One or two chins?

[JessePolicy]

I've heard from different people totally differing opinions when it comes to whether or not someone should buy just one chinchilla, or a pair of them. I'm planning on getting them sometime soon and would like to know the pros and cons of getting just one chinchilla and a pair of them and if it is even at all okay for them to be alone.

Thanks.

 

[ABBY W.]

I always prefer to see my babies go in pairs, because they just seem happier when they have a cagemate to cuddle and play with. That being said, I think a lone chin can be perfectly happy as long as they have interaction every day with you. I tell people with lone chins that they should be able to give about 30 minutes of playtime each day to the chin, or consider a cagemate to keep them company.

 

[Evelyn]

I used to hv exactly same question with my chin when I first got him. I decided to not get another one because I didn't really want to mess with the guarantine problem. I have gizmo for 2 months now and I think my decision was right. If u hv a lone chin n u give him plenty of attention he will bond with you strongly. I knew that because I can tell gizmo close to me more than my boyfriend even and I loooove that feelings. But if ur going to hv only one chin, u probably needs to make sure that u give him enough attention though. I play with him everyday. Hold him once a day. And let him out for playtime an hour each night. I'm sure that my chin is hppy and health. Maybe u need to ask yourself r u getting another chin because u want two chins or u want them to hv friend. I know they probably share everything but hving another chin is also another big commitment. Good luck with ur decision.

 

[Tagna]

For my first chinchilla(s) I decided to adopt a bonded pair from a rescue. Since bonded pairs are sometimes harder to place I thought it would get them out of the rescue and they would have each other.

 

[Mystic]

I would recommend to get your chinchillas in pairs, just so they always have a buddy to play with when you are not around. Keep in mind though that some chinchilla pairs can unexpectedly turn on one another and you would have to seperate them permanently. Its not always the case that the chinchillas in a pair will turn on each other, but it is a possibility and something to be aware of.

 

[suzi1780]

Maddie was alone for around 5 years and I thought she really needed a friend, so I got Mitzie. I can honestly say that I feel Maddie's life improved with having a buddy, not that she had a bad life of course, but she did just seem more content. But be ready, not all pairs get along so you might end up with two single chins.

 

[ticklechin]

Single chins are fine, pairs may not stay as a pair forever. Chins can turn on each other and kill even if they have been together for years.

 

[QnMidnight]

I have a single chin, and I'll admit that I'm lazy and don't take him out everyday. He's very attached to both my fiancé and I though, and he gets tons of love and attention throughout the day (his cage is in a very central location in our apartment, so we stop to see him almost every time we walk by). I feel that his quality of life is just fine, and don't feel that he needs a friend. I'll also admit though that trying to pair him up with another chin honestly scares the crap out of me. There are too many horror stories of chins either seriously injuring each other during introductions, or suddenly turning on each other days/weeks/months/years later. Could you live with it if one of your chins killed it's 'buddy' at some point? I know I couldn't, so I don't plan on ever trying to pair him up.

 

[Maia]

I have a single chin, and he is doing just fine. My bf and I give him plenty of love and attention every day. I've thought about getting him another chin as a buddy, but if the new chin hurt him I don't think I could deal with it. He is very happy alone, is very active during playtime in the bathroom and loves his Chin Spin. I think when/if I do get another chin they will not be housed together, but near each other so they can "talk". He isn't lonely on his own and it would just be me wanting another!

 

[Marie5656]

Trixie has been an only chin for the entire 5 and a half years we have had her. We keep her in the living room, so she interacts with us every day...I usually take her out for play every other night.
I had considered getting her a playmate, but decide against for the reason if they did not get along, I really do not have room to set up another chin cage to separate them.

 

[Lynn & The Chins]

While I have a hapily bonded pair of males, my Little Two Paws lives alone since he is handicapped and might be bullied were he paired with another chin, according to my vet.

He is happy all alone, curling up in his tube, snuggling in his cuddle cup and begging for treats!!! He tends to get extra lovins' from me because he IS alone, and I feel that he needs the extra attention.

One of our little rituals involves me "grooming" him by rubbing my fingers along his nose and eyes, cleaning them like another chin would. He gets that look of pure bliss on his face when I do that and give him scritches, so I know that he's a happy little singleton!!!

Since I tend to anthropomorphize my chins, I'm in the camp of "They should have a buddy with whom to snuggle and interact", but I also believe that with ample attention from you, they can live a happy life as a single chin.

They might even be MORE inclined to be a cuddler...I know that Mr. Whiskers was much closer to me before I got him a friend. He's still very affectionate with me, but he does have The Snuggler and they are inseparable.

Good luck with your decision. Either way is a winner -- you get a chinnie (or two) and he/they get to be spoiled rotten by you!!! :thumbsup: