Is this chin affection?

Velvet · Jun 28, 2009

Hi Everyone!!!

Last night Felix did something interesting...he just did it again now...

It happened while I was giving him his scratchies (which he really enjoys). Last night he started nibbling me harder than his usual "what is this?" nibbles. I thought he was being aggressive but he just did it again now and instead of pulling away like I did last night, I left my hand there.

He was nibbling quite firmly but not biting (it wasn't sore).. This happened while I was giving him a pretty good scratch, it seemed as though he was being affectionate and grooming me back. I was scratching him under his chin, under his armpits (he seems to REALLY enjoy this) and on his tummy.

He also huddled up as close to my hand as he could possibly get. Is this normal chin affection or is this a prelude to him going into puberty (he's 2 months old now)? Does he think my hand is his girlfriend? Should I be discouraging this? Its rather cute but I don't want him humping my hand everytime I put it in his cage!

Megan · Jun 28, 2009

Sounds like he may like your hand just a little too much

. Perfectly normal with male chinnies, though.

Velvet · Jun 28, 2009

hahaha Oh dear...

Isn't he a bit young to be having these feelings though? I am new to chins so don't know when they mature etc etc

Harleychin · Jun 28, 2009

Velvet said:
hahaha Oh dear...

Isn't he a bit young to be having these feelings though? I am new to chins so don't know when they mature etc etc

I agree,I think 2 months is a little early for puberty.
Sounds like he's grooming you.It's sweet but somtimes they don't seen to realize how rough they can get.
My guys do it too and get carried away.My one chin Keegan will go so far as to try and pull scabs off of us if he sees them on you(we don't let him).

Brittney · Jul 10, 2009

OK, I just found this and good thing. I thought my little guy was mad at me for scratching him. Glad it's a love thing

but, he is also into licking my hand, like a dog, which is a little odd, and odd feeling. First he nibbles a little, then goes into full on lick mode and looks depressed when I take my hand away.

Easterpiggy · Jul 10, 2009

Really licking like a dog? weird.

Brittney · Jul 10, 2009

Yes, licking like a dog, not even sure why he's doing it or where he picked it up, but he does it.

Cuddlebug · Jul 10, 2009

Just his way of grooming you. Not all that weird, really.

rach_leigh · Jul 10, 2009

Kunya does this nibble thing too. I was pretty sure it was a good sign the members here confirmed it. Sometimes he gets a little carried away with his grooming, but I don't mind because I know he loves me!

Jenn · Jul 10, 2009

Tink loves to nibble on my hands, and she does so too hard at times. I don't think she realizes that it is painful to me, she is just busy grooming away. I tell her to be gentle as I pull my hand away, then give her a scritch and let her nibble again. She also likes to groom my toes but I really can't take the tickling, so I keep my feet hidden from her!