The key selling point of using corn starch is that it cleans fur in the exact same way as regular chinchilla dust does. If these effects continue for many years, whether because the dust is continually inhaled or because it cant be coughed up again, it can cause serious health issues like fibrosis. Webis chinchilla dust harmful to humans. Again, we have to reiterate that no kind of sand is as effective at cleaning a chinchillas fur as dust. If none of your rooms has an extractor fan, pick a room that has large windows. It can therefore result in the same sudden flare-ups as crystalline silica, but without the same long-term effects. So, instead of twice a week, consider every other day. Bathing dust is very inexpensive, although the cost can add up if you have lots of chinchillas. Sweet PDZ is usually used in horse stalls to eliminate and reduce odors. Once your chinchilla is done bathing, you must do what you can to stop the dust settling. Its now thought that the dust which blue cloud manufacturers use is made artificially. We pampered our chinnies just like you! But there is possibly a link there. Scientific studies have shown the link between silica dusts and lung damage. Its repeated exposure like this that the worker in the picture above is wearing a mask to protect against. But the more I read and researched this topic, I felt that there was more to the story than just which brand is best. Corn starch is, of course, made from corn; its dry and fine, so wicks moisture and oil from fur in the same way as other dusts. Some are rougher and sharper, while others have finer grains. Wild chinchillas do it, so your pet chinchilla should do it too. However, inhalation of pumice doesnt seem to cause as serious issues as silicosis, likely because powdered pumice granules are typically larger than those of blue cloud dust. In some of the forum discussions I found, it sounded like there were several chinchilla owners who were using it with success. So appreciate knowing Im not alone in my concerns and my journey to find better health options for our entire family! This rhyolite is then processed to get rid of anything that isnt aluminum silicate. So its possible that blue cloud will shorten your pets life. However, the result suggests a mechanistic difference between FcRIIA receptor-mediated and non-opsonized silica particle phagocytosis. Studies like this one have shown a causative link between aluminum silicate dust and pulmonary fibrosis, which is where the lungs are damaged by tiny scars from inhaled dust. Some of the answer explanations contain links for further reading, which you can click and open in a New Tab. If your chinchilla sees the shadow of a towel flying down to trap it, it will genuinely think it's being hunted and will experience severe stress. Sweet PDZ in powder form. Silicate dust causes: You may experience one, some, or all of these symptoms. Treats are a good way of telling a new chinchilla that you're friendly. Ill keep that in mind! Chinchillas live in burrows and rock crevices in the wild. While this is a sign that its fine, so is good for bathing, these clouds make it a task to clean up after your chinchillas bath. Damaging the DNA in cells is how substances cause cancer. Marketing for blue cloud brands state that it doesnt contain lead, arsenic, glass and various other nasties which is good. So, thank you for this information! These effects have been shown in many studies, which are linked below. Wild chinchillas do it, so your pet chinchilla should do it too. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. On the one hand, that means the starch will still be there between baths, stopping the fur getting greasy. You can also use them to train your chinchilla to do various things, like come when it's called. Cleaning and tidying is one way to achieve that. VEGA X EXPLOIT FEATURES To use the Vega X Exploit lua executor, you may need to disable your anti-virus. We will be avoiding blue cloud dust going forward. And if you take it again, it will come up with new questions each time! Macrophages are immune system cells that bind to bad things the body wants to get rid of, but when they try to get rid of both kinds of silica, they go through apoptosisa kind of pre-programmed way for the macrophage cells to die. Theres a reason for that. We compared the uptake and toxicity of amorphous silica to crystalline silica. But wild chinchillas dont eat hay; they eat living plants and grasses. How could so many people be wrong? After quite a bit of research, my top picks for chinchilla dust options currently are: ChillDust. No probably not, but it isnt a toxic Alternatively, get somebody to help. Or, again, you could give your chinchilla occasional water baths to stop grease building up too much. Practically every owner recommends blue cloud dust, but we believe that blue cloud is dangerous for you and your pet if it isnt used properly. Considering that you need to dust your chinchilla frequently, and that the residue of the dust remains long after bathing, this