ChinCombing

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

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

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.

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. =)

@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!

Thank you for this video. I am dealing with a single chin who is feisty and wiggles too much to brush when wrapped in a burrito (chinnie-chonga). I have had chins for over 6 years, and my oldest do fine grooming each other, they both have beautiful fur. I have never tried the tail hold, but I know it the proper way to brush them, so the video helps a lot! Ignore the clueless non chin owners who don't understand that different animals require different type of care. Believe me, I too had a

@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!

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

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

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.

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?

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.

the technique is correct, but you do with the animal relaxed not so nervous

@labrexa You are correct - never GRAB (or swing) a chinchilla by it's tail. You may, however, hold a chinchilla by the base of the tail. If you've been around other breeders you'd know that this is the method you use to groom for show. Please check out the MCBA and ECBC rules & regulations, you will find some good information there.

@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.

you have no felling for that animal!if you wold have an tail do you wold like to get hold like that!!! i dont think soo!

@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!

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.

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

Correct! And if you listen closely you'll hear.... nothing. This chinchilla is not in pain, it is not scared, it is quite simply ticked off that I am grooming it. =) Chinchillas scream loudly when they are scared or in pain.