First time Chinchilla owner

[sirglowsalot]

Hello everyone, I just bought a chinchilla about a week ago. I have done enough reading about chinchillas to know that a week is just a blink in the life of a chinchilla, but it appears to not be warming up to me at all. It turns down the Yogurt Covered Papaya Chintreats I try to use to train it on my hand. It also refuses cheerios, raisins, sunflower seeds, and 'Sesame Seed Chinchilla Ball' treats. It is very active, eats its food, and is very active during the night. I let it out in my bathroom several times and just lay on the ground while it runs around. Sometimes it runs on me, but any time I move it runs behind the toilet and cowers like I'm going to eat it. Twice my chin (names Georgie) ran behind me while I was sitting in a corner and it allowed my to put my hand behind my back and pet its tummy and ears, but the second I moved my body it ran behind the toilet again. It does not like the giant Chinchilla ball I bought it and refused to get into it unless I trick it into the ball. I do admit when I cleaned the cage I chased it around to get it into its bath house in order to clean the cage, as it was refusing to do anything other than sit in its little hut.

I guess my question would be answered with a customized training guide, and that question would be: How do I get the Chinchilla to like me? It comes and sniffs my hand if I put it near its face, but will not come out of its way to sniff or nibble when I just stick my hand in its cage. And if it refuses to eat treats, how do I get it to go on my hand? Oh, and he is about 8 to 10 months old, and from a Pet Store. Thank you.

 

[ChinnyMom]

Welcome! i'm very glad you found us! :wave3:

so often pet store 'advice' about chins is totally wrong. i suggest you read through the new chin owner section here and learn all there is about caring for (and spoiling! lol) a chin.

but first, please stop putting your chin in the ball. we call them death balls for good reason, a chin can overheat all too easily and suffer heatstroke.

don't feed him any more of the treats you have, except the cheerios (plain variety), those are ok in moderation and i would say one a day at the most. by reading through all the faqs here, you can research much healthier treat options.

it'll take time for him to warm up to you, be patient. don't chase him around any more, that'll work against you in bonding with him. take it slow, he'll come around )

and we'd love to see some pictures of your chin! what have you named him?

 

[chin_gal]

I'll hit on a few things.

First off, as can probably already be seen from my post so far, there is a lot wrong here. None of those treats are appropriate for chinchillas. The only acceptable treats really are shredded wheat, rosehips, and old fashioned oats. For another, those plastic run-around balls are a deathtrap for chinchillas. They not only get extremely hot, but the also don't allow for natural movement and it's bad for their little backs. They are also incredibly unsanitary, and end up with the chinchilla running around with urine and feces whirling around them. The better solution is to have him run in a chin-proof area after he's more comfortable. Also, he's only been at your home for a week. It is still way too soon to be letting him out of his cage. He is still in his adjusting period and it could take him a while to come around. Don't push him, and certainly avoid chasing him around his cage/around a room, as that just stresses him out and destroys any amount trust that he may have for you. Just give him some time and let him come to you when HE feels ready. Your never going to establish a bond unless you allow him to do it on his terms. It might take a while, but it'll be worth it. )

 

[ticklechin]

Not sure where you have been researching but click on all the FAQ sections on the forum and read up on chinchilla care before its too late and physical and mental damage is done.

 

[Pikaia]

I agree with everyone's advice. A chin warming up to you will take time. It could take weeks, months or longer for a chin to get used to you. Sometimes they never really do. Chichi, my Craigslist chin, "tolerates" me. I'm not sure she likes me.. lol. I love her just the same and keep trying to gain her love and trust. I've had her for a year this September.

 

[Brittany]

WELCOME to the forum! Chinchillas are very unique animals, and unfortunately there are MANY bad websites with wrong information. I would highly encourage you to read through the FAQ's on this forum. Additionally one of our members put together a great website with accurate information. It is www.chinnation.com

I made the mistake of following the petstore's and other bad advice when I first got my chins. I'll try to spare you some of the trouble I went through, here's my advice:

Yogurt Covered Papaya Chintreats I try to use to train it on my hand. It also refuses cheerios, raisins, sunflower seeds, and 'Sesame Seed Chinchilla Ball' treats.

All of the treats you listed except for PLAIN cheerios are very bad for your chin. They will cause major health issues and possibly death if you continue to feed your chin those treats. Your chin really doesn't need treats, but if you want only give a plain cheerio once a week or so. Do not give treats every day.

It does not like the giant Chinchilla ball I bought it and refused to get into it unless I trick it into the ball. I do admit when I cleaned the cage I chased it around to get it into its bath house in order to clean the cage, as it was refusing to do anything other than sit in its little hut.

