Is it ok to have just one chin? Mine seems content having his cage all to himself and I am sure to play with him everyday but can he get lonely? I am not sure if I should get another or not. If I get another, what should I get? I dont have enough experience raising little chin younglings so I am not sure about getting him a girlfriend but I have read putting 2 males together can cause them to fight and I can't bear to see my little chin fighting with someone. Any ideas fellow chin lovers?
can chins be lonely?
- Thread starter Yoshi86
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aznmexaggie
Chinchilla Chateau
A chin can be fine caged by himself as long as he gets a lot of attention from his owner (you!). However, chins can enjoy the company of other chins. It is easier to introduce chins who are young but I have had success introducing adult chins to one another as well. If you get your chin a buddy, it should be same-*** otherwise they will breed. If your chinchilla is not pedigreed, from a reputable breeder, and evaluated as high quality, he should not be housed with a female.
I have had pairs of males and a trio of males who all got along with no problems. With any pair or group of chins housed together, you will have to keep an eye on them. Sometimes chins turn on one another and you should always be prepared to separate, if needed. Also, if you purchase a chin with the intention of housing them together, you also need to keep in mind that they may not want to be cagemates and may need to be housed separately.
I have had pairs of males and a trio of males who all got along with no problems. With any pair or group of chins housed together, you will have to keep an eye on them. Sometimes chins turn on one another and you should always be prepared to separate, if needed. Also, if you purchase a chin with the intention of housing them together, you also need to keep in mind that they may not want to be cagemates and may need to be housed separately.
Luci
Gizmo's roommate
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- Jun 3, 2009
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a lot of chins do just fine being single. but since they can be social animals, they do need some form of interaction. playtime is a great thing for single chins. but if you cant do it on a regular schedule, keeping the chin in an open area that has a lot of activity will keep them entertained and feeling "connected". i keep my single chin in my room. when i cant let him out for playtime, i sit next to his cage while on the computer. he immediately perks up to see what im doing, he'll do his little trick to impress me and i talk to him.
as far as getting him a cagemate, i dont have personal experience with this but have been considering the same option. ive heard that older chins will typically do well with younger chins. im assuming that dominance is the issue there. regardless, stick with same *** pairs. you do not want to unintentionally breed them. fighting between cagemates isnt necessarily a gender issue. some cagemates can be perfectly happy together and then suddenly decide they dont like each other. if you are considering getting him a friend, keep in mind that you will need to purchase an extra cage in case they dont get along.
as far as getting him a cagemate, i dont have personal experience with this but have been considering the same option. ive heard that older chins will typically do well with younger chins. im assuming that dominance is the issue there. regardless, stick with same *** pairs. you do not want to unintentionally breed them. fighting between cagemates isnt necessarily a gender issue. some cagemates can be perfectly happy together and then suddenly decide they dont like each other. if you are considering getting him a friend, keep in mind that you will need to purchase an extra cage in case they dont get along.
hkkjstwcl
Well-known member
10 months old chins and adult chins (1 1/2 -5 yr old) could be easier to get along than adults with adults?
kimbt622
Crazy Chin Lady!
In some cases, calm adult chins bond easier to young chins, as in under a year. usually starting around 4 months. This is not always the case, but there's usually not as much of a dominance issue. However, there's always the chance they won't get along no matter what the age.
To the OP, there's not any way to tell if your chin will get along with another or not. I have a single male chin right now and a trio of males. The trio has been together for about 6 months (knock on wood) and get along great. Two of them are not even a year and the third is over a year. He is dominant. There is always the possibility that when they hit their sexual maturity, they will start to fight. Therefore, I have to be prepared with multiple cages. That's the case always with more than one chin. It's worth a shot though. I personally love seeing groups of chins together, cuddling and cleaning each other! Just keep in mind, if you get a buddy for your boy... you need to quarantine the new boy in a seperate cage and seperate room for 30 days to ensure he's not carrying anything that he could give to your Yoshi.
