Chin spraying?

[Mishkavi]

Alright...I have a very close relationship with my original girl, Tonks. We have had her since birth for three years now. She nuzzles my nose, hops on to my lap to see me when she is out of her cage, begs for attention, sits on my shoulder for quite some time (sometimes even talking to me in her own little way). For the first time ever today she did the weirdest thing. I was giving her some supplement by hand and she would come up to my shoulder looking for more...this went on for a couple minutes and she continued to come up to my nose or shoulder as I continued to give her more supplement...when I had decided she had enough I packed up the supplement to be put away...she came over again for more and I patted her to let her know that was enough...she came up to my shoulder and nuzzled my cheek and then suddenly just sat there. I didn't know what she was doing so I came up to her again to pat her and she just reared up and sprayed me for no apparent reason. I have seen her spray other chins (her brother to be exact two years ago), but she has never sprayed me. Even in the past when I anger her or I am in her way she barks or pushes me with her little paws. Have any of your chins ever done this? This sort of upset me, partially because I had to take a shower, but also because I have no clue what provoked it, my feelings were kind of hurt that she would react that way (I know that sounds odd that my chinchilla hurt my feelings, but I am sure a lot of you feel the same way about yours). After she did it she didn't run away and I picked her up and scolded her and put her back home...she crawled into one of her huts and kind of flopped down...I'm not sure, but I took that as she was sorry. She is now just sitting on her top shelf with one ear back and her head down...is she sulking? I just thought this was weird and was wondering if any other chins have done this for no reason as well.

 

[Cuddlebug]

I have a girl who sprays at t he tiniest provocation. When I got her, I was told that she was really sweet and and never a problem; supposedly, the owners kids could hold her. The truth is that she is afraid of being picked up, but is a lover when you're holding her. This makes it so that she will spray when someone is reaching into her cage or just sitting next to it. I just have patience with her and approach slowly.

As far as your girl, something may have startled her. I doubt that it was meant as any sort of attack on you. It is all just instinct. Oh, and no, she is not sulking. She's a chinchilla, not a human. It's done and over with and she's just being a chinchilla. If she continues to spray you, get a spray bottle and spray her back. She'll stop. Remember, she is acting on instinct. It has nothing to do with feelings.

 

[mistywaterwoman]

Mine react weirdly to smells, too - I put a Glade plug-in in the hall near the chin room once and everyone went bonkers. :wacko:
If she continues to do it, then it may be a problem, but more than likely she just got startled by something.

And, may I just say that I LOVE her name!!!! Good choice!!

 

[Kelley]

If she continues to spray you, get a spray bottle and spray her back. She'll stop.

This comment makes me laugh :hilarious:
I can just picture it. . . .

 

[Mishkavi]

The spray comment made me laugh too and knowing her she would try to bite the bottle instead of run away. The Dustbuster doesn't even scare her she tackles it to fight it usually.

Oh and thanks for the name comment her hopeful cagemate on the way is going to be Ginny haha.

So far she hasn't even come close to doing it again. I guess something spooked her which is just as odd to me considering she challenges Dustbusters and generally fears nothing. In fact if you make a noise with the intent to scare her away from doing something bad she ignores you. She's fierce as my one friend puts it. I will see if it happens again but hopefully not, taking three showers in one day sucks.

 

[Rickman]

Had a rescue sprayer once, everytime you came near her!
Rubber gloves - diverted spray back to her a couple of times stopped it quick!
Guess they learn!