70 degrees F is good ... try not to let it get 75 or above, you are often in the heat stroke range at 75+ for a chinchilla, especially when they are playing. It's doesn't take long at all. A chin left in a car (even in the winter in the daytime) can easily become quickly overheated by the sun's rays being magnified by the glass of a window in a home or car, or inside of an aquarium being used as a cage, or closed transport box. {I know you did not say that was the case, but I always tend to add a little extra in hopes that someone that might need that information could be 'just reading' the post. }
Yes, that is the proper way to pickup a chin.
To add a little more 'safety' to that, also hold the chin gently, but firmly, by the tail about one inch from the base of the tail while holding it underneath or keeping it in place on a table or desk. This will prevent him/her from unexpectedly jumping from your hands.
Always support the chin's hind feet
at all times, otherwise, it will think it is falling or going to fall.
Never hold a chin at arm's length, this does not help them feel safe, it frightens him/her. Hold it close to you at all times. (While grooming is an exception to this.)
Should you be holding it properly (supporting the feet) and close to you and it becomes wiggly, wanting to get down, remember: A chinchilla likes to please. Most chins know that you do not want them to urinate on you, so, if they "have to go" ... they will often attempt to get down so they will not pee on you.
So put him/her back in their cage and give a quick "thank-you" kiss for not tinkling on you.
Holding a chin to long, allowing it to play to long, especially in a warm room, can often overheat the chin, causing it to have a heat stroke. Always watch the ears for the appearance of the veins ... when you see the veins showing in the ears, or the ears become pinker, this is the first sign of overheating. Next comes lack of activity, heavy breathing, shallow breathing, sometimes a seizure or even death ... unless you can get him cooled down fast enough. A 'chin-chiller stone' is a good thing to have and keep on hand. You can buy an expensive one in a pet store (it can be made of marble, granite or clay) or buy one from a store that sells tile. The thicker the better. These can be kept in a cool dry place in the house or in the refrigerator.
Clay pots or chim-a-neys in the cage made of clay are also good for a chin. They protect them from the draft, makes them feel snugly safe and helps cool the body when needed.
The
Jumbo plastic ball can be safe ... IF ... you use them only for 5 to 15 minutes ... clean them thoroughly, before and after each use ...
never use it outside, or around steps, or in a room that has floor vents, or have furnature you can roll it under and/or get it stuck in one place ... and ONLY under
close constant supervision. Personally, I prefer not to use them at all. I had one, many years ago, one of my chins loved it, but when I saw he learned how to 'pop it open' by getting it going fast and then banging it against the furnature to escape, the ball went 'bye-bye'.
I have never given my chin loofah, but do know other owners that have.
As far as I know loofah would be like the willow balls ... safe, unless they are sented or have color added to them.
... the shutting in the closet, I was really tired and not thinking straight. It is a big, walk in closet, but I still understand what you're saying.
I, as most people do, thought of a closet as being small, which would be worse ... a big walk-in closet is not nearly as bad ... but, the air in a small room without vents going or windows and with the door closed has stagnant air, sometimes moth balls tucked away in storage boxes, or cedar hangers or shavings ... and/or maybe some smelly shoes or a dirty clothes hamper. Any or all of these things could make it unpleasant, and some even dangerous, for a chin with a sensitive nose and tiny lungs.
Not that any of this is in your closet, but, they are things often found in a closet.
Sorry about the 'long post', but I am known for them, and tend to find it best to cover all the basis, if possible.
I guess I get that from one girl emailing me with a question as to what might be wrong with her chinchilla.
After many questions ... I found out she had given her chin a rawhide bone made for dogs.
When I ask her why she gave it to her chinchilla, she told me, "No one told me I could not give my chin a chew bone made for a dog ... dogs like to chew on them and they are hard, so I gave it to my chinchilla to chew on." Needless to say ... the chin died.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Jo Ann