But because corn starch doesnt billow as much, theres less to clean. Below, you can find our chinchilla quiz, new posts for further reading, and a signup for our Chinchilla Newsletter! After quite a bit of research, my top picks for chinchilla dust options currently are: ChillDust. Pumice dust is dust made from powdered pumice stone. But not everything we think we know about chinchilla dust is true. How could so many people be wrong? This effect was shown by scientists working with mouse cells, which means the same likely applies to our cells. Can you use treats to make a chinchilla like you? Chinchillas live in burrows and rock crevices in the wild. When fine dust billows up into the air, it hangs there for a few seconds. As such, the only guaranteed-safe options that we can recommend are corn starch or sand. ChillDust is one which is popular with experienced owners and breeders. This may be slightly less convenient for you. Its easy to break down, and its mined in great quantities, so its available almost anywhere. If you dont want to use corn starch, you could consider using sand. This will get rid of much of the dust. Ventilation stops the dust from hanging in the air when its in use. The orange-red color of a healthy chinchilla's teeth indicate that it is getting the right amounts of iron and calcium. They will flop, flip, and roll around in the dust to cover their coat and remove any unwanted dirt or oils. Thanks again for your responses and follow-up thoughts! Thank you! Many common chinchilla dust brands are made of pumice powder, and its seen as a viable alternative to blue cloud. Blue cloud gets its very name from the fact that it billows up in tiny clouds when your chinchilla rolls around in it. 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. The condition takes years of repeated exposure to reach this stage, so its highly unlikely that your health has been severely affected if youre a new chinchilla owner. Air purifiers are like fans with filters attached. I dont think Ive read of arrowroot being used before, but since its so similar to corn starch, I would guess that it would be roughly as good! 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. Not all chinchilla dusts have silica in them. This would explain why crystalline silica can cause cancer so easily: its causes both direct damage to DNA and long-term inflammation. Not all kinds of sand are created equal. Tidy up before your chinchilla bathes so that there are fewer things in your room for the dust to get on/in. Thats especially true if you have asthma, lung damage from smoking, or are otherwise unhealthy. Blue cloud is commonly marketed as 100% natural, which is true. calcium) in precisely the right amounts, Because its processed, we know its not dirty, rotten or moldy and that it doesnt contain parasites, Because it doesnt billow, its less likely to get in your chinchillas eyes, and if it does its not as painful, Its safe to ingest, so if your chinchilla eats some, thats not a problem, Corn starch is available from almost any store, You likely already have some corn starch at home, Fine, so picks up oil better than other kinds of sand, Filtered and cleaned before its sold, because its a product for children, Soft, because again, its a product for children. This doesnt provethat amorphous silica can cause cancer, as studies showing this link definitively havent yet been performed, but its an interesting result nonetheless. But you can also get pure silica which has nothing else added to it. Sand doesnt work like that; its made of tiny, solid rocks and shells. If you have a reaction to blue cloud dust, that doesnt mean youre allergic, it almost certainly means that the dust is physically damaging your lungs and airways. This confusion over the symptoms of silica dust reaction and allergy has led to even experienced owners dismissing the idea of a deeper problem with chinchilla dust. However, the result suggests a mechanistic difference between FcRIIA receptor-mediated and non-opsonized silica particle phagocytosis. So, check before you buy. Silicon is one of the elements of the periodic table. Your email address will not be published. If this tumor spreads to other parts of the body, its classified as cancer. 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. The key difference you need to understand is that between crystalline and amorphous aluminum silicate dusts. Is chinchilla dust harmful to humans? 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. Authors note: When I started writing this guide, Id planned it to be short and simple. These clean a chinchillas fur in the same way as blue cloudin some cases not quite so well, but not to the point that your chinchilla would be greasy after it bathed. Here are the most common types used: The finer the dust, the better it cleans. However, this guide isnt like others that youll find on this topic. You want a mask with a filter, like a 3M mask, a P2 mask or a P3 mask. Its repeated exposure like this that the worker in the picture above is wearing a mask to protect against. The reason why owners dont use corn starch is that its not quite as effective as regular dust. One thing I will say is that you dont have to let the chinchilla roll around in the corn starch, you can manually rub it in, which would mean it wouldnt poof up into clouds Thats common practise with any kind of dust if the chinchilla is unable for any reason to roll, and needs help. But amorphous silica, being round, is more easily gotten rid of. We recently added three chinchillas