is playtime outdoors possible?

[CommonYak]

Maybe this is a silly question, but I'm wondering about the feasibility of letting a chin play outside in a grassy field or park under the open sky. If we chose an overcast, dry, cool evening, and made sure there were no dogs around, would it be possible to do safely? I was thinking about the 'Mel the hedgehog' thread and how happy he seemed wandering around the grass. But of course chinchillas are quite different animals, not native to this area (i.e. east coast of U.S.).

We currently don't have too much trouble scooping our chins up, either from their cages, or from their play areas (chin-proofed rooms in the apartment). They are used to being picked up and cuddled; even the most squirmy one tolerates being held for a bit. (Although it is of course easier to pick them up after playtime when they have expended their energy bouncing off walls and are ready to go back to their cages.) So under normal circumstances we don't have trouble picking them up.

However, I've seen how fast they can move when they want to -- almost too fast to follow with the eyes. If they decided not to let us approach them, we wouldn't easily be able to get them. Because of this, I don't feel like I could let them out in a park or open area and be assured of getting them back into their carriers.

So.. is this possible to do safely? It would be fun to go to the park with the chins, but I wouldn't do it without some guidance from some more experienced owners.

 

[tunes]

No. You should never, ever allow a chin to run loose in a park or backyard. Aside from the obvious reasons (predators, pesticides, heat) they are too fast and would be gone in a heartbeat.

 

[Dragonflye]

Chins cannot run free outside. They'd be gone in a heartbeat, tunes is right. In a safe, chinproofed room is the only way to go!

 

[Riven]

If you want your chin to play outside, get a chin safe pen and put it up in the yard. Being outside will not kill a chin, but leashes can injure them, and loose play is just not a smart option.

 

[cintistatern2005]

I wouldnt even do the pen, mine jump and climb up the walls of those pens. They are escape artists and outside they are gone in a heartbeat.

 

[alli713]

I'd say just stick to inside playtimes. Sure, you could set up a pen outside with a cover but then you'd also want to put down a floor so your chin isn't eating the grass that could have any number of pesticides herbicides what have you on it. And then it'd have to be out of the sun on a cool day. So there wouldn't really be a benefit to playing outside.

 

[EnslavedByNinjas]

Your chin will be just as happy with inside playtime as outside. I actually think they enjoy the barriers and obstacles of living rooms or bathrooms to an open, flat area. More opportunities for fun stunts! So I'd think they'd probably enjoy it more indoors...

 

[starleomach]

I would not personally let my chinchilla have outdoor playtime. They are escape artists and I would just not risk it.

 

[CommonYak]

Just got done with nightly playtime and put the furry ones away. From reading the responses it sounds like a big "no" to outside playtime for chins. Certainly better safe than sorry.

Thanks to everyone who weighed in on this topic.

 

[ChinchillaSteve]

I have a very small innner courtyard (about 2 by 2) zero escape possibilities i'll post a pic tonight.

 

[Riven]

I think that chins actually enjoy outside. I have one that tries to run out the door of the chin house every chance she gets.

 

[Ippo456]

I have a playpen with a detachable top cover, maybe you can try that.

 

[jess_w]

I'm not sure - I always feel they would enjoy it but am too scared of them eating something they shouldn't so I haven't tried it!

 

[saphire]

I have seen not too long ago a gentleman who had built a 6' x 6' x 6' under a tree for the shade with a large apple tree branch in it, shelves etc. It was quite a sight. They were two in there and just totally enjoying it.

Forgot to say, it is 3 feet off the ground and nothing not even a squirrel could get into it. Really well done.

If I go in that area again, I will take a picture and show it.

 

[Carol~Anne]

I personally would not let my chins have outdoor time b/c of the hazards already mentioned. I do however let them sit at the window on a ledge in the chin room with the window open and they really seem to like to look outside and sniff the air. My window does have a screen on it though, so no escapees, and I am watching them closely to make sure they're not chewing a hole in the screen.

Chinchillas are great escape artists and I found out firsthand when our neighbour's young son didn't properly fasten his chin's cage door and out he went. I had no idea where this chin came from until six months had passed. I've had that chin for over four years now.

 

[AndreaMD02]

I'd be so scared of escape even with a gate-pen thing. my chin would just run and run to the end of the world i'm sure! lol.

btw ur chin pic is SOOO cuteee =)

the window with screen sounds like a good idea, to let them smell outside air. so much smell and excitement. atleast i know thats how dogs feel when they are out and about.