New Mom Concerns

[callmemayme]

I just got my chinchilla yesterday, and not thinking about the "accustoming to their cage" because the lady I bought him from, gave me the cage they were born in/raised in, I took him out. He seemed to be okay with it after about 30 seconds of worrying.

this morning I put the cage in the bathroom to see if he wanted to come out, and he scurried about for awhile then went back inside. When I refreshed his food and water this evening he even came up to smell my hand and let me rub the top of his head gently with one finger.

Did I just luck out with a really friendly chin? I might just be over-thinking or being an excessive-worrier, but I know they can mask some stress and I don't think most chins are this friendly right off the bat.

Also, I have to move into my new (chinchilla friendly) apartment in the next two weeks, any advice on moving a new chinchilla?

 

[Godofgods]

Each chin has there own personality and temperament. Some are much more personable then other. If you just brought him home recently, you might want to consider leaving him in his cage for a while. It would allow him to get used to his new environment from the safety of the cage. Instead of being taken outside to an unfamiliar area and possibly panicking. There are also several bonding threads you can check out here that will help you if you wish to be closer with the chin over time.

 

[jbcstratton]

It sounds like you got lucky and got a friendly chin. You bonding should go well as long as you are patient and consistent, congrats!

 

[landrk11]

Congrats on your new addition. Sounds like you won the prize and got a really social, friendly companion.

Enjoy

 

[ashleynicol3]

I got lucky too! I got my little guy from someone who handled him often and he was sniffing me and nibbling my fingers right away. We're three weeks in now and he already comes to me when I open the cage and crawls all over my hands and arms, tries to eat my shirt, necklace, glasses, etc. & jumps up on my shoulder! I bet yours will be doing the same in no time - just don't rush him! I spend time with mine every night, but I've been limiting out of cage playtime because it can be tough to get him back in once he's out and I don't want to have to chase him or grab him and freak him out. I'm trying to let him get really comfortable with me first.

 

[Godofgods]

I got lucky too! I got my little guy from someone who handled him often and he was sniffing me and nibbling my fingers right away. We're three weeks in now and he already comes to me when I open the cage and crawls all over my hands and arms, tries to eat my shirt, necklace, glasses, etc. & jumps up on my shoulder!

Gotta love that lol. Mine try to eat my shirt, my hair, and even my glasses. opcorn:

My first chin that i rescued has been with me about 6 years or so now, and just within the last week or so started to walk out of his cage and onto my hand for a little while. (Effectively holding him.) And hes scared to death of being picked up. So it definitely took a long time to help him get this far.