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This is by no means the only way to make friends with your new
chinchilla. This is what I have found works best for me.
Here is a video of me petting a tame chinchilla.
(Warning, it takes awhile to load)
Step # 1= Get Them to Show Interest In You.
The first step in making friends with your new chinchilla, is
to let it know that you are no threat. Open the cage door and
place your hand just inside of the cage. If your chinchilla
isn't used to people it will usually run and hide in the back
corner of the cage. If it hides inside a box and will not
come out then slowly remove the box so that your chin. will
have to look at you. Now just sit tight.
If you are lucky enough to have a very curious chin. then it
will slowly start creeping up to you. If after awhile it has
no interest in you at all, you will have to try the raisin.
Baiting With The Raisin
(REMINDER: Chinchillas can only have one
raisin a day, so this may take some time.)
If your chinchilla has never had a raisin then you must first
teach it what one is. Try to feed your chinchilla through the
bars of the cage. If it won't take it at first then you may
have to place it inside the cage and give your chinchilla some
room. Once he learns how great they are he will soon begin
taking them from your hand through the bars.
(A word of warning= If a chinchilla is used
to raisins being offered, then a finger
through the bars can easily be sampled as food!)
Once he has mastered bar feeding, it is time to open the door.
With any luck your chin. will take the raisin from your open
palm. This is what you want to achieve.You want your chinchilla
to be comfortable with your hands and arms.
Step #2 Climbing Onto Your Hand
Once your chinchilla decides that you are interesting, he will
begin to come forward. If he startles and runs to the back again,
don't move. Your chinchilla will soon learn that you are not
going to chase it. Then the fun begins. He will creep forward
and run to the back. Take a few steps closer and once again take
off. Finally he will sniff your hand. He may even give you
alittle taste. If he begins to linger in the rear of the cage
are becomes agitated, then end the "lesson" there and try again
later. Once he is comfortable standing on, or holding on to your
hand you have gained some trust.
Step #3 Petting
Almost all of my chinchillas love to be scratched behind the ears,
under the chin, and just under their front legs on their bellies.
The trick is to get them to let you do it. Once they have become
very comfortable with your presence it is time to begin petting.
I place my hand just inside the cage with index finger ready. It
is easier to start on top of the head and work your way behind the
ear. (Their whiskers are ticklish) The way I see it is if they
come to me they are fair game, but I respect their space.
When they come to my hand I try to rub their head. The less you
move your hand the better. At first he will take off to the back
of the cage. Soon he comes right back and you do it again. If
he gets upset and won't come back to your hand, wait a few days
before you try to rub him again. The idea is too gain trust, not
loose it. I do have a few chins. that are just too ticklish. The
moment you touch them, they shake and rub their heads. Those may
not ever become pettable, but they still love to climb on you!
Those chins. that learn to love petting will close their eyes,
lift their legs, and get so relaxed that they practically fall over!
Final Remarks
All chinchillas are different. Some may follow this example
perfectly, and others will be painfully slow. Some may love
petting from the start. I wrote this to give some ideas as to
how gaining trust might be done. What works for me may not work
for you. When it comes to you and your animal, you will have to
find what is right for you. As with any animal, patience and love
are always the best tools!
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