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31

General Chat / Mix bedding?

« on: February 19, 2012, 10:47:50 PM »

So when I got my chin about a 1 1/2 months ago, the lady (at the pet store) recommended ECO BEDDING; which is basically recycled paper that is not dusty and safe for chinchillas. I saw only a few reviews on it, and it seemed pretty good so I tried it. I didn't smell any odor the first 2 times I used it and cleaned out the cage (I do it about once a week). I would also clean the cage with Nature's Miracle Cage Cleaner. The next time I cleaned it I noticed it smelled worse, so I then used vinegar to clean out his cage as I thought it was the cleaner. Well I changed out the bedding thursday, and it already smells again. I've smelled his pee during play time (he goes on a towel) and it doesn't smell at all, so I don't think it is him. And the bedding I use now seems to absorb it all, just no odor control. I also heard pine can be bad for their respiratory long term. What about mixing a little bit of pine with the ECO bedding I have? (and how much, a quarter of pine or half and half?)
OR what bedding do you guys recommend? I have a cage with a solid pan at the bottom.

Thanks

32

Health / First Aid Kit

« on: February 13, 2012, 10:42:35 AM »

Hello everyone! I know I always seem to come up with a new question every few days! I just need some advice on a first aid kit I am creating Dexter. He currently eats Mazuri pellets, oxbow western Timothy hay, and eats a chewable vitamin C once a week (500 mg). I bought some feeding syringes/pipettes, as well as powder goat milk and infant rice cereal in case he isn't able to eat solid foods. What else would good to have in case of an emergency? Also, should I add on any other supplements (like Ca?)
Thanks in advance!

33

Q & A / Early Bird Chinchilla

« on: February 10, 2012, 12:45:14 AM »

So I know chins are active during dusk and dawn, and are also nocturnal in the wild. I also know that each domesticated chin is different, but does anyone else have a chin that is more active in the morning than at night? It is 1:30 am here (I'm procrastinating homework hehe ) and Dexter was in his tube sound asleep until about 5 minutes ago; and now he's acting playful. Here is his schedule (mainly):
6-6:30 am: Wakes up (he may wake up a bit before this but I've never been up earlier than that)
7 am: starts getting active, runs around his cage
8 am: if he is not out of his cage and into the bathroom for playtime, he goes nuts at EXACTLY 8 am (I mean climbing the cage bars, digging in his shavings, running around and jumping to make lots of noise)
8-9:30 am: play time, he is super active. Climbs in his tube, jumps off walls, runs around like hes a racecar in the bathtub. He is also the most interactive with me during this time.
11 am - 7 pm: on and off naps, goes to get hay every once in a while or comes out of his house to pee. He usually doesn't run around too much but he will interact with you.
8 pm: dinner time, he takes a few bites then heads to bed again
8-11pm: on and off naps again, more off than on but doesn't go too crazy
11pm - 1 or 2 (depending on me): Play time, usually is very playful and wild at first, but at around 1 am passes out. Will get back up every 15-20 minutes and play for that amount of time and then fall back asleep; gets more playful towards the end as well.
2 am: Suddenly he's wide awake (bc he wants to go back in the bathroom I suppose); but he calms down quickly and falls back asleep

On weekends I try to let him have as much playtime as possible, he's kept me in there from 8 am til 12 before and still wanted to keep going! Anyone else have a chin similar to this? Is he sleeping too much? I've heard that its both normal and not for such a big difference so better safe than sorry
Oh and he's always been like this, I got him from a pet store. (Which is probably why he's up during the day).

34

Q & A / Humidity Question

« on: February 05, 2012, 09:07:10 PM »

So I live in the middle SC, where the weather isn't very reliable. Like last year it snowed in March, and while some days in January feel like winter, most days I can wear a short-sleeved shirt because it feels like spring. I ordered a portable A/C unit and dehumidifier (in one!) but it won't come until Thursday. For the most part my chin Dexter hasn't faced anything over 72-73 degrees in my room, and I know over 75 can start to get dangerous. Its beginning to get warmer, and since my parents won't let me mess with the central A/C I want to open a window and let the cooler air come in, since its 54 outside right now. The only problem is on The Weather Channel it tells me that the Relative Humidity is 78%. I know that the colder the air is, the less amount of water it can hold so although there isn't really too much water in the air right now compared to if it was hotter (78% at like 80-85 degrees would be like a few hours after raining). I'm really stuck as to what to do, the temperature in my room right now is 72 but it will rise overnight because my parents have the heat on. Is okay to open a window overnight even though its 78% humidity (and 54 degrees)? He's supposed to be getting dustbath tomorrow night as well if that helps.

Thanks in advance !

35

Q & A / Dustbath Questions

« on: January 23, 2012, 11:14:57 PM »

Hey everyone! I'm new here on the site so I'll tell you a little about myself. For Christmas my boyfriend and I bought our first new baby, Dexter. We got him at 3 months and we have bonded super well so far. I live in South Carolina (in Columbia, the heart of SC) where it's a bit humid during warm seasons (not too bad right now though), and sometimes I let the window open (I check the humidity first) to cool down my room. I give him a dustbath every Monday and Thursday. My first question is, how often do you give your chins a bath? I was told once a week at first, but for where I live about everyday so I'm not sure. His fur seems clean and healthy but I know long term issues can arise if you aren't careful.

My second question is, Dexter has been peekng in his dustbath within 3 minutes of me putting it down for him to climb in. It's been like that for the past 5 dustbaths in a row. Before he didn't do that. I tried washing out the bathhouse with soap and water, now I'm about to bleach it. Is there any way to fix this?

Thanks for the help