I've been wanting to get Tribble a companion for awhile now, but have heard such horrible tales of chinchillas being introduced. Down at the vet where I take her, there is a violet chinchilla that was surrendered to the clinic that I would love to adopt to be with her. Any advice? Should I do it, or is it too risky?
Introduction
- Thread starter Sendra
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starleomach
Dawnna's Keeper
sometimes it works great and sometimes is doesn't work at all. There is no way to know if you don't try. I find it works more often than not but if you adopt her be prepared for 2 cagesjust in case
R
Rickman
Guest
I've had much better luck with females than males, if that'll help. Usually NO problem!
caiti
Well-known member
I totally know what you mean. I just got my first chin, Chloe only 8 weeks ago so I'm not thinking of getting another anytime soon. But, I always wonder if it's worth it to get another after hearing people have chins attack eachother. And then hearing people have chins who get along for years and then randomly attack eachother. It scares me, but thinking about it logically, most people on this forum have multiple chins at the moment. So...the probability may not be that high? I don't know...but I sympathize with your plight.
starleomach
Dawnna's Keeper
I have 104 chinchillas here right now. None are alone except 3 new females who either just gave birth or I am expecting too. My cages have usually more than 1 female I very rarely have had a chinchilla I CANNOT get with anyone, Sometimes I have to move them around a bit to get a good match because if they don't get along with each other they may get along with someone else and often do. Like Sam (female) and Chibler( male) for years it was just those two periodically I would try to add someone else and it just didn't work until Dixie. They took Dixie with no problems at all,
I would say if you want a friend you can very likely get her a friend someone will work out. But the only way to know if this violet will is to try.
I would say if you want a friend you can very likely get her a friend someone will work out. But the only way to know if this violet will is to try.
mistywaterwoman
Pooper Scooper
Make sure you have a second cage and make SURE you do a 30 day quarantine, just in case. Some issues take a while to show up, and you don't want your own chin at risk.
Quarantine means separate cage in a separate room. Platyimes in different rooms, no sharing of toys, washing hands between contact. You'll be glad you took these precautions if something does come up, and if not, at least you took the safer route.
After quarantine is over, bring the second cage into the same room with your own chin. Park it across the room, and leave it there for at least a week. Continue to take the new chin into a separate room for playtime. This gives your chin time to adjust to the scent of a new animal in the room with them.
After a week, move the second cage closer to your chin's cage. Leave at least 6-10 inches in between them to prevent any injuries through the bars. This will give them the opportunity to "talk" and get used to the idea of having a neighbor.
If all goes well, wait another week or so (at least) before you try introducing them to each other. Playtime is the best time for intros.
When it's time for introducing them, it goes easiest if you pick neutral territory, like a room not usually used by your first chin. I use the bathroom. I bring them both into the bathroom in separate carriers, and let the new chin out first and then my first chin. Some initial chasing and/or fur slipping is normal. You just want to watch for biting, or serious fighting. Be prepared to separate them immediately if it goes bad. I think a distraction is helpful, so I dry out the tub thoroughly and put a LOT of dust into it, so that both can roll comfortably. The dust also helps "neutralize" each chin's scent and that makes it go smoother.
I do these neutral territory playtime for a week or so before allowing them to play together in my first chin's regular play area. That also helps get them familiar with each other before your chin has to "share" her regular space and toys. If the neutral territory playtimes AND the shared area playtimes go well, then you can think about letting them share a cage.
It's best to pick whichever cage is largest. Also, if one chin seems more dominant than the other, pick the cage of the less dominant chin. It helps to even the dynamics out so that one doesn't feel as bossy over the other.
Scrub the cage down completely first and then move items from both cages into the cage you choose. You want a nice even mix of "property" in there to keep the scents balanced. Watch them closely for a couple of weeks.
With females, you are probably going to have to deal mostly with kacking and spraying moreso than actual fighting or biting. (usually)
Good luck!
Quarantine means separate cage in a separate room. Platyimes in different rooms, no sharing of toys, washing hands between contact. You'll be glad you took these precautions if something does come up, and if not, at least you took the safer route.
After quarantine is over, bring the second cage into the same room with your own chin. Park it across the room, and leave it there for at least a week. Continue to take the new chin into a separate room for playtime. This gives your chin time to adjust to the scent of a new animal in the room with them.
After a week, move the second cage closer to your chin's cage. Leave at least 6-10 inches in between them to prevent any injuries through the bars. This will give them the opportunity to "talk" and get used to the idea of having a neighbor.
If all goes well, wait another week or so (at least) before you try introducing them to each other. Playtime is the best time for intros.
When it's time for introducing them, it goes easiest if you pick neutral territory, like a room not usually used by your first chin. I use the bathroom. I bring them both into the bathroom in separate carriers, and let the new chin out first and then my first chin. Some initial chasing and/or fur slipping is normal. You just want to watch for biting, or serious fighting. Be prepared to separate them immediately if it goes bad. I think a distraction is helpful, so I dry out the tub thoroughly and put a LOT of dust into it, so that both can roll comfortably. The dust also helps "neutralize" each chin's scent and that makes it go smoother.
I do these neutral territory playtime for a week or so before allowing them to play together in my first chin's regular play area. That also helps get them familiar with each other before your chin has to "share" her regular space and toys. If the neutral territory playtimes AND the shared area playtimes go well, then you can think about letting them share a cage.
It's best to pick whichever cage is largest. Also, if one chin seems more dominant than the other, pick the cage of the less dominant chin. It helps to even the dynamics out so that one doesn't feel as bossy over the other.
Scrub the cage down completely first and then move items from both cages into the cage you choose. You want a nice even mix of "property" in there to keep the scents balanced. Watch them closely for a couple of weeks.
With females, you are probably going to have to deal mostly with kacking and spraying moreso than actual fighting or biting. (usually)
Good luck!
Last edited:
Lynn & The Chins
The Chinchilla WhisKerer
Kara, that was a great description of how to properly introduce a pair of chinchillas. :thumbsup:
Mods, could this possibly be stickied or included in the FAQs???
Mods, could this possibly be stickied or included in the FAQs???