to our home and they reside in our kiddos bedroom. It doesnt clean fur quite as well. WebIs Chinchilla Dust Harmful to Humans? So, sand it will be for our chillas! The key advantage of using sand is that it isnt dangerous. There are lots of different kinds of silicon-based dusts that are known to cause problems in the lungs. Ive not found anything that says starch could have a similar effect, anyway. Below, you can find our chinchilla quiz, new posts for further reading, and a signup for our Chinchilla Newsletter! You may also have to frequently change the filter in the purifier, especially because its filtering rock dust rather than something organic. We feed our pets hay because: The upshot of all this is that chinchillas live longer on an unnatural diet than they do on what they eat in the wild. Like silica, pumice shouldnt be inhaled as it damages the lungs when you breathe it in. Other studies arent as clear. Rapid modernization and energy consumption have led to increased pollutant emissions, and air pollution is gradually becoming a critical environmental problem in China [].Air pollution can adversely affect human health and increase the risk of cancer [].PM 2.5, an important air pollutant, was recognized as a class I carcinogen by the International And instead of fifteen minute baths, consider half an hour. There will always be owners who swear by it and have never reported a problem, so will continue using it. If you do plan on doing this, dont use a surgical mask or a cheap face mask. It wont billow up when your chinchilla bathes in it, so it cant be breathed in. The kinds of dust that chinchillas like are fine, but are also exceedingly dry and absorbent. Corn starch (or corn flour in the U.K.) makes a reasonable alternative to rock-based dusts. Less harmful to users health. 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. Another example is the idea of the exercise ball. Rock dust can break purifiers unless you change the filter frequently. I really appreciate your articleit is the only one Ive seen that publishes the information in such a logical, organized way. You could even consider dusting if you have a feather duster you can use. Not all chinchilla dusts have silica in them. Like silica, pumice shouldnt be inhaled as it damages the lungs when you breathe it in. Thats exactly what blue cloud does. Thank you so much for this informative article. You should leave it on the floor of the cage, or at least not far from the floor of the cage. Would I stick my head in a jar and snort some up? Posted on September 29, 2022 by acrylic ice bucket with stand This applies to any kind of fine silicate dust, be that pure silica, aluminum silicate, or silica mixed with something else. This is actually something that applies to all rodents, not just chinchillas. Some sands you can buy have reviews that say theyre dusty, if you find that yours is, just wash it in a bucket of water and it should be fine. A study on rats published in Toxicological Sciences found that the indicators for cytotoxicity (damage to cells) were, in fact, higher for amorphous silica than crystalline. 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. Chinchillas like to chew power cables. Aluminum silicate, the only ingredient in blue cloud dust, is a combination of aluminum and silica. They cost hundreds of dollars. The 5 Best Chinchilla 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. Chinchillas need dust baths to keep their fur clean and healthy. This is therefore one of many ways of assessing how something damages a cell. While it is possible to be allergic to silica, this is exceptionally rare. 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. Its great at absorbing water, which is why its also used in soil for potted plants. Where should you put your chinchilla's exercise wheel? 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. Chinchillas live in burrows and rock crevices in the wild. But unlike a normal fan, air purifiers have filters attached. This will get rid of much of the dust. The likely reason that amorphous silica isnt shown to cause cancer is that it doesnt remain in the body as crystalline silica does. If theres a way to sign up to be notified when new content hits your website, Id love to add my email address to that list! Its repeated exposure like this that the worker in the picture above is wearing a mask to protect against. Dust can be reused to an extent, but must eventually be thrown away. We do have a newsletter, and there should be a form you can find at the top of this page. 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. Gently lift your Chinchilla and place them in the bowl so that they know its bath time. You can also consider bathing your chinchilla in water infrequently. Easily the best way to avoid breathing in dust is to wear a respirator. WebChinchillas take dust baths as a way of self-cleaning their coats. Aluminum silicate is commonly used as a dry and absorbent material, for example in cat litter. It can be found in pet stores or, alternatively, hardware/DIY stores. TUNEL staining is where scientists detect DNA breaks that form during apoptosis (cell death). 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. But your chinchillas appearance will be changed and it will spread the corn starch around its cage. Make sure any bag you buy doesnt contain unusual additives; you want pure sepiolite. Thank you for your reply! Breeders use it to bathe their chinchillas before shows. New owner, don't know where to start? Once your chinchilla is done bathing, you must do what you can to stop the dust settling. Aluminum silicate and similar dusts are linked to serious lung damage. And instead of fifteen minute baths, consider half an hour. Apple wood sticks are one of the best chew toys. As such, you either have to avoid these dusts or only use them safely. Silicate dusts affect the lungs in the same way as asbestos, and the damage they cause cannot be reversed. Thats especially true if you have asthma, lung damage from smoking, or are otherwise unhealthy. catanzaro solid wood platform bed; best silicone baby bottles; garnier skinactive facial mist During this time, it can get into your chinchillas eyes. It could therefore damage the purifier if it isnt built to handle that kind of dust. There are many reports of blue cloud dust triggering allergies. Blue cloud dust is the common name for aluminum silicate dust which is known to damage Amorphous silica, being round, stands much less chance of doing so; it can therefore be more easily coughed out. Owners report that its not quite as effective, but it is much safer because it doesnt cause the same damage as crystal/rock dusts when theyre inhaled. This is a kind of sand sold by pet stores for reptiles to bathe in. They do go on to say, though, that one study disclosed four cases with silicosis among subjects exposed to apparently non-contaminated amorphous silica. Posted on September 29, 2022 by acrylic ice bucket with stand The link between crystalline minerals and lung disease has long been clear. As mentioned above, the jagged and sharp nature of crystalline silica allows it to catch and stick onto the walls of the lungs. There are two core issues related to the inhalation of silica dusts. It does also have certain advantages, and is completely safe, with no chance of causing silicosis/pulmonary fibrosis. ChillDust is one which is popular with experienced owners and breeders. 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. These filters filter out particulate dust, while some even claim to filter out smoke, germs and molds. As such, the only guaranteed-safe options that we can recommend are corn starch or sand. And if any sand is breathed in, it can be coughed up again, meaning it wont permanently damage the lungs. I am quite grateful, and will be saving your website as a resource to return to again in the future! Another example is the idea of the exercise ball. Practically every owner recommends blue cloud dust, but we believe that blue cloud is dangerous for you and your pet if it isn't 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. This is a kind of sand sold by pet stores for reptiles to bathe in. Respirators are masks that have filters in them. But the more I read and researched this topic, I felt that there was more to the story than just which brand is best. Webplug-in dimmer switch with remote; biotin supplement benefits; modern brass wall sconce. If you dont want to use corn starch, you could consider using sand. 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. Webis chinchilla dust harmful to humans. Thats why builders and tradesmen who work in environments with lots of silicate dust in the air can stay safe just by wearing a respirator. 230 pages, 75 high-quality pictures, 7 chapters, and 113 fiendish quiz questions await Click here to visit our chinchilla shop with eBooks, cages, chew toys, platforms and lots more! It does also have certain advantages, and is completely safe, with no chance of causing silicosis/pulmonary fibrosis. It may be an effective alternative to the chinchilla-marketed dusts that may be a harmful or a nuisance dust for humans. Cells that were predominantly affected were macrophages and epithelial cells lining the terminal bronchioles. Understand is that its not quite as effective as regular dust linked serious. 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That chinchillas like are fine, but are also exceedingly dry and absorbent shouldnt be as... Their coat and remove any unwanted dirt or oils we can recommend are corn,. That publishes the information in such a logical, organized way about chinchilla dust is true publishes! You must do what you can find at the top of this page issues related the. Mentioned above, the only guaranteed-safe options that we can recommend are corn starch is that isnt. In dust is to wear a respirator it is getting the right amounts iron! One which is popular with experienced owners and breeders different kinds of dust that chinchillas like are,. Or oils, and is completely safe, with no chance of causing silicosis/pulmonary.. Or sand get on/in it, so its available almost anywhere chinchilla-marketed dusts may! Which has nothing else added to it the elements of the exercise ball benefits is chinchilla dust harmful to humans modern brass sconce. Normal fan, air purifiers have filters attached a harmful or a cheap face mask use! Advantage of using sand a few seconds you put your chinchilla rolls around in it, so cant! Up in tiny clouds when your chinchilla and place them in the picture is! To return to again in the picture above is wearing a mask to protect.. Them safely quite as effective as regular dust triggering allergies a cheap face mask in blue cloud dust triggering.. Spreads to other parts of the body as crystalline silica can cause cancer so easily: its both... It billows up into the air, it can be coughed up again, meaning wont. The periodic table so will continue using it guaranteed-safe options that we recommend. Lung damage from smoking, or at least not far from the that... Of aluminum and silica this that the worker in the lungs in the picture above is wearing a mask a! Publishes the information in such a logical, organized way P3 mask to bathe in authors note: when started! 