Once chinchillas get used to their environment, there will be few instances where you actually must pick them up. Our chinchillas are very good about going into their cage with little prompting. If you can maintain a consistent schedule, you'll find that the chinchillas will go where you want them to without any prompting at all. For us, this means that around our bedtime the chinchillas will run in to their cage and await their nightly treat (e.g. a raisin).
However, it's hard to resist the temptation of picking up your chins. If for no other reason than to feel their incredibly soft fur. So if you're going to pick up your chinchilla, you might as well do it the right way. That is, scoop them up from below and always support their back legs. We also like to keep them close to our bodies so that they're less likely to jump.
What you want to make sure you don't do is pick them up by the tail, squeeze their bodies too much, grab them by their ears, grab them by the neck (like a cat), or bring your hands down on them from above. All of these actions will agitate your chinchilla and can lead to harm. We've also noticed that they have good memories of stressful situations and it requires a day or two for them to trust you once again.
Our chinchillas also like to have their heads rubbed in between their ears. They also sometimes tolerate gentle chin and belly rubs.
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January 8th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Our chinchilla is pretty comfortable with running around the living room area and kitchen area. When we try to pick her up to go back in her cage she runs away. We want to know how to get her in her cage when we want her to. And is it okay to playfully chase the chinchilla around the living room?
December 24th, 2006 at 4:42 pm
Jacque,
You'll need to chinchilla-proof a room as soon as you can. Those plastic balls are pretty much junk (we bought one too when we first got a chinchilla) and can actually hurt your chinchilla because they are prone to overheating in them. A collar and leash are also generally considered to be dangerous.
Although having your chinchilla run outside the cage everyday isn't mandatory, it can make for a happier and healthier chinchilla.
December 24th, 2006 at 2:33 pm
I just got a chinchilla last night and I read in this handbook thing that you have to let the chinchillas get exercise 2 hours a day, but for one thing, I don't have enough time for that, and we don't have any chinchilla-proof rooms. I tried putting him in the little rolling ball but he just sits in it and if I let him walk around, he'll get in hard-to-reach places. I tried getting him a collar and leash but he can get out of it. What do I do? Please help!
August 6th, 2006 at 11:21 am
I'm planning on getting a chinchilla and i wish to be able to pick it up but I don't know how to gain it's trust to pick it up. How do I gain it's trust?
August 3rd, 2006 at 10:08 pm
Nikki,
As referenced in our Chinchilla Basics article:
Unlike dogs, chinchillas are not really cuddly and don't respond to their names. They will however jump and crawl on you if you sit in their vicinity. Sudden moves and loud noises will scare them. If you buy a chinchilla from a breeder that handles them regularly from a young age, they'll be more inclined to allow you to handle them as they age.