Chinchillas are becoming more and more common as a pet, but many people don’t realize the hiccups that come along with ownership. This includes biting, a habit many pet parents hate.
Do chinchillas bite? Yes, chinchillas can and will bite you if they feel threatened or haven’t been taught not too. Chinchillas have little defense to deter predators so biting is their best way of fending off a predator.
Do Chinchillas Bite? + Why They Do It?
Is it normal for Chinchillas to bite?
It is completely normal to experience some biting if you own a chinchilla. Most commonly though, chinchillas tend to nibble their surroundings which often looks like biting. Nibbling is the way most chins become familiar with their environment or even examine new objects.
If your chinchilla is just nibbling to investigate its surroundings there are a few ways to tell. Nibbling is generally short gentle bites that are repeatedly done in the same spot. Nibbling won’t leave deep teeth marks on the object the chinchilla is examing, deep marks represent a bite.
If your chinchilla is actually biting an object then the action will be noticeably more aggressive. If a chinchilla bites, then you won’t get it to easily release its grip.
If a chinchilla is noticeably anxious or scared then there is also a high chance you will encounter biting.
If your chinchilla continues to bite you after getting used to its new environment or starts biting after owning it for a period of time then you may have a problem. Biting can be a sign that your chinchilla is uncomfortable in their environment or a sign that they may feel cornered or uneasy.
Why do chinchillas bite?
Chinchillas are prey animals and a member of the rodent family. Many members of the rodent family, including chinchillas, have teeth that are constantly growing throughout their lives. Because of this chinchillas have a natural instinct to bite on or chew their surroundings.
By biting on objects around them, chins can slowly wear down their teeth. Chewing keeps chinchillas from experiencing painful issues in their mouth such as overgrown teeth and swelling of the mouth. If a chinchilla doesn’t know any better they may confuse you for a chew toy.
Biting is also a sign that your chinchilla feels cornered or unsafe in their current environment. Many times this happens whenever they are introduced to a new person, cage, or home.
This triggers a flee reaction in the chin and if they feel they can’t run away they get defensive.
Remember that no matter how easy you are with a chinchilla, they can still see you as a predator. This can be amplified by a change in their environment that the animal may register as suspicious. This can even be caused by another chinchilla new to the environment.
How to deter your Chinchilla from biting?
If you have a new chinchilla or your older one as recently started to bite then there are a few techniques you can use to stop this behavior. Teaching your chinchilla not to bite can be either an easy or complicated process depending on the reason behind this defensive action.
If you have recently brought a chinchilla home then you’re going to need to give it some breathing room. Give your chinchilla a few days to a week to learn it’s new surroundings.
Be sure to talk to your chinchilla daily so it can get used to your voice.
If you want to pick up your chinchilla be extremely careful. To properly pick a chinchilla up you will need to place your palms under its belly if possible teach it to hop into your hands by using treats. Never try to grab onto your chinchilla or they will feel cornered.
For older chinchillas, they may start to bite if they feel stuck. Always give your chinchilla a route of escape both in and out of the cage. Make sure that any housing in the cage has mutiple exits and never let your pet feel too crowded.
What to do when a Chinchilla bites you?
If a chinchilla happens to bite you then remain calm. Any sudden movements or loud noises can scare the tiny mammal causing them to bite even harder. Jerking your hand away can also make the chin grip on harder making the wound even worse.
Once the Chinchilla lets go, slowly remove your hand from its space. Make note of what you were doing when the chinchilla bit to try and fix the problem. If a chinchilla has refused to let go of you then you can lightly tap their nose and they will release you without much of a fuss.
How to prevent infection from a Chinchilla bite
If you are bitten by a chinchilla then you should start to treat the wound immediately. Like any rodent, chinchillas carry bacteria in their mouths that can be harmful to humans and even lead to infection. While not generally serious if a bite is left untreated you could have complications.
To treat a chinchilla bite simply wash the afflicted area off with warm water and soap. After the area is cleaned put a bandage over it to keep out any dirt. If the bite is bleeding then hold a paper towel over the area until the blood clots after you have cleaned the wound out well.
It’s always a good idea to use antiseptic on the area to guarantee no infections will arise. Be sure to change out the bandage regularly until the wound is healed up.
Dirt can easily become trapped under a bandage and can irritate the area causing it to become worse or even sting.
If you feel a sharp pain in the area after you have treated it, especially if it’s been more than 24 hours you may need to see a doctor. Antibiotics can be prescribed to ward off any infection that has begun to spread in the wound, with proper care this shouldn’t become an issue though.