Adopting a new chinchilla?

by Taylor
(Iowa)

I've had my male chinchilla since he was six weeks old (he's 8 now). Next month I will be getting a new cage and moving into a new apartment. I've found a spayed 5 year old female at a local animal shelter and was wondering if it would be a good idea to keep the two of them together in the same cage or if it would be better to keep my chinchilla alone.

Thanks!
Taylor

Answer:

Combining chinchillas, especially older ones, is always risky. They get used to living by themselves (just like us!), so combining them could create conflict.

That said, the ultimate success of any combination depends on their personalities... if they are easy going and get along with others - it may be fine!

Introduce them for brief intervals in a large area (so they have the ability to hide/get away), and see how it goes.