If left longer, the chinchilla may use the dust obsessively out of boredom, and too much use could cause its skin to become too dry. In addition, when the dust is left in the cage too long the chinchilla may use it as a litter box. Offer dust baths more frequently in humid weather. Decrease the frequency and bathing time if your chinchilla is scratching more than usual or has dry, flaky skin.
Use a container that is slightly larger than the chinchilla and one that it will not knock over when rolling and flipping in the dust. Expect a bathing session to last minutes. Then, clean any waste clumps of fur, clumps of oil-packed dust, feces, etc. If you're thinking of adding a roly-poly chinchilla to your family, don't forget the dust! It's a grooming necessity for your thick-furred friend.
Learn more about this unique bathing practice here. Sources: Extension Foundation, Companion Animals, How often should I give my chinchilla a dust bath, and what is the best way to go about that? What Exactly Is Chinchilla Dust? How Chinchillas Bathe The dust in the chinchilla's bath helps to remove oils on their skin and makes their fur softer. The Chinchilla Bath Bowl or House In order to give them a "bath", you will need a bowl large enough for the chinchilla to roll around in.
How to Give the Chinchilla a Bath Step-by-Step The best time to give a chinchilla a bath is at night as they are crepuscular and will be more awake in the early evening. Fill the bowl with about one to two inches of chinchilla bath dust and put it in your chinchilla's cage. Place your chinchilla in the bowl. He or she will take care of the rest as they will instinctively know to roll around and have fun cleaning themselves in the dust.
Let the chinchilla roll around and play in the dust for at least five minutes to no longer than 15 minutes. You do not want to leave it longer as the chinchilla can dry their skin out if they roll in the dust for too long.
They may also use it as a litter box if left in the cage too long. Remove the bowl from the cage. Scoop out any debris from the dust and throw away. You can put the dust in a plastic bag or container and reuse it a few more times. Once the dust is full of dirt and clumps, it's time to use a new batch of dust. Buying Chinchilla Bath Dust When looking for a chinchilla bath dust for your pet, look for brands that are made specifically for chinchillas.
It is denser than some other chinchilla dust bath products and this means less flyaway dust mess. It is also certified by the Empress Chinchilla breeders cooperative. It's available in several sizes. Oxbow Poof! Taking a vigorous dust bath is one of their natural behaviors and it is how chinchillas keep their lush coats clean and healthy. Not only does a dust bath help to keep their thick fur smooth and silky, it is thought to be relaxing and fun for chinchillas.
Chinchillas really get into their baths, rolling and flipping in the dust with great abandon. If you have never seen a chinchilla in a dust bath be sure to look up some videos of them rolling around in one.
Always use store-bought chinchilla dust for bathing your chinchilla. This dust is specifically made for chinchillas and for this purpose. When the chinchillas roll in this dust, it penetrates their coat down to the skin and absorbs oil and dirt from the fur which in turn keeps the coat clean.
Other powders or sand may look or feel similar but they just won't work the same way. Chinchilla dust is made to mimic what they would have access to in their native habitat in the wild they use volcanic pumice. The dust should be at least a couple of inches deep in whatever container you use so that the chinchilla can effectively roll in it.
A heavy, tip-resistant bowl or deep dish can be used as a bathtub for your chinchilla's dust baths and it should be slightly larger than your chinchilla to allow room to roll. Glass fish bowls or canisters can be used and work well.
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