is a genuine problem. Blue cloud dust is the common name for aluminum silicate dust which is known to damage the lungs. As such, weve made some recommendations below that should mitigate some of the risks associated with its use. ChillDust settles faster than other chinchilla-marketed dusts and is only classified as a nuisance dust by OSHA. If you stick to these safety recommendations, you wont breathe in enough dust to make you sick. How could so many people be wrong? But experienced owners call these death balls because: Here, experienced owners can see that just because something is popular, and just because a popular brand manufactures and sells something, that doesnt mean its suitable for chinchillas/chinchilla owners. Other studies arent as clear. WebWhat diseases can chinchillas pass to humans? Did you come across any validation of these concerns in your research? At first it was perfectly healthy, but now it seems to not want to eat its pellets any more. Because of how fine it is, it perfectly mimicks the volcanic ash that wild chinchillas roll around in, and its the best at absorbing moisture and oil in your pets fur. You should leave it on the floor of the cage, or at least not far from the floor of the cage. What has likely also played a part is the idea that you can be allergic to dust, which is true; but a dust allergy is an allergy to dander, not to mineral dust. Easily the best way to avoid breathing in dust is to wear a respirator. Then, when youre done dusting, open the windows to allow a through draft in. Not all kinds of sand are created equal. But they also found that the effects of crystalline silica were irreversible, while rats that inhaled amorphous silica arguably made a full recovery. As such, the only guaranteed-safe options that we can recommend are corn starch or sand. Not being able to properly eat pellets is a sign of malocclusion, which is where the teeth don't meet properly in the middle. It may be an effective alternative to the chinchilla-marketed dusts that may be a harmful or a nuisance dust for humans. Thats a completely separate issue. switching from evenings to mornings. They cost hundreds of dollars. (I'm the one on the left). The most common is silica, also known as crystalline silica, pure silica or silicon dioxide. As youll know from experience, chinchilla dust hangs in the air, and for days afterwards is present as a thin coat on all your belongings. Practically every owner recommends blue cloud dust, but we believe that blue cloud is dangerous for you and your pet if it isnt used properly. Thats especially true if you have asthma, lung damage from smoking, or are otherwise unhealthy. Just make sure its not treated with some kind of chemical before using it. While no studies have been done on silicosis in chinchillas that specifically relate to aluminum silicate, its possible that it would have the same effect. We also dont know exactly where the various brands of blue cloud dust get their dusts from. Corn starch also sticks to fur more than rock dust. Pumice dust is dust made from powdered pumice stone. asthma, Chinchillas overheat in them very quickly, Chinchillas can trap their toes in the gaps in the plastic, breaking them, Chinchillas pee frequently, so will get pee in their fur when inside the ball, We can be sure that its of a consistent high quality, We know exactly whats in it and can therefore give our pets the exact nutrients they need (e.g. It may cause silicosis if breathed in frequently over a long period. Do chinchillas need vitamins and minerals? Its a kind of magnesium deposit that can be broken down into a fine dust. P.S. Aluminum silicate and similar dusts are linked to serious lung damage. Here are the most common types used: The finer the dust, the better it cleans. How could blue cloud dust be dangerous, despite being so popular? I also just came across a forum discussion about using aragonite sand as a substitute. Is dust bath safe? Whats interesting is that amorphous silica seems to cause more damage visible during TUNEL staining than crystalline silica! Thats because we believe that chinchilla dusts may be dangerous to use. Wild chinchillas do it, so your pet chinchilla should do it too. Our pet chinchillas eat hay and processed hay pellets, and were advised never to feed them fruits, vegetables and living grass as hay is a healthier choice. Its no more expensive than blue cloud. Thats because we believe that chinchilla dusts may be dangerous to use. There are two core issues related to the inhalation of silica dusts. Lovely. This causes silicosis. Chinchillas bathe in dust. Vegetables cause the exact same issues in rabbits as in chinchillas (bloat, high sugar levels, excess water, etc.) Crystalline silica is jagged, so can attach itself to the walls of the lungs. This effect isnt well understood yet, but it seems that chronic irritation and inflammation are an indispensible participant in the process of cells turning cancerous and spreading. Amorphous silica has been considered to be a less toxic