How Can I Tell If My Chinchillas Will Get Along?
I have a chinchillas that's a year and a half old (male). But i want to get a 2nd one. But i do not want to go spend a lot on another one then have them not get along. Is there a way to tell if they will get along?
Chin Chin Lady answered:
No. First off, you will need to buy another cage. Chinchillas are very territorial animals and take a long time to get used to one another, as well as anytime you buy a new chin you need to have a quarantine period in order to be sure that no one has any health problems that can be transferred to one another.
Then, you can put the 2 cages next to each other and allow the animals to sniff each other. Not too close or else you may end up with bitten off toes or worse. Then gradually move them closer and closer together and if the animals are not showing any aggressive behavior after about 4 weeks of this "smelling'" period you can allow the animals out in your bathroom or another chinchilla (small and safe) room that has no other chin smell to meet. Make sure you are always present and break up any fighting.
Chinchillas greet each other by staring at the face, sniffing, and running their noses down the side of each other. This part should not alarm you unless one of them is making an odd chirping noise. If so move them apart. If they show teeth, I would suggest to put the aggressive chinchilla in a carrier and allow the non-aggressive chin to continue to run. When they no longer show this behavior let it back out. Continue this routine. Not all chins like having a friend, but most do and be prepared that after they bond to each other, they will lose a lot of interest in YOU! Please take any introduction period slow, chinchillas can turn quickly and death for a chin is very rapid!
jackz answered:
There is no way to guarantee they will get along but the best thing to do is to get another male preferably younger than the one you have and slowly introduce them. Separate cages to start with side by side for at least a week but not too close together that they can bite toes. Then allow them to spend a little time together out of there cage but be ready to separate them at the first sign of aggression. You could maybe go to a rescue center and see if they will allow you to take a chinchilla on a trial basis to see if they will get along together. Its a very slow process introducing them though as rushing it could cause death or serious injury.
Ashley answered:
No there is no way to tell. You will have to slowly introduce the two, and see how they take to each other.
Remember that two chinchillas can get along for years and one will suddenly turn on the other. Be watchful once you have your chinchillas together. Also, after the quarantine period and once your chinchillas play well face-to-face (probably after about two weeks of cages being side by side), you should have neutral territory play time and it can be made easier with a couple of little tricks. You can trim the chinchilla's whiskers (they are the way chinchillas show dominance and WILL grow back) and put a little vanilla on their noses so that they are less likely to act violently towards each other when out.
There is no way to tell immediately if your chinchillas are going to get along. Although social herd animals who can deal better with stress when with a companion, chinchillas can also fight to the death. You need to be careful in bonding your chinchillas. There are some good techniques to use in order to help them get along:
1. Put the two cages near enough each other so that the chinchillas can see and smell one another, but not so near that they can bite. If there are no signs of aggressive behavior, then you can move on to the next step.
2. Let one chinchilla (preferably the younger or less aggressive one) out to run, keeping the other in its cage. They will be able to sniff each other at a closer rate, but the shy one will be able to leave if anything goes wrong.
3. Have a helper hold one chinchilla while you hold the other and slowly bring them close to each other. If a chinchilla begins to make warning noises, makes any sudden movements, or starts scrambling around on your hands, immediately retreat. If not, eventually get them near enough to tough noses. I've found that with hostile behavior, giving both a treat beforehand helps, as both chinchillas are then in the process of chewing when they meet and don't have any room left for biting.
4. Find cardboard boxes that are high enough to prevent escape and allow standing room, and wide enough for comfort. Take the chinchillas out and put them in separate boxes. Take them into the car and sit with them in the back with a helper. Since chinchillas, hate the car, they will likely be miserable and start to make noises. I do not advise this step for those who's chinchillas have been known to get aggressive when upset. Take the aggressive chinchilla and begin to carefully lower him into the other one's box. If nothing happens, place the aggressive one inside. The two chinchillas can bond through their misery.
5. Finally, if that works, take the two chinchillas out and let them run in a NEUTRAL territory. Get two treats and put them in a shallow container. Maneuver it so that it is always in the middle of the two chins. When they meet they will have to choose between fighting and treats. Hopefully, they will choose treats. If not, remove them immediately and go back to whichever step you see fit.
6. Now they are ready to go into the cage together!
my suggestion yes they might the best choice is to put them together in one cage if they used to get along
Hi i just got two chinchillas ones male and the other is female they are brother and sisters i never seen one in my life and i'm just want to know would they get lonely if i put them into a cage by them selves they never been apart before?
Once a male chinchilla is eight weeks old, he can impregnate siblings. Definitely separate the two chinchillas unless you want babies right away.