Chinchillas are large rodents and they like to jump, so they require a large cage. Put a nesting box on the bottom level of the cage for your chinchilla. This provides a place where she can retreat if she wants to hide or have privacy.
Offer her a single raisin as a good-will offering on the first day, but do not ply her with lots of treats. Her digestive system is sensitive and she needs to slowly adapt to her new diet.
Keep her in a quiet room, away from other pets, children, televisions, or other sources of noise. [1] X Research source
Feed and water her daily, and only handle her as much as needed to clean her cage (in most cases, you should be able to clean around her and not touch her at all). Talk in a soft, soothing voice to her when you are in the room. You may notice her hiding, squeaking, or barking for the first few days; these are signs of stress and should gradually become less common as you continue to gently reassure her and help her feel secure. [2] X Research source
For the first few days, simply spend time in her room, speaking to her in a calm and quiet voice through her cage. [3] X Research source While it is true that your chinchilla won’t understand your words, she will understand your soothing tone and comforting presence. She will begin to associate you with safety. Open her cage door, and rest your hand just inside the cage. Do not try to grab or touch her or move your hand too quickly, though, or you might startle her. She may hide from your hand, but keep doing this at least once a day. Some chinchillas will come over and smell you and explore your arm right away; others will take weeks to get comfortable enough to move closer. Be patient. [4] X Research source
At first, your finger movements should be very subtle so as to not frighten her. As you test the waters, you can decide when it is safe to pet her more firmly. Always be gentle and never touch her face or near her tail. Be sure you do not make sudden movements or loud noises while handling her. Remember that chinchillas are often high strung and easily startled.
You may be tempted to offer her treats to coax her to come to you, but it’s a good idea to wait until you have established a trusting relationship before you begin to offer food (and then, only offer treats rarely, not routinely). Otherwise she may associate you with treats and not with companionship and will not be content to spend time with you without getting a reward. [5] X Research source
Sit on the ground so that she will not fall a far distance if she jumps from your hands. Always use two hands: one hand with an open palm to support under her tummy, and one hand to cover her back and help her feel secure. Never squeeze her rib cage, which is very fragile. Hold her close to your body for warmth and support. This will also help you keep control if she starts to struggle (which she is likely to do).
Pay attention to her cues. Put her down immediately when she starts to squirm, squeak, or otherwise seems distraught or anxious. [6] X Research source Aim to hold her a couple of times a day for short periods of time, rather than trying to hold 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.
Before taking on such a pet, you should be aware that there are no guarantees that a poorly socialized pet can be rehabilitated. In some cases, you may never get to a point where your new pet will feel comfortable being handled or perhaps even being in the same room with you. If your pet was severely mistreated or is more anxious by nature, you may have to accept that the best you can do is keep her comfortable and well fed in her cage. [8] X Research source
Spraying urine, or urinating all over the cage. While 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), very stressed chinchillas also do this. Some female chinchillas even spray urine at predators, so if yours does this to you, it is a good indication that she is afraid of you and views you as a threat. Chewing hair or harming herself. Very stressed rodents (and other pets) sometimes chew their fur or otherwise harm their bodies. Some stressed chinchillas appear to never sleep, since they are always on alert and jump up at the first sound of your approach.
If she is vocalizing or acting very panicky, do not approach the cage except to feed, water, and clean the cage. Do these things efficiently but not so quickly that you startle her more. Avoid looking her in the eye, which can be threatening to a rodent. Instead, sit near hear her cage and look toward her cage with closed eyes, and calmly say reassuring things like “Good girl. " Try offering treats. While it is not a good idea to give treats to a pet chinchilla on a regular basis, a treat can go a long way as a peace offering, helping your chinchilla associate you with good things instead of fear. Try a few organic oat in the palm of your hand, to entice her to come near to you.
