Getting my chin comfortable with me, new wheel also

[flesy]

hi guys! I got my first chinchilla a few days ago! It's name is Kim Jong Chil and It's a real cutie and everything blahblahblah anyways it doesn't like me holding it at all every time I try to hold it it runs away :cry3:. He does let me pet him whenever I'm feeding his alfalfa hay. Is there anything I can do to speed up the process of familiarization with the lil guy and me?


Also I got him one of those cool saucer wheels to replace his bucket style wheel but he doesn't know how to use it! Any tips on training them to use it?


Thanks!

 

[jess32247]

Firstly, it's best to leave new chins alone in there cage for a couple days to adjust to there new surroundings. It's a lot to take it with new smells, sights, people, ect.

A lot of chins don't like to be held. How are you holding him? Picking him up or letting him jump on your arms? They get hot very quickily when you hold them and they aren't cuddlely lap pets like people think. You're stressing him out olding him so soon, I never hold my chin unless I have to for whatever reason.

Is the flying saucer you got him plasic? It sometimes takes chins a while to get used to a new kind of wheel. Some chins learn how to use them right away, some never learn. Let him figure it out at his own pace, hopefully he'll get it sooner or later.

 

[ticklechin]

Are you only feeding alfalfa? Chin should also have a grass hay such as timothy. Chins take awhile to tame, some it can take months, some weeks, some years so be patient!

 

[CodysChinchillas]

Your chin is scared, and it could take months to even a year in order to get the strong bond that you want. Some chinchillas will take longer than others, for example one of my chins "Rosie" took almost 6 months to be totally comfortable with me. My other two chins have only been with me for about 6 months and they were bonded with me within a month. It really depends. Just don't rush them into being held or they'll get nervous and it'll take longer to bond with them. Males are easier to bond with than females.

 

[flesy]

Are you only feeding alfalfa? Chin should also have a grass hay such as timothy. Chins take awhile to tame, some it can take months, some weeks, some years so be patient!

alfalfa and pellets! I'll call around and see if i can get some timothy hay.

 

[flesy]

alfalfa and pellets! I'll call around and see if i can get some timothy hay.

ok ok ! I found some timothy hay here, is it true that I should be feeding him mostly timothy hay and then using the alfalfa as a treat? There seems to be a lot of different information :hair:

 

[Chinmama]

Most chinchilla pellets are alfalfa based, so you want to feed timothy, oat or orchard hay. Alfalfa is high in protein so it's thought to be hard on the kidneys if too much is consumed. That's why most people recommend a grass hay if you are feeding an alfalfa based pellet.

I give my guys alfalfa cubes once a month or so and they enjoy those as a treat.