If he has not encountered the travel cage before, allow him to play with it during playtime. This will let him become comfortable with it and see it before being put inside. That way he won't associate it as something scary. You can also block the door of his cage with the travel cage, open door to open door, thus allowing him to hop in it himself. It sounds like you have an independent chin. He probably has spent most of his "all of" 6 months in the pet store and has "learned" to be cautious (probably due to multiple reasons). I have used this method several times when I need to put a chin in a carrier cage. By allowing them to inspect it and do it themselves first, they learn to not be frightful of it.
Any checkup at the vet would be recommended for a new pet in the house!
Plus the way that certain sicknesses can be genetic in a chinchilla, it would be good for you to know up front if anything is wrong.
It sounds like your bonding process is going well though!
Don't worry if he is not interested in treats, that may be a good thing! What other items have you tried to give him for chewing? There are a lot of items that are sold in pet stores that just aren't appropriate or good for chinchillas, it can be very misleading. You are welcome to look at my facebook page for more information. Most of the store bought treats have LOADS of sugar and that is not good for them. It is best to avoid anything with sugar. Chins cannot process it the way other animals can and it can be harmful in the long run. The other kind of chew that chinchillas LOVE is natural wood. It has to be processed to get rid of anything harmful in it (bugs, fungus, etc.) and from the chinchilla safe wood list. When I say processed, I am referring to the scrubbing, boiling, and baking process that is recommended. I am going to post my two lists that I have compiled below. I hope it helps!
Safe Herbs & Treats for Chinchillas
*Although these foods are considered safe, they should be fed in moderation. They shouldn't be used in place of a proper diet of chinchilla pellets and hay. Also, as with people, some chinchillas may not react well to all foods so give new items in small amounts.*
MISC. – Dried apples, papayas, or bananas; goji berries; or uncooked elbow noodles.
**It should be noted that it is more than suspect that milled grains can inhibit the absorption of calcium. Therefore some treats once listed as okay in the past are no longer considered safe: cheerios and shredded wheat, for two. **
BASIL - Basil is responsible for improving the health of an individual. When basil is included in one's diet, the circulatory system is said to function better. Basil is also a good source of vitamin A, which helps to prevent damage to the cells by free radicals.
BEE POLLEN - Bee Pollen is used as an appetite stimulant, for premature aging, gastrointestinal (GI) problems, and contains Vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, B12, C, D and E.
This is unsafe for pregnant or nursing chinchillas!
CHAMOMILE - Chamomile is often used for sleeplessness; anxiety; and gastrointestinal conditions such as upset stomach, gas, and diarrhea.
RED CLOVER BLOSSOM - Rabbits and guinea pigs enjoy all clovers. Good for chronic skin conditions. High calcium level and a very high Ca:P ratio, with high levels of Vit. A and C. Stimulates nutrition and elimination, dermatological agent, and reduces muscle tension and spasm.
This is unsafe for pregnant or nursing chinchillas!
DANDELION LEAVES & ROOT - Helps calm digestive system, good for soft poops. Not to be fed in large amounts as it can act as a diuretic. Dandelion contains potassium and can act as a diuretic, cholagogue, laxative, anti-rheumatic, and tonic.
SHEPERD'S PURSE - A safe food for rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas -Good Ca:P ratio. Uterine stimulant, diuretic, and astringent.
GOJI BERRIES - This is another chinchilla favorite treat! There is natural sugar in these, so please use vary sparingly and do not use on chins with fatty liver disease.
MARSHMALLOW LEAVES, FLOWERS, & ROOTS - Chinchillas like the flower and leaf - it is a rich source of calcium with a high Ca:P ratio and good vitamin C content. Demulcent, expectorant, diuretic, and emollient.
HAWTHORNE BERRIES & LEAVES - One of the most valuable herbs for the heart and circulation. A heart herb from the rose family; stimulates the immune system to fight infection. Helps to prevent heart problems, stimulate appetite and aid digestion, and contains a significant amount of bioflavonoids that enhance the absorption of vitamin C. Hawthorne contains vitamins C and B complex, crataegin, carotene, and have potent antioxidant properties.
HIBISCUS FLOWERS – Contains vitamin C. Used to help sooth a cold and to keep them away. It is also used to help calm nerves, relax the uterus, lower blood pressure, prevents constipation and bladder infection
JASMINE - Used to calm nerves, as an anti-bacterial & anti-viral, and also used for treatment of cancer.
LAVENDER - Used to aid restlessness, insomnia, nervousness, irritability, anxiety, digestive complaints and loss of appetite, intestinal gas, and upset stomach.
ROLLED OATS - Oats contain more soluble fiber than any other grain, and boosts energy. A pinch twice a week is a safe way to treat.
