Why Do Chinchillas Hold Things? {How To Teach Them}

Chinchillas can become attached to objects. Why do chinchillas hold things? Are they exercising or learning?

Do you see this happening often or would you like to train your chinchilla to hold on to objects?

In this article, I will share some experience and tips to find out why your chinchilla holds things.

Why Do Chinchillas Hold Things?

While grabbing onto you or holding things can be your chinchilla’s method of showing love and affection toward you, you should make every effort not to startle them.

This might cause them to lose confidence in you. Chinchillas are unable to tell if they are causing a disturbance to their owners.

If the grabbing turns into gnawing or nibbling and becomes too destructive, carefully withdraw your hand or the object away from the chinchilla.

How Can I Tell if My Chinchilla Is Happy?

If you have formed a strong attachment with chinchillas, they will prefer that you:

  • sit on the floor
  • let them jump all over you
  • enjoy them make chattering sounds and some eager little squeaks.

Some may even enjoy a little snuggling, nibbling or holding onto you. A chinchilla that is really content will make popping noises and will hop and hop around in a very eager manner.

Chinchillas Holding Objects

Researchers believe that chinchillas are better able to build attachment ties when they have objects to hold.

Chinchillas will not only grasp something to chew on or play with, but they will also hand the object to you in order to get your attention.

Chinchillas are very curious animals. These extraordinarily clever and may also be taught to hold a variety of objects on command once they have been properly trained. Chinchillas also have the ability to interact with their pet parents via the usage of things.

Why Chinchilla May Grab Things

Here are some of the explanations for why chinchillas frequently take things in their hands:

1. They Treat things like toys

Chinchillas are cute creatures, but they are also quite inquisitive. These small creatures like playing with toys and other items, and they occasionally get into trouble by gnawing on them.

These perceptive animals are fascinated by new items and toys. They frequently leap up to them to grab them and learn how to play with them.

2. They Want To Create a Connection

A chinchilla will hang onto whatever they want until they are strong enough to carry it away. Hence, chinchillas are capable of developing strong attachments to things.

They will also try to form a relationship with it by holding it if they are aware that their pet parent loves it.

3. They Are Snatching and Learning

Chinchillas may be taught to pick up items when instructed since they are clever animals. But, chinchillas are difficult to teach if the owner doesn’t have a special relationship with their furry friend.

4. They Are Creating Communication Channel

Chinchillas may interact with their pet parent by acting in certain ways. The act of holding something may imply that a chinchilla would also like to hold it.

It could also be a ploy to grab the attention of their owner. Furthermore, it may also signify that the little creature desires to play with you.

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Train Chinchillas To Hold Things

A chinchilla might be difficult to train since they do not pick things up very quickly. Hence, patience is the first and most important stage.

Before trying to train their chinchilla, pet parents should make an effort to build a strong bond with them so the little animals will pay attention.

To teach your chinchilla to pick up objects, you must:

  • give them a straightforward, non-edible thing to grasp with their tiny hands.
  •  press the object to their paw and offer them a sweet treat. 

For a few days, try using this method, then keep using it by keeping the object just slightly away from your chinchilla so that they must walk toward it in order to grip it.

You should gradually cease rewarding your chinchilla with goodies once they can grip objects.

How To Get Chinchillas To Pick Up Object

You may follow these tips to get your chinchilla acclimated to picking up stuff.

1. Get ready

Start with a non-edible item that is simple for their young fingers to wrap around. For training, you can use paper, a pen, and a keychain.

2. Make them comfortable

As a first step, keep the object close by during a training session. Make sure your chinchillas start to link with the object and develop a habit for it.

3. Present prizes

In this instance, we want the action to be grasping the pen (without ink), but because it’s rather hard to express, we’re going to start by instructing them that contacting their paws with the pen will result in a reward.

In order to accomplish this, You will be contacting the pen with that paw in order to start the process of creating a connection between that action and the pen.

4. Keep It Up

If they don’t let go, just let go and keep paying attention to them. Let them hold on. You can continue praising them if they release.

Are Chinchillas Easy to Hold?

Though they can get quite devoted to their owners, chinchillas are often highly nervous animals and
dislike being held. They are not typically seen as suitable pets for young children because of their high-strung nature.

 5 Signs Your Chinchillas Likes You

  1. When they see you, they get elevated and animated.
  2. They will climb up on you or jump.
  3. You are able to hold them.
  4. In your lap, they are calm.
  5. They take food you hold out to them.

Conclusion

Because of their fragility, chinchillas require special care when being handled. Using caution and effective strategies is essential.

If you force your chinchilla to take anything, they might grow anxious. If your chinchilla does well, be sure to show your appreciation by giving them a treat and some high praise.

Thank you for visiting PocketPetCentral.com for the best information to help you enjoy the life of your pocket pet companion in a fun, safe & healthy way.

Anna

My name is Anna and I work full time in my local pet shop where we sell many animals that I write about on this site. I love all animals and love writing about them.