General Questions

[yellnpsych]

1*From what I've read, cardboard and toilet paper rolls that are stripped down (glue, tape, staples, etc., removed) are safe. Are paper bags safe?

2*Do you filter your water or buy distilled? Buying a filter seems more economic, but I know nothing about how long they last.

3*I'm interested in making my own toys, but where on earth do you buy wood coins, loofah, pumice, and sticks?

4*I've read different things about cuttlebone and alfalfa hay containing calcium which can lead to bladder/kidney stones. Are these safe/unsafe?

Thanks in advance!
~Yell

 

[GorillaJTA]

1*From what I've read, cardboard and toilet paper rolls that are stripped down (glue, tape, staples, etc., removed) are safe. Are paper bags safe?

2*Do you filter your water or buy distilled? Buying a filter seems more economic, but I know nothing about how long they last.

3*I'm interested in making my own toys, but where on earth do you buy wood coins, loofah, pumice, and sticks?

4*I've read different things about cuttlebone and alfalfa hay containing calcium which can lead to bladder/kidney stones. Are these safe/unsafe?

Thanks in advance!
~Yell

I will try to hit a few of these for you.
1) I would avoid paper bags because of the chemicals used in treating the paper.
2) Some people buy filtered water, some have a filter. If you have a filter, you need to make sure it filters out giardia cysts.
3) Most buy their wood from vendors on here or prepare it themselves. You can check around the classifieds for vendors or the FAQ's for safe woods and prep.
4) Cuttlebone is generally not necessary unless the chin is calcium deficient (can be seen by pale yellow to white teeth instead of orange). It is generally recommended that you use a hay that is opposite your pellet- so if you are feeding an alfalfa based pellet, then you feed a timothy hay to make sure all vitamins are covered and nothing is overdone.

 

[greychins]

1*From what I've read, cardboard and toilet paper rolls that are stripped down (glue, tape, staples, etc., removed) are safe. Are paper bags safe?

I would not use the paper bags, because of the ink on them - that's the same reason newspaper is unsafe... not because it's paper, but because of the inks used.

2*Do you filter your water or buy distilled? Buying a filter seems more economic, but I know nothing about how long they last.

We use filters - we use the Pur3 faucet filter, which does filter out giardia. We currently have 32 chins and have had between 20-30 (the number of rescues varies) for the last few months. I put on the most recent filter at the beginning of April... it's showing "red" now (it's on it's last leg)... but that's about 2 months of use, if it stops working today. Two months doesn't probably sound like anything spectacular, especially since I believe a 2-pack of the filters is $30 (and the faucet attachment is something like $30 as well), but you have to think, that's with 20-30 chins. If you were just using it for a few chins, and a cup or two of water here or there for something else, it would last much longer.

3*I'm interested in making my own toys, but where on earth do you buy wood coins, loofah, pumice, and sticks?

There are a ton of sellers on here, especially in the "chinchilla supplies for sale" section.

4*I've read different things about cuttlebone and alfalfa hay containing calcium which can lead to bladder/kidney stones. Are these safe/unsafe?

Too much calcium can lead to bladder/kidney stones. We don't give cuttlebone unless needed, for example, to treat a calcium issue... which we've only seen once in 9 years. As for the alfalfa, we don't actually buy alfalfa. However, if we get in a bag of it with a rescue, we'll dole it out among the chins/rescues. It's not going to hurt them in small amounts. The reason for not giving it all the time is because the grand majority of chinchilla pellets out there are alfalfa based... so adding alfalfa hay would be overdoing it. Alternately, if you were feeding a timothy-based pellet, then you would want to feed alfalfa. You need both in the diet.

Some here and there won't really hurt anything. Malo chins are often fed alfalfa because that is what they will eat. The hay we feed (locally baled hay) is a mixture of alfalfa, orchard grass, rye grass, and timothy hay. There's not a ton of alfalfa in there, so I don't worry about it. Same with our hay cubes - they're 50/50 alfalfa/timothy, and the chins are fine. It's moderation that's important.

 

[GorillaJTA]

Also, distilled or spring water is not recommended. Filtered water is usually ok. Distilled water has not mineral value to it and there is debate as to whether it could actually leech minerals from the diet.

 

[yellnpsych]

Is boiling the water an option? Or is filter the only way to go?

 

[yellnpsych]

Did some searching and a gallon container is roughly $25 locally, so no biggie. Thanks for the heads up! I've been watching the forums for weeks and didn't know about cryptospordium or giardia. Good save!

 

[GorillaJTA]

Did some searching and a gallon container is roughly $25 locally, so no biggie. Thanks for the heads up! I've been watching the forums for weeks and didn't know about cryptospordium or giardia. Good save!

$25? Most wal-marts and places like that have gallon jugs for $4 or less. It is usually labelled "Drinking water" and is filtered by reverse osmosis.

 

[GorillaJTA]

Is boiling the water an option? Or is filter the only way to go?

Unfortunately, boiling does not kill giardia cysts.

 

[yellnpsych]

I'm being picky and buying the Pur brand because they specifically guarantee filtering the nasties. Haven't actually shopped for it, just eyeballed online. Worst case scenario then is hopefully twenty five dollars.

 

[GorillaJTA]

I'm being picky and buying the Pur brand because they specifically guarantee filtering the nasties. Haven't actually shopped for it, just eyeballed online. Worst case scenario then is hopefully twenty five dollars.

