Grumpy chinchilla!

[bianca]

Does your chinchilla ever have grumpy days?
today.. mine has been sleeping all day and when i go to the cage, or stick my hand in (as i usually do--he sniffs me and comes to say hello) .. hes been making that kacking sound that i think means get lost.

is this normal? or do you think there's something wrong with him? (is he hot, or just tired, or stressed out?)

..if u read any of my other threads, you may know that i moved his cage into my bedroom last night. he made the barking sound for a bit over an hour..
today where i live it is a bit hot outside. i did everything in my room to ensure it is a good temperature. i blocked all the sun out of my room and turned on the air conditioner and fan to circulate the air. he has a cooling chinchiller thing in his cage, but he hasnt gone to sit on it so i dont know if hes acting this way because he is hot. (im going to buy a thermometer tonight or tomorrow)

please let me know if you know what it could be..and if u have any other suggestions for my situation.

p.s. i tend to get stressed easily when my chinchilla acts differently, haha. so if you think hes just in a bad mood or tired..reassurance would be helpful :thumbsup:

 

[StevieP]

It sounds like he is just uneasy about the new surroundings. Sometimes they are just in a bad mood too!

Good that you are getting a therometer. If you are worried that he is too hot, feel his ears (if he will let you). They should not be warm. If in doubt until you get the therometer, crank the AC!!

 

[bianca]

oh really? his ears will tell me?
perfect! thank you!
are there any other physical ways to see if he is too hot?

where i live..the weather cools down a lot at night (yesterday, my room was a bit too cold for me but i left my window open a crack and i think the temperature was comfortable for him) and the weather should be steadily cooler in about a week..
till then, i am making sure my parents understand the AC must be on!! because i really dont want to move him back to the basement.. lol. i like having him closer to me!

 

[bianca]

oh also.. another thing that made me a bit nervous.. he was laying down for a minute while sleeping.. is this normal??
i think its because the box he is in is a little too short for him.. because when i went to the cage he sat right back up.

sorry for all the questions and concerns!

 

[StevieP]

Yes the ears will be warm of they are too warm, and they will become bright red and veins will buldge when they are HOT. If this happens, he needs to be moved immediately.

How was he laying when he was sleeping? Chances are he just found a comfortable position.

 

[bianca]

Thank you . Even though he was jacking at me, I felt his ears and they felt cool and not warm at all.
I turned the AC up a bit more too

I think he is ok because my vent is under my bed on the other side of the room.. But currently I'm sitting in front if his cage and I can feel the cool air.

He was laying down with one arm in front of his faceand I think one leg was out lol. I got nervous and went to see him but he did get up immediately.

 

[mommyslittlechins2010]

that sounds like mine at times. now i didn't move thier cage around or anything like that . but if he gets too hot just put some pans int he feeezer and thern lay them in side the cage and then she should cool off. but it sounds like he's trying to adjust to his suroundings .

 

[bianca]

He has been sleepy like all day.. But he still reacted and got up and has been moving around when he woke.. Which is normal I'm thinking, since most chinnies are energetic at night

 

[bianca]

Thanks. And what kind of pans? Oh maybe I should put the chin chiller in the freezer and put it in the cage on warmer days! ? (oh by the way..the thing is made out of granite and he tends to try to bite it.. Is that ok? I think he just likes it for his teeth haha)

Also.. What is the best color for his ears to be? (healthiest)

Lol I'm sorry.. As u can see I'm such a paranoid chinni momma. I just like to ask questions because I know you are all very educated owners.