HamburgerBoy

Lifer
Apr 12, 2004
27,111
318
126
Originally posted by: Stiganator
I was feeding my gf chinchilla. Well he ran up and bit my finger drawing blood. I gave him a flick on the nose. He is about a 8 month old, rescue chinchilla homo beige. He always stands and barks and bites my gf and me.

If you were feeding me to your gf I'd probably bark and bite as well.

You mean chihuahua, right? Although I've never owned one, I've heard that they are more nippy than most dogs. We put my pug down for being to aggressive (tore a brother's ear open), FWIW.
 

Evadman

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Feb 18, 2001
30,990
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depends. If unprovoked, then most likely. chinchilla != dog.
 

TheoPetro

Banned
Nov 30, 2004
3,499
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I had a pet cat attack me when I was ~15 because I messed with her kittens. Ever since we have been at war...

THWACK!

thats why I keep this plate of jelly beans to pelt her with whenever I see her.
 

chusteczka

Diamond Member
Apr 12, 2006
3,399
3
71
Originally posted by: Stiganator
I was feeding my gf chinchilla. Well he ran up and bit my finger drawing blood. I gave him a flick on the nose. ...

Try rubbing his behind with a q-tip ...
 

TheoPetro

Banned
Nov 30, 2004
3,499
1
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Originally posted by: chusteczka
Originally posted by: Stiganator
I was feeding my gf chinchilla. Well he ran up and bit my finger drawing blood. I gave him a flick on the nose. ...

Try rubbing his behind with a q-tip ...

why reward him?
 

slpaulson

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2000
4,414
14
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According to wiki, they bark when they feel threatened, so I wouldn't be surprised when it bites you while it's barking...
 

angminas

Diamond Member
Dec 17, 2006
3,331
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91
Why don't you ask a chinchilla expert? I don't know anything about chinchilla psychology, and neither do most people here.

However, my first guess is that you just need to learn to handle it correctly. Perhaps it's never been given whatever chinchillas need to feel safe. It seems that it views you as a threat. Maybe you can put its cage by the couch and sit by it for an hour a day watching tv so it knows you're not out to get it? Maybe you can hand-feed it? If you can't find anyone who knows chinchillas, ask someone who knows rabbits and try what they suggest. If all else fails, advertise it for sale, mentioning that it bites. Maybe a chinchilla person will pick it up and rehabilitate it. You get $, the animal lives, and the other person gets a blood-crazed tribble to guard their Transformers collection. Everybody's happy.
 

aidanjm

Lifer
Aug 9, 2004
12,411
2
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why is it barking and biting? is it afraid? maybe it just doesn't like you - so deal with it. killing it because of a small bite would be immoral.
 

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
The chinchilla may just be trying to protect it's territory. Some of them can be extremely territorial, and others don't like being touched/held/etc.
 

Luthien

Golden Member
Feb 1, 2004
1,721
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Unlike a dog a chinchilla can't do you serious injury. Learn to handle it in a manner less condusive to getting bit and try to be alert to it's mood.

My pet snake bit me should I put it to sleep, lol? (example: I don't own a snake).

Puting a dog to sleep for biting people is far different than a chinchilla biting it's caregiver or biting some random stranger you invite over to pet it.

Putting a cat to sleep for biting is almost unheard of. Either you family has a very bad history with picking animals or you may not know it but you may be being irresponsible with your animals or even cruel but don't even realize it hence bringing out aggressive tendency's.

I have a cat that liked to bite. A female cat. She doesn't bite anymore and is now considered one of our friendliest cats. It took over a year to get her to change. I have another cat the daughter of the biting cat that has a similiar temperment but not really a biter but rather just very very shy/skittish. She would duck her head and try to get away when you try to pet her. She now loves being petted but just needs to be warmed up to it. She acts like it tickles her or feels so good it is annoying so if you start slow she loves it and even seeks me out to be petted now.
 

Azraele

Elite Member
Nov 5, 2000
16,524
29
91
If he's barking/biting he feels threatened and scared. You need to withdraw and re-think your approach. Something you're doing is scaring it, so it feels provoked.

Also, you pose your question as if this pet knows that biting people is wrong. A chinchilla is not a dog or a cat, it's a rodent. They are skittish by nature. It sounds as if this is not a pet suited to you or your gf. Re-home it, don't put it down for nipping, and get something more suited to you as a pet.
 

mobobuff

Lifer
Apr 5, 2004
11,099
1
81
An animal being killed for its animal-like instincts? Doesn't sound like the problem is with the animal, but with those who are captivating it.
 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
Staff member
Oct 30, 2000
42,589
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Lets expand this logic.

Humans also qualify as animals.

therefore if some-one scratchs another and draws blood, what should be done.

what about the children in day care that show agression or defends themselves by biting.
Put them down also?
 

BUTCH1

Lifer
Jul 15, 2000
20,433
1,769
126
Originally posted by: angminas
Why don't you ask a chinchilla expert? I don't know anything about chinchilla psychology, and neither do most people here.

However, my first guess is that you just need to learn to handle it correctly. Perhaps it's never been given whatever chinchillas need to feel safe. It seems that it views you as a threat. Maybe you can put its cage by the couch and sit by it for an hour a day watching tv so it knows you're not out to get it? Maybe you can hand-feed it? If you can't find anyone who knows chinchillas, ask someone who knows rabbits and try what they suggest. If all else fails, advertise it for sale, mentioning that it bites. Maybe a chinchilla person will pick it up and rehabilitate it. You get $, the animal lives, and the other person gets a blood-crazed tribble to guard their Transformers collection. Everybody's happy.

"Blood-crazed tribble"....LOL!!!!!!!!!!
 

Linflas

Lifer
Jan 30, 2001
15,395
78
91
If you take in a rescue animal you should expect a certain number of behavioral problems that you will need the patience to deal with. If you don't have that patience then contact the group you got it from and they will take it back.
 

spaceman

Lifer
Dec 4, 2000
17,616
183
106
my rabbits have bitten me a number of times.
once or twice drawing blood.
in the case of a chinchilla i'd say absolutely not, more than likely it was the way you approached it/dont handle it enough.
a dog is a different story IMO as they can potentially be life threatening, a chinchilla? LOL
 

Stiganator

Platinum Member
Oct 14, 2001
2,492
3
81
Haven't you scene the Search for the Holy Grail? That rabbit kills several knights in armor!