I can't tell if Nymira hates it, loves it, or is just bored.

[NewChinGuy]

Hey guys.

I just got Nymira yesterday from someone online(she'd started fighting for dominance with her mom), and she seems to be adjusting well. When I came home tonight from work, I expected her to be hiding in the furthest back corner of her cage. Instead, she came running right up to the bars, and when I put my finger near the cage she just grabbed it and started chewing the bars. When I went to sit down(the cage is next to my computer desk), she ran up to the top level next to me, and is now biting the bars and trying to dig through the fleece in the cage. What's up? Is she happy? Angry? Bored? I don't understand at all x:


Thanks

 

[Jazicat]

It sounds like she would like to come out of the cage and hang out with you. If you are ready for play time maybe open the cage and if she jumps on you I'd give her an out. If she doesn't maybe some scratches through the bars, just talking to her or offering a stick if you have any. Sounds like she is a tame girl to me but time will tell.

ETA Our chinchilla Jackie will pathetically dig at the bars when he wants an out.

 

[NewChinGuy]

Yeah, I had her out in the bathroom earlier. As much as I'd love to let her out whenever, the room she's kept in is covered with wires and definitely not chin-safe. So I have to roll her to the bathroom for playtime. Is there any way to stop her from chewing the bars? I'm worried she'll hurt her teeth

 

[mknoblich1]

I've read that you just have to ignore them chewing at the bars. If you give them any kind of attention whether its positive or negative they will associate chewing at the bars with getting attention. Sounds easier said than done if she's in your room with you.

 

[ljiayi]

I make a noise that associates with anything that I don't want my chin to be doing. So my chin will know that whenever he hears that noise he knows he shouldn't be doing whatever he's doing. After awhile, he just doesn't do it anymore.

 

[Newt]

My old chin Poppy used to chew the bars if she thought playout time was overdue. It's just an attention-grabbing technique. The more you respond to it, the more she'll do it.

Could you chin proof your room by putting cardboard around the walls? You'd still have to supervise your chin when out of the cage though...

 

[NewChinGuy]

It's not really the walls I'm concerned with, it's moreso the spaces and wiring in here. The computer, TV, gaming consoles, and mini fridge all have cables and spaces, and there's a large wire mesh shelf she could get stuck in. Chinproofing this room would require a whole remodel, so it's much more effecient to use the bathroom.