Please Help Me. Im Hopeless and Lossing Hope =(

[HeatherAngelica814]

Just got a Female 2.5 mth old Chinchilla. She Healthy and everything.
but shes just not interested in me. I bought almost 11 different treats i could find between petco,walmart,pet smart and local pet stores. Nothing i do will help me bond with her. Everytime i hold her she peeps and does a barking sound(only when i pick her up) and its not like i hold her tight or she cant go anywhere. She just doesnt like me i think. She has lots of room in her pen. I let her out everynight in a safe bedroom . its a spare has nothing in it. just a big empy room. so she can stay out long as she wants. she has her bath there for her everynight. well tonight i went in to remove the bath. she was still in it. but she was done. well i went to pick her up out of it. She actully bit me. i can normal put my fingers right on her nose. she never ever did that. iv had her about 10 days. shes really sweet. but im loosing hope. i just feel she more unhappy . i bought an igloo . she wont go in it. soo i bought a alflfa tunnel she hides there. she has climbing shelves. all the treats she could want. fresh water daily. food bowl is never empty. Please can someone help me as to what i can do?

Maybe should i try to find someone she likes and let her go? Its whats best for her.:tantrum:

Thanks so very much.

 

[Brittney]

Just give it some more time. It;s only been a couple of weeks. Some chins never warm up. I've had one of my boys since April and he still doesn't let me pick him up or hold him very long. But, he is very interested in me when I talk to him. Some chins are different. Just keep working with her.

 

[threewingedfury]

First off, stop giving her the treats that you purchased at Petco, Wal-Mart and PetSmart. Assuming there are VERY FEW treats that I can think of off the top of my head that would be safe to purchase at those retailers, I suggest doing a double check on what you have. Most treats you'll find at these places are not healthy or safe, most likely full of sugar. If anything, you should try giving her some hay varieties, rolled oats, rose hips, shredded wheats (non-frosted) and some safe woods to chew on.

Most chinchillas aren't the cuddliest animals. She's still young and you need to give her time to adjust to her new surroundings. It could take her a month or more to gain your trust, which takes lots of time and patience.

 

[shubbles]

She doesn't hate you. No animal really hates anyone unless there is a reason to hate anything. Calm down, my chin is 2 and isn't fully comfortable with me yet. He's not a snuggler, dosen't like me to touch him, but thats just his personality. Shes 2.5 months that is YOUNG! Let her get used to you sit in her room during playtime, let her come to you, do the ole' treat on the hand then next day treat on your forearm and then keep moving up. Don't worry about it. I'm sure she'll get used to you, or maybe she isn't an outgoing chin. By the layout you describe seems like shes fine, just all i'm sayin' is give her time.

 

[cintistatern2005]

Jut give her more time to adjust, dont chase her around her cage or grab her. This will only scare her. Let her be for a while, sit by her cage read a book so she gets used to your voice and just place your arm in the cage and let her get used to you. Just give it time though!! I would let her be in her cage for a while so she can get used to the surroundings, then try play times. And chins are not the cuddliest animals.

 

[HeatherAngelica814]

Treats I bought are Safe For her. Most are oats and diff dyed treats with chips mixed in its not like i Pack them in to her 24/7. Most of them have just one out of the bag since shes not liking any.

I Have Lots Of hay/alfala lots of wood pieces for her. She has alot of room. She has a 6x4' flight cage . I had for my glider (They passed away at 18 & 19 Years old) I know theres alot with bonding i had my gliders since my 6th birthday. and im 21 now. Just i never owned a chinchilla and im looking for any answers.

Thanks

 

[Riven]

I always tell people if you want a lap pet, a chin is not for you. Find comfort in knowing she's happy with a good home!

You're doing things right for the most part. Igloo aren't ideal because of the plastic, also what are you feeding, and I agree with the treats, if you want to give a treat the best treats are sticks to chew on, plain shredded wheat or cheerio, and old fashioned oats. Be patient, put a pinch of oats in your hand and hold it there until she comes to get them, she'll learn you have something yummy and you'll be much less scary to her.

 

[HeatherAngelica814]

Thanks soo much for the other answers =) !
Ill let things go slowly !!
Thanks again for taking time to help out!!

 

[Sugarmama]

Aww. It takes time for chinchillas to settle in. There are some that are climbing all over their owners right away, but for the most part? Those are the exception, not the rule. Truly.

It can take weeks or months. Grab a book, or something quiet to do, and sit by the cage. Talk to her. Let her sniff your hand. You can offer a treat--a healthy treat--but make her come to you for it. Her curiously and desire for the treat will help. If she doesn't come for it, take it out and try it again later.

Soon enough, she will hop onto your hand. You can also take her into the bathroom, and close the door and toilet lid. Let her run and play in there--and stay in there with her. Sit down on the floor, and let her explore. Don't grab for her, but let her check you out. It will be fine, but you have to give her time.

 

[Chub_Chub]

Yes, I agree with everyone. Your new chin baby sounds SCARED. She's not used to you or your schedule or anything yet. Babies under 6 months should not be given ANY treats if I am not mistaken.. Give her some time.. Lay on the floor when she is playing so she can come up to you when she is interested and feels safe. Talk to her in soothing voices (or make Elephant noises like Susan- just kidding! :laughitup:That might scare her) and don't make quick movements, they are very skittish animals and will scare easily. If you yell, grab her roughly etc she WILL remember it. And chinnies hold grudges for a while

My first 2 chins are finally comfortable with us, and it took several months. Osama Chin Laden (Sam) and Dexter are still not happy with being held, and its been over a month with us. It takes time.

 

[Ash]

Treats I bought are Safe For her. Most are oats and diff dyed treats with chips mixed in its not like i Pack them in to her 24/7. Most of them have just one out of the bag since shes not liking any.

