Hello Everyone :)

[lokinchrista1989]

Hello Everyone. I am Christa and I am 23 years old and currently going to school for an associates degree. I joined chins and hedgies to learn more about my new baby Loki. I got him two days ago and he is opening up wonderfully as far as I can tell but I have questions and searching online is giving me minimal results.Loki is roughly two and a half to three months old and we gave him the birthday of 5/25/12. He is a curious little thing and while we have only given him minimal exploration because we do not want him too terribly scared when we try to catch him he is very curious so far. My major question right now is his barking. He normally does not bark in his cage but when he is out and playing with us it seems he barks every time he defecates.....he seems comfortable with us runs all around us will sit on my shoulder he just randomly barks. He will groom me and everything I have read says that he is trusting us. He will take treats from me inside and outside the cage and does not act scared. I just want to know if maybe he will bark when he is happy, because he will growl when he gets agitated and kind of says that's enough I'm ready to go back in my house. Just wondering?

 

[Sugargliderlove]

I am not sure about the barking but welcome to CnH. I am sure someone will come along with some information about it

 

[Jenn]

Hi and welcome to the forum! We are happy to have you here.

I'm no expert on young kits, but from what I believe, kits should not be out of their cage for any playtime under age 6 months...that they need to save all of that energy for growing.

I also don't believe kits are to have treats. Someone more knowledgeable can clarify if that is true.

Usually it takes awhile for a chinchilla to completely settle in and feel comfortable in their new surroundings. He may be a bit nervous and then barks.

Explore the threads. There is so much great information here. And if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

 

[lauralynne]

Hello & Welcome.

What kind of treats are you giving him?

 

[lokinchrista1989]

They came with him from the breeder. They are ...a kind of seed (or dried fruit) with much smaller seeds on the inside, he will not eat the seeds just the outside they are a burgundy color and he said the breeder sends them with all the baby chins because it is something nice he likes to do. The person I got Loki from knows quite a bit about chinchillas and has been handling them for years, he has two and they are in wonderful condition, hair is in good condition, no fungus, no teeth issues, potty trained, he takes good care of them and he said they were fine.

Oh and an update Loki's barking has pretty much ceased we have had him less than a week and he jumps right out of his cage and onto my chest to nibble on me. He is doing well and adjusting. He has found his hammok I made him and enjoys it. He also seems to be very curious and bold and we are absolutely in love. <3

 

[lauralynne]

Sounds like you're giving him rosehips. Those are an approved treat for chinchillas, but chinchillas under 6 months of age shouldn't be receiving any kind of treat other than approved wood chews.