On this forum we call those chinchilla balls 'death balls.' This is another bad petstore product. Chinchillas can't sweat and with the lack of airflow in those balls they will overheat and die. Please throw the ball out and don't use it. Leave your chin in its cage and do playtime in a safe room like a cleaned bathroom.

Your chin is in a BRAND NEW environment and needs more then a few days to warm up to you and adjust. Do not chase it anywhere. Be patient with your chin, allow it to come sniff you and get used to you. When you're cleaning the cage just clean around the chin, if it wants to hide in it's hut then allow it to do so.

I guess my question would be answered with a customized training guide, and that question would be: How do I get the Chinchilla to like me? It comes and sniffs my hand if I put it near its face, but will not come out of its way to sniff or nibble when I just stick my hand in its cage. And if it refuses to eat treats, how do I get it to go on my hand? Oh, and he is about 8 to 10 months old, and from a Pet Store. Thank you.

Your chin may never just jump into your hand. I am VERY bonded with my chins and they only jump into my hands when they want to come out of the cage. Unlike dogs and cats chinchillas are a prey species. It's not in their nature to completely trust humans and be that comfortable.

You and your chin may have gotten off on the wrong foot, but it's not too late to get back on track. Leave your chin in it's cage all this week (no playtime) Start out by just sitting next to the cage and talking to it for a day. The next day open the cage and stick your hand inside. Let the chin approach you, but don't go after it to touch it. After a few days pet the chin and continue to allow it to get used to you. After an entire week try playtime in the bathroom again.

Your chin will warm up to you but you need to be patient. Good luck, and please let us know if you have anymore questions.

 

[Jenn]

You've already been given great advice above. Petstores can give out bad advice, and it seems they have given you terrible advice on chinnies. Those treats are terrible, but you can give plain cheerios or shredded wheat, rosehips, some members make and sell chinnie cookies - and all given sparingly. They don't need treats, it just makes us feel good to give them. Also, as mentioned, the ball is not designed for chins, and they can overheat in them, as well as soil themselves in it.

As far as bonding, I think it took my female chin a good month or so to start feeling comfortable in my crazy household. I spent a lot of time just sitting by her cage and getting her used to me and my presence. I also didn't push our bonding very hard, I let her take the lead. Time and patience is the key. If she is climbing or jumping on you when she is out for playtime, that is a good start. If she ever nibbles on your hand or arm - anywhere- that would be her grooming you and is a sign of bonding. My chin was slow to accept me, and now she is a total sweetheart and very affectionate, although she won't allow me to pick her up. Make sure you have plenty of wood chews as well...they are needed for their teeth, but mine sure views applesticks as a treat.

Good luck. Do a lot of reading on this forum and I think you'll quickly get a good understanding of your new fur friend!

 

[sirglowsalot]

Thank you VERY MUCH everybody for the advice I have thrown out the ball and when i went to the pet store today to get my cat some food I told the manager what everyone here said about the ball, and that misinformation like that could have led to an animal death. I also don't understand why they sell chinchilla treats like the ones I listed if they can kill the poor animal, very wrong in my opinion.

@Chinnymom: I have named the little guy Georgie! I will post a few pictures of him as soon as I get a working camera.

For the past two days I have left him in his cage and sat next to his cage reading. He seems to be getting more comfortable with my voice. He now comes out of his hut when he hears me talking to check things out. I have also been reading through the FAQ's and it appears most of everything I was told by the petstore people was incorrect.

Another question: I checked out a book from the library called the Chinchilla Handbook, by Edmund Bickel. It was originally published in 1952, and is the 6th edition published in 1980-something. Is this a reliable source for information on Chinchilla's?

 

[Godofgods]

I also don't understand why they sell chinchilla treats like the ones I listed if they can kill the poor animal, very wrong in my opinion.

I couldn't agree with you more. It pains me to see all the stuff they advertise at pet stores that are seriously unsafe for chins and ferrets. (And many others im sure) Its rly hard to beleive that they give a **** about animlas when their doing stuff like that.

 

[ticklechin]

Pet stores sell items that people buy, if people did not buy them they would not be re-stocked. Its as much of the owners fault they buy bad things for their chinchillas without researching the animal they are owning.

 

[Brittany]

Another question: I checked out a book from the library called the Chinchilla Handbook, by Edmund Bickel. It was originally published in 1952, and is the 6th edition published in 1980-something. Is this a reliable source for information on Chinchilla's?

I haven't heard of that book, but you could always cross check the information by searching this forum. If you can't find the answer to your question you could always ask. In my opinion the FAQ's here cover all the basics. :thumbsup:

 

[ChinnyMom]

this forum is better than any book, by far!