Beanacre0
Active member
I've had my chinchilla Eddie for just under two weeks now. I take him out every night but he doesn't come back when he's out so it makes it difficult when he is out. He is quite happy to run around and does that whole wall hopping thing.
The thing is I cleaned out his cage for the first time and I know I freaked him out accidentally. Now when he's out he does less investigating of me. Before he used to run over to me and he has run down my back when he's been out. Now he's investigating me less and less.
Today has been my worst day with him though. Today I let him out in my room for the first time and he kept going under my desk to hide. He also gave a firm bite for the first time. He wouldn't stay in his cage when I cleaned him out, something he's starting to do more and more which makes it hard. He walks along my arm and tries to wander off. Also tonight he's been biting the door to his cage. I think he wants to come out again.
He doesn't like his chinchilla treats, so I'm going to have to get something else. What should I do? Should I start over with the whole getting to know him thing? He is very happy to climb on my arm and walk over me, but he always wants to get down. He doesn't have a wheel but he does have a seagrass tunnel, a hanging wooden wheel which he just eats and a dangling other toy with a bell at the end.
Also should I get a bigger cage? He's got two levels with a perch up the top where his tunnel is. I'm not sure it's got space for a wheel in there :/
I'm just not sure what to do. He was so good this past couple of weeks now I'm worried it's all going to go downhill. Mum said he's only a baby (he's four months) and he's just testing his boundries, what do you think? Tomorrow I'm going to buy something else for him to chew because I don't think he's happy with what he's got. He doesn't chew the hanging bell toy and instead only nibbles the wheel and his mineral chew.
I feel like such a terrible owner and I'm really worried that I will have to give him up to a more experienced owner
The thing is I cleaned out his cage for the first time and I know I freaked him out accidentally. Now when he's out he does less investigating of me. Before he used to run over to me and he has run down my back when he's been out. Now he's investigating me less and less.
Today has been my worst day with him though. Today I let him out in my room for the first time and he kept going under my desk to hide. He also gave a firm bite for the first time. He wouldn't stay in his cage when I cleaned him out, something he's starting to do more and more which makes it hard. He walks along my arm and tries to wander off. Also tonight he's been biting the door to his cage. I think he wants to come out again.
He doesn't like his chinchilla treats, so I'm going to have to get something else. What should I do? Should I start over with the whole getting to know him thing? He is very happy to climb on my arm and walk over me, but he always wants to get down. He doesn't have a wheel but he does have a seagrass tunnel, a hanging wooden wheel which he just eats and a dangling other toy with a bell at the end.
Also should I get a bigger cage? He's got two levels with a perch up the top where his tunnel is. I'm not sure it's got space for a wheel in there :/
I'm just not sure what to do. He was so good this past couple of weeks now I'm worried it's all going to go downhill. Mum said he's only a baby (he's four months) and he's just testing his boundries, what do you think? Tomorrow I'm going to buy something else for him to chew because I don't think he's happy with what he's got. He doesn't chew the hanging bell toy and instead only nibbles the wheel and his mineral chew.
I feel like such a terrible owner and I'm really worried that I will have to give him up to a more experienced owner