Are Chinchillas Friendly Pets that like to be Handled?

Yes! They can be handled, but they need affection and gentling. They are very shy and have long memories. If you frighten them they will remember that and can reject you until you regain their affection. When children have chinchillas, they need to remember to be gentle and affectionate and not frighten, or squeeze them too hard. For that reason children under the age of around 10 years old are not mature enough to have chinchillas. The age is not as hard and fast as the maturity, and the ability to understand another's needs - e.g. learning empathy which comes with maturity.

Letting chinchillas out of their cages is something that is done only after they are no longer afraid of you. Because if you have to chase them that only increases fright and mistrust. Begin with giving treats while in the cage, then graduate to laying your hand in the cage and letting them come to your hand which has a treat on the palm. They have to come to get the treat and will equate your scent with the treat. Eventually they will come to you and allow you to handle. Then you can let them out, but have to coax them back, chasing only frightens them.

Usually it is best to be consistent about the times each day you let it out. At the same time daily and for the same amount of time and in the same area. The chin will soon learn the routine and even be willing to get back into the cage with the same prompt [bath, special treat etc.] So they like being fed at the same time each day, and like being let out at the same time each day for the same length of time. Consistency is the key here. You can build mazes for them to run in, it does keep them busy and they are curious and intelligent animals who like challenges.

If you have a room that is primarily family but has old furniture and not much they can hurt themselves on and you have gotten on the floor and looked at it with your face on the floor, and crawled around looking for small spaces they can get wedged into and really checked out the dangers; that is chinproofing a room.

Raising Happy And Healthy Chinchillas - Special Report Just For People With Chinchillas- Or People That Want One...