I just feel so lucky!

[Gabby88]

I'm blessed with the sweetest little babies! I'm dreading their "teenage years" since they're just so darn sweet right now! It didn't even take them a day before they were crawling into my hand to be picked up. I even got my first chinnie kiss on my nose yesterday. One of them is even coming around to being petted and getting scritches. The other one lets me pet her for a split second, so I guess that's an improvement. Haha!

But they love to crawl all over me, and they're always coming to the cage door to say "hello". They're about 13 weeks old now. Are they always this sweet at this age? I just LOOOOOOVE them so much already! They're absolutely perfect, and I couldn't have asked for anything more.

I just feel bad because they're always begging to come out and play, but I know they're not supposed to until they're older. I let them climb in my lap and on my knee though. Any suggestions on how I can interact with them without letting them out to play? They just look so sad when they can't come out.

I also put them in their travel cages when I clean their cage, but they HATE it. They try to get out the entire time, and I don't want to stress them out. Is this the best way to handle them while I clean their cage? My cage is a little harder to clean because of the smaller doors, so I have to get way in their to clean it, so I think it's better if they're in their travel cages.

Anyway, I just wanted to share how great they're both doing so far.

 

[comtnmama]

That first pic of Yuki is so adorable!!!

They must know how hard you worked to get ready for them and how much you loved them even before you knew them!

Can you put something in their travel cage while you clean to keep them occupied? Like some apple sticks or shredders??? I haven't had babies, so I don't know if they can have those things.

 

[Cuddlebug]

They can have any chew toy that an adult can have.

 

[Gabby88]

Thank you! I LOVE that picture of Yuki. It's my favorite.

They have some hay in their travel cages, and they're lined with fleece so they're comfy. They just hate it in there. But there's no hard feelings when they come out. They climb right into my hand and don't seem to be mad at me. Haha!

 

[Gabby88]

I do have a lot of extra chew things I could put in there. I have lots of wood blocks, pumice (which they LOVE) and some wood sticks. I'll put some in there for them. But I bet they won't touch them. They'll be too busy trying to fit through the holes and chew their way out. lol

 

[lishreese]

What adorable babies! You can let them out for playtime if you want to, it would actually be a good idea to have playtime so that they can get some time every day to stretch their legs and be able to bond with you more, but there are some things that you have to do so it is safe. Since you just got them, you should give them a couple days just to be in their cage and get used to their new home, but it sounds like they are doing really great. A new home can also be scary the first time they come out for playtime, so it would be a good idea to get a playpen. You can find them on Amazon pretty cheap, just make sure its all metal so they can't chew on it. Once you have that, you can probably let them come out to play, since from what you are saying it sounds like they are ready to come out to play. Don't let them have roam of the room yet, as that will be a little too much right now. When they are ready for that you will have to do more to chin-proof so that they are safe. They will outgrow the playpen, but at first it is good to have one. You can give them stuff to chew on, just no treats yet. Apple twigs are good for babies (and they will REALLY love you then), as are shredders such as loofa, just remember: moderation. I give my baby an apple twig a week when I give her cage a good cleaning. If you have anyone willing to help you, you could have them sit in the playpen with them while you clean, and then you could swap when you are done, that's what my bf and I did and it worked fine.

 

[Gabby88]

I don't want to let them out until they're older. I do let them crawl on me though. I just don't want them running all over the place and using too much energy. My room is completely chinnie proofed already though. When I first brought them home I let them run around a bit to get used to everything before I put them in their cage.

 

[Lynn & The Chins]

Gabby, you are correct!!! Chins that young should not be allowed to have playtime or free run time. They need all of their calories for growing up to be healthy chins. There will be plenty of playtime later.

They are absolutely adorable, and I LOVE that they are so quick to seek you out for attention -- that bodes well for the future. :thumbsup:

 

[Annieo]

They are adorable. Especially that first pic.

 

[caiti]

I, like a couple others, don't have any advice but wanted to say how cute the pictures are!!!

 

[lishreese]

It is true that when they are babies they shouldn't get too much exercise because they need energy to grow. That is why they shouldn't have an exercise wheel until they are about a year old. However, most breeders will agree that it is best to allow them some time out of the cage every day. Just like human children, it is important for them to get exercise to help their muscles grow and develop. It is also good for them to be able to interact with you more closely that way they are more comfortable with you and trust you more. Also, if you keep them in their cage, they will try harder and harder to escape, which can be a problem. You are right, though, that you do not want them to spend too much energy on playtime, so it is generally a good idea to limit playtime to between 30 minutes and an hour, and the playpen really helps to keep them from doing too much running, though they will eventually be able to jump over it no matter how high it is (that's how you know they've grown out of it). I understand where you are coming from, so if you are still a little skeptical of this that is ok, but I would suggest going into the chatroom and getting opinions from other people as well. There are a lot of people that go into the chatroom every night who have a lot of experience with adult and baby chins that can give you advice on this or any other topic you might have questions on. Good luck and congrats on your adorable fur babies!

 

[Ash]

Actually, very few breeders on here recommend playtime for chins under 6months.

 

[LovinTheSmallAndFurry]

Oh.My.God. That first pic of Yuki! Precious precious. It should be submitted for the Chin calendar or Chin-of-the-Month site.

When they're in the cage, I give them lots of scritches, and when giving chew toys, etc., let them come walk up on me, basically what you're already doing. I am amazed your girls are so lovey on ya already....as others have said, great sign! Also a few times a week I get them out, one at a time, for some (attempt to, ha!) cuddle time--only about 15 minutes or so....I don't let them run around. One of mine loves being held, and while I have them in my hands I touch on their ears, their feet, etc....to let them get acclimated to all the petting/handling.

Oh and when keeping them in the carriers while cleaning cages, I put in hay and some chew toys to entertain them. Lao Tsu seems to go to sleep after a bit--he's my laidback boy. Sappho, though, spends all of her time trying to unhook the latch on hers, :wacko:

 

[Remyma0408]

soooo cute!!!