Handling

Handling

Chinchillas are, by nature, timid creatures, so allow a few days of settling when you first get them home. Talk softly to your pets, so your voice is easily recognised, but avoid touching.

Start to form a bond by hand-feeding Excel Nature Snacks, always being careful to make very gentle movements in the cage. Move on gradually to stroking and, finally, to picking your chinchillas up.

Pick up your pets by putting one hand firmly under the bottom and the other over the back and pulling into your chest with the head facing you – that way your chinchillas will feel secure. Their ribs are very, very fragile, so be very, very gentle.

If you handle your pets regularly, they will become more confident and relaxed.

Chinchillas very rarely bite, but they're very sensitive to rough handling and show their distress in other ways. Keep an eye out for 'fur slip', when patches of fur are shed, which is a sure sign of fear or distress.

Never pick your chinchillas up by the tail – it will cause pain and distress and may lead to skin coming away, known as fur slip.