Obesity is rarely, if ever, a problem with chinchillas fed primarily a hay diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables may also be used as treats and supplements, provided the diet does not change abruptly and the amount of fiber in the diet stays high. Pelleted diets alone may be too high in digestible calories and may pre-dispose animals to enteritis problems. Handling The chinchilla is a docile animal that is relative easy to handle. When handling a chinchilla, lift it with one hand by the base of its tail, while the other hand is used to support the body or lightly restrain the animal at the chest.
Chinchillas respond to light tough.
If frightened or roughly handles, the chinchilla may release a portion of its hair. It is not advisable to allow chinchillas to roam unsupervised outside of their cages because they run very fast and can disappear into small places. Common Diseases and Syndromes External Bite wounds and the subsequent abscesses are commonly seen in chinchillas kept in groups. Surgical removal of the abscesses is usually more successful than incision and cutterage. Treatment with an appropriate antibiotic may also be indicated.