Unneutered Male chinchilla buddys?

[SexySadie]

Hi there everyone! My name is Alisa..not Sadie (Beatles).. anywho.

I'm new to this site today and I have a few questions for whoever may know. Here goes nothing..

I have two male chinchillas Buffalo and Sargent Pepper =). They are both male and they are not altered (neutered). They get along and snuggle but I'm a little worried that they might be arguing. Pepper tried to take a banana chip out of buffalo's mouth yesterday =(. The vet said that Buffalo was scared of Pepper at first , that was about a month and a half ago and he's eating and gaining weight and he looks amazing and he seems a lot more familiar and upbeat with everything. My boyfriend and I only let them around each other when we are there and we keep them separated when we aren't. They are going to get neutered but I wanted to know if they are snuggling and playing if the neuter would even make a difference. Like some dogs if it is past 6 months to a year a lot of the time the testosterone is in their system for good and won't change their temperament. Buffalo is 3 and Pepper is about a year and 3 months now.

What is the difference between playing and fighting with chinchillas? I've seen them chase each other but I can't tell if its a dominance thing or just fun.

Last question for now. I bought Dried Pineapple and I tasted it and it tasted like it had quite a bit of sugar around the outside and I wasn't sure how good that is for them or if a dried pineapple normally has a whitish coating.

Thanks so much and this site is quite amazing!

 

[tunes]

I worry if I see a lot of fur flying, excessive chasing, if one chin seems to be intimidated by the other (afraid to sit on a shelf, won't eat out of a dish, etc.) or if at any point there is blood, they are permanently separated immediately.

If you are getting them castrated anyway, I personally would just keep them apart until it is done. Then once it is done (and they are healed), clip their whiskers, put a little vanilla on their noses and above their tails, and let them either have play time together or use a small cage inside of a larger cage for intros. If that goes well, try introducing them into a neutral cage with all neutral stuff.

I wouldn't risk them scuffling before the castration, as chins have really long memories. Getting them castrated should take away the aggression, but if one is trying to cause a fight by being the dominant chin, they may very well remember that and the castration will be for nothing.

 

[SexySadie]

Oh wow that was a great help. Do i need to get them professionally clipped or myself. and how short should they be clipped? Thanks again.

 

[Ilovemychin]

Ya, I agree with the separation.

And welcome to the forum!

Love your Screen name

(I'm a beatles fan too lol)

Sargent Pepper is an awesome name too lol!

 

[tunes]

I usually take about an inch or a little more off. You can do it yourself. Have someone hold the chin still and use a pair of short scissors and just cut them off yourself. It doesn't hurt them unless you they jerk and you pull on the whisker or you can cut them if you poke them with the scissors.

 

[Bethany2386]

Also, please do not feed your chins ANY type of dried fruit. You see it on here over and over how it can cause the chins harm. And I am glad you are here! Welcome!

 

[cintistatern2005]

I just have a question. How come you are getting them neutered?

 

[SexySadie]

I was told it would help them stop being agressive and my vet said it was a healthier lifestyle and they wont be as territorial about food and what not