Chinchilla Community Forums
Chinchillas => Q & A => Topic started by: Squirrel_Butt on September 20, 2011, 06:27:23 PM
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My kits keep knocking the seagrass mats in the cage to the toilet areas. I have just been cutting the peed areas off then placing them back in. But if I were to rinse off a freshly peed on seagrass mat, then thoroughly dry it with a paper towel, would it be safe for the chins? My concern is them becomming a breeding ground for microbes. I'm trying to balance my budget without the expense of their health.
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i wouldn't wash it. the more wet you'll get it, the quicker it will start to rot. mine did the same thing. i stopped buying them after a while. the best thing i found is to let them do their thing and when it looks like it should not be in the cage anymore, take it out. but i think rinsing it wouldn't be great. wipe the urine off, if you catch them :)
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I have tried using ferret beds, but Raisin destroys them within a day. Seagrass mats are the only thing I can use to protect their feet. I put the mats on the balconies where they like to perch, and then Raisin and the kits push them right off. Raisin pees right of the balconies in all 4 corners.
I have enough mats now, but I won't have the funds to purchase more until mid October. I'm tempted to remove the mats when I am not in the area to watch the chins, but I fear that they will interpret that as a punishment rather than me trying to protect them. I am in need of ideas as how to conserve mats until mid October. Right now I cut each mat in half so that they fit on the2 balconies, but other than cutting out the peed on areas, I have no ideas as to conserving them.
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i have fleece pads everywhere. i bought my first lot from hammocky hammocks but i sew now so i make them. they love them, it's nice on their feet and looks pretty too! and you can wash them again and again and again!
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Can chins destroy them?
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Chins can destroy anything. But fleece you should be good with, no small fibers, etc.. Give those a go and just keep a supply to rewash while the others are back in the cage.
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yes but fleece is considered safe, as j said, no small fibres to ingest. you'll have to keep an eye as some of them chew fleece. make sure whatever you buy has hidden seams, you don't really want to give them a raw edge as an invitation to have a nibble ;)
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They are all so different..I love the seagrass mats...Bella and Lucy, the girls, completely and precisely dismantle them until there is nothing left. Roo and Gizmo, the boys, do the same and toss them around for play. Kingston, male, does not do a thing with them except for repeatedly pee on them as if they are a litter box and I throw them out. Little buggers! ;D ::silly::
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Raisin will definitely chew fleece. She destroyed 2 cuddle bed things for ferrets, one had denim under it. Seagrass is probably my best bet. I really can't risk a bowel obstruction.
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Where do I buy fleece from?
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fabric shops. if you're in the us, this shop is fab - http://www.yourfleece.com/ (http://www.yourfleece.com/) - they have lots of funky prints and fab prices. sadly shipping to where i am is really high :( and you want anti-pill fleece, ideally. this just means that when you wash it, little balls don't come off it :)
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Thanks. I will definitely look into it. Maybe put one fleece and one mat in the cage.
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i've got a few of these 'bimble pads' from hammocky hammocks. they do free international postage and the products are really good. all the profits go to chin and piggy charities, i like to buy stuff from them :) http://hammockyhammocks.co.uk/product_r2g_bipp_daisies.htm (http://hammockyhammocks.co.uk/product_r2g_bipp_daisies.htm)
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Thanks! I'm checking both links out. I was checking out the anti pill fleece fabric, and the finish type lists micro fleece double brushed, and anti-pill. Aren't all the ones listed under Anti-Pill have the anti pill finish? What's the difference between the anti pill finish and the micro fleece finish?
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yes, all the ones listed under anti-pill will be anti-pill. most of the fleeces are anti-pill now but some are not and you would notice the first time you washed it! you don't want microfleece, it's really thin!
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Will chins ingest anti pill? My concern is intestinal obstruction.
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there are no thin fibres to ingest, fleece is considered to be safe for chins. but obviously, if they chew bits of, they can eat it, like anything else. so you'll have to monitor for any damage. if they're not interested in eating it, it's fine.
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I will try hte fleece. I also come up with a solution to the seagrass mats. If they are peed on, I can simply cut the peed area (providing it isn't too extensive) off. I did discover why they are movingthem around though. A few minutes ago I saw Raisin knock one to the ground, then drag it into her hideaway. I do remove it from the hideaway and place it back on the upper and lower balconies before I go to sleep. I don't want them getting scratched eyes.
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Hello!
I was wondering how important it is to cover the surfaces that the chinchillas are on. Mine have a soft hammock, but I was wondering how much they need shavings or other in the other areas of their cage. (ie ledges and bottom). I definitely have lots of safe fabric I can use if need be (I already put some on one ledge and in their hammock to make cleaning easier). Otherwise I just have newspaper.
Thanks!
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it depends. do they have wire mesh floor? if so, i probably would recommend you put something down as it's nicer to be on soft fleece than on wire squares. i would advise against putting wood shavings etc on as bedding for them to come in contact with, generally it's good if soiled bedding doesn't touch them (and you know they're going to pee on it!). i make pads out of fleece and it works quite well. if you have a look at hammockyhammocks.co.uk website, they do 'bimble pads' - i find a pad is better than just loose fabric as they don't tend to throw it about as much (although they still do!) and it's easier to manage (wash etc)
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I have used fleece blankets for birthing but after speaking to some top breeders won`t put it in reg. cages. Seems chins are eating the fleece too, I`m not risking it. Stick with shavings on the floors. If it`s wire bottom cover it with pine, or aspinite, something they can not chew, then add shavings.If the shelves are pine they need nothing.If they are plastic replace, if they are wire replace.