My baby is lonely

[millie and me]

My boyfriend and I just adopted a beautiful 2 month old chin three weeks ago and she is wonderful! She is so social and loves attention. She has a great time playing outside of her cage and when we go to put her back after playtime she tries her best to resist going inside the cage. Every time she sees us she runs around and wants out. Is she really lonely? Should we put her cage in an area that allows her to see us in the living room at night, as opposed to the back room where no one usually is in the evening?
Also, she seems to enjoy being held but shivers a little sometimes. What is that about? She has only made barking sounds once but she makes soft whimpers often. I just want to know what to do to ensure she is very happy at all times. Any advise would be much appreciated!

 

[Chinmama]

I keep my chins in the living room. They love all the attention and get to watch some t.v. too.

 

[Whimsy]

I'm a firm believer in having chins in same gender pairs. Our experience has been that females are easier to bond, especially when they are little babies like you have. The soft little wimpers you hear may be calling sounds.

I also prefer the idea of having an interactive chin. Pets left in a quiet back room often do not receive enough interaction to fully enjoy...and sometimes are "accidentally" forgotten. :S

Other than that, welcome to the chin world!

 

[tunes]

I would guess she's crying because she was removed from her mother too soon. If she's 8 weeks old now, you got her when she was 5 weeks old. She should not have been removed from her mom until she was at least 6 weeks old, and most hobbyists keep theirs with mom until 8 weeks. After that, ideally there should have been a 2 weeks period to be sure the little one was eating, drinking, and gaining.

If you can afford another chin, I would definitely get her a friend, preferably someone who has been weaned at the proper time and given a chance to be with mom as she should be. I'm going to guess this little one is going to be pretty needy about having a friend.

 

[6Dusters]

Just a little too young to be alone. Just my opinion. Try a snuggle buddy stuffed something and be careful with any plastic eyes and such. If you have the space and can afford another I would inquire around for a same sex kit or someone who may have a retired breeder female ready to retire. Retired doesn't mean they are ancient. Just retired from breeding.

Be prepared to be "grilled" by a member in here if you adopt. Nothing personal. We just want to ensure our animals don't end up being dumped when the newness wears off. These animals live a very long time when blessed with a healthy body.

 

[Pikaia]

I keep my chins in a seperate bedroom, but the chinnies come out and play with us in the living room every night. I would move the cage into the living room when you are watching TV at night or what not. I think she would love it.

 

[millie and me]

Thanks!

Thanks everyone for your replies. Very interesting about being separated from mom too young. That is so sad!
I would love to get another to keep her company but right after we got her we found out there is a possibility of us moving to Australia in a few years and they won't allow us to bring her. :cry3: As it is, my sister will be happy to take Millie if it comes to that but I don't want to burden her with two. We'll see though.
We moved her cage into a part of the house so that she can see into the kitchen and living room and she seems to be much happier. She also has a new flying saucer (which she adores) so I think she's going to be okay.
The past two nights she has had a little barking episode early in the morning (once at 3 then the next night at 5). What's that about? She never does that and both times me or boyfriend just go hold her and talk to her for a few minutes then she's fine.

 

[kathiva]

I think she is barking because she is too young and she feels lonely, usually kits are supposed to be weaned at at least 8 weeks old, and be given at least one or two weeks to make sure they are doing ok, and it is much better to wean them with another kit of the same age, or with an adult, otherwise she is going to freak out because of the sudden change.
if you found out that you will most likely move in a few years, then it is not certain that you will, and if you do in a couple years, there is still time for the kit to have a friend, so you should try to get her a friend, she will be very happy if she does.
Good luck with your kit, hopefully she can find her best friend out there

 

[GorillaJTA]

She also has a new flying saucer (which she adores) so I think she's going to be okay.

I am sure she loves her saucer and you love watching her run on it, but chins that young really need all their calories for growing. Most on here do no recommend a wheel or even outside the cage playtimes until 6 months or so. They do a lot of growing in that short time, and every calorie counts.