Do chinchillas need vitamins and minerals? And instead of fifteen minute baths, consider half an hour. They cost hundreds of dollars. But blue cloud dust isnt the exact same thing as pure silica, which may be why it isnt recognized as dangerous despite, perhaps, being so. Other advantages include: Corn starch isnt a kooky home remedy; its already used by many owners. Like silica, pumice shouldnt be inhaled as it damages the lungs when you breathe it in. Webis chinchilla dust harmful to humans. The pathway leading to apoptosis appears to be similar in both cases. Ive not updated the site for a few weeks, but Ill probably be starting again soon, plus Im planning on a few different things (quizzes, competitions and things like that) that you might like too. Synthetic amorphous silica, referred to as SAS, has been implicated in fibrosis. 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 problem would be if its fine enough to inhale. Thats because we believe that chinchilla dusts may be dangerous to use. 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. (I'm the one on the left). Thats because we believe that chinchilla dusts may be dangerous to use. Apple wood sticks are one of the best chew toys. Its not as good as fine dusts for cleaning chinchilla fur, but its better than using nothing, and it will trigger your pets bathing reflex. Cancer begins when DNA in a cell is mutated, and spreads to form a tumor. This effect was shown by scientists working with mouse cells, which means the same likely applies to our cells. As such, weve made some recommendations below that should mitigate some of the risks associated with its use. If you inhale these dusts frequently, or cant cough them up, they cause inflammation. In cold weather or otherwise dry environments, they may only need to bathe twice a week. 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. Thats exactly what blue cloud does. The likely reason that amorphous silica isnt shown to cause cancer is that it doesnt remain in the body as crystalline silica does. Then afterwards, sweep or vacuum to get rid of as much dust as possible. If you do want to use an air purifier, pick one thats capable of handling large amounts of rock dust. Below, you can find our chinchilla quiz, new posts for further reading, and a signup for our Chinchilla Newsletter! Vegetables cause the exact same issues in rabbits as in chinchillas (bloat, high sugar levels, excess water, etc.) Can you use treats to make a chinchilla like you? These little animals are associated with human salmonellosis, and they carry various mycobacteria. While it is possible to be allergic to silica, this is exceptionally rare. This paper from 2011 aimed to prove that we underestimate the risks of amorphous silica, and that products which contain it should be changed. 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. But there is possibly a link there. Great site! But there is possibly a link there. I have read in several groups/forums that several owners/breeders use/recommend this power as an alternative dust for those with allergies. These cant absorb dust, but they can pick up small amounts on their surface. It is considered a nuisance dust by the E.P.A. The key difference you need to understand is that between crystalline and amorphous aluminum silicate dusts. 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. If you stick to these safety recommendations, you wont breathe in enough dust to make you sick. 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. Excellent, thank you! Thats because it doesnt trigger allergies like rock dusts, so its perfect for people with asthma or lung disease. This will largely reduce the amount that you and your chinchilla breathe in. Another advantage is that corn starch doesnt billow as much as rock dusts do. We recommend slightly more frequent, longer dust baths if youre using corn starch. Aluminum silicate, the only ingredient in blue cloud dust, is a combination of aluminum and silica. Authors note: When I started writing this guide, Id planned it to be short and simple. Its that same reasoning that applies to Blue Cloud dust. Whats interesting is that amorphous silica seems to cause more damage visible during TUNEL staining than crystalline silica! It's like using a net to capture a wild animal. These are pulmonary fibrosis and cancer. 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. Are Chinchillas Dangerous? We've published an eBook: Chinchilla Care 101. While chinchillas arent reptiles, rodents can use this same kind of sand. As youll know, it goes everywhere, and can settle on your belongings for days afterwards. 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. But its the fineness of this dust thats also its biggest drawback. The major drawback with real air purifiers is that theyre expensive. # chinchillas # chinchillacagesetup 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. The confusion stems from how similar the effects of this physical damage are to allergies. You want a mask with a filter, like a 3M mask, a P2 mask or a P3 mask. These filters pick out particles from the air to stop you breathing them in. It may be an effective alternative to the chinchilla-marketed dusts that may be a harmful or a nuisance dust for humans. Sweet PDZ is a non-toxic refresher that helps Amorphous silica has been considered to be a less toxic form, but this view is controversial. This will get rid of much of the dust. Easily the best way to avoid breathing in dust is to wear a respirator. As such, we recommend offering your chinchilla longer or slightly more frequent dust baths, and keeping on top of cage cleaning to counteract this fact. 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. Thank you for your reply! Chinchillas need to chew on things to stop their teeth from getting too long. What Kind of Sand Should You Use in a Chinchilla Dust Bath? It therefore makes sense to use these instead, even if blue cloud is the most naturalthe most similar to what wild chinchillas use. Again, though, pure silica can cause pulmonary fibrosis. Its a kind of magnesium deposit that can be broken down into a fine dust. how to unfold a neon vector scooter; replica sailing day smells like So far, so normal. The major drawback with real air purifiers is that theyre expensive. Why Do People Use Blue Cloud If Its Dangerous? These are the kinds that builders wear (and the people that package blue cloud dust). Besides silicosis, crystalline silica is also shown to cause cancer. If you do plan on doing this, dont use a surgical mask or a cheap face mask. But even so, we dont recommend using blue cloud. Biting, Scratching & More, 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. Respirators are masks that have filters in them. 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. This study states that while evidence of cancer stemming from inhalation of amorphous silicate is scarce, there are cancer markers that are present after inhalation. As youll know, it goes everywhere, and can settle on your belongings for days afterwards. Pumice is made of amorphous silica just like blue cloud, but it may contain other things besides if it isnt perfectly pure. Then, when youre done dusting, open the windows to allow a through draft in. But the more I read and researched this topic, I felt that there was more to the story than just which brand is best. Take our quiz and find out! 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. Further study is needed to claim that its perfectly safe. 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. Here are the most common types used: The finer the dust, the better it cleans. You may view this either as a positive or a negative. We pampered our chinnies just like you! Silicosis is where the lungs are so damaged that these symptoms persist continually, even in the absence of dust. But not everything we think we know about chinchilla dust is true. Another example is the idea of the exercise ball. 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. Advantages of Using Corn Starch for Bathing Chinchillas, Drawbacks of Using Corn Starch for Bathing Chinchillas, How to Use Corn Starch for Bathing Chinchillas. Through industry, weve also created various other kinds of safe dust that dont cause this damage. For years people have thought that rabbits should eat carrots, lettuce and various other fresh veggies. Sweet PDZ is usually used in horse stalls to eliminate and reduce odors. Thats exactly what blue cloud does. I really appreciate your articleit is the only one Ive seen that publishes the information in such a logical, organized way. Because of the frequency of dust baths required, and because the dust is so easy to breathe in and settles around the room, these are real risks. and the borates that the cellulose is treated with are non-toxic to humans. Until recently, it wasnt even thought to be possible. This page has no products for sale and doesnt recommend the same brands that every other guide does. But they also found that the effects of crystalline silica were irreversible, while rats that inhaled amorphous silica arguably made a full recovery. But that doesnt mean its 100% safe. Alternatively, get somebody to help. Its only in the face of repeated exposure that silicosis becomes a real possibility. Cells that were predominantly affected were macrophages and epithelial cells lining the terminal bronchioles. But you can also get pure silica which has nothing else added to it. Ventilation stops the dust from hanging in the air when its in use. Sweet PDZ in powder form. If you dont want to use corn starch, you could consider using sand. Many common chinchilla dust brands are made of pumice powder, and its seen as a viable alternative to blue cloud. 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. Studies on whether it causes lung damage have so far stated that it doesnt, although that doesnt prove definitively that it cant. The pathway leading to apoptosis appears to be similar in both cases. 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. If an infection develops because of this, it can cause serious complications. Chinchillas bathe in dust. Its repeated exposure like this that the worker in the picture above is wearing a mask to protect against. Even with beneficial minerals, though, it would be wise to take care and minimize the amount of mineral breathed in while dusting chinchillas. As such, while they are popular, we cannot recommend the various brands of blue cloud dust. You could even consider dusting if you have a feather duster you can use. This one, for example, similarly looked at the effects of amorphous silica. 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. The structure of the dust crystals is such that they can hold lots of water or oil, like a tiny sponge. TUNEL staining is where scientists detect DNA breaks that form during apoptosis (cell death). Cells that were predominantly affected were macrophages and epithelial cells lining the terminal bronchioles. What color should a chinchilla's teeth be? Other advantages include: Corn starch isnt a kooky home remedy; its already used by many owners. That's because if your chinchilla falls out of it when it's running, it won't have a long way to fall. Another advantage is that sand can be reused indefinitely. Oh, good tip on the cornstarch. 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. The list below breaks them down into simple English, which scientific studies often dont! New owner, don't know where to start? Required fields are marked *. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. So play sand wont work as well as blue cloud, but it also wont damage anybodys lungs. 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. This will largely reduce the amount that you and your chinchilla breathe in. If this tumor spreads to other parts of the body, its classified as cancer. The questions are multiple choice, and each answer is explained. Each tiny particle can soak up oil and moisture, and some of the starch will stay in your chinchillas fur, stopping it from getting damp or dirty between baths. Silicosis is where the lungs are so damaged that these symptoms persist continually, even in the absence of dust. 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. If you do plan on using corn starch, you can change slightly how you bathe your chinchilla to counteract the drawbacks above. But amorphous silica, being round, is more easily gotten rid of. As such, you either have to avoid these dusts or only use them safely. But pure silica dusts are just as bad, if not worse, than less-processed dusts. 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 study states that while evidence of cancer stemming from inhalation of amorphous silicate is scarce, there are cancer markers that are present after inhalation. WebIs Chinchilla Dust Harmful to Humans? Pumice dust is dust made from powdered pumice stone. This is a reasonable question. Treats are a good way of telling a new chinchilla that you're friendly. No idea if they were supplementing with blue cloud or cornstarch, so we will see how well it works! Whether thats because of outdated advice or because of Bugs Bunny isnt relevant; what matters is that rabbits do far better on a diet of hay than of vegetables. Thats a completely separate issue. 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. Alternatively, you could use reptile sand. Put simply, crystalline minerals form in a different way to amorphous ones. But blue cloud dust isnt the exact same thing as pure silica, which may be why it isnt recognized as dangerous despite, perhaps, being so. WebIs Chinchilla dust harmful to humans? There are many such deposits across the United States, however, so blue cloud dust is still available. Is chinchilla dust harmful to humans? Authors note: When I started writing this guide, Id planned it to be short and simple. Its in the exact same way that we recommend against using blue cloud dust. So appreciate knowing Im not alone in my concerns and my journey to find better health options for our entire family! As such, the only guaranteed-safe options that we can recommend are corn starch or sand. [Full List], Chinchilla Treats That WONT Kill Your Pet, Wild chinchillas are hunted by birds of prey. You may also have to frequently change the filter in the purifier, especially because its filtering rock dust rather than something organic. If the study above about amorphous silica is to be believed, then it would have this same effect. You want a mask with a filter, like a 3M mask, a P2 mask or a P3 mask. Thats only possible because weve done lots of scientific research into what nutrients chinchillas need, how their digestive systems work, and so on. Thank you! The likely reason that amorphous silica isnt shown to cause cancer is that it doesnt remain in the body as crystalline silica does. You can also consider bathing your chinchilla in water infrequently. They suck in air, as fans do from behind before blasting the air forward. Not all chinchilla dusts have silica in them. About 80,000 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. What Chinchilla DUST is SAFE? It was long thought that amorphous silica cant be dangerous because of its shape. When a chinchilla rolls around in it, the dust billows up into the air. You can use them to get your chinchilla close to you for the first time, or to sit on your hand for the first time. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Your email address will not be published. Air purifiers are like fans with filters attached. This is a problem because mines have to publish data on the what they dig up, what it is, and its mineral content. Here are the most common types used: The finer the dust, the better it cleans. The key advantage of using sand is that it isnt dangerous. This material is more commonly used in the U.K. than the U.S. Plus silicosis takes years to develop, so even in the absence of current symptoms, your lungs may be being damaged. At first it was perfectly healthy, but now it seems to not want to eat its pellets any more. Wild chinchillas do it, so your pet chinchilla should do it too. Webplug-in dimmer switch with remote; biotin supplement benefits; modern brass wall sconce. However, this view has become increasingly controversial among scientists. Thank you again for your guidance! Plus, the dust will settle on every surface in the room. 