Handling of Chinchillas

As regards the handling of chinchillas, the following provisions are specified in Council Regulation 1099/2009 dated 24 September on the protection of animals at the time of killing and the Swedish Board of Agriculture’s regulations and guidelines (SJVFS 2012:14) on the breeding and keeping of fur-bearing animals, ref. no.

Article 3 of the Regulation (EC) no. 1099/2009
General requirements for killing and related operations
1. Animals shall be spared any avoidable pain, distress or suffering during their killing and related operations.
2. For the purposes of paragraph 1, business operators shall, in particular, take the necessary measures to ensure that animals:
a) are provided with physical comfort and protection, in particular by being kept clean in adequate thermal conditions and prevented from falling or slipping;
b) are protected from injury;
c) are handled and housed taking into consideration their normal behaviour;
d) do not show signs of avoidable pain or fear or exhibit abnormal behaviour;
e) do not suffer from prolonged withdrawal of feed or water;
f) are prevented from avoidable interaction with other animals that could harm their welfare. … ..

Chap. 1(16), L103
Animals must be handled from an early age so that they become used to humans. The animals must not be carried by the fur, tail or ears; instead, they must be lifted and carried with support under the body. The pelt must not be removed from live fur-bearing animals.

Frightened chinchillas may bite and shed fur when they are picked up. Handle the chinchilla calmly, with slow movements, and ideally make them aware of your presence by speaking quietly in a soft voice. Take hold of the chinchilla at the base of the tail in order to keep it still. Never take hold of the tip of the tail as this may harm the chinchilla. Then lift the chinchilla by placing your other hand beneath the abdomen and back legs. Then hold the chinchilla close to your body or on your lower arm when carrying it.

Note: Never grab hold of the chinchilla’s back to catch it as chinchillas have a thin skeleton that can easily be damaged. Gripping the chinchilla across the back may harm its ribs.

Chinchillas are often quiet and subdued. If a chinchilla makes a noise when being handled, this may mean it is experiencing stress or discomfort. As specified previously in Biological principles, chinchillas may make noises that humans are unable to hear. This may mean that the animals influence one another more than we can perceive.