Are 2 chins necessary?

[Tyco]

Hello, new here!

I'm curious about chinchillas as pets, I know there must be more than just cuteness. ;)

One of the important things I need to think about before getting one is how social they are? I know with some animals it is absolutely necessary to get at least 2 because they are incredibly social, is it the same with chins or would 1 chin be okay by himself?

If it makes any difference, I'm pretty much home all day, except for when school starts back up in fall. So I can basically have the chin(s) out whenever I am home :)

Thanks

[TheChinClique]

Welcome!

Most of the time, as long as you give your Chinchilla a considerable amount of attention, he or she will be fine as a singleton. However, I have had two extremes here...one female that REFUSES to be without company, and one male that REFUSES to be with company. It depends on the personality of the Chinchilla, but I would say most do okay alone if given attention.

-Andrea

Hello, new here!

I'm curious about chinchillas as pets, I know there must be more than just cuteness. ;)

One of the important things I need to think about before getting one is how social they are? I know with some animals it is absolutely necessary to get at least 2 because they are incredibly social, is it the same with chins or would 1 chin be okay by himself?

If it makes any difference, I'm pretty much home all day, except for when school starts back up in fall. So I can basically have the chin(s) out whenever I am home :)

Thanks

[x_maddy]

A single chin would do fine. Many people have single chins. Just make sure you have the time to let it out to play, and socialize it. =]

[foxbite2]

It won't really matter that you are away during the day as most chins are nocturnal and play at nite. But an "only" chin is fine.... as long as you have time to spend with him/her, so they can depend on you for their daily interaction.

[Tyco]

Hey

Thanks everyone, this should make it easier during the process of persuading my mom. ;) She's hard to work with because she is somehow convinced they need a cage the size of a bedroom... :dunno:

So thanks. Hopefully I can get the chinchilla I have been wanting for many years. :)

[crittercagesnc]

Hi,

True it is not "necessary" to have 2 chins - but - they ARE very social animals. They are nocturnal and VERY busy animals. They also live to be 15 to 20 years old. It is hard for a person to give a chin enough time, touch, and interaction to meet his needs over the course of this much time. Chins DO need big cages (not the size of a bedroom) but the size for 2 chins vs 1 chin is not much. If you are getting young chins I would recommend getting 2 of them (same sex!). If you really only want one I would look for an older chin that has been living by themself for awhile. Check out the rescues.
Good luck what ever you decide, Linda

[wallride]

Just throwing in my two cents..

My first baby, Wallie, didn't have much interaction with other chins, I think. He was perfectly fine with me giving him tons of attention and love.

But when I bought him a friend, Ruben, he seems even more happy now! They sleep all on each other and groom each other.. because they are family animals. :)

[zneill84]

I got a chin and thought that he would want a buddy about 9 months after I got him. Thank god i did, because they love each other, even if the young one is a pest, and its so cute to see them snuggle with each other.