New Chin owner in Washington.

[dice]

Hi, just dived in head first into the world of chinchillas. Just brought home a full sister pair, Beatrice born 9/29/13, and her baby Sister Fae Rae, born 4/13/14. Was searching on chin care and found this site and decided to join. Only have had them since Friday, but they are settling in well.

I also have 2 Savannah's, both 4 years old, a 8 lb female Spontaneity, and 20 lb. male, Sampson. Also an 8 year old domestic cat. The female cats don't want anything to do with the chins, but Sam, Boy is he one excited Savannah. He don't know whether to eat them or just play with them..

Sam's actually turning out to be quiet the Chinchilla Header. Always know where the sisters are, because Sam is either crouched down and thumping his tail, or chasing and spanking chins, or being chased by chins, it is Quite the entertainment package.

I have the Sisters in my bedroom, so when it's chin chillin time, if the cats are in the room everyone is locked in. Have a ramp from the sisters habitat running to my bed, so they can come and go, play with the cats, come and cuddle, and get in their daily exercise.

Turns out Chinchillas are a perfect pet for my life style. I work nights at a casino, and sleep days. So my main activity time, is the same as the sisters activity time.

Know I'm not doing everything right, and all, but heck, didn't know till I found out, and by then the chin was out of the habitat. lol


This is Beatrice the Bold:

And this is Ricochet Fae Rae:

And here's one of Sam winding up to Spank the Chin:

Yes, after 2 days the sisters have developed nick names, Bea the Bold, because she likes jumping off the top platform of the cage onto the ramp that leads to my bed, and then sliding all the way down. Plus she doesn't think twice about charging Sampson. lol

Ricochet Fae, because every time Sam tries to Spank the Chin, she's instantly here, there, everywhere, poor Sam keeps swiping at air, cause Fae is no longer there.

Just thought I'd stop in and say HI.

 

[cindyv3737]

Welcome! Please be very careful with the cat. They are hunters and chins are prey animals.

 

[dice]

That's actually a Savannah, and he's quite good with the sisters. They will chase him almost as much. Rodents aren't on my Pride's menu interests, now if it was a chicken, pheasants or turkey, yeah, we'd be seeing some serious wild side action.

My female Savannah, Spot, doesn't want anything to do with them, she worries that they may challenge her cuteness status, and my domestic merely watches. My animals are always supervised when in free ranging mode.

Thanks for the welcome though

 

[alooper19]

Welcome! As stated above, please be careful. Honestly, if they were my chins, they wouldn't be allowed around the cat. Chinchilla's are prey while cats are predators. The Chinchilla's could possibly be scared of the cat and believe it's trying to attack them.

 

[lauralynne]

Hello & Welcome!

 

[dice]

While chillas may be prey, my Pride are bird hunters, and not interested in rodents for food, they are beneath their dignity, but a humming bird, pheasant or even an eagle, they will stalk and attack.

Bea, Fae and Sam, resting after some exciting play.

Appreciate your concern and all, but they are my Felines and Chillas. Will continue to intergrate them as I see best. Heck, the total investment in the chins, habitat and supplies doesn't even cover the cost of Sampson, let alone close to what Spontaneity's investment was.

I keep a good eye on the kids when it's chilla play time. Sam is actually quite the Chilla Herder, if I need to know where one of the girls is hiding, all I have to do is ask Sampson.

Heck, even the breeder didn't show any concern when the subject of my cats came up, and was enthusiastic about my integrations plans. The Savannahs and Chinchillas have the next 20 years to get to know each other, since both breeds are long lived.

 

[seachin]

Welcome, fellow Washingtonian!

 

[dice]

Thanks Sea.

 

[seachin]

You should consider attending the ECBC show in Kent this December!

 

[Narcissus]

The issue with the cats, even if yours do not intend to hurt the chins, is cats can carry pasturella. This doesn't affect the cats, but it is deadly to chins. It is best to keep the cats and chins seperate during play time because of the health issues.
Although your cats may not intend on eating the chins.... The chins don't know that. They charge the cats because they are scared. This can be very stressful for a chin.