Only fight at playtime

[TnkTaingTal]

Talia and Tiquita have been buddies for over 2 years and though they do not get along with my other chins i have never had a problem with the two of them getting along. Recently that has changed. They get an hour of playtime per day and it has been this way for as long as i have had them. As soon as i let them out of the cage they begin to fight, as soon as i put them back into the cage, it is as if nothing happened. They are buddies again just as before. For a bit i was letting them play in a playpen instead. They did not fight during that time. I would open up the playpen and they would still be okay. As soon as i put the playpen away, the fight would begin again. Naturally, i had them playing with the playpen out, but open. Eventually the playpen idea stopped working. They only get 30 mins each now to equal the same hour they would get playing together. I don't get it. Any ideas on what is going on with them?

p.s I have recently began separating them while i am not home and while i sleep because i worry that if they fight out of the cage they may fight inside one day and i am terrified of coming home to a dead chin especially at the hands of her own sister. I disparately miss seeing them run around together, having fun please any advice is appreciated!

 

[halfstache]

I have no idea why they'd only fight during play time. However, for what its worth, if I was going through a similar situation I would not hesitate to separate them on a permanent basis. I always separate at the first sign of aggression. Fortunately for me, I've only had this happen during introductions and have not experienced it with long time cage mates. But if it were to happen the safest solution is to remove them from each other.

 

[Zoaea]

Are you sure its fighting and not some form of game? Is there perhaps a certain favored spot or toy they might be arguing about? What type of aggression signs are they showing, biting, fur flying, vocalization, ect?

 

[cahtie]

Remembered seeing this thread and came here hoping for some help as well. I've never seen any aggression between my two chins, though I don't stay in their play room all the time, the entire time they're out (the room has nothing in it that they could hurt themselves in, its basically an empty room). Recently, Cricket doesn't seem to want me to take her out of the cage, though she still enjoys playing once she's out. Now I'm starting to wonder if there's not a bigger issue..

I just had them out for playtime, and I stayed in there the entire time, and I heard a strange cack sound and looked quickly towards them. Koda (the smaller and usually submissive one) was posturing a bit at Cricket. Caused me to go Hmm.. A little later, it happened again, with a lot more posturing from Koda and 'cacking'. By posturing, I mean standing and 'walking' towards Cricket.

Nothing else happened, but it worried me enough to quickly step in to stop it. Put them both back into their cage. Now they seem normal.

Is this fighting? Do Chins play games?? I do notice at both times it seemed to happen in Koda's favorite spots. (by the door, because basically she likes thinking she's going to get out)

I've had them for about 6 months now and know they've been together for around four years, or most of their lives. Never saw aggression from them before.

 

[Cuddlebug]

The kack is one chin telling the other to "back off". It is not fighting, but it can be sign that they are not as happy with each other as they used to be. I would keep a close eye on them to see if things escalate. It may just be a one time thing or it could lead to fighting.

 

[symphle]

When was the last time the room was cleaned thoroughly? You might want to try removing their odor from the room and rearranging the few items inside. It could be they've become too comfortable with it and feel the need to claim stake. I really hope they work it out. It's sad to see chins fighting.