Couple Questions/ Opinions on Time Outside Cage and Hair Ring

[Kara315]

Hello,
I have two Chinchilla's and have had them for six years, unfortantely I guess I didn't do good enough research years ago when I got them and didn't know much about the ring hair and having to check it, until one of the vets mentioned it on one of their check ups, luckily nothing was wrong and there was a tiny piece of hair. She made it look so easy to check, I realized I didn't ask her for suggestions about it, so I was wondering if any of you had tips on checking, I know you have to be really careful because it's an obviously senesitve area, so thats made me a little worried I'd hurt them even though I'm really careful and might just ask her to help me do it when they go in for their check ups but until then, does anyone have any advice about it? how to go about doing it, any ways you make you chin comfortable, if they can be during that lol, any feedback would be great.

The other opinion, Is how often do you guys let your chinchilla's out of their cage? such has how long each day?

Thanks guys.

 

[jess32247]

I can't answer your first question as my chin is a girl and doesn't get hair rings, hopefully another member can answer though! Sorry :/

But I can answer the second question though. I usually open my chins cage door around 7-8pm and let her come out on her own until about 3-4am. She doesn't come out right away, more towards the early morning she comes out. She starts running around and enjoying herself more towards 12pm-ish. I also let my chin out everyday, sometimes not on wensday (Survivor is on from 8-9 and I'm usually really tired after cheering my fav's on )

I suggest you let your chin out for at least a hour each day. Find a time that works for both of you, later in the day when your chin isn't sleeping and is getting antsy is probably a good time to let him out. Remember to stay with him the whole time he's out! It's great bonding time too!

 

[ticklechin]

Here is a video I made of a hair ring check

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUfmBoighpA


My chins get 45 min in the AM and 45 min in the PM, they don't need outside playtime but I like outside playtime so they benefit.

 

[Kara315]

Ok thank you, I usually try for an hour, so I'm glad that is a good amount of time.

I can't answer your first question as my chin is a girl and doesn't get hair rings, hopefully another member can answer though! Sorry :/

But I can answer the second question though. I usually open my chins cage door around 7-8pm and let her come out on her own until about 3-4am. She doesn't come out right away, more towards the early morning she comes out. She starts running around and enjoying herself more towards 12pm-ish. I also let my chin out everyday, sometimes not on wensday (Survivor is on from 8-9 and I'm usually really tired after cheering my fav's on )

I suggest you let your chin out for at least a hour each day. Find a time that works for both of you, later in the day when your chin isn't sleeping and is getting antsy is probably a good time to let him out. Remember to stay with him the whole time he's out! It's great bonding time too!

 

[Kara315]

Thanks.

Here is a video I made of a hair ring check

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUfmBoighpA


My chins get 45 min in the AM and 45 min in the PM, they don't need outside playtime but I like outside playtime so they benefit.

 

[shadouneko]

Here is a video I made of a hair ring check

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUfmBoighpA


My chins get 45 min in the AM and 45 min in the PM, they don't need outside playtime but I like outside playtime so they benefit.

Thanks for that video! You made it look extremely easy.. most of the time I have a rough time keeping my little guy still. D: I've read up and usually I come to find that you're supposed to start checking for hair ring once your male chin reaches about 4 months, and to check at least once a month; or if he tends to be grooming himself down there very often. I've been so afraid to hurt him, that I haven't been able to check..but this video was very helpful and helped put my mind at ease about checking him down there.

 

[Bigt1238]

Thanks for the video, you did make it look so easy! My little guy hates to be picked up though. I have tried and tried, ive had him now almost 8 months, but he still likes to keep to himself. We have playtime, but even then he doesnt like to come over and sit in my lap or stay still or anything. We have done a few Hair ring checks before but he gets so pissed off squeaking at me and kicking. I really wouldn't like this done to me, so i feel bad for the poor guy. Any suggestions on how to make the process easier?

 

[ticklechin]

Once a chin has a few years under its belt of hair ring checks they don't care anymore. I wanted the video to actually show the process of doing it rather than the flash of fur and dust the old video that someone made years ago would offer.