Chinchillas that didn't grow up together may not get along upon first being introduced. This might surprise some people since chinchillas are sociable in the wild.
However, all is not lost. It is possible to get two chinchillas used to each other's company. When we were introducing two chinchillas from different breeders we used a tried and proven technique. We put the newer chinchilla in a spare cage we had. We kept our older chinchilla in her original cage. We kept the two cages side-by-side so that chinchillas could see and smell each other at all times.
Then, every night we would let each chinchilla out of her cage for a period of time, but never both at the same time. We left it up to each chinchilla to approach the other. Of course, with the cage bars in between them, there was no fear that they would hurt each other.
After a week or two, we allowed both chinchillas to leave their cages at the same time. The first few times we did this, the chinchillas would chase each other which we stopped as quickly as possible.
Again, a week or so after releasing both from their cages we noticed that there was less chasing and less fighting. The number of "incidents" continued to decrease over time. About 3 to 4 weeks into the process, we moved the newer chinchilla into the older chinchilla's cage. They slept in the same box, shared the same water bottle, and ate from the same dishes.
And as further proof that this system works, we repeated everything again with a third chinchilla with same results.
We believe in providing as complete information as possible, so we want to also make you aware of the neutral zone technique. Those that use the neutral zone technique actually disagree with the approach we described. We leave it up to you decide which approach to take.
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August 9th, 2008 at 6:10 am
Hi,
I got a female baby chinchilla as company for my nearly 2 year old female chinchilla and after a few days they wern't fighting or anything through the bars (the big one just ignores the little one) so i put them on the floor. they were ok but the big one seems to chase the little one just abit and the little one jumps all over the place so i don't know if they are fighting or just playing. there is no noise really maybe a low like clicking noise but i don't no when i should put them in the cage together as i'm afriad the big one might hurt the baby i'm also afriad they will never make friends because of the age diffrence! Please help i want to make sure my chins make friends!
July 13th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Maddie,
Introducing chinchillas can easily take a few weeks. Ours started of fighting before they finally settled in together. Move slowly and be as patient as possible. I wouldn't let them run around together for a little while since they're starting off so hostile. Good luck!
July 12th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Hi. I have a question. I have one female chinchilla and shes about one and a half years old. I recently bought another female. The new one is still a baby and is very social. My problem is that my older chinchilla has never been very social and introducing them is concerning me because the older one tries to run out and attack the little one. I have them in one large cage that is seperated in the middle so they cant get at eachother. Its only been a few days but I am worried if the age and size difference is going to be an issue.
October 25th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Hello, I'm hoping you guys could help me out. I've got 3 chins, Coca Puff, Kelda and the unnamed baby, now Coca Puff I've had for a little over 2 years, Kelda about 8 months. Both Coca and Kelda are females and seem to fight ALL the time *they are still in separate cages* Kelda had her baby but now the baby is about 3 months old. I would love for them to all get along and play together, but its doesn't seem possible with Kelda. She sprays urine, knocks her food dish over all the time, knocks their little hidaway upside down. Seems to me she is irritated or unhappy, but I cannot figure out why, cage is large enough, she has things to chew on, I let her and the baby out several times a week. Any advice?
October 20th, 2007 at 7:27 am
Shelby,
If you don't have time for your pet, you should find another home for it. It sounds like you have other interests so why put yourself in a tough situation by trying to do everything?