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. When this is caused by silica of some kind, the condition is referred to as silicosis, and its serious. 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. Sweet PDZ in powder form. Avoid using builders sand because this is rougher and has larger grains. While sepiolite and pumice dont cause as serious effects, they still leave deposits in the lungs when inhaled. Thats because whatever safety precaution you take, your chinchilla would still breathe in the dust. Plus, the dust will settle on every surface in the room. 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. Youre therefore constantly breathing it in if you use it. Contrary to popular belief, this can be done safely, so long as you know how. There are two core issues related to the inhalation of silica dusts. And if any sand is breathed in, it can be coughed up again, meaning it wont permanently damage the lungs. While it remains in the lungs, however, it seems that the two kinds of silica do the same damage. 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. The worst thing you could do is use blue cloud somewhere that isnt ventilated. To understand why, we can draw a parallel to how other pets are cared for. It will cause breathing difficulties and coughing. 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. They arent even a danger towards children. But that doesnt mean its 100% safe. Or, again, you could give your chinchilla occasional water baths to stop grease building up too much. Once your chinchilla is done bathing, you must do what you can to stop the dust settling. This is a problem because mines have to publish data on the what they dig up, what it is, and its mineral content. Marketing for blue cloud brands state that it doesnt contain lead, arsenic, glass and various other nasties which is good. We recommend sepiolite over blue cloud dusts, although it may only be available online where you live. While we dont recommend it, we do recognize that blue cloud dust is easily the most popular among chinchilla owners. But because of safety concerns, we nonetheless have to recommend it. 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. 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. Think you know everything there is to know about chinchillas? 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. Dust can be reused to an extent, but must eventually be thrown away. It doesnt clean fur quite as well. These filters pick out particles from the air to stop you breathing them in. Corn starch (or corn flour in the U.K.) makes a reasonable alternative to rock-based dusts. However, this guide isnt like others that youll find on this topic. The key selling point of using corn starch is that it cleans fur in the exact same way as regular chinchilla dust does. If there is a difference between amorphous and crystalline silica, it will be due to the difficulty with which they can be expressed from the lungs. 1. And instead of fifteen minute baths, consider half an hour. Its better to be inconvenienced than to risk the health of you and your pet. The list below breaks them down into simple English, which scientific studies often dont! 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. The link between amorphous minerals and the same issues is less clear. But if you absolutely must use blue cloud dust, an air purifier would be an effective defense. 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. Quote: The increased TUNEL staining in epithelial cells of the amorphous silica-exposed rats supports this suggestion. But if you absolutely must use blue cloud dust, an air purifier would be an effective defense. If you inhale these dusts frequently, or cant cough them up, they cause inflammation. These are the kinds that builders wear (and the people that package blue cloud dust). Sand, however, can be reused by: So in the long run, you can save money, too. This causes silicosis. There are reasonably well-known brands that use pumice. If this tumor spreads to other parts of the body, its classified as cancer. Marketing for blue cloud brands state that it doesnt contain lead, arsenic, glass and various other nasties which is good. The key difference you need to understand is that between crystalline and amorphous aluminum silicate dusts. In very hot, humid weather or climates, chinchillas often need access to their dust baths closer to 4 times per week. If you have other pets, it is important to Alternatively, get somebody to help. Chinchillas bathe in dust. If none of your rooms has an extractor fan, pick a room that has large windows. All you have to do is wear one when your chinchilla is bathing, and you wont breathe in any of the dust. If Dust Is So Dangerous, How Come Wild Chinchillas Use It? They do go on to say, though, that one study disclosed four cases with silicosis among subjects exposed to apparently non-contaminated amorphous silica. Practically every owner recommends blue cloud Silicon is one of the elements of the periodic table.

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