Mad at Me???

[Bethany2386]

Ok, so I only had one male chinchilla up until yesterday. At first, he was sweet, wouldn't bite or kack at me. Then he started getting mad at me. I am the one who feeds him, cleans his cage, and has playtime with him. He keeps biting me and he has drawn blood a few times lately. Yet, my husband can stick his fingers in his cage and he won't get bitten. Is he mad at me? I have done nothing like get too loud, haven't changed anything, and he only bites me...

Ok, so to my other problem. Now, I have two more boys. They are bonded brothers. They are in their own cage about a foot away from my first chins cage. Now, the bites are much worse and he won't let me (my first boy) get near him. He used to at least let me scratch his favorite spot, but now, I can't even do that... I know that he is jealous/mad right now, but I am getting very upset by him. I literally cried for a good half an hour because he bit me last night when I was trying to pet him. He drew blood, but I wasn't hurt by that. I feel like he HATES me right now. And I don't know what to do. I don't want to get him out for playtime because he will start attacking me... What should I do?

 

[Bethany2386]

Ok, so the whole thing about me crying... I hope that doesn't sound stupid to anyone, but he was MY baby. And at first he would only cuddle with me and let me touch him.

 

[ChinchillaSteve]

I understand Bethany

I probably wouldn't be smiling aswell.
It'll probably pass.

How long did you have the new chins?

 

[Chinniechantel]

I am a little confused....you had one chin first correct? For how long? Then you got 2 more that are next to his cage, yes? And since then he has been biting you and being scared? Can you keep them in different rooms? You should quarantine new chins when they come for 30 days in case they are sick, do not let them play with your chin for 30 days as well. I would guess that the old chin is scared of the other chins now and when you go to touch him he is just scared, not that he hates you. He is acting out of fear. If he is biting out of the blue I would think there is something wrong or bothering him, not that he is mean or hates you. Is there noise, and what is the temp in his room?

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

I am sure it has to do with the other chins. Separate the chins with much more space. Like maybe across the room. Then for a while just talk to the first chin and calm him down for a few days before you try putting your hand in again. When you do just put your hand in the cage and let him get use to your hand again without it being 'a threat' Also make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before handling or going near him after touching or handling the other chins

 

[Bethany2386]

No, he started biting me before I got them. I got those from the same person I had gotten my first boy from. We have had the first one since the middle of August. The room he is in is 68 degrees. He will bite me even if I am giving him hay or food. It's like he doesn't want me near him. Then we got the new boys yesterday night. Then it got worse. I hope this helps. I tried not ignore the new boys and pay lots of attention to my first, Shadow. But he kept biting me and barking at me. So, I just quit.

I always wash my hands, so that is not a problem. And if you think that I should put them in different rooms, that's fine. I just didn't want to have to put them in different rooms because I wanted Shadow to get used to them being there. I will put them across the room from each other tonight. I have a twenty plus foot space to work with so that they aren't close.

 

[ann1]

My guess is something is scaring him. Chins usually only bite out of fear (at least draw blood) is he in a different room? Is there any other noises that can be alarming him? Also, it could be a different smell. Are you using lotion or something on your hands that he may not be liking?
One other thing, chins can sense fear and if your afraid of him, he knows it. Try not to be afraid when you approach him. Also dont try to grab him. Just put your hand in there and let him come to you.

 

[Bethany2386]

He is in the living room area. We have one huge room, which used to be two seperate rooms. I haven't changed anything as far as smell. I use the same soap and lotion that I have used since I got him. But normally I try to wash my hands if I have used scented lotion or any lotion that leaves my hand greasy. I am going to try to move the new boys to a different room tonight and see what Shadow does. Thanks! If there are any more suggestions, I would be glad to read them and try them out. I will let you know how it goes tonight! : )

 

[addictedtochins]

Perhaps you could wear leather gloves so that when he bites he will get no reaction out of you and give up?

 

[ann1]

Perhaps you could wear leather gloves so that when he bites he will get no reaction out of you and give up?

I have heard of people doing that but I honestly think it would only scare him more.


As for moving the other chins into another room, I would definately do that. If his aggresion started once they arrived then it is probably their presense doing it.

Some chins just dont like to be held but with time and patience they will usually tolerate it. Just dont rush him and I think he'll come around. good luck

 

[Bethany2386]

Ok, so last night when I got home from work I went to check on Shadow. Well, I had to laugh because he had pulled his hidey house around (and it's heavy) to where he didn't have to see the other boys. But I did move the new boys further away from Shadow... And I had my husband play with Shadow while I took the new boys into the bathroom for playtime. Well, Shadow apparently kept coming to the door of the bathroom and just sat there waiting for me to open it. My husband told me he was doing this, so I opened the door to see. Shadow was in the kitchen and ran straight to me and let me hold him and cuddle him. But once he saw the other boys he started shaking. I quickly handed Shadow to my hubby. He took him and calmed him down. So, I suppose you all were right, he is afraid of the new boys. So, I will continue having my time with Shadow and my time with the new boys until everyone is settled.