Things You Can Do With A Chinchilla (9 Awesome Activities)

Think chinchillas are boring pets?

Think again!

While they may not be as interactive as a dog, there are still quite a few activities you can do together with your chinchilla.

And I know some of them will surprise you.

And all of them will delight both you and your pet.

So let’s get right to it. Keep reading for 9 awesome activities you can do together with your pet chinchilla.

 

Things You Can Do With A Chinchilla

This is a brief article that will only take a few minutes to read. And at the end of it, you will have 9 great ideas for things you can do with your chinchilla to keep it happy and entertained.

If you want more suggestions, or just tons more must-know information about raising a chinchilla, check out my digital eBook, which you can find here.

Okay, enough self-promotion. Let’s begin by covering why it is essential to find things to do with your chinchilla.

 

Why Interacting With Your Chinchilla Is Important

Some chinchilla owners do a fantastic job of interacting with their chinchillas and finding things to do. Others may not be entirely up to par in this category.

Whichever boat you fall into, one thing is certain. It is crucial to find time to do things with your chinchilla.

Chinchillas are social creatures, and they enjoy the interactions with their owners. If they trust you and have warmed up to you (more on this later).

The point I am trying to convey is simple. A chinchilla has emotions. A chinchilla can undoubtedly get bored and restless.

Showing some love to a chinchilla has the same impact as other common pets such as dogs and even cats. It is an ethical way to raise a chinchilla and part of learning how to take care of a chinchilla properly.

Luckily, it is not overly challenging to provide this social stimulation and find things to do with a chinchilla.

Before jumping right into activities with a chinchilla, it is important that you understand that an adjustment period does need to take place, and you need to have some patience during the process.

 

Start Things Slowly

Getting off to a good start with your chinchilla is a big deal. It is like when you first meet a new friend, and you are forming your first impressions of one another.

In the beginning, a chinchilla may be very timid and scared and not quite sure how to feel about you.

Instead of being overbearing or encroaching on their space, you must take things slow and allow them to get used to you.

You can do this by simply interacting with them while they remain in the cage. Begin petting them, and start with small spaces when they do exit the cage.

This prevents them from getting too much stimulation or stress all at once. It also allows them to build trust and begin to recognize you.

Chinchillas have a high intelligence when it comes to adapting to situations and their environments.

It will not take long but can still require patience in the beginning, before you start interacting and doing a bunch of fun things with them.

However, let’s go ahead and assume that your chinchilla is now used to you. What fun things can you do with them?

Let’s dive into those details and get you ready to interact with your chinchilla in the best possible way.

 

9 Fun Things To Do With Your Chinchilla

 

#1: A Simple Holding And Bonding Session

Sometimes, finding things to do with your chinchilla does not require a ton of planning.

In the beginning, one of the best things you can do to build a bond is simply getting it out of the cage in a controlled space and showing some love.

It is essential to get your pet comfortable with this. For additional help, refer to my post about how to get your chinchilla to enjoy being held here.

Know that this can take some time, which is why chinchillas are not always the best pets for beginners.

 

#2: A Playpen Session

I have owned my chinchilla now for almost 5 years. I have been running Planet Chinchilla for roughly 4 of those years.

I have been advocating for playpens and playpen sessions with our chinchillas since the very beginning.

It is a fantastic way to keep your chinchilla safe and make the interaction with it chinchilla closer and more personal.

They will jump on your shoulders, into your hands, and enjoy the close interaction with you.

Consider purchasing one of the best chinchilla playpens listed here and get your pet out of the cage to interact with you.

That article includes the playpen I have been using for the past 4 years (the one from JesPet). A playpen session is an excellent and fun thing to do with your chinchilla.

 

#3: Expanding The Space

Once your chinchilla begins getting comfortable with you and the home, it is time to add a new thing that you can do with your chinchilla.

This is to expand their space and give them more area to play and jump around. They will love this freedom, and they love to explore.

Be sure that you have chinchilla proofed the room before doing this. You can read my full guide about how to chinchilla proof a room here.

 

#4: A Dust Bath Frenzy

Dust baths will always remain one of the best things you can do with your chinchilla. Not to mention, they need them several times a week to remain clean.

If you are struggling to find things to do with your chinchilla, simply get them out of the cage and let them enjoy a dust bath.

If you need more help with this, refer to my guide about how to give a chinchilla a dust bath here. Make sure to buy chinchilla dust that is not harmful to humans.

 

#5: Teaching Commands

This can be a lot of fun, or it can be frustrating. My advice is that you should not take it too seriously.

Have fun with it and see if you can begin offering up a safe treat for your chinchilla and teaching it to respond to its name and to jump into your hand.

You can even start to teach it how to go back to the cage. Check out my guide about how to get a chinchilla in and out of the cage correctly here.

You can also read my guide about whether chinchillas can eat certain fruits here.

Despite the difficulty, trying to teach your chinchilla a thing or two is an excellent way for you to bond while teaching your chinchilla some simple actions and commands.

 

#6: Set Up Treats, Tunnels And Safe Chew Items

This can be done in a playpen or in an open room, assuming that it has been chinchilla proofed. Set up plenty of items for your chinchilla to play with when it is outside of the cage.

Let it run through tunnels or provide it chew sticks to enjoy while it is out of the cage. It is a great way to keep your chinchilla happy and have fun in the process.

You can read my post about the best chinchilla accessories here.

 

#7: Teach Them To Use A Wheel

This is quite easy to do.  If you have recently purchased a chinchilla wheel, instead of getting your chinchilla out of the cage, you can spend a few minutes teaching it how to use the wheel.

To do so, refer to my guide about the best chinchilla wheels here.

Once it learns how to use it and assuming it is one of the best and safest wheels available, it will become one of your chinchilla’s favorite things to do whether you are around or not.

 

#8: Make A Video For Friends And Family

Get your chinchilla out of the cage and have fun watching it go crazy, while you make a video for your friends and family or your Facebook feed.

I do it all the time. You can view some of my videos on my Planet Chinchilla YouTube Channel here.

It is rare that you will not get some form of entertainment out of capturing your chinchilla live when recording a video for a lasting memory.

 

#9: Do Not Overthink It And Unwind

The last piece of advice I have for you is that finding things to do with a chinchilla should not be challenging.

Simply getting them out of the cage and interacting with them is enough. Enjoy just having a pet chinchilla and the joy they can bring an entire family.

 

A Little Bit Goes A Long Way

With chinchillas and finding things to do to entertain them, a little goes a long way. Letting your chinchilla out of the cage and even having a tv or music playing, will get it lively and moving around.

They are naturally happy and social creatures, and are grateful for what you offer. Just be sure that you get them out and show them some love and do not overthink it. Trust me, it begins to come naturally and gets more comfortable every week.

 

Things To Do With Your Chinchilla: Final Thoughts

After reading this post, I hope you now have some ideas on what you can do to have fun and interact with your chinchilla.

Learning what you can do to interact and make your chinchilla happy and entertained is not overly complicated.

They make for excellent pets and will be grateful for your love and the safe home you provide them.

Chili and I wish you the best of luck with your new chinchilla and the journey you have ahead of you.

Share your thoughts.

Do you have any additional things that you do with your chinchilla that you know it enjoys?

Be sure to share those thoughts, stories, and concerns by dropping a comment below.

As always, Chili and I appreciate you stopping by and reading today, and we will see you again next time.