form, but this view is controversial. This same effect has been demonstrated in other studies, although some argue the link specifically between aluminum silicate and silicosis isnt clear. The 5 Best Chinchilla This paper from 2011 aimed to prove that we underestimate the risks of amorphous silica, and that products which contain it should be changed. I will look for your newsletter and sign up. Its mined from the ground; the first known mine was the Blue Cloud Chinchilla Dust Mine in California which operated since at least the 1950s, but was closed by 2016. Just make sure its not treated with some kind of chemical before using it. You could try offering longer or more frequent baths to combat this issue. The worst thing you could do is use blue cloud somewhere that isnt ventilated. These filters pick out particles from the air to stop you breathing them in. Hi all, I hope you can help me out on these two questions that my wife is curious about. This is, at least, something you dont have to think about with other dusts. TUNEL staining is where scientists detect DNA breaks that form during apoptosis (cell death). About 80,000 Its also used for cleaning yellow fur in chinchillas. So play sand wont work as well as blue cloud, but it also wont damage anybodys lungs. If you'd like to chat about chinchillas, contact me through our contact form! When fine dust billows up into the air, it hangs there for a few seconds. This should be worrying for a chinchilla owner, especially if you frequently give your pets dust baths. But because of safety concerns, we nonetheless have to recommend it. In cold weather or otherwise dry environments, they may only need to bathe twice a week. The key advantage of using sand is that it isnt dangerous. But because corn starch doesnt billow as much, theres less to clean. Kaytee, a popular brand among chinchilla owners, make exercise balls supposedly suitable for chins. The increased numbers of cells showing positive TUNEL staining after 90 days of amorphous-silica inhalation suggest significant increase of intracellular damage, which may lead to cell death. The problem would be if its fine enough to inhale. However, blue cloud dust is made from amorphous aluminum silicate rather than the crystalline kind, so the link between it and silicosis is less clear. Im really glad you like our site! These are pulmonary fibrosis and cancer. Its also a dust that is marketed for chinchilla use and is used extensively in the chinchilla breeding/owning community, with a history of success and chinchilla safety. What happens is that when the tiny particles are inhaled, they cause inflammation. Blue cloud gets its very name from the fact that it billows up in tiny clouds when your chinchilla rolls around in it. Thats great. Are chinchillas the best pets in the world? Read the research below, especially the scientific papers linking amorphous silicate dust to serious health issues, and come to your own conclusion. But experienced owners call these death balls because: Here, experienced owners can see that just because something is popular, and just because a popular brand manufactures and sells something, that doesnt mean its suitable for chinchillas/chinchilla owners. Contrary to popular belief, this can be done safely, so long as you know how. Sand, however, can be reused by: So in the long run, you can save money, too. I look forward to new issues! LoveMyChinchilla is reader-supported. But that mine has since closed. Once your chinchilla is done bathing, you must do what you can to stop the dust settling. Besides this, there seems to be a link between inflammation and cancer. Ventilation stops the dust from hanging in the air when its in use. The mechanism by which particles are bound and internalized and the reason particles are toxic is unclear. To understand why, we can draw a parallel to how other pets are cared for. Practically every single chinchilla owner, even experienced owners and breeders, recommends blue cloud dust. But they also found that the effects of crystalline silica were irreversible, while rats that inhaled amorphous silica arguably made a full recovery. Chinchillas are already a good example of this. Aluminum silicate, the only ingredient in blue cloud dust, is a combination of aluminum and silica. Thats exactly what blue cloud does. Some owners will swear by one brand, other owners by another, but broadly they all do the same thing with roughly the same level of effectiveness. Thats why owners report that when they use sand, their chinchillas fur is still greasy afterwards. It was long thought that amorphous silica cant be dangerous because of its shape. It may cause silicosis if breathed in frequently over a long period. Think you know everything there is to know about chinchillas? It also doesnt necessarily mean healthy. Like silica, pumice shouldnt be inhaled as it damages the lungs when you breathe it in. How Many Jobs Are Available in Computer Software Prepackaged Software? Other advantages include: Corn starch isnt a kooky home