In time, should Terrance possibly get a new cage mate?

[ReneeM]

Terrance was left alone today after the death of his cage mate, Phillip.

I'm thinking long term, not in the near future, of what would be best for him.

He is a very social chin, but is not overly fond of people.

My mom got her own chin, Jett , several weeks ago. She posed the idea of possibly introducing them to each other, and seeing if it would be possible to house them together.

Im not sure what the proper length of time to wait would be, or if it would even be suggested to try.

Terrance sits in his cage and stares at me now, he seems really lost it's breaking my heart.

 

[Pookinaround]

That may be a tough one...Getting another male is a crapshoot as to whether or not they will get along. That is going to be the main issue. I would wait though and double and triple make sure that whatever it was that Phillip had didn't get passed to Terrence. From what I read in the other thread it doesn't sound like it will but I'd still err on the side of caution.

 

[ReneeM]

It would not be anytime soon. My mom's little guy is not going to be near my chins until I know for certain Terrance is okay.

 

[Pookinaround]

If it is your mom's chin and you have the option of going back to the way it was if it doesn't work then in time what could it hurt? Worst case they just go back to the way they were if they don't hit it off. Best of luck! I'd try it.

 

[melbur10]

I would give it a shot, but give him some time to be sure he's ok, and scrub and sanitize his cage and items well, you don't want any risk of loosing Jett to some thing Terrance might just not show symptoms of or built some sort of immunity too.
But I would give it a shot!

 

[ReneeM]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to give it at least a couple of weeks before I consider trying. I want to make sure Terrance and my girls are healthy before trying introductions. I don't want to take chances of my mom's kit getting sick.

Jett was going to be a single chin, but sadly circumstances have changed.

I have no desire to get another chin of my own, but it just seems to make sense to try Jett and Terrance together. Although I have a feeling Jett will end up being "my" chinchilla if intros work out.

Terrace stares at me through the cage bars whenever I am in my room, but he refuses to let me hold him to offer comfort. He does have a cuddle buddy on the way though.

Would it be rushing to try introductions in 2-3 weeks? I hate seeing Terrance so upset I'm hoping they hit it off.


I honestly don't know if he would be okay as a single chin.