Chinchilla biting

[StephanieJaye]

I have one chinchilla, Henry, who I bought from someone else about three months ago and she guessed he was about 10 months old. So he is about a year old. I don't know what his situation was before, but I think the girl had him for five months and likely got him from a pet store. Anyway, he has recently been acting strangely. I asked about this on Yahoo answers and got some good suggestions, and that is actually how I was directed to this site. I just wanted to hear some more opinions.

Henry was great for the first couple months and I had no problems. But he started biting at things, usually things that are soft. The first time he did it it was my shirt when I was lying on my stomach. When I put him on the floor he started attacking a pillow. He will grab it with his front feet and bite and pull at it nonstop. He doesn't tear anything though. I recently moved, but this started a few weeks before and there were absolutely no changes in the room. Now I don't even let him out without a blanket over my lap because I don't want him biting me or my clothes. He will bite at the blanket, and at the rug on the floor to the point that it is lifted off of the ground.

I was told to try saying no and then blow in his face, which really helped. But last night he did it again and attacked the blanket and wouldn't stop no matter how much I blew in his face. I didn't know if it was safe to try to pick him up, so I just kind of scooted him back into his cage and got the door shut. He then kind of squeaked, which I have never heard him do, and jumped like he was scared.

Is this just a phase? Or am I doing something wrong?

 

[addictedtochins]

Welcome to CnH, glad you're here. Does he have chin safe things to chew like apple wood sticks, ledges, hay etc? Maybe he'd like a cuddle buddy (do a search)

 

[StephanieJaye]

He does have a lot of things to chew. He has wood ledges and toys, apple wood and pumice. Do you think that a cuddle buddy is what he wants, or would he maybe just attack it too? I forgot to add that typically when he does this he hits his tail on the floor or at least wags his tail. Is that a sign of something?

 

[addictedtochins]

I think he would love attacking a cuddle buddy, the tail wag is a signal of excitement often sexual excitement. He is a normal young chin going through puberty

 

[StephanieJaye]

Good to know! I will try a cuddle buddy then. Thank you!!

 

[EveningChin]

I agree, it sounds like puberty. Fun isn't it? lol

 

[Essentia]

Ahhhh puberty. I remember Chula going through it. He was a horrible mess.

 

[Cuddlebug]

Yep, sounds like puberty. A cuddle buddy will probably help. Don't be too surprised if he beats the poor thing up. He's just venting.