Lolo and Stitch are chewing each other's fur! :(

[ARay]

This is my first post. Have learned a lot since the first time I came on here in December.

Got my first chin, Stitch, in December, then got him a little buddy Lolo in March. From the first day they were introduced, they seemed to kick it off. They were cuddling and sleeping together the first night they met. I thought everything was working out great...

Fast forward to now, they are still friendly pals and snuggle to sleep. I haven't seen them fight, but every time I approach the cage there seems to be more pulled fur on them. I know for a fact that they are doing it to each other. It seems that they are grooming each other, but end up taking fur.

My question is, being at thaty is there anything I can do short of separating them to get them to stop pulling each other's fur out?

I'm afraid I may already know the answer..

 

[tunes]

Pulling and chewing are two very different things. Chewing is often a nervous habit that develops. Pulling fur means they are fighting.

 

[ARay]

I've seen Stitch on Lolo and it looks like he is grooming him, but when I look, his fur has been pulled out. And vice versa, Lolo (the smaller chin) grooms and pulls fur off Stitch.

Is it possible they aren't fighting but just grooming too hard? Is there any way to discourage this? They have plenty shew toys, even a stuffed animal they like to cuddle with that we were hoping they would chew on instead of themselves...

Lolo with a fit of fur pulled out of his forehead...

All snuggled up a couple of minutes later...

 

[Amethyst]

If fur is actually being pulled out that is not just over grooming that's a sign of fighting. It starts with pulled fur and next it will be actual bites and ripped flesh. Common bite places are on the face and neck.

Another thing, that wheel is not good, you shouldn't use plastic with chins in general because they normally eat it, but also the wheel is too small. You need a wheel at least 15" in diameter or you are causing the chin's to bend their spine backwards when running, which will lead to back issues over time.