Last Updated on June 12, 2023 by Leonard Harper
Do you have a rabbit or chinchilla? Are you wondering whether rabbits and chinchillas can live together in perfect harmony? Well, read on. We are going to tell you everything that you need to know on this page.
Can Rabbits And Chinchillas Live Together?
They absolutely can. However, there are no guarantees here.
What we can say is that it is unlikely that there will be violence between a rabbit and a chinchilla. They are more likely to end up playing with one another. However, for the most part, you may find that the two of them will completely ignore one another.
Remember; neither of these animals would really be associating with the other if they were out there in the wild, so it is likely that their natural instinct would kick in.
Your best bet, if you really do want rabbits and chinchillas to live with one another, is to gradually introduce them to one another. Do this slowly. Some people, for instance, will put their two cages together (do not let them live in the same cage!).
They will also allow the two animals to run around supervised in the same room. You should never leave them unsupervised, even if you do believe that they get on because this is something that could easily change at a moment’s notice.
If this is going to be the first time that you are introducing the animals to one another, then you may want to place both of them in your lap and pet them at the same time. This will show confidence in them, and put both animals in a ‘relaxed’ state, which means that they are more likely to be accepting of one another.
Can Rabbits And Chinchillas Live Together In The Same Cage?
It isn’t recommended, no.
While it is rare that the two will be violent towards one another, you will be saving yourself a whole world of hassle if you keep the two of them separate.
For starters; chinchillas and rabbits have wildly different diets. How they digest the food is going to be different. Chinchillas, for instance, will have difficulty processing food that has been formulated especially for rabbits.
It could make them sick, or they may not be able to get full nutritional value out of it. Rabbits will probably have no issues consuming food made for chinchillas, but even then, you are probably going to want to avoid that happening. You do want to make sure that your rabbit gets full nutritional value from the food that it is consuming, after all.
It is also worth noting that chinchillas overeat a lot. This means that if they are in the same cage as a rabbit, it is likely that they will start to eat the rabbit food too. So, not only will your chinchilla end up sick, but you will also have a rabbit that is rather hungry too.
Can Rabbits And Chinchillas Mate?
No. They can’t. Sure. They may attempt to mate, but it is never going to happen. They are completely different animals. It would be impossible for rabbits and chinchillas to mate.
Of course, one of the reasons why you shouldn’t have the two live together in the same cage is because when they want to mate, they will attempt it. There is a chance that they could also get violent towards one another when they realize that it isn’t going to happen. This is more likely to happen if you have two males living together.
We do want to point out at this stage that there is a type of rabbit known as the chinchilla rabbit. This is not a hybrid of a chinchilla and rabbit. It is a 100% rabbit. It has just been bred in such a way that it has softer fur, closer to that of a chinchilla. There is no chinchilla in one of these rabbits, despite what some people like to claim.
So, there you have it. Rabbits and chinchillas can live together. You shouldn’t place them in the same cage, but you may find that when they are running around, they will be able to get on perfectly. However, you should always make sure that you are supervising the animals. Never leave them unattended.
See also:
– Can rabbits and dogs live together?
– Can rabbits and cats get along?
– Can rabbits and guinea pigs get along and live together?
Leo, a novice urban farmer and avid writer hailing from Chicago, Illinois, finds his joy and inspiration in the company of rabbits. His affection for these cuddly creatures started when he was gifted a Mini Rex, named Poe, on his 18th birthday. Poe soon became a source of comfort, companionship, and surprisingly, creative inspiration. He soon expanded his brood to include three more rabbits of different breeds, each with their own engaging tale.