New chin, how to get it used to you?

[luna_chin]

Hi, I just got my chin three days ago. I'm a new owner and this is my first chinchilla. I was wondering, what are ways that you got your chin to get used to you? Also, I don't have a wheel for her yet, because her cage is some what too small for a wheel but big enough so she can roam around in. We let her run around all the time, in a safe area so does she REALLY need one? If so, I'm gonna get her the flying saucer, because my hedgie has a wheel and its big enough for her but its plastic. I don't want her to get sick from chewing on plastic. What should I do?

 

[3CsMommy]

No, she doesn't *need* a wheel, but a lot of pet chins seem to like having something to do when they're in the cage between playtimes.

As for getting her used to you, the best thing you can do is just leave her alone. The first week or two, she's getting used to the routines, the smells, the noises, the people, and the more you handle her in that time, the longer that'll take. Too many stimuli aren't going to get her to love you. After a week or so of "feed, water, healthy treat, and hands off" treatment, I'll usually sit near the cage and just do my thing-- Facebook on the laptop, read a book, whatever-- and let them see me, hear me fidgeting around, whatever. If they show interest I'll put a hand against the bars or stick a finger through for sniffing and nibbling, but work slowly toward touching the chin over a couple weeks.

I also sing to them. All 3 of my boys are named after songs, so they get "their" song sung to them while I'm cleaning etc. In general, chins seem to respond to music moreso than other small animals. (My cats don't care that I'm listening to the acoustic version of If You Could Only See by Tonic: Could YouBe Love is standing against the front of the cage staring at me/the laptop.) A radio on very low or a TV left on is a standard in some chin barns; they seem to like the 'entertainment' which is part of where the wheel comes into play too. And don't forget plenty of hanging and toss toys for them to nibble. You're providing environmental enrichment + helping them develop good teeth habits that way. I spend more on toys in a year than I *ever* will on food, and I've only got 3!

 

[VolunteerChin22]

I also agree with letting them have some space to get used to their cage before you try to really interact. Some chins this is a day and some chins this is a week to feel safe in their new environment. Remember, everything is new to them so it's a little overwhelming. You can sit next to the cage, put your arm in and just be still so they can smell you several times and maybe put paws or hop on you. I start with top of the head scratches to see how they like that or if it's a young chin once they are comfortable, I try to scoop them up in my hands and let them get down in the cage. If you keep doing this they tend to learn that its kind of a fun game to hop up and down from your hands.

You can also try tempting them with hay pieces (botanical or alfalfa are ok as treats), wood chews - or if the chin is 6mo+ safe treats like a cheerio or bite sized nonfrosted shredded wheat will really earn you friends (make sure you limit them to one a day though).

Important thing is to be patient. All chins are different and some are more outgoing than others - some will take a while to warm up and then others it may just be their personality. All have something to offer though!

Wanted to add flying saucers are great wheels if you want to add one - nice, but not absolutely necessary. Also, playtime is a good way for them to get used to you - sit with them quietly and you'll often find they come hop on you and are very interested in shoes usually lol. You can also use the dust bath as a way to catch your chin to get it back into the cage vs. trying to chase it. I have trained chins to come to it by tapping the sides of it before I put it down. Good luck!

 

[PetoftheDay]

Yes, as the others mentioned, time and patience are both key. Just sitting by the cage when you are going to be reading, texting or doing something for a while helps, and talking to her quietly. As she gets more comfortable, she'll likely get more curious about you - just resist the urge to pick her up for a quick snuggle at first, let her begin to trust you! And of course proffered healthy treats held in your hand are also a good incentive for her to get used to your smell!

 

[kenko]

Just to clarify, when people on the forum talk about flying saucers being safe for chins, it's my understanding that they're referring to these metal saucers:

as opposed to these cheap plastic ones that petstores carry, which are NOT chin-safe:

Like 3CSMommy said above, it's not necessary for chins to have wheels, and my understanding is that chins under 6 months of age should not have wheels, but if you have an older chin and want to invest in one, here's a discussion thread about the different metal wheels available for chins: http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32181&highlight=wheel

 

[Jordanelizabeth91]

I am also a new chinchilla owner, and after a few days of just sitting next to her cage with my hand in there for her to exlpore me she warmed right up!