I think I scared my Chinchilla really bad?

[chinchillajack]

I have had Jack for two days, and after about 20 minutes of play-time, I grabbed a blanket, picked him up, and held him close to me and spoke to him gently for 3 minutes. When I put him back in his cage, he immediately laid down in his hammock and after a few minutes, went to sleep.

I am scared I scared him into stress and he might die?? He is still breathing and seems okay, but I am scared.

Is there something I can do to get him to like me better?

 

[andreya]

If he is new and just had 20 minutes of play and then being held he could just have been tired, especially if it is a time of day that he is normally sleeping. If he is acting fine, I would just keep an eye on him.

It's only been two days. Just give him some time to get used to you.=)

 

[chinchillajack]

Thank you. I was freaking out pretty bad because I don't want to do anything wrong. He is just fine.

He is now flying from one part of his cage to another. He is so funny. Every-time I come near the cage he sticks his nose out the cage.

He is awesome!

 

[kerri101]

After play time my chin will most always go to her cage and sleep and crash the first time she was on her side I freaked out !! ( that was normal) depending on where you bought him maybe he did not have play time and was really tuckered out....as long as eating /pooping /drinking is well hes should be fine just getting used to you....when I got my chin even spending time in the same room ( not holding them works) let him get used to your voice, do you give him scritches yet? behind his ears and under his chin they love that and its a good way of bonding congrats on ur new chin

 

[chinchillajack]

I hesitantly bought him from Pets-mart & I do not think he got any play time there, so that makes sense.

He is climbing all over me but he is not allowing me to pet him yet. I am just excited he even comes close to me!

I already LOVE HIM!

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

I am sure he got no play time in the pet store. If the chin is young go very slowly with play time - 10 minutes at first - each month add another 5 minutes. Have you gone to the FAQ's here about the proper care of chins? I am sure most of what Petsmart told you is all wrong. I am pretty sure they sold you the wrong foods and treats. Almost all the treats pet store sell are very dangerous for chins.
Welcome to the forum!!! - you will learn lots of things that will make your chin happy and healthy.

 

[chinchillajack]

Yah they did. I have a friend who has had a chinchilla for 4 years and she told me that I need to get pellets and not the stuff packed with treats.

I am not a fan of Petsmart or Petland because of past experiences. Bought a bunny at Petland when I was a kid and it died the next day (needless to say my mom was PISSED and I was inconsolable).

So far Jack is just great tho. I never realized how social and entertaining chinchillas were.

I will say its hard for me not to want to kiss him all the time!

 

[Baron Sciarri]

just to temper the rampant Petsmart bashing...there are some Petsmarts that have caretakers that let their chins out for playtime and give them pellets and give them the right house and when they sell the chins they give good advice on what stuff they need like the dust bath, apple sticks, hay and chillers...even good advice on the caging...the best way to go when buying any pet is to know what they need before you buy them and not depend on individuals having to care for a dozen different animals to be experts on all of them for you

 

[ticklechin]

the best way to go when buying any pet is to know what they need before you buy them and not depend on individuals having to care for a dozen different animals to be experts on all of them for you

Well said!