If you already have a chinchilla or intend to take one home, you have to know that washing chinchilla fur is a big no-no. Instead, you have to give your pet the opportunity to take a dust bath a few times a week. Read on to get more info on chin care.
Why getting your chinchilla wet is not a good idea?
When you type “how to clean chinchilla fur” in your search engine, you might be expecting to get a cleaning routine identical to a cat or dog. However, while you can give your kitty or puppy a bath to help them clean, getting your chinchilla wet is not recommended. A chin has 80 hair fibers in a follicle, which is a great deal compared to your one hair fiber in a follicle.
Because of this high density, the fur of your chin takes ages to dry, which increases the risk of fungal infection. Also, getting chin’s dense fur wet leads to its matting. You don’t want to cut the matted hair every time you give your rodent a bath, as it may leave him without his soft protective coat, making him vulnerable to low temperatures and disease.
How to clean chin fur?
So how to make a chinchilla clean without using water? You have to use a specialized dust that is available in any pet store. Pour an inch of chinchilla dust in a container that is large enough to allow the chin to roll around. Then, put the chin inside the container and let her take the bath by herself. She will groom in the dust for about 15 minutes. When she gets out, the chin will shake the dust off herself, yet you are recommended to help her with a brush to ensure no dust particle remains trapped in her coat.
Also, make sure to place towel under the container with dust to prevent the chin messing your floor during the bath and while shaking the dust off. If you don’t place a towel, vacuum the area after the chin finishes her grooming session.
How to deal with sticky messes?
Many pet owners wonder how to clean chinchilla fur affected by sticky grime. Removing a sticky mess from the chin fur is a challenge as long as using water is not recommended. Since the chinchilla dust can’t tackle oily and sticky stains, there is nothing else to do than getting your pet slightly wet. Dampen a cloth in warm water and gently rub the affected areas on the rodent body. Avoid using cold or hot water, as they can cause a temperature shock to your little pet. Use warm water, as it is gentle on chin’s skin and helps remove the greasy mess.
Don’t make the cloth soaking wet, as it will make the fur dry for hours and increase the risk of matting. Also, you are better off to avoid rubbing chaotically in all directions, as it is the shortest way to hair tangling. Your best bet is to wipe in one direction using gentle motions. Don’t use excessive force to get the sticky spots out. It can hurt the chinchilla and even make the weak fur fibers pull out or break. Better go with calm and repetative motions until the mess finally comes off.
Solutions for chin shedding
Like most furry animals, chinchillas use to shed. Normally, pets get rid of the loose fur with bathing. But, since chins are not good friends with water, you have to find another way of helping them shed. You can use a chinchilla brush to remove the loose fur twice a month.
To begin with, place a towel on your lap to catch the fur that falls off. Then get your chin on your lap and pet her until she calms down. Start brushing her slowly from the tail, working your way to the head. Be as gentle as possible to prevent causing discomfort to your pet. If your chin feels unwell and scared about the process, try to speak to her reassuringly or sing a joyful song to get her fear away. If your little critter says a strong “no” to your attempt to brush her, do not insist. Let her go and try again another day.
For more effectiveness, work in sections, removing all loose hair from one section before proceeding with the next section. The genital area is especially vulnerable to matting, so pay proper attention to it. Do not try to brush the face of your chinchilla, as it can easily injure her. When you meet stubborn mats, don’t insist with the brush. Excessive pulling can rip the fur off and cause extreme pain to your sensitive pet. Better cut the troublesome mats with scissors.
It would be great if you allow the chin take a dust bath immediately after combing her, because the brush removes the excess fur, letting dust reach deep into the chinchilla’s hair up to her skin. In this way, your pet’s skin will be cleaner and healthier.
How often to clean chin fur?
Your furry friend is recommended to take a dust bath 3 times a week. If she has a neat and clean lifestyle, it is more than enough to keep her fur from getting matted, dull and stiff. However, if your rodent leads a naughty and dirty lifestyle, you are good to offer it a a bath opportunity every day. It will keep the skin of your pet safe from infections and her fur soft and shiny.
To sum up
This article explains how to clean chinchilla fur. If you want a pet that doesn’t have you spend much time on its cleaning, chinchilla is your best choice. This tiny pet is self-cleaning, needing just a container with a special dust to groom herself in it 3 times a week. The most important thing to know about chin cleaning is that her fur is not in a good relationship with water. Try to avoid getting your chin’s fur wet to keep fungal infection and matting at bay.
