Shedding

[katie]

I have noticed that my chinchilla sheds a lot; his hair comes out in chunks sometimes. I was wondering if this is normal or if there is another factor that could cause the shedding?
Thanks in advanced

 

[Tillygizmo]

Typically chins dont shed like other animals like all at once in a season. They almost unnoticeably lose hair all year long very lightly. What you are noticing sounds like something called fur slip. This is when a chin gets startled and releases its hair from the root in a defense mechanism. It could be that he is frightened by something or possibly the way he is being grabbed or held.


Some chins just do it a lot and you cant do anything for them to ease their anxiety, others hardly ever do. It is not harmful or painful to them and will grow back.

 

[katie]

Thanks! I have never heard of that before but that does sound about right to what it is. It usually happens when I pick him up, I feel bad for trying to handle him now.

 

[Tillygizmo]

How are you picking him up? People who advise you how to handle them dont always know so you may have been told to do it wrong. Typically acceptable ways are one of the following (a) Scoop - put both hands on either side of their belly and scoop them firm enough so their legs dont dangle and bring them close to your body. (b) put one hand around their chest and one under the base of the tale to support both ends of the chin.

Also, sometimes they dont knwo you are going to pick them up and get startled or if you have to chase them to do it it would also explain it. Sometimes it is unavoidable

 

[katie]

I don't think I have ever been told how to properly pick up a chinchilla before. But I do scoop him up with both hands when I take him out of his cage and then hold him close so he feels safe. When I go to take him out of his cage I slowly put my hand in there so I don't startle him. I don't think he likes to be handled at all so I don't do it very often. I have only had him since October, I got him from a friend of friend so I do not know how often he was handled with that family.

 

[Jenn]

My chin prefers not to be picked up and will lose tufts of hair if I try to do so - as she kacks a warning at me!