Chinchilla trust

[JessePolicy]

I'm going to be adopting my first chinchilla in a few days.. I've done all the research, and now I just would like any tips you guys have for me last minute before I get my chinchilla! [I'm adopting her from someone who can no longer take care of her, she's a 4 year-old female.] Also, anything you guys can help me with getting her to trust me more and be more accustomed to being held and around people.

Thanks.

 

[cindyv3737]

When I first got Shelly I would sit by her cage and read out loud. Sometimes I would play the guitar or piano for her. Also at first I kept her play area small. I would sit in there and let her crawl on me and get to know my scent. Now she runs like a wild woman all over my living room. I swear it sounds like a horse is running. She still does not like to be held but she is comfortable in her home. Sometimes Shell will sit on my shoulder and talk to me but she would much rather run and play. She knows the people that normally come over (my step-son's mother and step-father) and will interact with them. Strangers she stays away from, sometimes not even coming out of her cage.
Just give your new chin time. I was very lucky with Shelly. She was comfortable with us in her first week.

 

[Jazicat]

At first just letting them used to their new environment is really important. Once they are used to their cage I would recommend just sitting and talking to them. Read them a story or sing whatever seems to get them to be interested in you. After that I would let them smell you and get to know you by sitting really close to the cage or putting a hand in. It takes a long time to earn the trust of chinchillas and I still often sit with Edgar for a while after play time just talking to him. He seems to enjoy this time now as much as I do.


BTW, we've had Edgar almost six months

 

[starleomach]

Give her a few days to adjust before messing with her, Then stick your hand in and let her come to you. just take it from there. If she seems comfotable pet her, What ever you do don't chase her around

 

[mistywaterwoman]

Everyone has given you great advice!! The main thing to remember is to always let HER set the pace, and not to force her into anything. If she decides when she feels comfortable enough to come out for playtime, she will be that much more secure in her environment.
Remember to set up her cage and play area in such a way that she can get in and out of the cage on her own for playtime. That goes a LONG way towards reassuring them that it's safe to come out.
No sudden moves or loud noises around her for the first few weeks and she should come around quickly for you!
Good luck, and keep us posted on her progress! Oh, and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

 

[firestar]

if you wear jewelry on your hands or wrists, you may want to take it off the first few times you handle your little girl. when my husband & i started handling our first chin, all she wanted to do was try prying off our wedding bands or chewing through the hair tie i had on my wrist. she didn't want anything to do with us, just what was attached to us!
the above advice is all great good luck & congrats!!!

 

[lulu4au]

I sat my Biggys's cage for about a week just talking to him then I would open up the cage and stick in my hand. Then he finally would put his fornt paws in my hand I started picking him up a little every day. I also did this with my new chin Murphy. Now it took them both a good month before trusting me but I wish you good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Brittany_Lynn]

Question myself...what do I do for Mork, who is deaf, since I can't read to him? :\ I just wanna be closer to him ya know?

 

[Lynn & The Chins]

I would do what dog owners are supposed to do to get ready for a new infant to come home.


I wiuld take something fleecy from his cage and sleep with it for a few nights to get your scent on it.Then put it in his cage. Since Mork is deaf, his other senses are probably heightened. Just a guess...

 

[ruoc]

Does Mork let you hold him? If he does just hold him close to your chest and talk to him, he''ll feel the vibration of your voice. The suggestion above works well too.

 

[Brittany_Lynn]

I wiuld take something fleecy from his cage and sleep with it for a few nights to get your scent on it.Then put it in his cage. Since Mork is deaf, his other senses are probably heightened. Just a guess...

Sweet, I will def. do that.

Does Mork let you hold him? If he does just hold him close to your chest and talk to him, he''ll feel the vibration of your voice. The suggestion above works well too.

He does, I will be trying this soon...I just need to get him wrapped so he doesn't bite me though. He likes to bite lol.

 

[mistywaterwoman]

I did the scent thing when I got Evie, she's not deaf but she was only 10 weeks old and I was concerned about her missing her mama. I sent a cuddle buddy to the breeder and she had it in the cage with Evie's mom, to pick up her scent, and then when I brought Evie home, she slept on top of her buddy that smelled like her mama. I think it was comforting for her.
I think you could definitely use scent to bond with a chin, he'd be used to your scent a lot faster that way.