Adorableness

[sylvercheetah]

We have both a chinchilla and a rabbit. They get along and we let them play together. Recently, as of last weekend, we decided to take out the split between their cage and house them together since our chinchilla gets lonely and barks in the middle of the night sometimes

Comments

To Set the Record Straight

[sylvercheetah]

*sigh* We put the separator back in, which is sad because they so enjoy each others company. But I'd rather have all my animals alive and healthy than dead.
But we will still allow them to play together.

For the record, it was not for amusement sake that we housed them together. We housed them together to keep each other company. Granted, I'd rather have two of each species for such, but I just don't think that's feasible in an apartment.

There is wire across the top, but the sides are still the original panes.
But on the plus side, I got the boyfriend to agree to purchase a chinchilla cage, and I still have a rabbit cage back at my parents house.

I had no idea getting a chinchilla fixed was not recommended. Obviously the vet didn't pose such a concern (or any concern) when we inquired. I KNOW I am getting the rabbit fixed. My first rabbit died of ovarian cancer, I just won't risk it again.

I reiterate - by no means was I being willfully irresponsible.

I did a fair amount of research on chinchillas before I agreed to allow the boyfriend to bring one in (since neither of us have owned one before). Obviously, I don't know everything. But I would never willfully place an animal in harms way. I was simply unaware of these things as issues.

Re: To Set the Record Straight

[chinchiller]

Oh, this is so good to read. Thank you so much for considering the issues and making the best decision you can for both critters! I'm happy to hear about the new cages as well. :D

Just for the record, the reason to not get chinchillas fixed is threefold. First, chinchillas won't suffer diseases or terrible problems like your previous rabbit did. Second, their behavior is not affected by being fixed, like it is with, say, female cats. Third, their bodies are so tiny, delicate, and sensitive that what is just regular surgery for most animals quickly becomes invasive and major. It's just all around unnecessary except in extremely rare circumstances.

Please do not feel like you were ever being attacked and please don't feel you need to be defensive. We all just want what's best for your animals, like you, and wanted to make sure you had as much information as possible.

Good luck and give your fuzzies a petting from us! :)

Re: To Set the Record Straight

[sylvercheetah]

No, as an animal lover I absolutely understand. You see something that is potentially harmful for an animal and want to change that behavior.

I had no idea that getting them fixed didn't change their behavior. We just assumed that he would be a little less aggressive if we got him fixed. Of course that was because we had all gotten serious bites at one time or another, but now we know what the deal is - the cage is his, he doesn't like hands in it unless they're feeding him, and he gets annoyed if he hasn't gotten out to run for more than a day.
Thanks for that information though. It sounds like getting him fixed is unnecessary pain & trouble for him and a waste of money for us.

We are still learning what he wants to teach us. We hope to have a long happy life with our furry critters.