Need help keeping Chinchilla cool

[Black Viper Skull]

I'm worried my Chinchilla, Thumper will become over heated. Its been cooling off here (About lower 80, mid 70, which is a step down from our 90-100 streak this year) but that's actually bad news for Thumper. My parents have shut off the AC, and opened the windows instead. I keep Thumper in my room, and don't take his cage into the living room because then my dad always complains about it. But it's cooled off in the house because of the windows being opened(about 75 degrees in the living room) but I cannot open the window to my bedroom. The screen I have on my window does NOT fit correctly, and the last time I opened my window, a Yellow Jacket got in, and it took me about an hour to track it down and kill it. I'v tried freezing rocks, but they start getting wet after a few minutes, and I don't want Thumper getting too wet. I put a bowl of dust in the freezer, and he rolled in it for a few minutes, but then went off to do something else. I tried wrapping a Polar Pack in a towel, but he started chewing on the towel, so I had to take it out. Now I have a glass bowel with ice cubes wrapped tightly in a towel sitting in the freezer, waiting to see how that goes. I have a fan on high in the room (not pointed at him) but I know it won't do much, if anything at all. Is there anything else I could do to keep him cool? I'm not in panic mode right now, since hes still being active and jumping around, but i'm afraid it may get too hot. Right now hes stretched out a sleep on his top self (Which, he always sleeps like that.) and my parents flat out REFUSE to turn the AC on for him... I'm just worrying myself sick here about this whole thing.

 

[Cat75]

Do you have a chinchiller (marble slab) for him? There really is not much of a substitution for the a/c. Try putting him in the coolest room of the house.

 

[Cinder and Me]

If they won't turn the AC on, then move the cage to the coolest room. If they don't like the cage in that room, then ask that the AC be turned on. There really aren't too many options - they need to be in a cool environment. Maybe take your parents to a breeder and/or petstore and have it explained again how important temperature is for chinchillas.

 

[Newt]

You could get a stone floor tile, or a terracotta pot and put it in the freezer for a while, before giving it to your chin. But, yeah, he really needs the AC back on

 

[Dreamlite]

There is no substitute for ac. I agree with everyone else. Coolest room or ac back on. Your parent should know the chins needs and risk of him over heating.

 

[mercynursie]

If a window unit won't fit,go out and buy a portable air conditioner. You won't have to remove the screen with these,just crack open the window and put the small panel in and the window is sealed.

 

[Black Viper Skull]

I'v explained time and time again that he needs the AC, but they still refuse. The breeder we got him from even explained how important it was to keep him cool. The best I can do is open my window and let the breeze come in, but the window sits literally behind my head board of my bed, and so there's limited air flow. I have the fan running 24/7 to help circulate cooler air, and right now i'm doing just about everything I can on my own, since my parents are so dead set on keeping the AC off, and are unwilling to help me. They wont even allow me to get a chinchiller for him. I may just have to give him to someone who can actually take care of him... I'm in tears just thinking about it.

 

[my3esses]

I'v explained time and time again that he needs the AC, but they still refuse. The breeder we got him from even explained how important it was to keep him cool. The best I can do is open my window and let the breeze come in, but the window sits literally behind my head board of my bed, and so there's limited air flow. I have the fan running 24/7 to help circulate cooler air, and right now i'm doing just about everything I can on my own, since my parents are so dead set on keeping the AC off, and are unwilling to help me. They wont even allow me to get a chinchiller for him. I may just have to give him to someone who can actually take care of him... I'm in tears just thinking about it.

a chin chiller is only about $8, what do you mean your parents won't let you get one? Did they buy you the chinchilla?

I was going to suggest buying a cheap little thermometer to keep an eye on the temp in your room too - we bought a $5 digital one in Lowes before even getting our chin to make sure our family room is a decent temp but they also had mercury ones for $1. If it gets above 71-72 I turn the ac on for a while. Sometimes I feel like the room is warmer (or cooler) than it really is, so I like having that thermometer in there!

 

[Zoaea]

Point out to your parents that spending 10$ on a chinchiller is way cheaper than the cost to buy a chinchilla, its cage and all the supplies...

Some people seem to think when you buy a caged animal it never costs you money again (my hubbie is one of em). =\ Might be time for you to earn some money, if you are young maybe house chores for a few dollars??

 

[Radrachel]

I bought a "room cooler" from target about four months ago, and it keeps the room at a constant 62 degrees F. It was about $200 but it was worth the buy. Try moving him to a basement if possible. Also you can go to a home depot and get a slab of granite for free or very little expense, you can put that in the freezer for about 10 minutes without it getting wet.

 

[ElliesMama]

I live in CA and I too am always paranoid about it getting too warm for my chin. I lined my cage with tiles that I got for a low price at home depot. Tile has a tendency to stay cooler for longer, and it seems to be keeping my chin nice and comfortable temp wise. I always go and touch the tiles as well and they are always nice and cool. It may not lower the overall temp in your chin's cage drastically, but it should help.