5 signs a chinchilla HATES you

[@pamelahagen4697]

I love how Benson cuddles with you. My chin Timmy was a rescue, I've had him 3 years and he will not be held. He likes being scratched and will run over and around me while playing, but no holding.

[@yupitsmiah7423]

Wait samee

[@goddessgaea19]

Mine jumps on me 10x a night but won’t let me pick him up unless I catch him

[@BrittanyyBitchh]

I just got my chin in October & he has come a long way but he don’t like to be held at all.

[@monkey-o-joy]

My boy used to bite ALL the time. For the first 3 years of his life he was kept in a too-small wire bottom cage with no soft things [so his back legs were all red and sore, poor baby], never let out and never snuggled or petted. He was never given anything to chew to keep his teeth down, either. Any time someone would put their fingers near him he would chomp down and draw blood because the only time he saw a hand was when it was putting food in. It took a long time of just being near the cage [the bigger one I bought *immediately* upon receiving him!], providing blankets and stuffed animals for him to sit on, singing softly to him about his silly face and big fuzzy bum and he was a lot happier - as you said- gradually gradually letting him know he was safe and not forcing or intruding on his space. He let me only touch his face at first and would still go to nip if I tried touching the top of his head or his back. Now he is a proper snugglebunny, loves belly rubs, massages behind the ear, cheek scritches, rubs his face on my face and falls asleep on my hand sometimes, which is TOOO PRECIOUS and makes my heart do big whoops! If I'm touching him now and he's not in the mood, he'll "pull a Naboo" and just turn his back on me. 😂 The same owner had an "aggressive" gecko who ended up with someone I know. With a proper home, bigger enclosure and some loving attention, he calmed right down and was actually a lovely boy as well. 😒

[@LemonHead-sq5ws]

I also have a big hairy booty

[@Lumina_Solaris]

So, I've had my boy for at least twelve years. He's a sweet boy. He sits at the top corner of the cage nearest me and stares me down to guilt me into giving him even more love. He has only ever spat when I would approach him like i was going to pick him up. He does not like being picked up. And, if you try, he will remember it. He loves chin scratches. He will actively run to me when I let him run around the room, and he'll popcorn. He just doesn't like being picked up. He never has. So, please note that some chins will never want to be picked up. That's alright. It doesn't mean they don't like you. They just may not like that feeling because it's restraining. He loves being petted. I've never done the baby steps to get him accustomed to being picked up, because it seems like it distresses him. That's fine with me. I love him the way that he is. ❤️

[@robinvella]

surprisingly, i got a chinchilla 2 weeks ago and within the first few days he was already coming to me and trusting me

[@Monica_bondevik]

Picchu gets really defensive of her cage and she'll spit and even spray but once she's out of the cage she be bounding off the walls and climbing all over us (me and my partner) I've been trying to stop the behaviour for years with everything you've said, she's just really temperamental chirping and getting scratches, hoping onto my lap for some oats and even begging to come out to the point she learnt with one cage how to open it yet when play time comes around in the evening she will get annoyed till she's out of the cage where she snaps back to her normal bubbly self. I've only been properly bitten once thank god which was when I was treating her feet that were super red and she didn't appreciate it

[@AllysAnimalAntics]

Yeah some chinchillas can be really territorial in their cage and there's not really a quick fix. It's really great that she has a good relationship with you when she is out of the cage though, it shows she's not scared of you just doesn't want you in her space 🙂

[@Monica_bondevik]

@@AllysAnimalAntics it's just sad because she enjoys playtime so much and I need to take her out to take her to the basement for that play. 😥

[@KristineKara101]

❤❤love your videos wee paris is frightened of these fireworks tonight .so we have calming music on for her xxxx😘😘

[@AllysAnimalAntics]

I used to have the same problem when I lived in town, my chins would hate it and it would go on for weeks and weeks. I now live in the middle of nowhere with only a couple of neighbours. So haven't heard a single firework yet tonight. It's so different from where I used to live. Hope your chinchillas don't get too distressed xx

[@KristineKara101]

@@AllysAnimalAntics thanks so much .its a sin for all wee animals hate bonfire night i really do music helping a bit and lots of wee scratches 🤗🤗

[@OutdoorGirlUK]

Distracting ducks 🦆!😂 great video as always, thank you!❤️

[@CeliceChalphyVD]

Thank you for your video! One of my chinchilla spits at me :( she is afraid that we grab her although she knows we do her no harm... we only hold her for cage cleaning.