remedy; its already used by many owners. All of the most popular brands of chinchilla dust are blue cloud, or at least have blue cloud among their range. Sepiolite dust. This is more common in the U.K. than the U.S., and is made from a mineral called meerschaum. We would recommend sepiolite, corn starch or sand instead. It can be found in pet stores or, alternatively, hardware/DIY stores. If you do plan on using corn starch, you can change slightly how you bathe your chinchilla to counteract the drawbacks above. Another advantage is that sand can be reused indefinitely. Its mined from the ground; the first known mine was the Blue Cloud Chinchilla Dust Mine in California which operated since at least the 1950s, but was closed by 2016. If an infection develops because of this, it can cause serious complications. However, this view has become increasingly controversial among scientists. If you do plan on doing this, dont use a surgical mask or a cheap face mask. So they learned to chew on roots to get rid of them. But its the fineness of this dust thats also its biggest drawback. But because corn starch doesnt billow as much, theres less to clean. [Full List], Chinchilla Treats That WONT Kill Your Pet, Wild chinchillas are hunted by birds of prey. This is actually something that applies to all rodents, not just chinchillas. This air purifier can quickly purify the air and reduce the harm As I was already familiar with blue cloud dust and all the popular blue cloud brands, I was going to give an honest comparison on which brand I thought was best and be done with it. Dust can be reused to an extent, but must eventually be thrown away. But chinchillas don't need all the ones that we do; they can make their own vitamin C, for example, unlike us. Your email address will not be published. This is a reasonable question. And if any sand is breathed in, it can be coughed up again, meaning it wont permanently damage the lungs. At the same time, they will prevent the dust from entering your lungs. Silicosis is where the lungs are so damaged that these symptoms persist continually, even in the absence of dust. Further study is needed to claim that its perfectly safe. Rhyolite is a volcanic rock a little like pumice thats very high in silica (typically more than 69%). I did also look at and considered using the following: other chinchilla-marketed dusts (ruled out for human safety concerns) starches, including corn, arrowroot, etc. It does also have certain advantages, and is completely safe, with no chance of causing silicosis/pulmonary fibrosis. Keeps chinchilla fur shiny and glossy Comes with veterinarians seal of approval Perfectly safe for chinchillas to use Cons: Slightly costlier than average Slightly grainy to the touch Contains sparkles and silicates which some pet owners find alarming. So far, so normal. To understand why, we can draw a parallel to how other pets are cared for. All you have to do is wear one when your chinchilla is bathing, and you wont breathe in any of the dust. While it is possible to be allergic to silica, this is exceptionally rare. Put simply, crystalline minerals form in a different way to amorphous ones. These are pulmonary fibrosis and cancer. Thank you for your reply! As mentioned above, the jagged and sharp nature of crystalline silica allows it to catch and stick onto the walls of the lungs. Macrophages are immune system cells that bind to bad things the body wants to get rid of, but when they try to get rid of both kinds of silica, they go through apoptosisa kind of pre-programmed way for the macrophage cells to die. Vegetables cause the exact same issues in rabbits as in chinchillas (bloat, high sugar levels, excess water, etc.) However, this guide isnt like others that youll find on this topic. But that mine has since closed. Until recently, it wasnt even thought to be possible. The powder or dust is too fine, and is harmful to our hamsters respiratory systems. The link between amorphous aluminum silicate (blue cloud) and cancer is less clear. Its also used for cleaning yellow fur in chinchillas. Thats why owners report that when they use sand, their chinchillas fur is still greasy afterwards. Excellent, thank you! Chinchillas need to bathe in dust: that much is true. Cancer begins when DNA in a cell is mutated, and spreads to form a tumor. Its better to be inconvenienced than to risk the health of you and your pet. These cant absorb dust, but they can pick up small amounts on their surface. Why take risk to use unknown dust that may cause health hazard to yourself and your chins. The dust bath routine is not only a self-cleaning behavior, they also love it. The lungs then have reduced capacity and can even get infected. It therefore makes sense to use these instead, even if blue cloud is the most naturalthe most similar to what wild chinchillas use. Aluminum silicate, the only ingredient in blue cloud dust, is a combination of aluminum and silica. There are many reports of blue cloud dust triggering allergies. Authors note: When I started writing this guide, Id planned it to be short and simple. There are lots of different elements that can be crushed into a powder found in rocks and clay. But you can also get pure silica which has nothing else added to it. Easily the best way to avoid breathing in dust is to wear a respirator. How to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce: Tips for Canning Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe, Executive Coaching: Job Description & Salary, Five Characteristics of a Successful Event Planner, Motivating Salespeople: What Really Works, Persistent coughing that continues after the dust dissipates, Tightness and dryness of the skin (because the dust dries the air, and dries out the skin on contact), Shortness of breath and/or rapid breathing, Worsening of symptoms from related respiratory issues, e.g. This is therefore one of many ways of assessing how something damages a cell. The pathway leading to apoptosis appears to be similar in both cases. Rock dust can break purifiers unless you change the filter frequently. Oh, good tip on the cornstarch. But because of safety concerns, we nonetheless have to recommend it. This causes silicosis. Chinchillas. Chinchilla poop is not dangerous to humans. Ive done more digging online and found (for me) sufficiently compelling links to powder aspiration and poisoning in humans that I am inclined to think chinchillas would be at an even greater risk. Alternatively, get somebody to help. Fruits are typically high in sucrose, which causes bloating in chinchillas. Crucially, many people report that theyre allergic to the dust but not other far more common allergens like hay, which really do cause allergic reaction. So long as your chinchillas coat seems clean it should be fine! While sepiolite and pumice dont cause as serious effects, they still leave deposits in the lungs when inhaled. As the guide details below, silicosis is where the lungs become scarred and lung function is decreased, and it can be fatal. So that could work for you, too. catanzaro solid wood platform bed; best silicone baby bottles; garnier skinactive facial mist Breeders use it to bathe their chinchillas before shows. Learn More Best Bath Dust For Recycling You & Me Chinchilla Bath Dust The questions are multiple choice, and each answer is explained. Again, though, pure silica can cause pulmonary fibrosis. When fine dust billows up into the air, it hangs there for a few seconds. The effects of blue cloud dust on a chinchillas lungs are less clear. In contrast, only a small population of cells stained TUNEL-positive after exposure to crystalline silica. And on top of that, its cheap, and can be bought in large bulk bags. Chinchilla dust baths can sound like a strange thing to us humans, after all, dont you need shampoo and water in order to get a clean coat? Aragonite sand would be my second because of terrain location considerations (i.e., chinchillas dwell in the mountains; aragonite sand comes from the ocean seabed). WebWhat diseases can chinchillas pass to humans? Or, again, you could give your chinchilla occasional water baths to stop grease building up too much. Its a kind of magnesium deposit that can be broken down into a fine dust. While it remains in the lungs, however, it seems that the two kinds of silica do the same damage. These masks let in air from above and below, so do nothing to combat tiny particles of dust. This doesnt provethat amorphous silica can cause cancer, as studies showing this link definitively havent yet been performed, but its an interesting result nonetheless. There are many such deposits across the United States, however, so blue cloud dust is still available. Blue cloud is commonly marketed as 100% natural, which is true. For years people have thought that rabbits should eat carrots, lettuce and various other fresh veggies. Advantages of Using Corn Starch for Bathing Chinchillas, Drawbacks of Using Corn Starch for Bathing Chinchillas, How to Use Corn Starch for Bathing Chinchillas. These little animals are associated with human salmonellosis, and they carry various mycobacteria. I really appreciate your articleit is the only one Ive seen that publishes the information in such a logical, organized way. Required fields are marked *. The likely reason that amorphous silica isnt shown to cause cancer is that it doesnt remain in the body as crystalline silica does. Thats exactly what blue cloud does. We know, or knew, what was dug up from the original Blue Cloud Chinchilla Mine. As such, you either have to avoid these dusts or only use them safely. This same effect has been demonstrated in other studies, although some argue the link specifically between aluminum silicate and silicosis isnt clear. This may be slightly less convenient for you. P.P.S. As chinchillas are mammals, their respiratory system is the same as ours. This applies to any kind of fine silicate dust, be that pure silica, aluminum silicate, or silica mixed with something else. Let's say your chinchilla escapes from its cage. But if you absolutely must