I Have Lots Of hay/alfala lots of wood pieces for her. She has alot of room. She has a 6x4' flight cage . I had for my glider (They passed away at 18 & 19 Years old) I know theres alot with bonding i had my gliders since my 6th birthday. and im 21 now. Just i never owned a chinchilla and im looking for any answers.

Thanks

I'm interested in knowing what "safe" treats you bought for her. And gliders are much more needy than chins when it comes to attention.

 

[HeatherAngelica814]

I'm interested in knowing what "safe" treats you bought for her. And gliders are much more needy than chins when it comes to attention.

Suree Ill get ya a list of them !! =)

My gliders were easy to me. They were their pouches or in my hoodies allday till about 6. then id start getting their dinners ready. since had to give them about 7-10 diff things a night first is chicken or another meat. an some veggies then around 10 -11 it was yoget cover rasins and youget some maple syrp if it was a reall difference in temps. then its play time they had their own room. all done just for them. the door way had a zipper up mess screening soo i could always peek on them as i did school work. They had red lights soo didnt knock off there night time. like i said i got them when i was 6 years old. i was already bonded soo yes they were easyer to me. and i miss them dearly. but they passed away and i choose a Chinchilla Instead =) just need some help sometimess.!

Thanks tho

 

[mishellyshel]

I think that with all the experience you have with furry critters that she will come around in no time. a whole room to herself!! a nice huge cage. wow. lucky chin. maybe you can sit in there with her for a bit and let her climb on you and come to you at her pace. i usally sit in the bathroom with my boys with a book or magazine and just let the jump on me at their own pace.
It took my one chin months before he would fully trust me and just jump into my arms to come out for playtime. Another chin I had took only a few weeks. Give her time and she will give you the love you are looking for.

 

[Cuddlebug]

Chub_chub is correct. Chins under 6 months should not be given treats. You can use pellets or hay as a treat. They think it's a treat if it comes fromyour hand.

Just take it slow. You haven't had her that long.

 

[Lynn & The Chins]

Osama Chin Laden!!! LOL -- that's almost as good as my Little Two Paws Shakur (2 legged chin) and somebody else's (I can't think of who right now @ work) Morgan Freeman (black velvet)!!!

 

[tunes]

Treats I bought are Safe For her. Most are oats and diff dyed treats with chips mixed in its not like i Pack them in to her 24/7. Most of them have just one out of the bag since shes not liking any.

First of all, she's under 6 months old. So unless you are giving her wood chews, the occasional rosehip, or half of an occasional shredded wheat, she shouldn't have anything. Under 6 months - no treats. She needs good pellets, good hay, and fresh water so that her body can grow as it should to reach her full potential.

If you're buying junk treats at a pet store, I have to ask what kind of pellets you are giving her. If you are buying them from a pet store (Kaytee, Charlie Chinchilla, etc.), those are not good for her and you need to get her a better quality feed.

As far as her bonding to you, she's just a baby! She is probably scared still from being taken from her mom, given to a new human, then having that human fuss over her all the time trying to force a bond that isn't ready to happen yet. Take a deep breath, step back, and give her some time. As mentioned above, chins are not cuddly, clutchy, puppy type pets. You're going to have to learn to take things at her pace and in her way, not yours. Just because she looks squishy, doesn't mean she enjoys being squished.

 

[Bostongirl'sChin75]

That is a good idea about reading to her, that's for sure. I read and sang to Herby when I first got her. she was so skittish after living with my sister and her 6 yappy dogs, that she would do nothing but huddle in her cage and not let anyone near her. I would sit by her cage and talk and sing any song that I could think of that was calming, and after a few months, she let me pick her up. Now, she comes flying out of the cage whenever I open the door.

As everyone said, It may take some time and patience, but eventually she may come around..

Good Luck!

 

[Ash]

As far as her bonding to you, she's just a baby! She is probably scared still from being taken from her mom, given to a new human, then having that human fuss over her all the time trying to force a bond that isn't ready to happen yet. Take a deep breath, step back, and give her some time.

Ditto this. I got a baby in October from a breeder in Illinois (right, that's where Kristy is?). Noon (the baby) went on a wild ride. She went from the breeder's to the show in Ohio and then from the show to another long car ride back to PA with Mish, then from her car to mine for another 3 hrs. Needless to say, she's only recently started warming up to me.

And what I meant in regards to gliders being needier, is they WANT that attention and bond you had with them. Chins don't want it in the same way. I have 7 kids. Only one is "cuddly". Three aren't friendly for the most part, one is friendly only on her terms, and the other two are babies who are still coming into their personalities. For now, they're very friendly, but that's not to say that won't change in the coming months.

 

[mrbojangles13]

if you have a laptop, sit next to em and do your computer thing. im sure u can spend some good time on the computer haha i know i can. when school comes back around (assuming your in college) hit up the hw around their cage. all them papers n all. my two young boys (chylli who is 3 months and elvi who is 18 months) cage is right next to my desk. i didnt even realize i was doing things right at first by doing this. but i lucked out. also it cant be stressed enough, dont chase them. chastising chins does nothing. rewarding is the key. positive conditioning

 

[Chub_Chub]

Osama Chin Laden!!! LOL -- that's almost as good as my Little Two Paws Shakur (2 legged chin) and somebody else's (I can't think of who right now @ work) Morgan Freeman (black velvet)!!!

My poor Sam got that nickname after he would literally squish himself into small hiding places and stay there during playtime instead of running around like Dex. I love the name Two Paws, and it's so sweet (and fitting). I had no idea Morgan Freeman was a BV, that's pretty of funny!

Sorry for having nothing else useful to add to the thread.. Oh! I love to sing songs to my chinnies too and make funny noises at them, but they are all grown boys, not babies. Not sure how babies would react.