first play session

[catem777]

Well I have had Cosmo for about a week so I decided to take him out to play. I put him in my bathroom and he just hopped around a bit....chewed out molding, then hopped more and then just sat for a bit so I put him back in his cage. Was he just aprehensive because of new surroundings? Should I wait a few more days before taking him out again? I am going to buy a chinchilla maze for the bathroom for him to play in so he has more to explore.

 

[CJR]

How is Cosmo when he's in his cage? Does he seem relaxed? When you get him out of his cage, does he try and escape?

He probably was apprehensive, seeing as he was in a new area. Try not to let him chew at the moulding, or really anything. Just blow air at him (like near his face) when he tries to chew. Don't yell or hit. You can nudge him, just be gentle.

Don't get a maze just yet. Is there a place in the bathroom for Cosmo to hide? Make sure there's a place for him to hide. He'll probably go there during playtime, but chinchillas are so curious, he probably won't stay in there for long. He'll come out and explore.

You just have to move on his terms...

 

[catem777]

Ive never really been around chinchillas so I dont know if he is relaxed...He seems fine he chews alot and he will hop around. He always starts stirring when I come and sit next to the cage to talk to him. He climbs on my hands when I stick them in there to get him more used to me. He even nibbles on me a bit.I put up a privacy fleece as i call it to keep him out of view from my dog and cat(they like staring at him).He didnt seem scared of them and he would come towards them if they came up to his cage but I just wanted him to have more privacy. He squirmed when I got him out of the cage but when I was carrying him to the bathroom to play he was more calm he wasnt flailing or anything. I do need to get him somewere to hide.He was sitting on the other side of the toilet (out of site from me). When ever he started chewing I called his name to destract him or I tapped on the floor and he moved. OMG! I just looked over to find his head peaking out of the privacy curtain! he almost got out. My cage from petsmart is so crappy the door to his cage slid over allowing him to get out.That freaked me out I will have to be more careful he could have died if he got loose in my room......I am glad I have a new cage on the way. Sorry for the long post

 

[CJR]

Don't worry about long posts, there's nothing wrong with giving as much information as you can.

Can you find something to secure the door with for now? A paperclip, a binderclip, even a bread twisty would work as long as you keep it somewhere where he can't chew at it.

It sounds like he is relaxing pretty well with you, seeing as he climbs on your hands and such. I would make some kind of hiding place for him in the bathroom and just sit with him. I think he's coming around for you.

 

[Bostongirl'sChin75]

To make it easier when you are moving him from cage to play place, try using his dust house; Just let him go in it and them pick it up and move him and the house to the bathroom. This will also give him a place to hide, bathe and play in while you have him out. To stop him from chewing the molding, put some wood chews in the bathroom at play time and maybe a card board box or two.

 

[catem777]

thanks everyone these are all great ideas! I am glad to know that he is showing signs that he likes me hehe.He has really tested my patience(I am not a very patient person) but I know I have to do things on his time and not mine and it is nice to know that it is starting to pay off!