i was wondering if its best to have one chinchilla or 2?
Chinchillas are very social animals.
the breeder we got chichi from said it would be best if she was alone. she said,"with 2 chins we could lose her as a pet" and i don't want that, but i want her to be happy and have someone to play with at night.
Each breeder/person has their own views. I have found that is usually depends on the chinchilla/chinchillas and the amount of time you spend with them. Some chinchillas crave their own kind, while others seem just fine with their human families. The routine you keep them in will help determine much of their actions/reactions. If you play with them constantly, as a pair, they will usually continue their feelings towards you also. In some chinchillas, rare, but in some, they have a way of turning you off once they have a cage mate ... but ... remember, it is the way you treat them as a pair and how much time you spend with them which usually determines their reactions to you. If you do not spend as much time with them "because they have someone to play with" ... you will find they will turn their backs on you and towards each other for companionship.
the breeder we got chichi from said it would be best if she was alone.
I would ask her if there were any other reasons she should be kept alone. She may not be as social with other chinchillas as most are ... (she might fight other chins) ... if this is the case, you might want to consider keeping her by herself.
But, if it is that the breeder just "feels" she would be best as an 'only chin' because of the way she may or may not react to you ... then it's going to have to be strictly your decision.
Just my opinion.
That's a really hard one for someone to try to decide for you.
Jo Ann
