Pets & Animal Exotic Pets

The Importance of Dust Baths For Chinchillas

A regular bath for chinchillas is very essential to their way of living since it is one of their natural behaviors.
Chinchillas do not have any other way of cleaning themselves but to take a bath in a volcanic ash.
By dust bathing chinchillas make themselves clean and healthy.
Regular bathing can make their coats look fuller and smooth aside from the fun and thrill it can give to them.
Chinchilla pet owners may have a hard time providing dust bath for their chinchillas yet it can be done simply.
Always use specified chinchilla dust bath to make them fresh and comfortable.
Chinchillas are not allowed to take a bath in water because soaking in water will remove their bodies natural oils.
These oils protect chinchillas skin and regulate their body temperatures.
Dust baths are specifically made for chinchilla because these can penetrate to their coat down to the skin and help clean the fur by absorbing much oils and dirt.
Other sand or powders may look and feel the same but it can not provide the desired and necessary comfort for chinchillas.
Container for chinchilla dust bath must be carefully chosen.
Provide a heavy, tip - resistant type of bowl to put the dust in.
A glass fish bowl, canister or any slightly enclosed container will keep the it intact.
Round bottom plastic type container can be used as an alternative container for this purpose.
Fill container with an adequate amount of about 2 inches and place it every night inside the cage when they are actively moving inside.
This can be reused for several baths but make sure to clean out any wastes after each bath.
Always check for wastes deposits, replacing old dusts with a fresher one to avoid them looking dirty and grumpy.
Too much bathing is not advisable for chinchillas for it can dry and damage their skin.
Regular intervals must be observed also.
Chinchillas might think dust bath as litter box when done in a long time constant direct exposure to dust may cause eye irritation to them.
Dust bath can be given at least twice a week usually during evening when they are most active and playing.
Observe some roughness and oil deposits on chinchillas fur and if you notice a lot of them accumulating you can give dust bath more frequently.
In humid weather chinchillas as many dust baths as they need but those chinchillas living with dry climate only require fewer baths.
A 10 to 15 minutes bath is good enough for chinchillas, when you noticed signs of flaky skin or itchiness might as well reduce the frequency and length of dust bathing time.
A good regular dust bath is vital for your pet chinchillas and yet the truth is you can not avoid dust and oils from accumulating unto them! Invest in something good quality type of glass dish for them to use.
Plastic dish maybe good at start but it can get scratched over time.
Loving and caring for your pet chinchillas can be explicitly shown through giving them a regular bath.
Dust bath gives them a happy thrill of running and rolling around.
Always assess and ask yourself if you are indeed a good pet owner with "Am I giving them enough care and attention?" Check on their progress and you will know the answers.

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