one chin or two?

[chinnymi]

Hey everyone, I have a sweet male chin, he's around 6 or 7 years old. I give him love and attention but I do work full time and have a child also, and am wondering, should I get another male chin to pair him up with?

I've been reading lately, wondering if I should get another and have seen people very adamant about chin pairs as opposed to single chins because they're so social. Someone said that they sleep cuddled up and that no matter how much attention you give they will never be as happy alone as they would be as a pair? How worried should I be about this? I want him to be as happy as he can be.

Also I'm a little worried, what happens if you do get another and the introduction just never works and they don't get along?

Thanks.

 

[Amethyst]

It seems to be going around now a days that people are convinced that since chins in the wild live in herds that domesticated chins need to be in groups or they will be sad, not true. There are plenty of chins that live alone and are perfectly fine, some also don't even want a cage mate and will hurt or kill one. Yes chins in bonded pairs do cuddle up and sleep together most of the time, but just like humans not everyone wants a partner. It also comes down to personality if two will get along as well, just because it doesn't like one chin doesn't mean it doesn't like any other. Also it can happen that even bonded pairs decide they don't like each other anymore sometimes, and need to be separated.

Basically if they never get along then you need to keep them separate in separate cages forever, and most likely have separate play times as well. So you will then have two single chins. You should be prepared to have as many cages as you have chins, just in case of a falling out. So if you have the time, space, and you want another chin then go for it. Even separate chins are know to like having other chins around to chat with even if they don't live together. However if you don't have the time and space to house a second chin and are simply getting it to hopefully pair with your current one and don't personally want a second one, then I don't advise it.

If you spend at least an hour a day with the chin, chances are he is fine. If you are really worried about it, you could try making or getting him a cuddle buddy if he doesn't chew fleece.

Another thing to keep in mind, new chins need to be quarantined in another cage in another room for 30 days prior to intros. This allows any illness to show itself, as well as for the new chin to get use to it's new home and for you to get use to the new chin.