Non-fur chewer chewing cage mate

[Brittney]

My two boys, Bryson and Ande are living together in a QC mansion. Tons of chew toys, and things to do, always clean, and no sounds other than me.

Bryson was a chewer a while back last year when I left for Christmas for a couple of weeks. I came back and his fur was barely chewed on his flank, but he devoured the tip of his tail. After some playtime, he quit and the fur grew back nicely but he continued to chew his tail. Then I rescued Ande and introduced him to Bryson. They were best buddies and Bryson even let his tail hair grow back. Well for a couple of months, Bryson's left flank is completely chewed, it looks horrible. Just a few weeks ago it began on his other flank and even on his stomach. I thought there was no way Bryson could be chewing in some areas, no way he could reach them.

Well, last night I was sitting on my bed doing some homework and I heard Bryson kacking. I looked to see what the deal was and all I saw was Ande "grooming" him, but Bryson was very unhappy with it. I watched closely to see what was really going on, and Ande was chewing Bryson's fur off. Not just grooming but mutilating his fur. I couldn't believe it. Ande's fur is perfect, no imperfections, and no chewing, no nothing.

Is it common for a non-fur chewer to chew a cage mate’s fur rather than their own?

How do you stop it?

Thanks

 

[tunes]

If he's chewing his cagemates fur, he's not a "non-fur chewer." I have a girl here who when in with a cagemate barbers them. If she is alone, she has no chewing issues, at least none I've ever found. Whether she chews herself or others, I still consider her a fur chewer.

 

[AZChins]

Are you sure that he really was chewing him up? Sometimes they groom very aggressively and it looks like they are chewing.

It is very common for chins to chew on the other chins. Sometimes I will see a little bit of fur chewed off here and there...the chins don't do it much normally, not to the extent to where it is really impacting the appearance of the chins.

I found a home for a chin that chewed himself and his cagemate - he's a fur stylist. I'm hoping that a lot of extra attention will make him stop.

I'd add extra hay to see if that helps. Do you think that maybe Charlie has something to do with Ande doing this? Maybe it's stressed Ande out a bit having another chin in the house.

I'm not sure if there's anything you can do to get him to stop it.

 

[Brittney]

He was doing this before Charlie came. And I'm sure he was chewing. I pushed him away and looked at Bryson's fur and there was a chewed spot about the size of a nickel where he had been "grooming"

 

[AZChins]

OMG! ANDE! Wow. So he's definitely causing some damage to Bryson's fur. Ande was doing so well...but I guess if a chin is ignored and not in a positive environment, he can develop some wacky behaviors.

 

[Riven]

If he's chewing his cagemates fur, he's not a "non-fur chewer."

I agree with Peggy on this, plus he's chewed himself, so it's not out there I'd never thought it was him sort of deal.

I would look at his diet, and if there is nothing wrong there, there is nothing you can really do.

 

[Brittney]

They are on PANR and Timothy hay. RO water and limited treats.