Chinchillas can be wonderful pets, but they tend to have nervous temperaments, and a new pet chinchilla may be flighty, nervous and unwilling to spend time with you.A preference for being among its own kind is normal for an animal with wild instincts.The process to tame a pet chinchilla can take weeks and begins on the day you bring your pet home.You can assure your chinchilla that you are not a threat by training it into a pet.
Step 1: Prepare a good home for your new pet.
You can't tame your chinchilla until she feels comfortable in her new home.Having a comfortable place for her when you bring her home will help her adapt to her new environment with as little fear and anxiety as possible.Chinchillas require a large cage because they like to jump.You can put a box on the bottom of the cage for your chinchilla.She can retreat if she wants to hide.
Step 2: It's important to make the first day count.
It's important that you don't stress her on her first day at home.Don't give her a lot of treats on the first day, just offer a single raisin.She needs to slowly adapt to her new diet.
Step 3: Her environment should be calm.
Ensuring that your home is calm and quiet for the first few weeks is one of the things you need to do.Chinchillas and other rodents can grow to tolerate more noise once they are adjusted and comfortable.She should be kept in a quiet room away from children, TVs, and other sources of noise.
Step 4: Give her space.
For the first few weeks, leave your chinchilla alone.The chinchilla will be able to get used to its new surroundings.You should be able to clean around her and not touch her if you feed and water her daily.When you are in the room, talk in a soft voice to her.She may be hiding or barking for the first few days, these are signs of stress and should gradually become less common as you help her feel secure.
Step 5: Don't try to hold or touch her right away.
Your new chinchilla is overwhelmed right now, getting used to the sights and sounds of her new home.Some chinchillas are friendly, but others are more anxious and may take a few days to get used to you.There are a few things you can do to help her get used to you.For the first few days, speak to her in a quiet and calm voice from her room.It's true that your chinchilla won't understand your words, but she will understand you and your comforting presence.She will start to associate you with safety.Rest your hand inside the cage.You might startle her if you try to grab or touch her too quickly.She will hide from you at least once a day.Some chinchillas will smell you and explore your arm right away, while others will take weeks to get comfortable enough to move closer.Be patient.
Step 6: Allow yourself to be touched by her.
You can start touching her fur if you feel that she has relaxed around you and is not acting agitated.If she bolts out of the open cage door, it's a good idea to do this while she is exploring your hand and arm.Your finger movements should be subtle so as to not frighten her.When it is safe to pet her more firmly, you can decide.Don't touch her face or her tail.You should not make sudden movements or loud noises while handling her.Chinchillas are often high strung and startled.
Step 7: She can walk on your hand.
She is likely to gradually walk onto your hand or arm, or even out of the cage, as she becomes more comfortable.Don't hold her, let her explore, and keep her from falling.She will learn that you are trustworthy and not a threat.It is a good idea to wait until you have established a trusting relationship before you begin to offer food.She will not be content to spend time with you if you don't get a reward.
Step 8: Pick her up.
She will eventually show that she is not stressed out in your presence and feels comfortable touching you.It is a good time to pick her up.If she jumps from your hands, she should sit on the ground.To support her under her tummy, use one hand with an open palm, and the other hand to cover her back.She has a very fragile rib cage.Hold her close to your body.If she starts to struggle, this will help you keep control.
Step 9: Don't hold her for long.
The most tame chinchilla doesn't enjoy being held for long periods and does not like being contained.They are busy and curious and want to explore.Pay attention to what she says.Put her down immediately when she starts to make strange noises.Aim to hold her a couple of times a day for short periods of time, rather than holding her for long periods.Don't introduce her to other people for a few months after you've tamed her, and then do so gradually and with patience, letting her take the lead by sniffing the person's hand and choosing if she wants to climb onto their open palm.
Step 10: There are chinchillas who were not socialized.
If you purchase your chinchilla at a young age, you are most likely to have success in socializing it to like being around humans.If you acquire an older chinchilla who has been neglected or mistreated, you will need to take special care to maximize your chances of taking care of it.There is no guarantee that a poorly socialized pet can be rehabilitated.You may never get to a point where your new pet will feel comfortable being handled or in the same room with you.If your pet has been mistreated or is more anxious, you may have to accept that keeping her well fed and comfortable in her cage is the best way to go.
Step 11: Look for signs of stress.
A stressed chinchilla should not be handled until she relaxes.The most common signs of stress in a chinchilla are barking, squeaking, or trembling, as well as hiding from you when you approach.There are other signs that include spraying urine or urinating all over the cage.It is common for very young chinchillas to urinate in strange places, like in the nest, on a shelf, or directed to the outside of the cage.It is a good sign that a female chinchilla is afraid of you and views you as a threat if she sprays urine at you.It can be chewing hair or harming herself.Pets that are stressed often chew their fur or harm their bodies.Chinchillas are always alert and jump up at the first sound of your approach, which makes them appear to never sleep.
Step 12: Be patient with very stressed chinchillas.
It is important to be patient.Chinchillas who are very fearful may require weeks of getting used to your presence by smelling your hand and hearing your voice before they will be comfortable with a light touch.If she is acting panicked, don't approach the cage except to feed, water, and clean it.You don't want to startle her more if you do these things efficiently.It can be dangerous to look her in the eye.Look toward her cage with closed eyes and calmly say "Good girl."If you can offer treats, that would be great.It is not a good idea to give treats to a pet chinchilla on a regular basis, but a treat can go a long way as a peace offering.To get her to come near to you, try a few organic oats in the palm of your hand.