Two chins maybe one bowl?

[Vcchinchilla]

I'm thinking of getting a cage mate for mine.. And I realize!!
How do u make sure they both get the same amount of pellets.
I recent started measuring the pellets for Mei Mei and he just gobbles it up.

 

[3CsMommy]

Generally you don't have to restrict pellet intake, so with multiple chins, I just fill the bowl. If you do get a second, you can add another bowl at introductions to make sure the more dominant chin doesn't drive the other away from the food. Same with water bottles; two of each is the best way to prevent fights.

Why did you decide to measure Mei Mei's pellets? Has he been sick?

 

[Godofgods]

Why did you decide to measure Mei Mei's pellets? Has he been sick?

I always measure my chins food. That way I have a more accurate estimite of how much they eat. And i can see when their eating more or less.

 

[Anfsurfer]

I don't meausure my Chins pellet intake either. As long as I see them at the bowl everyday I'm happy.

 

[ChinnyMom]

i don't measure for my boys either. i just fill up their bowl most of the way and take note on how long it is until said bowl is empty - about two days for each of my boys. they are in separate cages/areas since Guss is still in quarantine, but after intros (providing they go well!) i'll have two food bowls in the one cage, and will continue to just fill them up and monitor like i do now. going to have two water bottles and hay containers in there too, to ensure nobody gets in a snit over anything.

 

[Vcchinchilla]

I'm worried about his teeth because not exactly straight
Long story short the doc wants him to eat more grass tO help grind his teeth better
And to help with problem of him being a brat only liking to eat one bite of each pellet and dropping the other half

Thanks everyone for the response !!

Also should I put the food bowls farther away eom each other
I'll be providing them each their own wooden house
And kinda expect them to share the hammock

Or better to buy two?

 

[Anfsurfer]

I have three chins in my cage and no one has their own "anything". They all share the food bowl, the water bottles, the fleece tube, etc. I don't think you need to buy multiples of anything unless they end up being housed separately.

 

[summerdays]

some people measure their pellets, i never did, chins don't overeat. there are many times my bowls still have food left in them in the morning, and i feel good knowing they had enough to eat.

the problen that may occur tho, is that they may not get along and you might have to have 2 cages.

 

[Godofgods]

I have three chins in my cage and no one has their own "anything". They all share the food bowl, the water bottles, the fleece tube, etc. I don't think you need to buy multiples of anything unless they end up being housed separately.

I have three girls in ones cage as well. Mother and two daughters. While they get along, i have seen them snap at each other over the water bottle. So i added a second one, and since then theyve been fine with each other.

 

[Vcchinchilla]

I have two of everything except extra toilet
This other chinchilla needs to be rescued from pet shop

My heart breaks everytime I visit, I have everything to provide a better home

If this other chin gets along with mine, he is welcomed stay with me and Mei forever
If no then I will go find a good home for him and he can take my extra everything with him

 

[Gumby and Elmo]

I have 2 bowls for my boys although I've never seen them snap at each other about their food. Funny thing, they seem to have put their names onto their food bowls. I always see them eating at their 'own' bowl. So I've nvr bothered merging the 2bowls into one.
As for measuring their food, I only did it once post operation. Otherwise I dun think there's a need to, I've been with them for 6yrs, I know what it and what's not normal for them.

 

[3CsMommy]

I have three chins in my cage and no one has their own "anything". [...] I don't think you need to buy multiples of anything unless they end up being housed separately.

And in my experience (5 years with pet chins, 2 different introductions) 1 bowl and bottle per chin cut down on a lot of the bickering and territorial behavior that led to fights. That said, the pair I got already bonded share well enough for the most part. It's moving one in with another that can be problematic.

I'm sorry to hear Mei Mei is having tooth issues. If you need to monitor his food that closely, I'd be cautious about caging him with another animal until the dental situation is figured out. My boys are in my bedroom, so I can see if YouBe is trying to chase Nova out of the bowl and take measures if necessary. But neither of them have medical issues that need monitoring.

While it's honorable to want to "save" the pet store chin you're thinking of, keep in mind that giving the store money for the animal they're mistreating just means that they're going to keep mistreating animals. Stores want to make money; animals are just another product for the shelves.

If you want another chin in your family, by all means, get another one and enjoy the (hopefully) 15 years of love. But if your only reason for getting that chin is b/c it's suffering in a pet store, it might be best to wait until you know Mei Mei's in full health and instead try to educate the pet store in how they're putting that chin in danger.

 

[jbcstratton]

Do you have another cage available as well in case they don't get along? Just wondering, it sounds as though you were just going to put them together and see what happens. I have never had good luck with that.

 

[Vcchinchilla]

Thanks for everyone thoughtful ness!!
meimei doing great and eating tons of hay

The unfortunate chin is now with me, after the first night he did literally 90 degree turn around! I have called him davinci
I can't wait to get some pictures he's got the biggest eyes I have ever seen and satellight dished for ears

I cant wait till next month when
They can know each others existence

I hope to never set foot into a petshop ever again

 

[jbcstratton]

I am assuming mei mei is a girl and you said "he's got the biggest eyes" unless you plan to breed these chins shouldn't be housed together and if you don't know background I would not suggest it. Good luck with your new chin though.

 

[Ki77ybunny]

I pretty sure mei mei is aboy...but also the original poster needs to make sure the pet store didnt mis-sex them.

 

[Vcchinchilla]

Meimei is a boy after the PetshoP insisted he was a girl

So I gave him a girls name And he started to respond to it

When he settled in i checked him again with pictures next to me

He's clearly a boy and just last week confirmed with a vet lol

He's a boy with a girls name -___-