How old is too old to get her a cagemate?

[Sierra]

Once again I am defending myself to everyone.

The main reason why I am giving Phoenix back to Sara is because she is biting me hard enough to draw blood and I don't want the chance of Hayley sticking her fingers in her cage when she is ornery and doesn't want to be dealt with. Hayley obviously doesn't know the difference when Phoenix is happy and when she doesn't want to be messed with. Since I got Sedona Phoenix is not happy. She doesn't run on her new chin spin that we got her but before we got the chin spin she would run on the old wheel all the time. I can't get them out during the day because I am in class and Hayley is up and I don't want Hayley in there because it might cause them more stress and I don't want her to end up getting bit bad then having to take her to the hospital and deal with the investigation of child abuse which seems to be happening more lately.

I had their cages next to each other and then I would take them out for playtime but Phoenix would attack Sedona so I would put Phoenix back because she was in such a state of mind that she would end up biting me and drawing blood. I would get her out after she calmed down by herself. I'm not just throwing her away sort to speak. I discussed things with Aimee and with Tabitha. I was trying to find different ways to try that would help them get along.

 

[Tagna]

None of my chins get along with one another and I have to do separate playtimes. It sounds like she is adjusting to having a new chin in the house. Honestly, I would give her time and forget about her getting along with your new chin.

Of course, it's your choice on what you plan to do but I know I could never rehome a chinchilla because they are having a hard time adjusting to a new chin. Time and patience do wonders. Bribes help too! I would just give it a try.

 

[Sierra]

It's a really hard decision that I still don't know what to do. Some days she is better than others. She is usually herself when it's just us. I get her out before Sedona so she has "mommy" first. I had Sedona out when I first brought her home and Phoenix wouldn't go near me then when I switched it around she is herself. She just tries escaping the playpen every night. I think that's her routine objective at play time. She is eating her hay and pellets, drinking and chewing on her lava bites so I know physically she is fine. I just want to make her happy and I'm not sure which decision would make her happier. Sara had her since she was 3 months old so I know she would become comfortable again fast and I already told Sara she could have her again but I just keep going back and forth on my decision.

I know we haven't add Sedona long so I know she is still mad at me for that.

 

[Riven]

Since I got Sedona Phoenix is not happy. She doesn't run on her new chin spin that we got her but before we got the chin spin she would run on the old wheel all the time

Running on a wheel would actually help frustration, I'd actually guess she doesn't like the new wheel.

 

[Parkerspetchins]

Once again I am defending myself to everyone.

This is the first time I have even directed a comment to you so I'm not sure what this means but it really upsets me when people treat their pets as disposable as I feel you are treating Phoenix. I understand that "things happen" and sometimes people have to rehome their pets, I get it. However, you are writing about rehoming a pet because she won't adapt to what you want and I find that really unfair. She didn't ask you to get another chinchilla. You are trying to force her into a relationship she doesn't want anything to do with. She is angry. She isn't the problem, the new chin is the problem. We all know that when you have multiple chinchillas, you need multiple cages. If you can't make that arrangement then you (I mean this in the general sense, you, me, anyone reading) shouldn't have multiple chinchillas. That is just the way it is. Maybe if you take some time Phoenix will settle. Explain to whomever that Phoenix needs to have her space and not to disturb her so that no one gets harmed. She won't die without playtime for a while if she is biting while out. It's not just you, people do it all of the time and it makes me nutty. You will do what you feel is best but I hope you don't get any more chinchillas in the future, because I am sure it is hard on them when they are rehomed.

 

[Riven]

:clap1:

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

I agree fully with Jean Marie

 

[Carol~Anne]

I just think you are punishing Phoenix for something that is not her fault at all. Am I correct in saying that she wasn't biting you until you brought the new chin home? If so, then obviously she is affected by the new chin's presence and needs time to adjust to the 'intruder'. It's totally natural that she feels threatened and can smell the other chin in the room as well as on your hands.

I'd give her more time to settle down and adjust to the new chin. Whenever I bring a new chin into the chin room, all my boys get a bit rattled and will start to chase their cage mate and they just generally seem out of sorts for a while. I've come to expect this type of behaviour from them but they do return to normal after a while. Granted, they've never bitten me but they're just not themselves at all and it's obvious.

If I were you, I'd give Phoenix more time to settle down and adjust to the new girl and in the meantime, wash your hands between handlings and maybe cut out the playtime for now and don't attempt to pet her. Just talk to her and keep attend to her needs by giving her her water, pellets, hay and see if she'll take some oats out of the palm of your hand and if not just leave the oats for her to eat. This is exactly what I'm doing with my nippy boy and he is really settling down and has pretty much stopped biting me.

I'm almost positive this biting phase is totally related to bringing the new chin into the home and you have to be more patient, understanding of her behaviour and I do think it is a temporary thing and she will return to her pre-biting ways. You just need to give her a little more time to adjust to this new situation she's forced to face. Who knows, when everything settles down again it is possible that someday you might even be able to try intros again. Maybe.

 

[Sierra]

Well I had decided to keep her after Dustin and I talked about it. We both felt that I would feel guilty if I gave her back so I decided to keep her but then my mom said that I need to give her back and not deal with her anymore. I think if I kept her it would make our living situation worse because as of right now we both live with my mom and share the apartment. I know that I would be unhappy which would stress out both Phoenix and Sedona. I'm going to give her back to Sara but for some reason she can't have her I will take her back immediately because I don't want her to go to a completely new home so maybe she wouldn't be as stressed if she comes back to us.

This is so frustrating. It seems like whatever choice I do I can't make someone happy.

 

[Tagna]

Your frustrated? Imagine how your chin feels. She's had more than one home and if I remember correctly, you didn't have her that long before you brought in another chinchilla.

She's stressed. If you can't have the patience to let her adjust than I would find her a forever home where they will and can give her the time she needs.

I have taken in rescues that continue to have tons of issues. I have no problem giving them lots of time and patience.

I know you say that whatever choice won't make someone happy, well make the best choice for those chinchillas.

 

[Sierra]

There is no BEST CHOICE for Phoenix. Either she stays with me or she goes back to Sara. I'm done with this subject. I am the one who ultimately is making the decision and I will talk to people I trust the most and that is Tabitha and Laurie.