does he just not like me?

nonniemorris · Mar 29, 2011

I have one chinny, Mr Pickles.. and he really confuses me with how he acts towards me.
When he's in the cage he'll sit on his bum with his feet poking out just looking at me, to let me know he really wants to come out.. and when I do let him out for playtime, he'll have a play and jump on my legs and stuff, he even tolerates a couple of pets on the back (really is only a couple haha)

But then he just goes totally quiet, and hides at the side of his cage from me. If I move at all he'll jump behind it where I can't reach and stays put for ages. I just don't get it?

Sandi · Mar 29, 2011

nonniemorris said:
I have one chinny, Mr Pickles.. and he really confuses me with how he acts towards me.
When he's in the cage he'll sit on his bum with his feet poking out just looking at me, to let me know he really wants to come out.. and when I do let him out for playtime, he'll have a play and jump on my legs and stuff, he even tolerates a couple of pets on the back (really is only a couple haha)

But then he just goes totally quiet, and hides at the side of his cage from me. If I move at all he'll jump behind it where I can't reach and stays put for ages. I just don't get it?

You're pretty much describing how most chinchillas act. At the moment I only have 2 or 3 of my 7 boys that will tolerate me for more than a couple of minutes unless I stay still in the bathroom or playpen and then they just use me as their perch.

LizNicole · Mar 29, 2011

I have two thoughts.. One.. Petting is like a over done hug for some chinchillas. A few soft pets on the back, a nice scratch under the chin or behind an ear and then they're done. Kinda like you getting a hug from someone. Its a nice hello, missed you kinda dose of affection but when someone hugs you and they just hold onto your for no particular reason you're kinda set back by it.. Makes ya go.. 'this is weird'.. Two. Playtime is different for a chinchilla then it is for us. I don't think of going out to play by finding a roommate and jumping all over their body LOL and he might not either. Just being allowed to explore could be fun and play for him, he might think you're going to rain on his parade and catch him and put him back .. Just some thoughts. Its been years since I've housed a chin under my roof. Miss 'em though.

rutherford · Mar 30, 2011

that's sort of what rutherford did in the very beginning, when i tried to force interactions upon him. later on, i realize it's better for him to be used to me during playtime than force him to jump on my leg or let me pet him. usually, i'd let him out and go about sweeping around his cage and cleaning the insides of his cage. while i do so, he'd hop on my legs or try to nibble my toes. most of the time, he just explores around the room and try to damage my books (they all have chinchilla nibbles on them now). maybe you should try to leave mr. pickles alone during playtime and see if he'll come around?

SarahKay · Mar 30, 2011

In my experience, my chinchillas only come to me for the following:
A. food
B. when I can be used as a bridge
C. scritches
D. when they they think I'm going to open the cage door

They just don't like to be cuddled! People are generally warmer than they want to be and why stay when you can run?

rutherford · Apr 1, 2011

ahaha, SarahKay, i agree with you about B... being used as a bridge. i hate when rutherford gets on this small coffee table in my room, and he's very sneaky! he'd pretend he wants to sit on your lap, and just when you think he's cute, he jumps on your shoulder and leaps onto the table!