Care Info

[Jade]

I have a ton of stuff in the Care section of my site as well. It's a compilation of my info and Christi's info and covers a lot of the basics for a new owner.
http://www.chinnitude.com There are also links to several other sites on mine.



Here are some links to threads on the forum:

How to choose a healthy chinchilla

Chinchilla Care

Diarrhea in Chinchillas

History of Domestic Chinchillas

[dappledoxie]

Thanks for the links. I read three of them so far, not much more to go, thanks again!

[Chrisanne]

good luck if you decide to get a chinnie....... they are wonderful to have.

[dappledoxie]

I read all about Elvis and your other chins and it makes me so glad that you care for your chins so! I am moving to Asheboro which is like I guess an hour or so. If I did decide to get one once I am sure, we are so close that I could perhaps get one from you, so I know where they came from. I've read the links and things you've given me and the ones from your site, I haven't quite gotten through all of them, they are sooo good, I am reading about your care tips and things right now, so I may ask something and then find the answer but, I was also wondering do chinnies bite often? Like due to being held, scared, nervous, or something? Also, can they become very affectionate from proper handling, attention, and care? I mean, I am sure they do bite, any animal will for different reasons and I know they can be very sweet, I was just wondering some examples and ways to be closer to a chin so that if I get one I know the proper way to care for them mentally. Also, anything I have forgotten to ask that deals with this please tell me. Thanks you guys!

[Jade]

I've had one bite me hard enough to break skin. That was when I was trying to re-introduce a male to a female after having kits - she didn't want him in the cage so as I was yanking him out, I got the bite he was meant to get. Most chins will do what I call a 'taste test' nibble to see if you're edible, but it's not harmful. Some of my chins will nibble on me and groom me after scratches. Only once in a while will my males bite me, usually when I have them restrained and am doing hair-ring checks. Even then it's just sort of a "Hey, I have teeth and I'll use them harder than this if you don't quit" bite - not enough to break the skin or truly hurt.

Run a search in this section for Praline. She's my mommy's baby and will let me scratch her all over as long as I want.

Check out the bonding article on my site - it goes through step by step how to introduce yourself to your chin. Usually the more time you spend with them, the more social they'll be with you.

[dappledoxie]

Your site has lots of great info! I read about the bonding tips, would it still work if I had her in the small apartment. Would the noise of Rebel, Claire, Coo (bird), and my fish tank make too much strange noise? Rebel will be crated but Claire will have free roam of the apartment except for the time I am at my present job, she will go with me and stay at Shannon's house while we are at work. Then after I get a local job Claire will be at the apartment during the day too. Oh, and I was gonna ask you something else and I forgot, perhaps I will remember soon. lol