use blue cloud dust, an air purifier would be an effective defense. But with so many chinchilla owners reporting sensitivity or allergy to silicate blue cloud dust, that points to physical damage being the cause, not allergic reaction. Let's say you've had your chinchilla a while now. The mechanism by which particles are bound and internalized and the reason particles are toxic is unclear. Whats interesting is that amorphous silica seems to cause more damage visible during TUNEL staining than crystalline silica! If you do want to use an air purifier, pick one thats capable of handling large amounts of rock dust. Its great at absorbing water, which is why its also used in soil for potted plants. On the one hand, that means the starch will still be there between baths, stopping the fur getting greasy. As youll know from experience, chinchilla dust hangs in the air, and for days afterwards is present as a thin coat on all your belongings. The reason why owners dont use corn starch is that its not quite as effective as regular dust. Until recently, it wasnt even thought to be possible. Some owners will swear by one brand, other owners by another, but broadly they all do the same thing with roughly the same level of effectiveness. And general silicosis has been demonstrated in other rodents, too. Besides silicosis, crystalline silica is also shown to cause cancer. Cultured macrophages bind crystalline silica particles, phagocytose them, and rapidly undergo apoptotic and necrotic death. Ventilation stops the dust from hanging in the air when its in use. While we dont recommend it, we do recognize that blue cloud dust is easily the most popular among chinchilla owners. WebIs Chinchilla Dust Harmful to Humans? What has likely also played a part is the idea that you can be allergic to dust, which is true; but a dust allergy is an allergy to dander, not to mineral dust. We recommend childrens play sand, as this sand is: Even generic play sand is typically fine. Chinchillas bathe in dust. WebChinchillas take dust baths as a way of self-cleaning their coats. # chinchillas # chinchillacagesetup Not all chinchilla dusts have silica in them. This material is more commonly used in the U.K. than the U.S. Its just as bad to breathe this dust in as it is to breathe in as your chinchilla is bathing; repeated, frequent or constant exposure is what you have to avoid. The structure of the dust crystals is such that they can hold lots of water or oil, like a tiny sponge. Chinchillas are already a good example of this. You could even consider dusting if you have a feather duster you can use. There are reasonably well-known brands that use pumice. Quote: Inhalation of crystalline silica is known to cause an inflammatory reaction and chronic exposure leads to lung fibrosis and can progress into the disease, silicosis. Its easy to break down, and its mined in great quantities, so its available almost anywhere. Webcrocs kadee flat size 9 / essential streetwear pieces / is chinchilla dust harmful to humans. As mentioned above, the jagged and sharp nature of crystalline silica allows it to catch and stick onto the walls of the lungs. We know better than our chinchillas and can provide for them better than they can provide for themselves. Ive done more research and thought Id circle back here with some updates on what Ive found, in case its of help to other chinchilla owners. Malocclusion requires a vet's assistance. So far, so normal. Even with beneficial minerals, though, it would be wise to take care and minimize the amount of mineral breathed in while dusting chinchillas. Lets begin with what we know. Thanks again, LoveMyChinchilla, for posting this article and prompting my research deep-dive! Avoid using builders sand because this is rougher and has larger grains. What Chinchilla DUST is SAFE? Its a fine, dry powder. Ideally, you want a room with an extractor fan, like your bathroom. During this time, it can get into your chinchillas eyes. And instead of fifteen minute baths, consider half an hour. Its easy to break down, and its mined in great quantities, so its available almost anywhere. Practically every single chinchilla owner, even experienced owners and breeders, recommends blue cloud dust. At the same time, they will prevent the dust from entering your lungs. The guide below explores what alternatives there are, why blue cloud is so popular even though it may be dangerous, and what you should do if you intend to keep using it. Ive been doing some more reading on this topic and was reading some people expressed concern that starchesbecause they are so finecould be easily breathed in by the chinchillas and cause respiratory issues. You want a mask with a filter, like a 3M mask, a P2 mask or a P3 mask. They suck in air, as fans do from behind before blasting the air forward. Its no more expensive than blue cloud. Aluminum silicate is commonly used as a dry and absorbent material, for example in cat litter. Authors note: When I started writing this guide, Id planned it to be short and simple.