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« on: September 17, 2007, 04:47:13 AM »
I guess before I ask a question about my chins I'll give a little background.
I got them 2 months ago from a pet store. One's a male and the other's a female. They had mated and the female gave birth 2 months before I got them. The male was neutered when I got them. Both of them appeared healthy (I had read a couple of books about chins by the time I decided to get them) and the pet store owner and workers were very sad to see them go but were happy that I bought a large cage and tons of toys to keep them happy and entertained. I knew that the first few weeks of them in their new cage would be them just getting used to the cage. Slowly the male began to be very curious of the outside of the cage and I take him out regularly when I can watch him. The female, no matter if I opened the cage, ran to the back and ignored me when I came near. She seemed to have no interest in leaving the cage when I opened the gate, so I decided to not press the matter. After all, all the sources I've read says that they have to feel happy with their home and happy with me before I let them out.
1) Does she hate me/is she bad tempered/am I overreacting after 2 months?
Now though, after 2 months of owning my chins, when I open the cage, to either let the male out, or add food, or clean the cage, the female runs to me, and bites me... I could have sworn she even made some sort of angry noise one time when I reached into the cage. I'm really concerned that I've offended her somehow. Have I done something wrong? I've read that talking to chins is a good way to get them used to you so I've sat up some nights and talked to my chinchillas about how my day has been. (neither of them seem to care either way, the male just wants to squeeze a treat out of me by being cute I think). Also, on occasion, she almost does this leap backwards thing where she kinda stands me off (I'm reminded of a cat arching its back) almost to say: "Get Lost". I can't read her mind but I can tell she doesn't welcome me. If I shouldn't worry about it now, I won't give up, I'll keep being friendly and letting my fingers get bit or whatever it takes! I love her personality when I watch her from a distance.. like from the doorway.. and she looks so adorable when she's cuddled up with her hubby.
2) A toothache?
I know that chinchillas chew everything, but is it possible they chew too much? The male is constantly chewing.. sometimes I hear his teeth "chattering" when he's just sitting there. I know chinchillas teeth can grow too big, are these signs that they need to be looked at and possibly um.... is the word I'm looking for, trimmed? Or am I missing what he's really trying to say? If I need to get him looked at, I will, I feel guilty
3) Change in sleep, is it bad?
I work weird hours, and my chinchillas are starting to change their sleep schedule to mimic mine. At first they didn't, but when I started to take the male out for play dates outside of the cage, he'd get tuckered out and want to sleep (and they can't sleep seperately, they have to snuggle).
I'm sorry for this long post but these three things have been nagging me so much and I thought a collective group of chinchilla owners would be able to help me sort things out. I'll respond to any post, so any ideas would help.
He's not a chinchilla fan. It's four stories and I leave the bottom half of the cage (two floors) pretty empty except for the food and the flying saucer.
Haseo is such a quick learner.