up on me to see what I am doing and until he runs off again or finds a different place to sit. I use to have roommates and I know he would act spazzier than usual when other people were around during his playtime and he seemed more relaxed when it was just me. Well, I've been living solo for the past month and for the past two weeks, when I let Darwin out for playtime he runs around for about 10 minutes, then jumps up on my bed and finds a cozy spot in the crook of my arm or on my leg and just... sits. It looks like he is sleepy and is almost falling asleep each time too. And he will sit there for forever unless I make a large movement or until I decide to put him back in his cage. He will even let me pet him the full length of his body like a cat, lol. He has NEVER been this cuddly before, it just wasn't in his personality I thought.
Now the reason I am getting all weird about his cuddles is because it is a variation to his regular behavior during playtime and he was diagnosed with root elongation about a month ago. He is on metacam and reglan and he eats just fine, has no weight loss, loves his treats, etc. The only symptoms he shows are slight drooling, grinding his teeth, and occasionally pawing at his mouth or gyrating his jaw.
So I guess my question or concern is: Is he being cuddly all of a sudden because he feels more comfortable in this new environment with no roommates? Or is he in pain/not feeling well? I plan on bringing him to a different vet in my area to get a second evaluation of his root situation once I have some money saved up. But I just wanted your guys' expert opinion.
Thank you!!
Odd question since affection and cuddliness is usually a good thing to get from a pet but... My chinchilla, Darwin, was never one for cuddles. When I let him out for play time he usually runs around like crazy, bouncing off of walls and just does his normal chin thang, occasionally jumping up on me to see what I am doing and until he runs off again or finds a different place to sit. I use to have roommates and I know he would act spazzier than usual when other people were around during his playtime and he seemed more relaxed when it was just me. Well, I've been living solo for the past month and for the past two weeks, when I let Darwin out for playtime he runs around for about 10 minutes, then jumps up on my bed and finds a cozy spot in the crook of my arm or on my leg and just... sits. It looks like he is sleepy and is almost falling asleep each time too. And he will sit there for forever unless I make a large movement or until I decide to put him back in his cage. He will even let me pet him the full length of his body like a cat, lol. He has NEVER been this cuddly before, it just wasn't in his personality I thought.
Now the reason I am getting all weird about his cuddles is because it is a variation to his regular behavior during playtime and he was diagnosed with root elongation about a month ago. He is on metacam and reglan and he eats just fine, has no weight loss, loves his treats, etc. The only symptoms he shows are slight drooling, grinding his teeth, and occasionally pawing at his mouth or gyrating his jaw.
So I guess my question or concern is: Is he being cuddly all of a sudden because he feels more comfortable in this new environment with no roommates? Or is he in pain/not feeling well? I plan on bringing him to a different vet in my area to get a second evaluation of his root situation once I have some money saved up. But I just wanted your guys' expert opinion.
Thank you!!
