And both make wonderful pets.
It is only natural to wonder if bunnies and chinchillas can live together.
I mean, wouldn’t that be cool?
Two super cute animals hanging out and playing together. Even better, playing with you!
“Can chinchillas and rabbits live together?” was a question I had myself after I got my chinchilla.
So I started researching. Unfortunately, I did not get the answer I wanted.
Keep reading to learn what I found out about rabbits and chinchillas living together and getting along.
Contents
Can Chinchillas And Rabbits Live Together?
Yes, chinchillas and rabbits can live together in the same household. But they can’t live together in the same cage.
Chinchillas and rabbits that live in the same house need to have separate cages and separate living areas.
You can certainly own both, but even if it is possible to make a rabbit and chinchilla get along with one another, they need to have their own cages.
In addition to not sharing cages, chinchillas and rabbits should also never share the same food. I realize that news might be disappointing, considering how similar these two animals are in many ways.
They both eat timothy hay, and both even eat pellets. However, chinchillas can’t eat rabbit pellets at all. The two species have different nutritional guidelines, and their pellets contain different ingredients.
Apart from the food, chances are the two simply won’t get along. Some chinchillas don’t even like to be paired with a second chinchilla. They certainly won’t want to be with a different species, like a rabbit.
You would always have to be concerned that the chinchilla and the rabbit may get aggressive toward one another eventually.
Worse, a fight is most likely to happen when you aren’t around to prevent any potential bites and injuries.
I completely understand that rabbits and chinchillas are quite similar, but I can assure you that housing the two together is not a good idea.
One easy fix (thought certainly not the best solution) is to use a large enough cage that has multiple levels that you can close off from one another.
An example of this is the cage I use (for my chinchilla only, though; no rabbit here): the Critter Nation 2 Dual Level Cage.
It also comes in a single-story cage that you can keep completely separate.
If you want to allow them to play together eventually, you can bond them slowly by having the cages close to each other, but still separate behind their own doors.
But how likely is it that the two will ever become good friends? Can rabbits and chinchillas get along or is that just a pipe dream?
Do Chinchillas And Rabbits Get Along?
It is possible that chinchillas and rabbits can get along, if bonded slowly in separate cages. But it’s never a guarantee that these two animals will bond or get along.
When chinchillas and rabbits interact, it needs to be under your supervision and not in the same cage together.
You should not trust that a rabbit and chinchilla get along and leave them both out to play without supervision.
Can Rabbits And Chinchillas Breed?
No, this is a common question because of the relatively famous “chinchilla rabbit.” However, the chinchilla rabbit is a rabbit in every way possible. It has no relation to the chinchilla.
It is a rabbit that has been specifically bred to have soft fur that resembles the fur of a chinchilla. But at no point did a chinchilla and rabbit crossbreed to create the chinchilla bunny. I have an entire article on giant chinchilla rabbits, in case you want more info.
But for our purposes here, the answer to this question is a solid NO. Rabbits and bunnies can’t breed.
Can Chinchillas Live With Any Animals?
Alright, let’s assume you are like me and you already own a chinchilla ( I have a 5-year-old female chinchilla).
I don’t have a second chinchilla yet, and I don’t own any other small rodents.
Only two dogs.
It’s natural to wonder if chinchillas can get along with dogs, or any other pets, especially small ones or other rodents specifically. I’ve certainly wondered that. And then I researched heavily.
So, what animals can chinchillas live with?
To remove any doubts, in case you are considering putting a chinchilla together in a cage with any other small animals, like a guinea pig for instance, here is a quick table for you.
| Animal | Can They Share A Cage With Chinchillas |
|---|---|
| Rats | No |
| Rabbits | No |
| Degu | No |
| Ferret | No |
| Mice | No |
| Guinea Pig | No |
That’s a lot of “no’s”. Let’s break down why there is no chance any of these animals can live together with a chinchilla in the same cage.
It’s very similar to the explanation we gave above about chinchillas living with rabbits. All these animals are somewhat similar, but 100% unique at the same time.
They have different diets, and they have different needs. They also have different behaviors and temperaments.
While some of these animals may be able to spend time together with a chinchilla outside of the cage under the same roof, none of them should ever share a cage with your chin.
It could result in violence, fighting, and one animal not getting the food and nutrients it needs. The only animal a chinchilla should ever share a cage with is another chinchilla.
Even this can cause issues if it’s not done correctly.
Although chinchillas are social and friendly creatures, not all chinchillas like having a cage mate. Fighting and potential injuries are an inherent risk that is 100% real.
Don’t make this mistake.
But don’t get me wrong either. Don’t be scared to adopt a second pet.
Simply be smart about doing so. Purchase a second cage and meet the separate needs of both animals, and you will be in great shape.
Even animals that are closely related to the chinchilla need to be in a separate cage. The degu is a good example. When comparing the degu vs chinchilla, they seem nearly identical at first glance, but there are key differences. They can get along, but never in the same cage.
The same goes for the guinea pig. Having both a chinchilla and one of those is fine. Guinea pigs and chinchillas can live together under the same roof just fine. But never in the same cage. And ideally, in separate rooms.
Rabbits And Chinchillas Living Together: Final Thoughts
I know it’s slightly disappointing that your favorite animals can’t be in the same cage together, even if it is possible for a chinchilla and rabbit to get along.
It could save us some cash and make life easier. Not to mention, it just seems like it would be a lot of fun.
Unfortunately, it’s just not safe and not recommended, for the reasons laid out in this post.
Chili and I wish you the best of luck with the journey you have ahead of you regardless of which animal you ultimately decide is the best for you.
Now let’s hear from you!
Have you ever had a chinchilla and rabbit live together and get along?
Have any of you ever had any of the other animals in this post sharing a cage together?
What happened, and how did you do it?
Do you have any further recommendations you can share with the readers?
Be sure to share your stories, comments, and concerns by dropping a comment below.
As always, Chili and I appreciate you stopping by and reading. We will see you next time!
Rmv1983 says
I actually have a rabbit/chinchilla pair that were bonded prior to me adopting them. The chinchilla uses the bunny as a full body pillow. They have been together for year. They adore each other. But I would never suggest anyone do this.
You’re article is excellent about providing info about why these species should not be together
Josh says
That sounds adorable! I’m definitely a little jealous…