One of the most controversial topics that chinchilla owners debate is whether chinchillas like to be held or not. That’s because these rodents are becoming increasingly popular in recent years as house pets. And, of course, pet owners want to know if they can bond with their new furry friends by cuddling and holding them.
So, do chinchillas like to be held?
They do like to be held, but It is best to let them roam around and explore the house until you’ve built up a trusting relationship with them first. Chinchillas are naturally shy animals, and it will take some time for them to get used to you.
Once they are comfortable with you, then you can start picking them up and holding them.
Be sure to hold them correctly though!
Doing it wrong could result in your chinchilla feeling scared or stressed, which is the last thing you want.
If you want to learn more about how to pick up and hold a chinchilla, keep reading.
In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about holding your chinchilla. And by the end, you’ll know exactly how to do it so that you can bond with your chinchilla and build a trusting relationship.
So, let’s get started!
Why my chinchilla doesn’t like to be held?
As a general rule chinchillas don’t like being handled because in the wild this would make them easy prey for predators. Also, each chinchilla has a different personality, so some will be more open to being held than others.
Here are a few reasons why your chinchilla might not like being held:
- They are still getting used to you. As we mentioned before, chinchillas are shy animals, and it takes time for them to get used to their human companion.
- They are not feeling well. If your chinchilla is not acting like their usual selves, it might be because they are not feeling well. If this is the case, take them to the vet as soon as possible.
- New environment. Chinchillas are very sensitive to changes in their environment. If you just got your chinchilla or recently moved them to a new home, they might not be ready to be held yet as they adjust to their new surroundings.
- Pregnancy. Female chinchillas should not be held when they are pregnant, as this can put unnecessary stress on them.
- They are in heat. Female chinchillas go into heat for about two weeks every three to four months. During this time, they might not want to be held as their hormones are all out of balance.
- They are molting. Chinchillas shed their fur about once a year, and during this time, they might not want to be held as they are already feeling a bit sensitive.
- They are scared. If your chinchilla is suddenly scared of being held when they previously weren’t, it might be because they had a bad experience. Maybe you held them too tight or dropped them accidentally.
So as you can see, chinchillas are not the typical pet that enjoys being held and cuddled all the time.
However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t bond with your chinchilla. In fact, there are some methods that we’re going to see that can help you speed up the process.
Either way, it will take some time for them to get used to you. Just so you know.
How do you know if your chinchillas don’t like being held?
There are a few key things to look for if you suspect your chinchillas don’t enjoy being held.
- Firstly, take note of their body language. If they bowl up into a tight ball or arch their back when you try to pick them up, this is usually a sign that they’re feeling scared or uncomfortable.
- Secondly, listen out for any hissing or squealing noises they make. this is another way of communicating that they’re not happy.
- Lastly, watch out for any attempts to escape. if they’re constantly trying to jump out of your arms or wriggle free, it’s likely that they’d rather be running around freely than being held.
Of course, it’s important to remember that every chinchilla is different.
Note: Just because your chinchilla doesn’t like being held, it doesn’t mean that they don’t love you. They might just prefer to show their affection in other ways, such as by grooming you or sitting on your lap.
And that’s perfectly normal.
So, now that we know why chinchillas don’t like being held, let’s look at how to hold them the right way.
How do I get my chinchilla comfortable with being held?
If you want to speed up the process it is a good idea to start teaching your chinchillas some triggering words so that they will associate you with positive experiences.
When you first bring your chinchilla home, give them some time to adjust to their new surroundings. This can take up to a few weeks.
Here are some easy tips to get started:
- Start off by offering your chinchilla some treats. You can do this by holding the treat in your hand and letting them come to you.
- When they start taking the treat from your hand, slowly move your hand towards their back and give them a little pet.
- Do this every day until they are comfortable with being held.
- Once they are used to being held, you can start picking them up for short periods of time.
- Make sure to support their back and bottom, and hold them close to your body.
- Never pick a chinchilla up by its tail. This can cause their tail to break.
Of course, some chinchillas will never be comfortable with being held, no matter how much time and effort you put into it.
And that’s okay! You can still bond with your chinchilla in other ways, such as playing with them or giving them a dust bath.
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Can you hold a chinchilla by the tail?
You can hold your chinchilla tail. However, you need to make sure to hold it from the base of the tail and not the tip. The base of the tail is where it is attached to its body and is much thicker than the rest of the tail.
I know, if you are a new chinchilla owner this might sound a bit weird. But trust me, chinchillas are delicate creatures and their tail is very fragile.
You might be wondering: why would I want to hold my chinchilla by the tail?
Well, sometimes you might need to pick up your chinchilla quickly and the easiest way to do this is by their tail.
However, I need to emphasize the importance that if you have the chance to grab them by something else (like their back), do that instead.
Only grab them by the tail if it is absolutely necessary and make sure to support their bottom as well.
In fact, the best way to hold a chinchilla is to put one hand underneath its chest and support its back legs with the other.
This position might take some practice but it is the safest way to hold a chinchilla.
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Do chinchillas like to be picked up?
On average chinchillas don’t really like to be picked up. The reason for this is that they are prey animals and in the wild being picked up by a predator usually means death.
So, they feel vulnerable when they are being held off the ground.
Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule and some chinchillas do enjoy being picked up.
But generally speaking, most chinchillas would rather stay on the ground where they feel safe.
How long should you hold a chinchilla?
While some chinchillas might enjoy a good cuddle session, most prefer to be left alone. In fact, holding a chinchilla for too long can cause the animal to become stressed. It’s best to hold them for a few minutes at a time and then set them down.
That’s because chinchillas are not generally known to be cuddly pets even though they enjoy the company of their owners.
That being said, every chinchilla is different and you will need to get to know your pet’s preferences.
Some might be okay with being held for longer periods of time while others might only tolerate it for a few seconds.
The bottom line is that you should hold your chinchilla only for as long as they are comfortable.
How often should I hold my chinchilla?
Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to hold your chinchilla at least once a day., for short periods of time. This will help the two of you bond and form a trusting relationship.
Of course, if your chinchilla doesn’t like to be held then you don’t have to force it. Just spend some extra time playing with them or giving them a dust bath.
There are many different ways to bond with your chinchilla and each one is just as special.
Do baby chinchillas like to be held?
Since baby chinchillas are so small and delicate, it’s best to wait until they are at least six months old before you try to hold them.
During this time they are still growing and their bones are not as strong as they will be when they are fully grown.
So, it’s best to handle them with care and avoid holding them for long periods of time.
Once they are six months old you can start to hold them for short periods of time. But, make sure to do it gradually and always let them go if they seem uncomfortable.
I want to emphasize this because chinchillas are cute and, you, as a new chinchilla owner, it can be tempting to want to hold them all the time.
But, it’s important to remember that they are not cuddly pets and too much handling can stress them out.
As you can see, there is a lot to consider when it comes to holding your chinchilla.
It’s important to remember that each chinchilla is different and you will need to get to know your pet’s preferences.
Final thoughts
In this article, we found out that chinchillas generally don’t like to be held. However, there are always exceptions to the rule and some chinchillas do enjoy being picked up.
Generally speaking, most chinchillas would rather stay on the ground where they feel safe. That being said, every chinchilla is different and you will need to get to know your pet’s preferences.
Some might be okay with being held for longer periods of time while others might only tolerate it for a few seconds.
Nevertheless if implemented properly these tips will help you get started on the right foot. Just remember to take things slow, and get to know your chinchilla.
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