Are chinchillas supposed to shed??

[irish_chik]

When i got her the guy at the pet store said no but she is shedding an awful lot.  I heard that their hair releases when it is being pulled on but i will just hold her and her hair will get all over me.  I am really worried!     

[Abby W.]

Chinchillas do shed their coats periodically, but lots of shedding, like you are describing is probably stress-related.  Did you get her recently?

A lot of times pet store chinchillas are not very well socialized and so they find interaction with people to be very scary and stressful.  If that is the case for her she should get over that with time.

[chinclub]

Chinchillas do shed a lot as they go through prime...some more than others.  They will also shed a lot when they are nervous.  The more comfortable she is with being held, the less hair you will find all over you.

[Debbie.nl.ca]

With that said, if I am wearing fleece rather than my nylon smack, yes I'll see fur all over it.
Some materials will tug the loose fur free, and you will end up with fur on your shirt. Seems like a lot as it's so soft and sticks. Unlike cat hair though it's stays there and doesn't float all over the place. Just sticks to your shirt if you handle them.
I also have a hyper chin that doesn't stop running around his cage. He's the first one I've seen leave fur like dust bunnies. He's white so you can't miss it.

[Jo Ann]

Everyone is making good points, but also make sure you are not confusing shedding with slipping.  When you handle a chin, sometime you may not hold it properly or it does not want to be held and you are left with a hand full of fuzzies!  It does grow back.   

 
Jo Ann

[irish_chik]

i have had her since june.  thank you guys so much!!