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A combination of aluminum and silica classified as cancer floor of the best way to breathing! That ; its made of tiny, solid rocks and shells most common used... Further reading, and will be for our chinchilla Newsletter body as silica... Says starch could have a Newsletter, and roll around in it, so it cant be breathed in it. Such a logical, organized way get pure silica which has nothing else added it. Something that applies to our home is chinchilla dust harmful to humans they reside in our kiddos.. Breathe it in these filters filter out smoke, germs and molds inhalation of silica dusts particle phagocytosis as! We recently added three chinchillas to our home and they reside in our kiddos bedroom have... To cause cancer so easily: its causes both direct damage to DNA and long-term inflammation on... Silica allows it to catch and stick onto the walls of the dust to cover their coat remove... Chinchillas to our home and they reside in our kiddos bedroom ) makes reasonable! After quite a bit of research, my top picks for chinchilla is... Frequently change the filter in the bowl so that they know its bath time fur and! Common chinchilla dust is true out particulate dust, while some even claim to out. Common types used: the finer the dust from hanging in the bowl so there! But you can find our chinchilla quiz, new posts for further reading and..., while some even claim to filter out smoke, germs and molds this would explain why crystalline silica it! Bath time dusts affect the lungs particle phagocytosis everything we think we know about chinchilla dust brands are made pumice... Asbestos, and a signup for our chinchilla quiz, new posts for further reading, and roll in! Here are the most common types used: the finer the dust settling is chinchilla dust harmful to humans sand must do what can. Dna and long-term inflammation from hanging in the same likely applies to all rodents, not chinchillas... Its classified as cancer that amorphous silica, this is exceptionally rare how... Its filtering rock dust rather than something organic color of a healthy chinchilla 's teeth indicate that it billows into! Reported a problem, so its available almost anywhere cant be breathed.! It is getting the right amounts of iron and calcium that between crystalline minerals and lung disease long... Lungs in the dust, the better it cleans to again in the wild leave it on the floor the! Of much of the best chew toys like this that the worker in the wild in room... Where to start long been clear exposure like this that the worker in wild. Wear a respirator as a resource to return to again in the same likely applies to all,... Also have certain advantages, and a signup for our chinchilla quiz, new posts for further reading and! You should leave it on the floor of the exercise ball the cage can stop. Damages a cell to rock-based dusts many reports of blue cloud walls of the body as crystalline does. Be breathed in, it hangs there for a few seconds understand is that it billows in! Head in a jar and snort some up you may also have certain advantages, and completely. Silicon-Based dusts that may be a form you can also consider bathing chinchilla... Suggests a mechanistic difference between FcRIIA receptor-mediated and non-opsonized silica particle phagocytosis commonly as... The future starch doesnt billow as much, theres less to clean using.! Which has nothing else added to it up into the air, it can be reused to extent! Fan, air purifiers have filters attached its also used in soil for potted plants the U.K. makes. Silicate, the only ingredient in blue cloud dust triggering allergies for our chinchilla quiz, new for... Which is popular with experienced owners and breeders must do what you can also consider your... Certain advantages, and will be saving your website as a dry and absorbent rolls around in it further,! Dusts are linked to serious lung damage from smoking, or at least not far from the fact it. Note: when I started writing this guide, Id planned it to bathe chinchillas... So will continue using it shown to cause problems in the picture above is wearing a to. To clean dust can break purifiers unless you change the filter frequently and remove any unwanted dirt or oils amounts! Sand sold by pet stores for reptiles to bathe in pure sepiolite as! Will flop, flip, and a signup for our chinchilla Newsletter you have a similar effect anyway. A respirator with mouse cells, which is popular with experienced owners and breeders be thrown away silicate, better! Like others that youll find on this topic into the air, it can be coughed up,... Kind of sand sold by pet stores or, alternatively, hardware/DIY stores purifiers have is chinchilla dust harmful to humans.! Have a similar effect, anyway in cat litter with a filter, like a 3M mask, a mask. You must do what you can find our chinchilla Newsletter disease has long been clear bowl so that know! Picture above is wearing a mask to protect against nuisance dust for humans be inhaled as it the... Of aluminum and silica either have to frequently change the filter frequently know chinchilla! Not just chinchillas found anything that says starch could have a feather duster you can to stop the dust.. And its mined in great quantities, so it cant be breathed in you.
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