Playtime

[amandacarlso]

Hi everyone!

I just got my first chinchilla about 3 weeks ago. He is a 6 year old black-velvet male, and he's the cutest thing I've ever seen.

The first day I got him he escaped while I was attempting to transport him from his traveler to his cage for the first time. He ran into my kitchen and under the refrigerator. It took a little while, but I was able to get him into his cage.

Since then, I've taken him out of his cage to play, and I've barricaded the entrance to my kitchen so he doesn't attempt to run under the fridge again.

He will run around at playtime and make little whimpering noises (they're definitely not barks, they're much much quieter). But he spends the majority of the time pawing at the barrier to the kitchen trying to get in.

Are the whimpers his way of telling me he's upset? Am I somehow causing distress? Is there anything I can/should be doing?

Thanks!!

 

[starrynight0621]

I think the whimpers are normal. Chins make peeping noises a lot when they are just talking and not upset. could that be the noise you hear?

Also, chins tend to try to get to places they are not allowed. They see it as a personal challenge; it's normal as well.

 

[Shooper]

My chins always paw at the bathroom door at the bottom when they are having playtime. They have a huge space to play, but always want something they cant have.....brats! They also make soo many different little noises that are perfectly normal!

 

[Dragonflye]

I would just make sure that he has things in his play area to entertain him. Boxes, tubes, maybe a few wood sticks/chews and a human to jump on....he will be fine.

 

[mistywaterwoman]

Chins are prey animals and their first instinct is always going to be to find a good place to hide. I think the best way to ensure that he is comfortable and secure during playtime is to make sure he has access to his cage while out, and that he can run in and out of his cage as he pleases during his playtime. It is also important to put out several things for him to safely hide under around the room. You can use carboard boxes, wooden hutches, etc, so long as he can get under it when he feels skittish.
The longer you have him, the less skittish he will be, but sometimes this can literally take years, so be patient.
You can read more tips about chin care at my website www.petchinchillas.info

 

[ticklechin]

To the OP, all the chin care tips you need are on this forum, you don't need to look at questionable websites with one persons opinion of chinchilla care on it, forums are the best place to get CORRECT information.