Pretty much anything filtered by reverse osmosis is going to get the nasties out. I just don't want you wasting money paying an extra $20 for a name.

 

[yellnpsych]

Could be money spent on toys!!!!

 

[LovinTheSmallAndFurry]

I use Crystal Purified water from Publix (only place I can find it)--it's 99cents. Does reverse osmosis, filter, etc. But I'm sure like GorillaJTA said, you can find an equivalent at Walmeet.

 

[Essentia]

Are you reffering to the Pur galon size pitcher for $25.00? Like one of these?

If so, I have seen them for about $19.00. The Pur brand filter pitchers do filter out Giardia and other microbial cysts. Just remember though, the filters are about $7.00 a piece and you have to make sure to change them out regularly or they don't filter like they should.

 

[RDZCRanch]

Too much calcium can lead to bladder/kidney stones. We don't give cuttlebone unless needed, for example, to treat a calcium issue... which we've only seen once in 9 years. As for the alfalfa, we don't actually buy alfalfa. However, if we get in a bag of it with a rescue, we'll dole it out among the chins/rescues. It's not going to hurt them in small amounts. The reason for not giving it all the time is because the grand majority of chinchilla pellets out there are alfalfa based... so adding alfalfa hay would be overdoing it. Alternately, if you were feeding a timothy-based pellet, then you would want to feed alfalfa. You need both in the diet.

This is actually not true. It's misinformation from vets that don't research that has been spreading like wildfire. Recent studies have shown that bladder stones are largely due to low water intake and genetic predisposition to developing the stones. Some vets mistakingly think that because the makeup of the stones is calcium that they can be eliminated by reducing calcium in the diet. There have been several people that tried this with chinchillas at their vets urging and their animals still developed bladder stones.

I feed all alfalfa and I've never come across a problem with bladder stones. I know several ranchers that also use/used all alfalfa. The only benefit of timothy hay is for people to feel like they are feeding a "variety". The loose/cubed hay is just to provide extra fiber and roughage. Timothy is cheap and easily available which is why it is a highly recommended hay.

 

[ticklechin]

I have free fed loose alfalfa and feed a alfalfa pellet as long as I have had chinchillas, not one stone or problem, I agree with the above statement. I do feed grass hays also, but the chins eat all the alfalfa and some of the grass. I also know of ranchers who feed cubes and alfalfa hays, no grass hay at all.

 

[GorillaJTA]

This is actually not true. It's misinformation from vets that don't research that has been spreading like wildfire. Recent studies have shown that bladder stones are largely due to low water intake and genetic predisposition to developing the stones. Some vets mistakingly think that because the makeup of the stones is calcium that they can be eliminated by reducing calcium in the diet. There have been several people that tried this with chinchillas at their vets urging and their animals still developed bladder stones.

I feed all alfalfa and I've never come across a problem with bladder stones. I know several ranchers that also use/used all alfalfa. The only benefit of timothy hay is for people to feel like they are feeding a "variety". The loose/cubed hay is just to provide extra fiber and roughage. Timothy is cheap and easily available which is why it is a highly recommended hay.

Further, there has been debate about a low calcium diet increasing kidney problems and lowering bone density in other animals as the body strips calcium from the bones to supply its myriad other calcium needs.

 

[fbodgrl]

Are you reffering to the Pur galon size pitcher for $25.00? Like one of these?

If so, I have seen them for about $19.00. The Pur brand filter pitchers do filter out Giardia and other microbial cysts. Just remember though, the filters are about $7.00 a piece and you have to make sure to change them out regularly or they don't filter like they should.

That is the pitcher I have. I am pretty sure I got it for less than $20 and I had a coupon. There are frequently coupons in the Sunday paper for them. Sorry to side track this thread, but as far as replacing the filter, wouldn't it last longer if you aren't constantly refilling it....dunno.


As far as toy parts I have gotten some from ebay, some from california bird nerds and recently from TJ's chinchillas. As well as through sellers on here.

 

[greychins]

See, that's interesting about the calcium, because I swear that I have read that about calcium stones... HERE. My vet has never said a word about the issue, I don't frequent any other chin forums/chin sites, so other than here, I can't imagine where I must have gotten that... oh well, no worries then.

 

[RDZCRanch]

See, that's interesting about the calcium, because I swear that I have read that about calcium stones... HERE. My vet has never said a word about the issue, I don't frequent any other chin forums/chin sites, so other than here, I can't imagine where I must have gotten that... oh well, no worries then.

You got it from here. There have been a few people that came on here saying their vet told them it's from the calcium and a few reputable members that were told that as well by their vets. Once again, it's why doing research on health related topics from credible sources is a good idea instead of taking people's word for it. I usually ask around at vet offices I know as the ones I've worked with are genuinely interested in learning more and they are more than happy to help me find the most up to date information available to the veterinary community.

 

[Essentia]

That is the pitcher I have. I am pretty sure I got it for less than $20 and I had a coupon. There are frequently coupons in the Sunday paper for them. Sorry to side track this thread, but as far as replacing the filter, wouldn't it last longer if you aren't constantly refilling it....dunno.


As far as toy parts I have gotten some from ebay, some from california bird nerds and recently from TJ's chinchillas. As well as through sellers on here.

That's correct. You only replace it as you use it. When I had one I used it for my water as well so I went through filters pretty quickly.