First day at home.

[VictoriaM.]

Hi everyone, I'm victoria. I just purchased my first chinchilla this afternoon. It's about 11:00 and he's awake and starting to jump and run around. The woman at Agway told me not to handle him too much for the first few weeks and i've followed that today. I've scratched his head, he doesn't seem to mind but I don't want to ignore him either. I've been talking to him as I do things around my room so he gets used to my voice. Is there anything else I should be doing to bond with him and gain his trust?

 

[mishellyshel]

So far what your doing is good. I like to put my hand in their cage often and move things around or just leave my hand in there for them to smell & jump over. If the chin is over 6 months maybe you can give him a small treat, like a small piece Of shredded wheat or 1/2 a cherrio or a few crushed rose hips. See if you can get him to take it from your hand. Welcome & good luck with your new little guy.

 

[Laurie]

Hello and Welcome Victoria! So far, yes you're doing everything right. Give your chin time to get used to his new surroundings and used to you before you start to handle him. I think talking softly to him in his cage and and scritching his head is a great start!

 

[VictoriaM.]

Thank you so much! Also, I was going to pick up some raisens for him the next time I got shopping but for now, we have some crushed walnuts in our cupboard. Would those be okay for treats?

 

[Lynn & The Chins]

Raisins are usually frowned upon as treats, since chins don't do well with sugar. Also, the recommended age to start giving treats is 6 months.

Something that they can have any and all the time is an apple wood chew stick. Remember, that they think that ANYTHING you give them by hand is a treat to them, so even a pellet or two or a piece of hay if hand fed seems like a luxury.

You're off to a great start...

ETA: And NO to the nuts as well -- they have too much fat.

After the age of 6 months, acceptable treats are a Cheerio or 2, bits of unsugared mini shredded wheat, rosebuds, rose hips. Some breeders have special supplements that they give, too.

 

[VictoriaM.]

Thank you for letting me know! The woman at Agway only suggested raisins but I'll stay away from them now.

 

[Stackie]

Hello, congrats on your new chin! Like everyone said, it looks like you're off to a good start. If you're okay with shopping online (I wasn't until I got chins, now that's the only way I shop!), these are my favorite stores to buy toys and treats for my chinnies:

www.camphorchins.com

http://www.qualitymutationchinchillas.com/yourchinstoregalore.html

 

[VictoriaM.]

Very helpful, Thank you!

 

[Sandi]

Hi Victoria, you've received good info already. Some more great info can also be found in the FAQ's of each section of this forum.

Here is a great one to begin with -
http://chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=31