scared chinchilla?

[knj102690]

we just got a male chinchilla from a family friend and wanted to know if anyone knows why he is freaking out so bad. he barks and takes a defensive stance whenever you walk near the cage and im not toi sure as what to do. i hace another chinchilla and i dont want him to stress her out as i have no other way to house them. they are in a two story ferret nation divided. i am entertaining sending him to a rescue that would be able to work with him and get him feeling a little safer. any suggestions as to what i could do or any rescues that would take him in near louisville ky?

 

[aznmexaggie]

He is in a brand new environment with new smells, new people, new routines, and another chinchilla in the other part of his cage. It is perfectly normal for him to be acting defensive and scared. Some chins take weeks to become accustomed to their new home.

It is recommended to house any new chinchilla in a completely separate cage and separate room from any current chinchillas for at least 30 days in order for them to adjust to their new environment, to monitor their eating/drinking habits and poo/pee, and also to prevent any possible disease transmission/catch any illnesses early.

 

[knj102690]

they are in seperate parts of cage one is on bottom one is on top. i have no other choice. i just wanted to get him out of the enviroment he was in. the part that is throwing me off is he will let me mess with him with less fuss but if my boyfriend even steps close he goes nuts so not sure what thats about. and once away from cage he is fine.

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

Most chins take awhile to adjust. Since he was in a bad environment it will take him longer. Just let him be - let him adjust. Just feed/water and clean his cage for a few weeks. Talk to him - just talk to him don't approach him. That way he will get used to you without feeling threaten. As for your boyfriend - maybe a male abused him. For now keep the boyfriend away from him until your new chin learns to trust you. As for taking him somewhere else to calm down - that will never work. That only will confuse and upset him more. It would be another home he has to get used to and then get used to you again. That is too much for any chin let alone one that was in a bad environment

 

[knj102690]

thanks for the advice! Also i wasnt planning on sending him away and then ger
tting him back. i meant finding a rescue that would take him in that had more time to work with him and also that knows how to handle him. i wouldnt ask for him back.

 

[Laurie]

The advice we often give on the forum for new chin owners--and I realize you already have one, but still this would apply, is to let your chin get comfortable with you. Don't take the chin out of his cage for at least a couple weeks. Sit by the side of his and talk gently to him. He needs to get used to you and his new surroundings, he needs to feel comfortable and you need to make him feel comfortable. You have to think of yourself and how you would act suddenly stripped from a place you knew to be your home without a familiar face. Spend time with him more than once throughout the day, let him get used to you and then after a couple weeks you can try taking him out. Hey may never be 100% calm or like your other chin, but patience is the key