WHOLE OAT TOPS (OAT GROATS) - Oats contain more soluble fiber than any other grain, boosts energy and chins have a ball taking the outer shell off.
OAT STRAW - Well known for lowering cholersterol, this is also a good source of fiber, rich in calcium, iron, phosphorous, B-complex vitamins, vitamin A, C, E, & K, good source of potassium, magnesium, zinc and protein, and is good for energy.
OREGANO - Oregano is a powerful source of many antioxidant vitamins.
PEPPERMINT LEAF - Peppermint is used to treat general digestive problems, colic and to reduce the production of gas in the intestine.
ECHINACEA PURPUREA ROOTS, LEAVES, STEMS, & FLOWERS – Commonly used to fight viral and bacterial infections. It improves the mobility of infection-combating leukocytes. Echinacea is often used as an addition to antibiotics. Also relieves inflammation and pain.
ROSEBUDS & PETALS - Rosebuds and petals are known to help eliminate fatigue, relax the body, and good for skin toning and improving the skin's texture.
ROSEHIPS - Rosehips are high in vitamin C and low in sugar. Vitamin C also aids in the absorption of calcium, which is also good for certain kinds of malo, and strengthens their gums.
ALFALFA - Rich in chlorophyll and vitamin K, which promotes clotting. The leaves and flowers can stimulate the appetite, aid digestion, and increase breast milk.
It is high in protein and should be moderated as a food source for chinchillas.
THYME - Thyme is used as an antiseptic and also used for used for respiratory infections.
CHICKWEED - Safe to feed in small amounts, very high in calcium with a Ca:P of 3:1; anti-rheumatic, vulnerary, emollient, astringent and stops itching.
NETTLE - Good source of protein and iron, high calcium level and good Ca:P ratio; It is an ideal source for convalescent animals - silica source keeps bones and fur in good condition. Astringent, diuretic, and tonic.
PLANTAIN LEAVES - Valuable addition to the green food diet of rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas. Valuable healing plants for a range of conditions used both internally and externally. Expectorant, demulcent, astringent, and diuretic.
RASPBERRY LEAVES- High calcium level and a very high Ca:P ratio. They also contain high levels of vitamins A and C. Astringent, tonic, and cooling.
YARROW - Urinary antiseptic which can also be used externally to help heal wounds. Good for young Chinchillas, rabbits and guinea pigs. Good level of calcium and a Ca:P ratio. Diaphoretic, astringent, diuretic, and antiseptic.
FENNEL - Digestive herb relieves heartburn, gas, colic, and an upset stomach. Fennel also increases breast milk. To use as a compress, put crushed seeds in hot water for relief of swollen, tender, nursing breasts.
This is unsafe for pregnant or nursing chinchillas!
OLIVE LEAVES - Contain elenoic acid which is antibacterial, anti-fungal and has anti-viral properties. It combats many strains of viruses, as well as prevention of viral or bacterial pneumonia. Supports cardiovascular system, reduces inflammation, and helps with immune dysfunction. Contains oleuropein which prevents LDL cholesterol from oxidizing into a form that can form atherosclerotic plaques. The chemical also slightly lowers blood pressure and blood sugar in diabetics.
SUNFLOWER PETALS - Contain vitamin E, betaine, phenolic acids, and choline. Benefits include protecting against cardiovascular disease. They are also an antioxidant and anti-carcinogen.
Safe Wood List
When choosing wood for your chinchilla, care is required. Any wood collected to use for chewing should be absolutely pesticide-free, and not treated, glued or painted.
Collected wood should also be boiled in hot water, and then dried at no less than 300 degrees.
Safe to Useapple
arbutus
ash
aspen
bamboo
blackberrry
blackcurrant
cholla
cottonwood
crabapple
dogwood
elm
grapevine
hawthorn
hazelnut
kiwi
magnolia
manzanita
mulberry
pear
pecan
pine - kiln-dried white
poplar
quince
rose hip
sycamore
willow (but not white willow)
Not Safe to Use almond
apricot
beech
birch
black locust
black lotus
blackwood
box elder
buckthorn
cashew
cedar
cherry
chesnut
china berry Chinese snake tree chokeberry
citrus woods - orange, lemon, grapefruit, etc.
cypress
ebony
elderberry
eucalyptus
fir
ginkgo
hemlock
holly
honey locust
hydrangea
juniper
kumquat
laurel
mahogany
mango
manufactured/glued woods like plywood or fiberboard
maple
mesquite
myrtle
nectarine
oak
oleander
peach
pine - fresh, pressure treated, red -- kiln dried is thought to be safe
pinecones
pistachio
plum
redwood
sandalwood
sequoia
spruce
teak
walnut
weeping fig
white willow
yew
, but I use Purina Mills Inc. Mazuri Chinchilla Pellets.
