Hello

MandyM · Mar 7, 2010

Hi Ya'll,

My name is Amanda. I recently bought a 4 yr old male chinchilla named Oliver. He is adorable and i'm loving getting to know him. I'm still a little worried about getting bit and have not picked him up yet. I can pet him and he'll jump all over me during his play time. He loves his shredded wheat, and raisins.

Amanda

tunes · Mar 7, 2010

Welcome Amanda and Oliver.

He sounds like a friendly little guy. I doubt he would bite you with the intention to hurt, but they will nibble on you if they really like you. It's what they would do with other chins, they are grooming.

CJR · Mar 7, 2010

Hi! He sounds cute, you should post some pictures soon. We loooove chinnie pictures!

In any case, he sounds pretty friendly already, I really doubt he'd bite you unless you gave him a reason. Just be soft and slow and easy with him. If he does bite you, make a high pitched squeak noise - I do this with my girl (who sometimes gets just a *little* upset) and she usually gets weirded out and backed down. I originally did it with rats, but it seems to work with chinnies too.

Seriously though. Pictures please!!

:welcome:

kimbt622 · Mar 7, 2010

i agree with ash and tunes, if he's already comfortable enough to walk on you and stuff during play time, he sounds like a great boy

let him smell your hand slowly so he can get used to your scent and he may nibble but most chins really don't bite, not hard anyway. and i'm with ash on this one :useless:

Dragonflye · Mar 7, 2010

Welcome Amanda!

Sounds like things are going great with your new guy so far. A warning though- you didn't mention how often you are giving Oliver raisins, but if you do some research on this forum, you will notice that raisins are high in sugar an have been linked to bloat, a very painful condition for these critters...just so you know. Many people here choose to not give raisins at all because of this. Plain shredded wheat is a much better treat.

Feel free to post pictures *hint, hint*- we love 'em here!

Jenn · Mar 7, 2010

Hi, and welcome! I got my chinnie almost 2 years ago, and she was 3 at the time. It took her a while to get comfortable with me, but she is such a doll now. She still does not want to be picked up, and she'll let me know with a lot of kacking, but I know she would never bite me. She does love to groom, and they can groom a little too aggressively at times, lol. It sounds like you are off to a great start with him. Congrats! Also, shreddies are fine in moderation, but I think you'll find most people agree raisins should not be given. Shreddies, cheerios, and plenty of apple sticks will keep your chin happy