Introducing Chinchillas?

[snailrah]

I currently have a four month old female chinchilla, but am interested in getting her a buddy. I've had her for about a month now, and she seems to be quite bored in her cage at night, despite all of the attention I give her.

I've read about introducing new chinchillas, and everywhere I've read that you should house them in two separate cages, but I can't really afford to buy a second one. I currently have a double story critter nations cage, and each section can be closed off.

So my question is, if I close off the top half from the bottom half, could I house the new chin on the top half while they get used to eachother?

 

[Amethyst]

It's not a good idea to house a new chin in the same room as the current one right away. Ideally you should quarantine the new chin in a different room for 30 days before any interaction between chins. This time give the new chin time to settle in, for any illness to become apparent before it spreads to your current chin (why you need the chin in a different room), and for you to get to know it.

Once the quarantine time has passed then yes, splitting the cage while you introduce them is fine. The top and bottom are effectively two separate cages. However, keep in mind that not all chins want a cage mate, so it is entirely possible you will end up with two single chins.

You say she is bored, well there are ways to help with that. How many toys does she have? ideally there should be lots, and of different kinds, shedding, chewing, softer and harder wood, etc. Also a variety of kinds too, both hanging and toss toys as well as lots of chew sticks/twigs. There are also cuddle buddies that you can make or buy, basically a fleece chinchilla shaped and size stuffy to sleep and play with. Rotate the toys out every so often too so they don't get boring. She is still a little too young for a wheel (should be at least 6 months before having a wheel), but what do you have for shelves and ledges and perches, those can make the cage more fun to hop around. Also some chins like fleece hammocks and hanging fleece hiding houses to sleep and play in.

I'm not saying not to get another chin if you want one, but if you are getting another just to hopefully make your current chin happy there is no guaranty it will work. It can also happen sometimes that even after many years together a bonded pair decide they don't like each other anymore. Also it's not uncommon for chins in pairs to be less affectionate to their owners then they were before getting a friend since they have another chin to love instead of you.