ADOPTING MULTIPLE SMALL
PETS (SAME BREED)
Some Tips
Small pets such as rabbits,
degus, guinea pigs, rats, chinchillas, and birds love to be adopted in same
sex bonded pairs. They provide each other security and companionship and allow
them social activity when you are not there. This will help to prevent boredom
as well. Hamsters are the one of the few exceptions to this "rule" and do really
well as a single. On rare occasion female littermates can remain together. You
should never try putting 2 male hamsters together as once they
become adults they will compete and will do each other harm. When bonding small
animals do your research first, NEVER just put them together in a cage.
A few bonding tips are...
- Keep in separate cages, initially
- Move the separate cages close together but not
so close that they can reach each other through the bars
- Bond in neutral territory (couch, bed, dry bathtub
with a towel to prevent slipping) with your supervision for short time periods
a few times a day Always separate if you see signs of aggression
- Dab vanilla extract on their heads and bottoms
so they smell similar
- Swap toys and bedding (sheets and towels) so
they become familiar with the others scent
- Once you feel they won't hurt each other you
can put them in a recently scrubbed out cage during the day when you can supervise.
Separate again at night until you are positive that they have bonded
- When you are totally comfortable with them being
together and have witnessed them grooming each other you can leave them in
the same cage
- Patience is the key to successful bonding, it
can take days, weeks, or even months, DO NOT RUSH THE PROCESS, it is well
worth the effort
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