How do I get my chinchilla to trust me?

Question

I have had my chinchilla for about a year and she is still very skittish. She will accept treats, and loves to come out of her cage to play, but she doesnt like to be taken out of the cage. Its always a struggle to get her out, and I am afraid that she is scared of me when I try to grab her. I know how to hold a chinchilla because I have looked it up online.

I have recently been sitting with a treat so that she has to climb up to my hand or my lap to get it. She is very indecisive and will come after about 30 mins of sitting there. I have heard many chinchilla owners say that their chinchilla always wants to see them, but mine doesnt. She also always tries to jump off of my shoulder and it makes me nervous.

Are there any tips of how to get more trust and interaction?

Also, do chinchillas like any games or just to run around by themselves? She seems to like her head scratched by thats about it.

Answer 1

Well, I'd have to disagree with the person who said that chins who like handling are rare. One thing you need to remember is that all animals have different personalities and there are some chinnies who just never do take to personal handling.

However, it's vital that you continue to work on training your chinnie to allow you to handle it. Quite often it's the picking up of the chinnie they dislike, but once they are secure in your arms they calm down quickly.

As for games, chinnies are naturally curious and enjoy having their furniture re-arranged, new toys, new boxes and holes to explore and new chewies to experience. They also are social creatures and we have noticed that both of our chinnies are much more calm when the other is around, and the rescue chinnie who is often skittish is more open to coming to us when the other chinnie is there doing the the same.

Answer 2

Chinchillas who like handling are RARE.

You hear people talk about it, but in actual fact, very few even like to be touched.

Don't go into the cage to get her out.  How would you like it if a giant hand came in your bedroom window and grabbed you?  Not much right?  Even if they were gentle and had something yummy to eat?

Open the door and let her come out on her own.  Sit a small distance away and read a book (do homework, etc.) with treats close by.  Let her hop around the house and choose to come over.  The treats and gentle handling will make you seem trustworthy.

Let her do her own thing.  You can get boxes, paper bags, tunnels, hides and other toys and then, just watch her play.  Cat toys are a favorite, so are wooden chews.