Hello to all from James and Chi-Chi..long post

[metalhead100]

Hello to everyone here......Just became a dustbunny owner (wifes cousin offered my wife and i a 2 yr old female :hyper: ) we call her Chi-Chi and shes tame heathy and full of energy.Im not at all new to small pets....i have raised/bred hamsters,guinnes,ect.

Only problem at all i can find on our new girl is a bit of dry skin on the backs of her ears.so i have her on her dust baths to 2 a week...i swabbed them with a bit of aloe jell for sunburns,because i have no unscented mineral oil yet...

Just ordered her a megga cage also ,should be here next week. (In case others are in need look at petsmart www....sale on largest(tall multi level) superpet cages and free shipping ...they beat ferretstore.com's price ....

Well i will quit rammbling .......8o)

Looking forward to the boards....

Jim

[BellaBella]

Hello and welcome! Chi-chi is very cute!

Just know that search is your friend, and use it often! These people are a wealth of knowledge

[JBBinTex]

Welcome to the forum. You might want to take a look in the housing section...that way you can adapt the cage to make it suitable/safe for a chinnie. If you don't have one already, a good vacuum is in order (possibly a shop vac). Not only does poop and bedding end up everywhere, but also the cage is going to be a bear to lift off to clean the litter pan. There is no way I could possibly accomplish it, since I am the designated cage cleaner. It is great that you have had small animals in the past. Although chins are so very different from any other species of animal. Their diet and care is so much more strict than that of other small pets. Not to mention, we don't have the benefit of any good books on them. Just about every chin book out there has wrong information in it. Some of the books are even dangerous in their advice. This forum is an awesome place to learn about proper food, treats, nontoxic wood, cages, health...the list goes on and on. It has been invaluable. Enjoy!

[FurryAnimalsOhMy]

Hey Jim & Chi-Chi! Welcome to Chins-n-Quills! That picture of Chi-Chi is very cute! :) Can't wait to see more.

[metalhead100]

I'll post more pics when she learns to be more photogenic....every time my digi cam would focus she would bound off....took forever to stage that pic.I have learned a great deal just cruzing the boards......going to rural king today for j clips and the pliers so i can ditch the super pet plastic ones...(the cage i have on order is much taller and will go together with this one i have now ... verticaly and make a super cage with around 5 levels or so ) .......Im lucky shes not a chewer ....she chews her wood sticks and
leap ledge and thats all.

When she was given to us we also recieved a ferret harness and leash....somthing tells me this is not good for her?....I never tried it....looks like it could damage her fur.....????????

Anyhow....Goodmorning! and thanx for all the responses/info

Jim

[firefly]

Welcome to Chins n Quills!!!! She's an adorable chin! :D Can't wait for more pics!

[Twister]

Welcome! This board is great.
When she was given to us we also recieved a ferret harness and leash....somthing tells me this is not good for her?....I never tried it....looks like it could damage her fur.....????????
I would say not to used this. If she tried to jump out and it stopped her that wouldnt be good. I got a leash with Reggi too.... Im actually triing to sell it since it isnt getting any use here. Or at least give it away.

[stacys_mommy]

Hello James and Chi-Chi,
Welcome to Chins & Quills... Chi-Chi is very cute... Congrats on your new baby...

[leaughxp]

Hi Jim and Chi Chi :welcome8: I'd say ditch the harness and leash.

[JBBinTex]

You may decide to look into one that has a pull out pan. All mine have them. I am not sure I would be able to deal with one that didn't have them. You will feel safer if you replace the plastic shelves. That worry will be gone. It only takes one time of chewing plastic to cause an impaction. I figure that would be just about my luck, so I don't risk it. Not to mention, with a cage that big, you are going to want to add more shelves and ledges. So easy to do it yourself. When you attach the cages, replace all the plastic ties with J clips...You won't have to worry about her chewing the cage apart (which has happened) and it makes it sturdier and less noisy.

Get rid of the leash. It is totally unsuited for chins.

I forgot about the ears this morning...You can use Vitamin E capsules, just poke a hole in the end and apply it. Cutting down the dust bath should help. Just make sure there is no redness and flaking.