Chin Escape?

[Chino]

My Chinchilla escaped from me a little while ago. Don't worry, she's back in her cage being cute. I reached my arm into the cage to let her sniff me and she ran straight up my arm. I totally didn't expect it, but this is the 3rd time she's done it. Usually I would just pet her or rub behind her ears (instant calmness) to get her to settle down a bit, but this time she managed to hop onto the bed and down to the floor. It took me about 45 minutes after a few dust baths, constant "come here, come here" (which I'm sure she was probably tired of hearing) and a few really really small bits of raisins (closest thing I had) to finally get her back in the cage! On her 3rd dust bath, I quickly covered the front with my hand, she gave me a nibble and in the cage she was! I feel so achieved, lol. But now I feel that she'll escape every time I try to bond with her. She was only away from her mom for a few days prior to me getting her, and I've only had her for a few days now, so she's not used to humans at all. Is using the dust bath a good way to get her back into the cage or is there a more simpler way? Thanks!


Sorry for the long story that you probably didn't want to read!

 

[Mummypig]

Woops! They're fast little creatures arent they?! The dust bath is often the only way I can intice Poppy back into her cage - Chins love playtime and can be very difficult to persuade to get back into their cages! I have the same problem with Jasmine, she jumps on my arm every time I open the cage to feed her, but she's not allowed to come out to play at the moment (she's very small and needs to grow first). Can I suggest that instead of offering raisins you change to offering a small shredded wheat as a treat? Raisins are really not good for chinny tummys. Hope your furball lets you catch her more easily next time

 

[GorillaJTA]

Another benefit to the shredded wheat is that it takes them a little longer to eat it- so more time to catch the fugitive. I use the dustbath method, too, and you have to be quick with your hand. My little guy now knows that when I set the dustbath down during play time, it is time to transport back to the cage, but he still can't resist the power of the dust.

 

[Dolyphinm]

In such a young chin though, treats shouldn't be given yet. They need as much room for good pellets and hay as they can so they can grow up healthy, strong and of course big and their systems might not be able to handle treats properly. Dust bath is a great way to go. Also make sure the little fellow is pooping good amounts and they are well formed and not weirdly colored.

Congrats on the chin and welcome to CnH.

 

[Cuddlebug]

Dolyphinm is right, kits under 6 months should not be given treats. I would try using an apple twig to entice the chinchilla if the dust bath doesn't do the trick.

 

[Chino]

Woops! They're fast little creatures arent they?! The dust bath is often the only way I can intice Poppy back into her cage - Chins love playtime and can be very difficult to persuade to get back into their cages! I have the same problem with Jasmine, she jumps on my arm every time I open the cage to feed her, but she's not allowed to come out to play at the moment (she's very small and needs to grow first). Can I suggest that instead of offering raisins you change to offering a small shredded wheat as a treat? Raisins are really not good for chinny tummys. Hope your furball lets you catch her more easily next time

As I've said before, I used really really small pieces (as an attempt to get her into my hand) and it was the closest thing I had. It didn't even equal up to half of a raisin, lol.

In such a young chin though, treats shouldn't be given yet. They need as much room for good pellets and hay as they can so they can grow up healthy, strong and of course big and their systems might not be able to handle treats properly. Dust bath is a great way to go. Also make sure the little fellow is pooping good amounts and they are well formed and not weirdly colored.

Congrats on the chin and welcome to CnH.

I haven't given her any treats prior to this. I panicked and just wanted her back in the cage safe and sound. Trust me, she has no problem pooping good amounts, lol! Everything looks good. Thanks for the welcome and thanks for the help!

 

[pita839]

I've had my share of escapes. I've even left the cage door open, by accident of course, only to have them sitting there looking out. I find the dust bath are good for catching them. Give her time to settle down and I'm sure she will calm down. She's probably just scared at the new surroundings. Just have patience with her.

 

[caiti]

When I let Chloe out for playtime now, I keep her cage doors wide open (I have full double doors) and let her at least go back in her cage, on her own accord, a couple times a play session. This way, she isn't afraid her cage = play time is over. But when I need her to go back in I'll just calmly sit by the cage and wait for her to come back to it then shut the doors behind her. It took a few play times but she always goes back in her cage now several times, albeit only for a few seconds at a time, every play time. She even does that with her carrier now when it's out and she plays in the bathroom or another room that her cage isn't in. I do the same thing there, wait til she hops in and shut the door behind her.

Or--what intrigues her even more is if I'm cleaning her cage or just messing with stuff in it. She always keeps hopping back in it to inspect what I'm doing to her home.

 

[Chino]

Well hopefully she comes to me tomorrow so I can change her bedding. This is the first time I'll be cleaning it (besides daily spot cleaning). She's started to let me me rub her on the head and behind the ears now, so I guess she's trusting me more. I'll probably keep her in my cat carrier with some bedding/hay while I clean it. I don't think she'll come back to me if I let her roam free while I clean it, lol.

 

[Chino]

She came to me so I decided to clean it tonight rather than tomorrow. She really didn't like being in the cat carrier (I wouldn't either) and tried her best to escape, lol. I felt so bad with her being in there though. After I finished, I grabbed the dust bath, took it to the newly cleaned cage, let her roll around a bit and she hopped back in. She went around exploring like it was a whole new cage, haha. I also wanted to know if it's too early to order a Chin Spin. Is she too young or is it best to get her one now?

 

[Cuddlebug]

I would wait on the chin spin. Right now she needs to put all her energy to growing. the same thing is true for outside of cage play times.