Post by jessjamesx on Jan 9, 2017 20:50:32 GMT
Hello!
I own two chinchillas now. One female (crystal) who is around 3/4 years old. She was bought alone as she was bullied as a baby by older male chins, they bit her ears etc really mean to her. She has always been skittish, disliked being handled and really not interested in human interaction, even when I let her out she would hide in a suitcase and not come out. Then she seemed to become bored, lonely and seemed to be craving attention. So I got a male Chinchilla same age called Jack.
Jack came alone as his previous buddy suddenly took a dislike to him. Jack is a character, he has a lot to say but has never bitten and once he's in my lap having fuss he loves life even if he kicks up a fuss whilst I hold him lol. I didn't want chin babies as I just wanted them to be cage mates so jack went in for neutering. We had a few problems afterwards but he is right as rain now.
Anyway, I knew introducing them would not be easy due to crystals history, I knew she would probably be somewhat cautious and have her guard up. So I left them in seperate cages next to each other and they took to each other, no aggression and would wait for each other by the side of the cages. It was all very positive. In fact at this point crystal was much more out of her shell and seemed a lot happier.
I let them out to play together and they ignored each other at first, no fights. When they crossed paths they would just go in opposite directions. I left both cages open so they could explore each other's and know that we are all friends here, but then when crystal was in her cage jack decided to explore it... crystal freaked out a little bit but jack remained calm and was always friendly towards crystal at no point has jack shown aggression towards her. It's as if he knows she is delicate he is that gentle and nice towards her. They both came out of the cage and went back to their natural homes.
Ever since this point when allowed out to play together crystal looks for Jack, she chases and jumps on him. When she is in his cage and he's our, if he approaches the cage for kisses/sniffs she tries to bite him through the cage. Again, he does not.
Jack really longs for crystal and when they aren't out they are very amicable if not friendly when in their own cages.
I feel for jack cause of what he's been through for this to be rejected by her, I knew it wasn't a definite nor a simple process however, I don't have two chins disliking each other, I have one who seems to be in love and the other who is being plain mean. Crystal has nothing to fear from jack and he's never shown her he does.
I was terrified of jack to begin with because he was so vocal but he's a big softie really and shows crystal this in any way he can!!
I just don't know what to do at this point. I still let them out together but if crystal is mean towards jack I break it up and she goes back in her cage. Jack continues to play then when he's in his cage she can come back out.
Is it worth continuing to try and make this work? Jack is becoming more and more afraid of crystal so I don't want this to affect him.
Crystal is also a sweet chinchilla just not as friendly as jack. They are sensitive animals so know she has just been through a lot. I still believe she wants to be friends with jack but is struggling to relax in case what happened before happens again.
Any input is appreciated but only positivity.
Many thanks!
I own two chinchillas now. One female (crystal) who is around 3/4 years old. She was bought alone as she was bullied as a baby by older male chins, they bit her ears etc really mean to her. She has always been skittish, disliked being handled and really not interested in human interaction, even when I let her out she would hide in a suitcase and not come out. Then she seemed to become bored, lonely and seemed to be craving attention. So I got a male Chinchilla same age called Jack.
Jack came alone as his previous buddy suddenly took a dislike to him. Jack is a character, he has a lot to say but has never bitten and once he's in my lap having fuss he loves life even if he kicks up a fuss whilst I hold him lol. I didn't want chin babies as I just wanted them to be cage mates so jack went in for neutering. We had a few problems afterwards but he is right as rain now.
Anyway, I knew introducing them would not be easy due to crystals history, I knew she would probably be somewhat cautious and have her guard up. So I left them in seperate cages next to each other and they took to each other, no aggression and would wait for each other by the side of the cages. It was all very positive. In fact at this point crystal was much more out of her shell and seemed a lot happier.
I let them out to play together and they ignored each other at first, no fights. When they crossed paths they would just go in opposite directions. I left both cages open so they could explore each other's and know that we are all friends here, but then when crystal was in her cage jack decided to explore it... crystal freaked out a little bit but jack remained calm and was always friendly towards crystal at no point has jack shown aggression towards her. It's as if he knows she is delicate he is that gentle and nice towards her. They both came out of the cage and went back to their natural homes.
Ever since this point when allowed out to play together crystal looks for Jack, she chases and jumps on him. When she is in his cage and he's our, if he approaches the cage for kisses/sniffs she tries to bite him through the cage. Again, he does not.
Jack really longs for crystal and when they aren't out they are very amicable if not friendly when in their own cages.
I feel for jack cause of what he's been through for this to be rejected by her, I knew it wasn't a definite nor a simple process however, I don't have two chins disliking each other, I have one who seems to be in love and the other who is being plain mean. Crystal has nothing to fear from jack and he's never shown her he does.
I was terrified of jack to begin with because he was so vocal but he's a big softie really and shows crystal this in any way he can!!
I just don't know what to do at this point. I still let them out together but if crystal is mean towards jack I break it up and she goes back in her cage. Jack continues to play then when he's in his cage she can come back out.
Is it worth continuing to try and make this work? Jack is becoming more and more afraid of crystal so I don't want this to affect him.
Crystal is also a sweet chinchilla just not as friendly as jack. They are sensitive animals so know she has just been through a lot. I still believe she wants to be friends with jack but is struggling to relax in case what happened before happens again.
Any input is appreciated but only positivity.
Many thanks!