About Jess Expertise I can answer questions about most species of rodents. I will answer any questions about health, husbandry and welfare. I can also give advise about behaviour problems, how to overcome these and ways of enriching the life of your pet. I can help with those wanting advice about house rabbits.
Experience I have experience with rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, gerbils, hamsters and chincillas.
Education/Credentials I am qualified in animal management, I work as a veterinary nurse.
kikki writes on 2007-04-28 23:14:00
I have recently gone through this exact scenario with my male chin, Furby, age 2. I bought Furby from a breeder at 10 weeks old and he has been my only since then. I love him madly and give him lots of attention and exercise, but I started to notice about 7 months ago that he seemed lonely. He would beg for attention at the front of his cage when I walked by and wouldn't play in his playpen unless I was in there with him. He started to seem depressed and would just lay around unless I constantly stimulated him with playtime and new toys. So, I went back to the breeder that I got him from and consulted with him.
I decided to get another baby chinchilla but didn't want to have the worries of pregnancy or the stress to the chins of spaying/neutering so I got a baby male chin. Furby was initially NOT happy to have another chin in his turf and, at one point, I thought I was going to have to give up on introducing them. I think you definitely need 2 cages (a good idea in case one gets sick at any point after they've bonded anyway) and I kept them in separate cages initially but let them out to play together in a neutral turf each night for about an hour (HEAVILY supervised by me to break up any fights). I also put them alone in each others' cages every other night to get them used to each others' scents.
It took 2 months but now the boys are permanently in the same cage (since December) and are snuggling together asleep as I write. I couldn't be happier. Furby seems MUCH happier and his little brother was from a 3-kit litter so he really also enjoys having a sibling. It was long, tedious, and challenging but worthwhile. Good luck and I hope that this helps someone in a similar situation.
