nibbling chin

Sdo9396 · Feb 20, 2011

I know that chins generally nibble on your fingers in the beginning when they are getting to know you but how much is too much? I've had Ruby for a week now and sometimes she will lightly bite down on the tips of my fingers as well as my boyfriend's fingers when we try to pet her. Sometimes we will try to give her scritches through the bars of the cage and she will bite down lightly. We never feed her any treats or give her chew sticks through the cage so I don't know where this is coming from. She allowed us to pet her before without nibbling but it seems like it's happening more often now. In the beginning it didn't bother me because she was still new and it's supposed to be normal but now I'm not sure if she's just trying to be mean.

I think maybe she gets mad that she isn't allowed out of the cage every time it's opened. Any advice??

Jazicat · Feb 21, 2011

It could be that she is trying to groom you back and it isn't exactly a bite. My boys often do this and if they get to rough I just gently remove my hand. So far it hasn't ever been in meanness.

Cuddlebug · Feb 21, 2011

Some of my chins will still nibble on my fingers. It's normal. As far as being mean, if she were mad at you, she would bite down hard enough to hurt and even draw blood.

Sdo9396 · Feb 21, 2011

Thanks everyone I feel a lot better now knowing that she's not trying to be mean. It still startles me though whenever she does it..I guess I have to get used to it. =P

Chin_Up_Sunshine · Feb 21, 2011

Mine have always nibbled at me, and I've had them for a few months at this point. I think of it like a toddler- putting everything in their mouth to figure out what it is. And maybe it's grooming me back, which would be sweet. ^.^