Sand bath questions

[Godofgods]

I'm actually starting to run near the end of my blue cloud (i think it was) dust. And i was wondering a few things.

Can dust go bad or expire over time? (almost seems silly to say that) Before i found the blue cloud, i had the Kaytee dust that came with, when i took my guy in. Its been sitting in its container sealed for a few years. (at least 1 or 2+) Its been so long I'm not even sure if its usable.

Also are their any dangers from switching suddenly to that (if its usable)? I know i switched from kaytee to blue cloud with no issues, but that was fresh sand.

Not that i really want to switch to kaytee or anything, but i hate to see it up their going to waste. Theirs three jars of it, so its a decent amount. Was considering using them once my blue cloud ran out. Then when kaytee is gone; go back to blue cloud permanently. (They've been on blue cloud steadily for 1year+)

 

[cindyv3737]

Dust does not expire. I purchased a 50 pound bag 2 years ago and I'm still working my way through it. There are also no dangers in switching. Just know that their fur will not look as nice with the Kaytee.

Personally, I would order more Blue Cloud and toss the Kaytee.

 

[Snickers]

I don't think Blue Cloud goes bad unless it gets wet. I sell Blue Cloud dust and rocks.

 

[Lillybabe]

I wouldn't throw out the Kaytee. If you decide not to use it and buy more Blue Cloud why not donate it to a rescue? I am sure there are rescues or even shelters hard up for dust and even low quality dust is better than nothing.

 

[greychins]

Dust doesn't expire. I just bought 5 bags from Ryersons at Nationals. Even with selling it and using it for our own chins, we probably only go through 2 bags a year. So... we're going to have it for quite some time. But it's fine, nothing to expire really.

There's no danger using Kaytee or switching from one dust to another. With the rescues, we often get in Kaytee dust, or sunseed dust, or whatever it is (except for the scented dusts, those get pitched). We use it, no sense in it going to waste, there's nothing wrong with it. Same dust, different package.

 

[Godofgods]

I hadn't thought of a rescue. I don't know of any chin rescues around here tho.

Just did a google search, found two claiming to be in the area. None of them list addresses tho. Sent one an email asking about their location. Well see what they say. I just don't want any to go to waste.

 

[Godofgods]

Got some new questions.

I used my last bit of blue cloud last night. Had to give some blue and some the kaytee. Now its been at least 2 years since i last looked at those kaytee bottles. When i brought them down, the first thing i noticed was a 'best if used by' date on the top. Two read march 2012, the third read march 2011. ... lol Is their anything behind that date if sand cant really go bad due to time?

Since i didn't have enough blue cloud for all 5 chins, i had to give some blue and others kaytee, which got me wondering, are their any hazards/issues with mixing two different types of sands together? (i didn't, but I'm wondering)

Last question. This one kinda baffles me. Like i said, i haven't even looked at these jars in years. And they are screwed shut. Nothings really getting in. So much to my surprise, when i opened the lid i found chin poop on the top of the sand. 0.0
I have no idea how it got their. I don't reuse sand, and i don't leave the jars open. My only guess is maybe i some how put old sand back in without cleaning? Iv never done it before that i remember, but i cant think of anything else. But can having that in their for sooo long cause problems? Not exactly sanatary...

 

[Godofgods]

any ideas?

 

[Carleigh]

Everything has a sell-by date. Even water! It's still fine to use. As far as I know, dust can also be reused as long as it has not been urinated in or has gotten too oily, both of which are easily noticeable (and by multiple uses I don't mean more than like 2 uses.) While it probably just snuck in the jar somehow, the dust will be fine to use. While chins take their baths they defecate (at least mine do) and they've had no problem.

 

[Godofgods]

While it probably just snuck in the jar somehow, the dust will be fine to use. While chins take their baths they defecate (at least mine do) and they've had no problem.

Oh yea, mine usually do to. Its like a special present when i take the dust house out and its actually clean lol.
My only concern is that what was in their has to of been in their (at least) going on two years. I'm not sure if something could spread our ruin it over that long of a time.

 

[Cuddlebug]

There is nothing in dust that could go bad. It is ground up rocks. As long as no liquids were in contact with it, it should be fine.

 

[ChinnyMom]

with chins, poops go everywhere, so i am not surprised at all that there was one in a jar of dust, lol.

use up the kaytee dust, and don't worry. it may not do as good a job as the blue cloud, but at least you won't be wasting it. from what i remember, your income is limited, so you don't want to throw out or give away something that you need, eh? )

 

[Godofgods]

with chins, poops go everywhere, so i am not surprised at all that there was one in a jar of dust, lol.

use up the kaytee dust, and don't worry. it may not do as good a job as the blue cloud, but at least you won't be wasting it. from what i remember, your income is limited, so you don't want to throw out or give away something that you need, eh? )

So true'

I started using the Kaytee last night. Good thing is their not an animal that cares much about 'brands' lol (like some ppl i no in rl) Sand doesn't even matter, just one look at the dust house and they all start going crazy lol.

Normally i wouldn't be surprised where their poop ended up either. We get poop/litter in rooms the chins have never even been in all the time.

The reason this one struck me as odd was not only the time frame but their were 3 jars of kaytee. Two full, and one at about 25% full. If anything, id expect to find something in the jar that was being used. But i found the poop in a full jar. And seeing as i don't open multiple jars (of anything) in life, and i don't reuse sand, it was a bit of a surprise.

Even more so since its in a sealed jar. When i give them sand baths, i take the two sand houses, unscrew the jar, add the sand, reseal the jar and put it back, THEN work on getting the houses to the chins. :/

Oh well. A mystery i can never be positive on. At least i can still use the sand. Thanks for the info! :thumbsup: