New Chin Question

[Jpark]

Ok I know this is probably a typical question and statement, but I was wondering how soon is too soon to take out my chin for play time? I got him yesterday at Petsmart (I know generally not good, but when I held him at the store he seemed like a mellow little guy that just sat in my arms), and I've actually let him out to play a couple times already before I found out some of the bonding things like letting him get used to his new home for a few days. When I've let him out, he's been curious about everything and hopping everywhere, even on me, but he doesn't really let me pet him yet. However, sometimes I'm able to scoop him up when he climbs onto my lap and he lets me pet behind his ears before he starts barking a bit. So to restate my question, how soon is too soon to let him out, and is just letting him climb onto me when he is out the best way to go about the bonding process?

 

[AZChins]

I'd give him a week in his cage to calm down and get used to his new home. After that, take it very slow with him. Let him jump on your hands and come to you in the cage. Don't ever chase him in the cage, let him come to you. Don't grab him, at first everything has to be on his terms.

It would be too soon to start letting him out. Getting out and running around is very stressful to chins in new homes...even if it looks like he wants to get out, keep him in. It's worth it. The problem with letting them out is that you will end up having to chance him around to try to get him back in his cage. That can be very very stressful on a chin that is already stressed from going to a new home.

 

[Jpark]

Awesome, thanks a lot for this that's what I'll do then. Is it after this initial week that I should begin giving him little treats like a cheerio a day or something like that, or should I try to start that sooner?

 

[AZChins]

You could give him a small, bland treat every day now if you wanted to provided that he's eating his other food and his droppings look normal. Sometimes treats can definitely help build up trust and encourage some bonding. Chins love treats...only one a day, that's all you should give.

 

[Lillybabe]

I agree with Susan. Depending on his age he is also too young for playtime. From day one I would talk with him softly, let him come to you and sniff you, pet him if he'll let you and just generally get use to him. When you start taking him out for playtime letting him crawl into a carrier or a dustbath on his own can make it less stressful. However, eventually he will have to be okay with you scooping him up. When I want to weigh my girls I wait until they are perching on me and then quickly scoop them out. Sometimes they get upset with me when they realize I am taking them away from their cage but it is much better than chasing them. Young ones are also very crafty. My girls have both managed to escape once or twice either while I was trying to weigh them or when I opened their bottom cage door. I kind of... quietly follow them around and then quickly scoop them when they stop. It's a tricky skill to master. Chasing a chinchilla is no fun for anyone. Treats are definitely a good way to bond. If you go with cherrios you could always break one in half to make it into two treats. I also offer my girls hay and pellets out of my palm. Oh, and chew sticks! They love those and they are good for them.

 

[Jpark]

Thanks for these responses they're helping a lot! I actually did break the cheerio I gave him tonight in a couple pieces and he chewed them straight out of my hand, and also the past half hour or so he's been really active so I sat next to him and talked to him. Then I put my finger in and he started sniffing it then he started to bite and give a little tug or two as he did. I didn't pull away because I know that this is how they groom and its good if he does it, but is the tugging normal or does that mean he was trying to go for more than grooming? Sorry for all the questions, but I really appreciate the help!

 

[Jpark]

Ok, Thanks for all the help! I actually did do that with the cheerio I gave him today so that I could be giving him two instead of one! The past hour or so he's been really active so I was sitting next to him talking and when he came close I put my finger in and he sniffed it, then used his hands to pull me fingers further in to either rub his stomach or groom me because he started nibbling on me shortly after, so I think that is a good sign then right?

 

[jess32247]

How old is he? I wouldn't let him out for a full play time unless he was at least 6 months old. Any younger, I would only let out for a couple of minutes every few days.

I don't know how old they sell chins at stores, as I got mine from a friend who couldn't keep her. She's 6 years old, I think, with many hours of play time everyday.

Anyway, I would let your chin ajust for at least a week before you let him out. During the time, you can start to bond with him, like talking to him, petting, ect!

You can give a smakk treat once and a while. My chin gets a treat or two every week at most, either a pinch of rolled outs, pinch of rosehip, or a small dandelion or small rasin. I also give alfala hay cubes once and a while as a treat, same with dust baths!

 

[Jpark]

The pet store said he was between 4-6 months old, which seems potentially true I think, though I don't know exactly how big they're supposed to be at that age. He's really energetic, every time I open the cage he tries to climb out, but only occasionally lets me actually touch/pet him.

 

[jess32247]

4-6 months is still pretty young. The risk of letting young chins out is that they don't know when to stop, running the risk of over heatting themselves or even into seizures. 10-15 minutes of playtime every few days I think you could get away with, but I wouldn't do anymore until he was a few months older. But, before you even do that, you should let him adjust to his new home and start bonding with him

 

[Jpark]

Ok, that's what I'll do. I think he and I may have suffered a minor or possibly major setback, because earlier this evening when I was trying to clean his cage he made a bigger jump than I thought he could and got out. As he was running and jumping around outside, he tried to get up on the coffee table but couldnt, and in the process he knocked off a tv remote that landed very near him, possibly on his tail but I couldn't tell. Obviously he was terrified and bolted to under his cage, which stands slightly off the ground. He then started making a sound that sounded like a series of squeaks, I think that is the best way I can describe it. He has made them before but I am not sure if that means he is injured or upset or what? I put some hay near the edge of it to try and encourage him to come out, which is slightly working because he comes out to eat it, but as soon as I move in any way, whether towards him or not, he darts right back under the cage. Both his front paw-hands seem to be working fine because he is lifting the hay to his mouth, and I think his hind legs are also ok because he is maneuvering around well enough, but I do not know how to check his tail until he comes all the way out. Can any of you guys give me some advice on this, or have you been in a similar situation or anything? I feel awful, but it was an accident so I hope he is alright and can forgive me, since I know they have great memories

 

[Jpark]

He seems to be doing better now, he's back to hopping and running around, and his tail seems to be fine. My biggest concern now is how detrimental the whole situation was to our budding relationship

 

[Cuddlebug]

Just be calm and relaxed around him from now on and he will get over it.