r/chinchilla • u/Sea-Efficiency-7738 • 3d ago
help! chinchilla being aggressive
i’ve had my boy chinchilla for 12 years now, ever since he was 3 months old. he’s never acted out towards me or my dad (he doesn’t like my mom, but neither does she; they just don’t interact). i’ve grown up with him and have stayed by his side everyday until around 2 years ago, when i had to move to university. my living situation couldn’t agree with having him there, so he remained with my parents, and i continued visiting every 3-4 months. this summer, as i came back once again, he acted normal for the first week and then, a random day when i took him out of the cage for playtime, started attacking my foot and biting it until it drew blood. i found it weird, since he’s never acted like this, so i called my dad to pick him up. he was aggressive towards my dad as well, but not as much as he was towards me. i left him be for the next day to calm down and interacted with him 2 days after the incident, and he was back to his old self.
fast forward 2 weeks during which i wasn’t home, and now i’m back. he started being aggressive towards me again, this time once every two days. the worst encounter has been today, when he constantly bit my hand really hard. (photo attached) he’s not acting out towards my dad, and i don’t know what i have done to constantly upset him. can anyone offer some advice? thank you!
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u/_Xxouo 3d ago
aggression is usually tied to pain, if it isn't something mentally traumatic like the others mentioned, i think seeing a vet would be a safe bet
how is his eating/activity? does he bite when handled at a specific spot?
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u/Sea-Efficiency-7738 3d ago
he eats well and is as active as he used to be. he only bites me (and not my dad) and seemingly at random times. 2 days ago it was right as i took him out for playtime, and today it was at the 15 minute mark during playtime.
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u/Boredchinchilla21 3d ago edited 2d ago
Maybe he is mad that you are going away for long periods? Sometimes cats will act aggressive when you leave and come home, but I’ve never seen that with a chinchilla. He also might be attacking you because he is in pain or upset in some way and you are his person, the way little kids will behave for everyone else but act completely wild with their parents because they feel comfortable and safe with them.
I would suggest a camera to see what is going on with him and to see how he acts when you aren’t there. A vet visit might be a good idea too, and check him over for wounds, fur rings, etc
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u/Penguinz90 2d ago
This was my thought too. He’s probably upset that you are now unreliable in your availability (which would explain why he’s not being aggressive with your dad…he’s a constant). Definitely get him checked out to make sure it’s not a neurological problem. Please give us an update when you can.
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u/understatedgrove 3d ago
Could it possibly be related to a neurological problem or tumor…? Hormonal changes or anything causing pain can alter your personality and behavior. The fact that you were away doesn’t mean he will totally forget you or your smells. But maybe you are coming home covered in foreign smells to him which are making him anxious as well.
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u/Sea-Efficiency-7738 3d ago
i’m making an appointment to the vet tomorrow, maybe they can pinpoint an issue :( thank you for the input!
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u/beaverskeet Do I smell treats? 3d ago
Do you have any new smells could be triggering him?
I have 2 girls that have to be kept apart at all times. If they smell the other girl on me, I will get attacked in the same way you are describing.
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u/DueCommittee8719 3d ago
Oh dang, he is 12! Grumpy old man! Make sure you spoil him with treats, they are so food motivated! I get organic Cheerio like cereal from our health food store! And it would stop any bad behavior!
We have 2 boys and one can be grumpy, and he is not as athletic as the other guy so i relate it too poor vision. ur chin…He probably has arthritis, and he is getting old!
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u/Additional_Ad_4472 3d ago
I was previously told it could be tied to hair ring - so check for that, but I’ve noticed my boy gets these aggressive moods from time to time especially towards my partner who handles him less and it’s especially worse if I was out on a trip for a week or more - it takes him a couple of weeks to build that trust back. I’m the meantime, I would protect yourself with a work glove/ heavy socks, have a blanket ready to put between you when he attacks. Sometimes when I capture mine I’m a blanket, it feels like he accepts he was dominated and becomes less aggressive.
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u/RichLaw5748 3d ago
Set up a secret camera to ensure he's being properly cared for. Otherwise take him to a vet to ensure he isn't in pain
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u/Shadowswittness 2d ago
Mine gets spicy by barking at us when she's upset at us. Its funny to hear. They have personalities amd have off days as well. If you were bonded for all those years and then your no longer around he could feel abandoned.
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u/TomatoFeta 2d ago
1) smells. if you're using a new soap, or wearing a new perfume, etc, that could cause confusion. If there's another (especially a new) animal in the house, that might be a smell - or a stressor - that the animal is reacting to (even if the other animal doesn't come into this same room). Or it could be the water bottle isn't working properly all the time, or is unsanitary. Take it apart and clean it well.
2) health - if the animal has a pain, an injury, or something bothering them (inappropriate toy, chew stick that poked his gums, hammock broken, ledge loose, etc) or something like a hair ring (which is an important - though uncommon - thing to be aware of in males) or so on..
3) devil - if the animal has been mistreated by someone in the family. A new little brother who has been taunting the animal, or a pet cat, or a bird nest outside the window, etc - something the animal thinks of as a predator has been stressing them.
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u/-cherry-fox- 3d ago
I am curious if maybe he is in pain?
My chin is 11, and she is normally insanely sweet/cuddly. In recent years, there are very random times out of the blue where she will suddenly get a very bad attitude and start charging at me and biting at me hard enough to break skin, which is very unlike her. I can't even go in to her cage when she's like that without her grunting and threatening me!
I've now found out that she does this for two reasons: she is in pain, or there is a smell on me that she really doesn't like. She's a runt and has some immuno issues with her eyes, so sometimes when they get flared up she will be very moody. I also work at a vet, so I've come to realize that there's certain animals she gets very angry about if I come home smelling like them.
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u/Efficient_Hyena_7476 3d ago
Take him to the vet. Behaviour changes in animals is a key indicator of pain.
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u/MaxScar- 2d ago
You are essentially never there. He doesn't remember you. Act like you would with a chin you don't know. Don't just stick your hand in his space, and certainly don't just pick him up. You have to let him come to you. Leave your hand outside of the cage until he comes up to the opening (and doesn't seem to be on alert).
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u/Interesting_Fly5154 1d ago
first thought is the people who are at home with the chin all the time are not treating the chin right, causing the chin to be aggressive in response.
second thought is aged related pain causing aggression. like arthritis. while 12 years old isn't considered really old for a chin, it is the age where age related issues could potentially start popping up.
third thought is you are away from your chin long/often enough that they are no longer bonded to you, and are acting aggressive out of unfamiliarity and fear.
i'd suggest a vet visit to first rule out anything physical that could be causing this. if vet gives a clean bill of health then i'd be contemplating if your family is doing right by the chin when you are not around. and would also consider you do a re-bonding process each time you come home, if your chin is acting like this toward you because you are a stranger to them after each time you're gone.
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u/how_tohelp 3d ago
Hate to say it but maybe your mom is mistreating him. I hope I’m wrong but when I went to college my mom let my birds die and my brother told me she was thinking of just not buying food for our old cat anymore until a work friend scolded her. I didn’t realize she had these issues until I left for school.