Finally got her!!

[AAxJosh]

I got my baby today, I named her Gracie, she's TOV Ebony, and she's only about 9-10 weeks old. I want to make sure that I take the best care of her and that she begins to somewhat start trusting me and growing accustom to me (I know it may take a long time) and I was just wondering if there is anything I can do to help make her feel more at home and not so scared. She's been pretty good so far except when ran under the bed, but I got her fairly easily. She doesn't really like being held right now tho but I kind of expected that. If anyones got any advice for me please tell, I'm all ears. Thanks

 

[Kelley]

patience patience & more patience :thumbsup:

 

[Stackie]

I would leave her in her cage for a week or so (until she seems to be settling in) without giving playtime. That way she can get used to her new cage, her surroundings, and you. Letting her out for playtime and having to "chase" her to catch her and get her back into her cage may be a bit detrimental to building trust. When I get a new chin I always like to sit by their cage and talk to them softly. I place my hand in their cage with a treat and let them come to me on their own terms.

 

[tunes]

If she's only 10 weeks old I would not allow her to have free run time without some kind of an enclosure. She is very small at that age, and very able to squeeze into places you may not be able to get her out of. I would also limit her play time, especially if she is not used to it, as this can be very tiring for her and is burning calories that she needs for growing. Work her up to it slowly, maybe 10 minutes for a week or so, then 15 minutes, etc. Most breeders don't give their little ones playtime, so I doubt she's used to it.

As far as getting her used to you, she's pretty young. It shouldn't be awfully hard for her to become accustomed to you, especially since she no longer has mom to lean out. Just be patient with her, take your time, and things should fall into place.

 

[AAxJosh]

So tunes, when you say 10-15 minutes a week, does that mean 15 minutes a day or a grand total of 15 minutes a week?

And also, I have her in a cat carrier with some fleece laid down right now bcause I'm moving into a new house this week and the a/c isn't working yet (but will be fixed this week) and I know they can overheat pretty heavy due to their thick fur. She will be moved into a FN142. Is that ok to still let her stay in her cage to let her get used to it or what?

 

[Jenn]

I think Tunes means 10min/day for a week, then up it to 15 min/day for playtime to not tire her out too much.

Patience is the key. Spend as much time with her as you can, and she'll quickly become accustomed to you and her new surroundings.

Congrats on your new baby!!

 

[tunes]

I would start with only a couple days a week, 10 minutes at a time, and build up to a longer run time.

Be careful of the cat carrier. Chins can and have chewed through them in very little time. I'm not exactly sure what you mean about keeping her in the carrier and putting her in the cage. (It's late and I'm old....) )

 

[AAxJosh]

Haha that cage is currently assembled at the house I moving into. I don't want to take her there because of the a/c problem. She will only be in there for about 4 days or so. So maybe like 4 days a week, ten minutes a day? Or should I do more days a week?

 

[Jenn]

It sounds like you shouldn't do more days a week until chinnie gets older. She mentioned a couple days a week for 10 minutes at a time...then next week maybe step it up to 15 minutes if she is doing good at playtime and not getting too tired. Hopefully I'm interpreting correctly

 

[tunes]

Yup - you got it Jenn.

 

[mistywaterwoman]

I don't think she should stay in a cat carrier for a week, for one thing she could chew her way out and for another thing that is entirely too small of a space to spend that much time in.
Can't you find another cage, maybe like a guinea pig sized one? A week in that size wouldn't hurt her...

 

[tunes]

A cat carrier for a week won't hurt her a bit. Chins have had to sit in show cages for 3 to 4 days and a cat carrier provides a heck of a lot more room than that. Besides, it's no different than confining an ill chinchilla or a chinchilla after surgery. They aren't happy about it, it isn't ideal for them, but it certainly isn't going to kill them them for a week.

I already mentioned the chewing factor, so I'm assuming that now that it's been mentioned twice, the OP is being careful to watch for it.

 

[AAxJosh]

Yeah I'm aware of the chewing problem but she hasn't seemed to chew on anything yet and it looks like I'll be moving her into her cage in about two days. Thanks for all the help.