Need advice on how to bring new chinnie home

[Sdo9396]

Hi everyone I am meeting up with a person off CL in a couple hours to pick up my new chinnie and I have some questions on how to do so. I purchased a new small pet carrier and have a fleece blanket inside and also a small fleece hay bag filled for her. The ride home will only be about 20 mins so I didn't plan on bringing a water bottle. After I get her home, how do I transfer her from the pet carrier to her new FN 142? Do I pick her up and place her inside or do I just open the carrier inside the cage for her to get out by herself? I am trying to minimize the stress of bringing her to a new environment as much as possible. Also, the seller says that she is very social and has been handled since birth so how soon should I try and have playtime with her? I know she needs a little bit of time to adjust but how much time? Should I try to give her shreddies and twigs through the cage bars? Any additional info anyone has would help!

 

[starleomach]

I would just pick her up and put her in.. As for playtime give her a few days to adjust in her cage before having her out. If she seems stressed give her more time, if she is curious and wants attention a few days should be fine

 

[Sdo9396]

Thanks a lot Kristy! I'm just afraid to get sprayed/bitten even though I know it'll happen eventually..

 

[Laurie]

Once you get her home don't take her out of the cage for several days. She will be confused and terrified most likely. She needs to feel safe in her new environment. I would talk to her through the cage bars and let her see you ofen to get used to you, but I wouldn't take her out for a couple of weeks. If you're going to feed treats through the cage bar she will try to bite at fingers put in there thinking they are treats, she may also not want scritches because she is always expecting treats. If you can open the door to feed her a treat that is a better option.

 

[Sdo9396]

Laurie, I definitely see what you are saying about feeding treats through the cage..hopefully I don't frighten her by open the cage to give them to her thanks for the advice

 

[Andrea]

I'd actually let her get out of the carrier by herself so she doesn't feel cornered by you sticking your hand in there. Then when you go to feed her/give her treats, put your hand in the cage and sit there for a few minutes. She'll come down to eat, and will have a chance to explore your hand and she'll begin feeling secure/safe instead of threatened. I think a new owner mistake is chasing a chinchilla around the cage trying to grab him/her...it's important to let the chin do things at his/her own pace or else nervousness may develop. Not to mention, grabbing a chin can cause internal damage, including broken ribs. I put a lava ledge right near the door to the cage so when I open it, if my girls feel like coming out, they jump up onto it and then they jump onto my hand. If they stay up on the wooden ledges sleeping, I don't bother them. You will get to learn her "moods" and that will help you to know what times are best for playtime I'm so glad you are adopting her! Be sure to post pictures

 

[ChinnyMom]

agreed, give them the 'hand carpet' treatment and let them hop up onto you of their own free will. i did this with Gery, my babysitting charge, and she was on my hand within 10 minutes, without any treats to entice her!

 

[Jazicat]

Since my chinchillas are pets we wait for them to want to come out of the cage the first time. Eventually they've all gotten curious enough to come check me out on their terms. Until this happens I usually only open the door to feed so the only time it's opened is for a positive change. Jackie's been here a month but has just started to love coming out of the cage for play time. Our other guys were more tame and did this within days.

 

[Sdo9396]

Thanks everyone for the great advice!! Ruby is now home and warming up very quickly! =)

 

[tati121]

You can also get a small little radio and keep it tuned into a classical music station or something soothing to keep on in the room where Ruby is since it'll help her relax!