[@AllysAnimalAntics]

Some chinchillas are just like that, I have a couple of chinchillas that I can't handle at all. One of them used to spray me all the time when we first got her but overtime she has stopped doing that but we still can't handle her really.

[@CeliceChalphyVD]

@@AllysAnimalAntics Thank you for your message! Yes I think my chinchilla will never allow me to handle her although she's been with us for 4 years. She likes when I am near her but she just doesn't want to be held. I guess this is because she had a tough early life with her former owner.

[@Winters-Snow]

Thank you this was very helpful!

[@ciwidaciwi2170]

We have a mum and two babies, it took a long time but they are super confident with us now. Mum chin has bad eyesight and doesn’t really enjoy the array of toys we get for her daughters (which they love) and gets pretty mad when she cant do something, was wondering if there is something we can get/make for her that she will enjoy interacting with. Also anything that could help her with hitting into things, it doesn’t happen much, but often enough for it to be annoying for her, especially when we get non-coloured hay toys because to her they look the same as the carpet.

[@AllysAnimalAntics]

It can be really difficult with chins with poor eyesight. You could try red and green coloured blocks of wood to make a floor toy. You can buy safe pine wood blocks that have been naturally dyed red and green from places like northern parrots or the chinchilla lady in the UK. Some chinchillas see red and green better than brown and beige. As far as hitting into things goes there is not a lot you can do other than try not to rearrange anything in the cage or where they have playtime, keep it the same as much as you can.

[@natashak4813]

I recently adopted a 1 year old male from a friend who could no longer take care of him. When she had him, he was happy to cuddle while watching tv and was very calm and happy, because of this, I thought I could bypass the taming process (how wrong I was!!). Now he is very timid of anyone and is constantly trying to escape whenever his cage is opened (for food or cleaning). He has never spat or sprayed but do you have any tips on getting him back to his cuddly self? Is it possible to reset the taming process with a chinchilla his age? I know now that patience is a must and this won't be an overnight change but I just hope I didn't completely ruin a chance for a cuddly chin :(

[@kaylastubbs5727]

Do you have any other animals that might be scaring him? :(

[@moselerma923]

Sounds like you’ve abused him why else would he act that way?

[@davidji2030]

My chinchilla like to sit on my arm and chew my fingers

[@windy-fei]

ally you're so cute!! thank you for this video

[@ericacheung1453]

Thanks so much for the video and it’s really helpful! One of my chinchillas would suddenly run towards me and my partner’s legs all of a sudden during play time in the past month and occasionally jumping over our feet (mostly mine as he is more fearful of me). Sometimes he attacks the broom when we are sweeping and sometimes he would attack our legs when we are just walking. I tried to stop my motion when he attacks me during my walking but he would suddenly bite me hard even I stopped… and immediately run towards my legs in an attacking mode when he realises movements from far away… he started spitting at me when in the cage as well… yesterday night he bit the both of us.. (he bit me more aggressively but I had my ankle protector and socks on thus he failed) my partner and I did an experiment last night and found out he only spits at me and not at my partner.. I think we unconsciously did things to stress him and will review our acts😢 and will also take your advice and take small steps to try to improve our relationship 🥲

[@primavera7899]

Have a question not quite connected to the video, but anyway...Do you sell your chincillas abroad to foreign countries as well and send them to their new homes? What is your opinion about that? I know that some of the breeders do that. (I'm not interested in buying a chincilla from abroad though, just wondering...

[@AllysAnimalAntics]

Hi I only sell in the UK , most of the time I prefer to have them picked up in person but their are one or two couriers that I trust and would allow to pick up for a customer. I don't know how well chinchillas would cope with flights or really excessively long journeys. However I did import my original Angoras from Belgium and France but that really is the furthest away I would ever buy from. A trusted courier picked them up for me and he really made sure the animals did not get stressed.

