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[Nessie]

Hi, I am a pretty new chinchilla mom and recently adopted a male and female chin. I was informed that the female may be pregnant as they were housed together. So sure enough, 4 days after getting them home momma had her babies. I were not quite prepared for the babies so we managed to get a maternity cage built and now dad is in his own cage.

So my question is, when should momma and baby be able to use the dust bath again? I have read that the dust can irritate the nipples and interfere with nursing so at what stage can this be introduced. Also, can babies use it when mom is introduced to it again?

[GrayRodent]

I've never heard that it could interfere with nursing. However it can cause a problem to the mother if she is not healed up/ closed up from the birth as it can get inside and cause an infection. It should be at least 10 days and only if there is no sign of eye irritation or health issues in either chin prior to dusting. Baby and mother should be given access to the bath at the same time.

[Nessie]

Okay great, thanks so much! Babies just turned 7 days old today, momma misses her baths so she will be happy.

[GrayRodent]

You're welcome.

[ABC Chinchillas]

The waiting till mom is healed is a myth. I dust on dusting day if kits were born that morning or not. And often when labor seems stalled I get out the dust baths to get things moving. It is perfectly safe to give mom a dust bath. All the big breeders and Ranchers dust whatever day they were planning on dusting new babies or not and no harm comes from it

[GrayRodent]

Thank you for that correction. It seems to be the prevailing theory right now. It is good to bust useless myths. EDIT: But only if they are useless.

[Jo Ann]

   Sorry, but I strongly disagree.   To each his own, but I think caution and safety first is the number one priority.

With mine, Momma chin and her kits are allowed to take their first dust bath when the kits are 10 days old and not before.  Momma will teach her little ones how to do it properly.

If there is any irritation or raw areas on my momma or her little ones, they must all wait till the one is healed, if they are all going to be in the same cage together.

Chins will often urinate in the dustbath dust, this and any other moisture in the dust bath dust will support growth of germs that might get into the exposed raw skin can set up an infection ... a problem you really do not want to have with a mom and her new litter.

Please, check with your vet ... I have the feeling he/she will tell you not to allow the dust baths until day 10 if they are familiar with chinchillas and their care.

   Jo Ann