How Can I Tame My Pet Chinchillas and How Long Does It Take?

I've recently bought two pet chinchillas, they are adorable. I'd like to try and tame them. They are allowed out to run around for at least two hours every night but getting them back in their cage is a bit of a nightmare. How do you do about taming a chinchilla and how long should it take before they trust me enough to allow me to pick them up and put them back in the cage?

connie_J answered:
I have two chinchillas too, they are about a year old now. I find the best way is when you are letting them out, lie on the floor in their play area, and don't run after them. Instead, let them come to you and sit on you... even if that means on your forehead!

Once they are happy with that try sitting in the middle of the floor with your hands on the floor for a while until they start to ignore them. Then try stroking them.

Once you've got that far... just lift them. Get your chinchilla by the base of its tail and lift. You won't break them its the strongest muscle in their body and they may not like it, but it doesn't hurt them.

Editor's Note: A lot of chinchilla owners breeders recommend AGAINST holding a chinchilla by its tail. Even if some people have been successful, it's probably best to hold your chinchilla using other techniques that are much less likely to cause harm.

They may panic a little at first, but just hold them for maybe a minute, let them see that you aren't going to hurt them, just try and give them a treat and stroke them, then let them down to play again and try it again some other night. Eventually this should get you used to catching them and it will be an easier job to get them back into their cage.

It will be different with each chinchilla. Make sure you talk to them, and be positive. Chinchillas ears are almost as sensitive to vocal tone as humans are... so its important to them.

I also find constant music on in the background helps, it means any sudden movements or noises (like sneezing) won't bother them as much.

lisa answered:
I'd feed them treats while in their cage so they get used to hands being a "good" thing, eventually they will allow you to pick them up. I've had one in the past & they absolutely love raisins, chopped apple & crispy lettuce.

B N answered:
I wouldn't say you could tame them as due to their being prey animals they have a tendency to be a little skittish. But you can socialize them. I would recommend shorter playtimes as chinchilla's are prone to heat exhaustion causing seizures and possibly death.

Treats should be limited, but you can use apple sticks or other pumice stones or rosehip. You can give occasionally a cheerio or shredded wheat (unfrosted). Raisins are not the best treat as the sugar in them can cause digestive/gut issues. Chinchilla's under 6 months old should not get treats these kinds of treats. To get them back in the cage offer the dust bath and transport them to the cage in it. I have built a pine piece that I place in front of the cage so they can go in on their own. I place the dust bath in the cage and in they go to take a bath.

As to picking them up and holding them it's a patience thing, place your hand in the cage let them smell and even nibble (do not react if you can) then start by placing a goody in your hand so they can get comfortable with standing on you then progress farther up your arm so they are comfortable climbing on you. I have one that will climb on my hands and let me hold him the other it's a challenge to even give her a scratch goodnight. But to catch my tough one (for transport to the vet or to do a hair ring check) I use a dust house again but little dust in it or a piece of PVC. You can also during playtime sit very still and offer apple twigs, grapevines, or other wood chews to get them used to movements. Also just sit and talk to them while they are in the cage. One suggestion never feed treats through the cage wires, this can get someone bitten unexpectedly as they think it is a treat.