ChinCombing

You know chinchilla groom themselves the only time you should even think of doing this is if they get hair ring

Weird. The chin I used to have used to love being combed and would totally sit still for a good combing.

I have a question. One of my chinchillas was rescued from a neglectful owner and now she has mats around her hips. I put her with my chinchilla (they get along really well) in hopes they they would be able to groom each other. It helped a little but the rescued one still has large knots. Is it better to continue to try and comb them out slowly or cut them out? A small animal vet said that shaving would be the least stressful but I'd want an owner's opinion.

@wylistcoyote I've tried tugging them out but their attached to live fur and my poor girl screams if I tug too hard. I'd say that I'm handling her as gently as I can but she's the one barking and screaming when I try to get the mats out.

I am truly curious, and not trying to be judgemental: I can see that this particular chinchilla was really stressed about the grooming techniques. As a chinchilla owner, and not someone who shows them, why did this one need to be groomed? Were dust baths and rubber type brushes not enough? Were you getting it ready for a show? ...I use a gentle rubber style brush (similar to a Rush Brush) for removing loose fur and haven't seen the style you used.

I groom my chinchilla but I wouldn't usually groom up the ways like you since it pulls to much of her fur out and leaves bald spots-past mistakes- and I don't usually hold her my the tail I'm scared of hurting her or pulling at it and causing some muscle pain

i went to the ca state show, and grooming does not hurt them they just dont like the process of grooming but thats how you groom a chinchilla! i dont groom my pet chinchilla bcuz he doesnt have much dead fur as my other show quality chinchilla.

@zhaster I wish this were the case. Sadly, I get many rescues in covered in mats, urine and feces due to improper caging and dusting. It is good to know how to groom properly, even if you never have plans to attend a show. Hair rings come from mounting other chinchillas, not being un-groomed.

I agree that it looks uncomfortable for the chin, but the tail is the safest place to hold a chinchilla that doesn't want to be handled. I have to use a similar hold for one of my chins that *hates* being held, or should I let him get genital infections and never bathe b/c I can't take him out of the cage if I *don't* keep a grip on the base of his tail?

Chinchillas are very sensitive around the tail, and do not like to be held that way. No, there tail isn't going to fall off like some people say, but holding them like that is a way to easily lose their trust. It hurts them when you hold them like that, and when a chinchilla is barking it means they are in scared or in pain. The chinchilla is biting and barking at you because of the way you treat them. You need to hold you chinchilla more carefully and gently for them to get used to the grooming. This chinchilla is feisty because the way you are treating them, which is considered animal abuse, and they can become scared of your touch.

@Song64 They do complain when you pull, releasing the fur is a defense mechanism but if you hang on long enough she will drop it. You can cut them out, just be very careful. Chins have very thin skin and it is easy to puncture. I would recommend having someone hold her steady in a towel (check out how to burrito a chinchilla on CnH) if you choose to go the scissors route. Good luck!

@zhaster you dont need to groom your chinchilla if you want, i dont groom my pet chinchillas. try finding chinchilla shows near you, im sure you would be impressed on how big and BEAUTIFUL they are!

She's not hurting him at all. I think it's time for some pet owners to go to a show and see how things are done.

would you rather have a bunch of knots in its hair? that is more uncomfortable than brushing a chinchilla

You are absolutely correct, a chinchilla is NOT a toy and as a pet should never be pulled around by it's tail or ears. At a show (and in preparation for a show like above) they will be groomed in this manner. It is very important that people understand the difference and I encourage you to go to a show to learn proper handling techniques. =)

@bubbleball67 It looks bad, but if I was hurting the chin it would scream. When hurt or scared they can scream louder than a child, bone chilling style and they release an odor and pee. When they are mildly disgruntled they sqwak and complain like you hear in the video, but I'm neither hurting nor scaring her. =)

@chillathechinchilla Actually, she is a very wealthy chinchilla. She has her own luxury condo, all the free food, fresh water, toys and buddies she could ever want AND her own personal groomer!

i do this all the time it does not hurt them what so ever so please do your reserch before you comment

@aprilsnowflakes Most people don't groom the belly, even at show. It would be very difficult. Sometimes people groom around the private areas if there are clumps there. Regarding the amount of grooming: You don't ever *have* to groom a chinchilla unless it is matted or you are going to show. They keep themselves clean and fluffy by rolling in dust. =)

@Song64 Shave? Wow, no. The easiest way to remove the mats is to gently pull them out. You can brush them but it would still pull them due to the density of the coat and a chin's ability to slip or drop it's fur with pressure. You should visit chins-n-hedgies and look at the info there and chat with other owners. =)