I don't know if there is a "right way" to hold a chinchilla, but over the past few years I have perfected the way I hold my chins. It makes me cringe to watch my friends try to hold the chins, and I try to explain how to do it properly but only practice can really help. It took me a long time to figure out how to hold them so they are comfortable. I don't know if everyone does it the way I do, but both my chins are comfortable being held (for a little bit at least...the more often I hold them the longer I am able to do it each time). Perhaps we can share our secrets and make it easier for newer chinchilla handlers?
1. The most important thing: Support their back feet! Place a flat hand underneath them so they can stand.
2. I make a fence with my other arm and hold my opposite shoulder but I don't squeeze them to my chest. This is what makes them kick and squirm...if they still think they're in control they're okay. They sit in the crook of my elbow and look down, but can't jump away.
3. Don't sit down with them. If they can see an escape route, they will try to get away. If you are standing, they won't be able to see a place to jump to and they generally will stay put.
4. Walk around. If you just stand there, they get bored and want to look around. If you move around, they can look at new things. I like to do tours of the apartment. We go from mirror to mirror and room to room.
5. Get comfortable with them being able to move within your little fenced area of arms. If they can go from one side to the other, they don't feel like they're being held and squished and they'll be calmer.
Anyone else have some advice?