[@primavera7899]

@@AllysAnimalAntics Yes, I had the same thoughts. Thanks for your opinion. :-)

[@nicoleboza1265]

Traveling far distances, ESPECIALLY having to be shipped through an airport, is VERY VERY stressful to any chinchilla & should be avoided at all cost. It will cause them some form of trauma whether issues arise from that trauma all depends on the chin. I knew a chinchilla rancher (for pets) back in the early 90's who tried shipping for about 1/2 a year & then absolutely refused to do it again. I got 2 chinchillas back in those days one feom the previously mentioned pet rancher & the other from the pilot of the plane- a small hobby breeder. She had her own plane & that was the only way I received mine from the east coast ever. They were stressed but taken care of personally by the pilot so we're in good hands. They lived until their 20's.

[@hiroanimations9045]

I love these videos

[@Tuziie]

My chinchilla oatis thinks I’m a tasty snack to chew on 😭

[@atedinahalf6288]

That profile picture caught me off guard. Lol

[@leto9687]

У меня их 10. Многие из тех шиншилл что у меня есть родились и выросли у меня на руках. Но всеравно они очень опасаются меня, чаще боятся взаимодействовать

[@nicky9501]

I’m a new chi mama. I’m getting one for the first time. I hope my chi will Trust me and love me. Thx for the tip. Any other helpful tips?

[@marisaklopfenstein4339]

I just got mine on August 30th a female and male in separate cages they are 3 months old

[@Angeltheartist55]

I was wonder why he was making a kinda scratching sound and it sounds like spitting, but he also did all night too, would you know why? (I just got him and it might be due to stress)

[@AllysAnimalAntics]

It is more than likely just caused by stress due to new home and environment. They can get freaked out even when your not near their cage. However if it is continuous and he has laboured breathing or it sounds like sneezing/sniveling which can sound similar to the spitting sound take him to the vet as he may have a respiratory infection. I have a video on common illnesses with chinchillas called "is your chinchilla healthy" and it shows a chinchilla with a respiratory infection so you can see what a respiratory infection sounds like. Hope this helps.

[@Angeltheartist55]

@@AllysAnimalAntics thank you, this was very helpful, I'll keep an eye on him and listen for sneezing. Thank you very much

[@anahithovhannisyan8954]

My chin definitely isn't scared of me, but I think he gets annoyed with me, lol

[@GreymanWalking]

I've had my chinchilla for nearly 3 years now and he just now tolerates being pet and scratched, but when he finally did start letting me scratch behind the ears he'd shove his head into my hand. Only times I've ever picked him up is when I had to take him to the vet (ie putting him in the carrier) or if he's being stubborn and won't leave the half of the cage I'm trying to clean. He does frequently nibble on me now though and has started getting to the point where he'll jump onto my arm and walk to my shoulder but the minute I try to leave his cage he jumps back in. My chin was also a rescue and lived with previous owners for supposedly 2 years and when I got him he had no fur on his feet (he does now).

[@Luna-Hamster]

My chinchilla spat at my brother when he was trying to grab her and take her away from cuddling me. She gets that way a lot when she is cuddling me.

[@lenajazuk4231]

So if I end up with a chinchilla that keeps hating me even after a year I should just except it as is for many many years ? It would be very sad situation 😣

[@AllysAnimalAntics]

Most chinchillas do warm up to people given time. It's quite rare for a chinchilla to want nothing to do with you, especially if you put time in with them. If you give up on them though they can stay fearful.

[@Solomon0424]

chinchillas=mini cats

[@bobbydickinson7901]

Hi, Alley! Beautiful chinchillas! ❤️

[@JosieLovleo]

My chin just won’t let me have a break. When it’s play time he is constantly trying to get under things and under his cage even though he loves neck scratches and being held, and I put a blanket over everything and stuffed pillows where he can’t go and he just keeps trying to get back there and I don’t know what to do because I don’t have a spare room to make Chinchilla proof and have him run around in there and everything in my bedroom where I do play time I need to have there and I’ve given him a ton of toys even a ball pit and tunnels and I even made him my own cat tree with stuff from Lowe’s and he just all he wants to do is get under my dresser and under his cage it’s so annoying and it’s making me hate him but I love him so much I don’t want to hate him 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@elearaaawr]

Can I light a candle in the same room as my chinchilla or does that put them at risk for a respiratory infection? Ive googled this many times and have gotten mixed responses

[@AllysAnimalAntics]

before I had birds I used to light scented candles in the house, not in the room the chinchillas were in though. It never did them any harm but now I have budgies candles are a complete no no anywhere in the house. I now use simmer pots to fragrance the house.

[@pamelahagen4697]

Hi Ally, I can't seem to get my chinchilla to eat hay. I've tried different types; timothy 1st and 2nd cut, meadow hay, orchard hay, timothy with marigold in it, carrots in it. He adores alfalfa hay, but I've heard that alfalfa should only be given once in a while. If I mix it in with the timothy hay, he picks it out and leaves the Timothy hay, which he usually urinates on. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[@itsmedh291]

Hi Pamela. I had the same problem. I threw out as much hay as I had put in the cage on a regular basis. So I stopped offering any hay for a few days and then resumed by putting a small handful on the floor, fairly near his food and water, at night. The next morning I noticed he had eaten some. I have continued this for a year now, small amounts each night or two (I clean out the remaining bits of the old hay first). He is still not a big Timothy Hay eater but he does eat some regularly. I also supplement him with even smaller amounts alfalfa or oat hay as a treat once or twice a week but never offer it near or mixed with the Timothy Hay. The lessons I learned was, my chinchilla ignored the hay because it was abundant and always available so no need to be enthused about it and, offer all hays separately (different times and/or locations). No idea if this will work for you but consider giving it a go. Good luck!

[@AllysAnimalAntics]

Great suggestions pretty much what I was going to say , also I know that whe. some breeders that struggle with chinchillas eating loose hay they sometimes offer hat blocks / cobs instead as a substitute 🙂

[@aaliyahstallard8223]

When I hold my chinchilla he pees on himself

[@justinhoward69]

my chinchilla from the first day I got her she jumped right out of her cage jumped onto my arm did her little hop walk and nibbled my ear I think she loved me from the first day I brought her home every time I get up or come home from work she runs straight to the opening of her cage an insists that I hold her and I know it's what she wants cause as soon as I open the door she jumps up to my chest and trusts me to catch her I have a very unusual chinchilla she was even very careful and very curious about our new born baby let her ruin around by the baby she sniffed her and would completely avoid that part of the bed really smart animals she's gotten out a couple times she goes and jumps up on the bed and runs around on us when we are sleeping but she doesn't go exploring I watched her get out once just watch what she does and she slowly creeps to our bed stairs for about five minutes then jumps up on my bed

[@Tater4200]

mine doesn't run and hide. he comes up to me. he will throw his head back for me to scratch his chin and chest. loves his ears scratched. but the little bastard will PEE on me... from like 5 feet away lmao

[@Lunarknox]

I just got my chin not that long ago since her previous owners were moving she is extremely friendly compared to previous chins I’ve owned but she likes to nibble on me when I leave my hand in the cage but recently as he was nibbling on me she bite very hard to the point it left indents. Also whenever I come near the cage (currently in a place I have to pass a lot) she immediately comes to the door same whenever I’m opening or closing her cage doors.

[@Lunarknox]

I also gave her hiding spots but she won’t use them she sits on top of the one in the most exposed corner is this good or bad?

[@atedinahalf6288]

@@Lunarknox That's extremely good. It means she's comfortable. When chinchillas are out in the open it means they trust you. Also if they're running to you it's because they like/love you. For example Who da fluff is this? I like my human. You're doing something right. Those are all good signs. Idk about the biting part but she could just have itchy teeth.

[@nicoleboza1265]

You said you've had several chinchillas over a 25+ year period...what's the age of the oldest chinchilla you have owned? How old have any of your chinchillas you've had from birth or obtained before they were sexually mature gotten?

[@jazzygaming8637]

My chin hates my brother

[@xfallen_chinchillax]

My chinchilla bites my lucky string is that the same?

[@WingedFurby_BFDIFan279]

When I got my chinchilla it had no nails 😳

[@Tecproductions]

Can’t understand a single word you’re saying with that diaper mask on

[@BlueBostonTerrier]

Great information but boy did wearing masks not age well.

[@colvilleoutfitters3290]

Your chins are so friendly.... Jealous! Why you rocking that mask?

[@DarkAngelmai]

I cut my chinchillas paws of when it scratched my 2 year old. Oh well.

[@1969sofine]

Why do you have a mask on?

[@AllysAnimalAntics]

Hi I'm still not entirely comfortable in front of a camera and I prefer to keep a little privacy. Maybe one day I might do a full face reveal 🙂

[@КристинаКривова-э3у]

8zh6rt #von.ngo