saphire
Christiane's Chinchillas
For sure...
Sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss.
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AndreaMD02
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2009
- Messages
- 50
Ty, so much. ur actually the first one to tell me that today. i don't know i guess i'm being super emotional, this is so off topic, but i appreciate it a lot. thanks
saphire
Christiane's Chinchillas
If that's all it took to make your day better, well welcome.
You can bring me plenty of easy ones like that.
Good Night. zzzzzz
You can bring me plenty of easy ones like that.
Good Night. zzzzzz
P
PetProductsByNature
Guest
Hi Andrea. I'm glad I got to your PM before I read this post...WOW!!!
Apology accepted. I'm sorry that you lost your uncle today. You must have really loved the man. Remember to hang onto the happy memories, not the sorrow...Barbi
Apology accepted. I'm sorry that you lost your uncle today. You must have really loved the man. Remember to hang onto the happy memories, not the sorrow...Barbi
Andrea - It's a good thing you did apologize, because your comments were completely out of line, regardless of whether your uncle died or not (which I am very sorry to hear). You came about an inch away from a formal warning.
The purpose to a forum is to exchange information. You are right, ultimately what you do is your choice, but why would you make the comment "you can do whatever you want to do?" So you would advocate me giving my kits 10 raisins a day, just because I can? You would advocate stuffing a chinchilla into a death ball and letting them overheat, just because I can? How about feeding my chinchilla cotton candy and Pepsi, agian, just because I can? A statement like that is misinformed and dangerous. Yes, you (you meaning, the general populace, not finger pointing) CAN do whatever you want with your animals, but if you really believe that that's the best way to care for them, the best way to provide for them, then don't bother coming to a forum. Torture your chin on your own time.
People come here to learn, to get better information on how to care for their chinchilla from experienced chinchilla owners and breeders. They ARE doing research to find out what is safe and what isn't. Are there some things that are overblown? Sure, just like on any pet or human forum for that matter. Heck, when I had kids, people couldn't make up their minds which way to put their kids so they wouldn't die in their sleep. With kid one it was on their backs, with the twins it was on their stomachs. Babies have been sleeping on their tummies for eons and they didn't suddenly die of crib death. My kids all slept on their tummies because that's how they would actually sleep (and with twins, one reallllly understands the importance of sleep).
Barbi was being especially responsible in trying to find out because her decisions could put MY chins at risk. She took the time to try and find out exactly what she should do, to make sure that her products wouldn't harm anyone's pet. I think that's very commendable and speaks as to her love of animals.
We are all here to learn and to share information. Some if it I snicker at (sorry, I can't help it) and some I scratch my head at. Other times I'm grateful to have a new idea presented. But you won't know if you don't ask, and that's what Barbi did.
The purpose to a forum is to exchange information. You are right, ultimately what you do is your choice, but why would you make the comment "you can do whatever you want to do?" So you would advocate me giving my kits 10 raisins a day, just because I can? You would advocate stuffing a chinchilla into a death ball and letting them overheat, just because I can? How about feeding my chinchilla cotton candy and Pepsi, agian, just because I can? A statement like that is misinformed and dangerous. Yes, you (you meaning, the general populace, not finger pointing) CAN do whatever you want with your animals, but if you really believe that that's the best way to care for them, the best way to provide for them, then don't bother coming to a forum. Torture your chin on your own time.
People come here to learn, to get better information on how to care for their chinchilla from experienced chinchilla owners and breeders. They ARE doing research to find out what is safe and what isn't. Are there some things that are overblown? Sure, just like on any pet or human forum for that matter. Heck, when I had kids, people couldn't make up their minds which way to put their kids so they wouldn't die in their sleep. With kid one it was on their backs, with the twins it was on their stomachs. Babies have been sleeping on their tummies for eons and they didn't suddenly die of crib death. My kids all slept on their tummies because that's how they would actually sleep (and with twins, one reallllly understands the importance of sleep).
Barbi was being especially responsible in trying to find out because her decisions could put MY chins at risk. She took the time to try and find out exactly what she should do, to make sure that her products wouldn't harm anyone's pet. I think that's very commendable and speaks as to her love of animals.
We are all here to learn and to share information. Some if it I snicker at (sorry, I can't help it) and some I scratch my head at. Other times I'm grateful to have a new idea presented. But you won't know if you don't ask, and that's what Barbi did.
P
PetProductsByNature
Guest
Ditto...Ditto...and if it were not for the "team of experts" that Jeff and I have gotten to know over the last several years, that HAVE done their research...where would PPBN be today? I know and respect so many of you on this forum; you have added to our wealth of knowledge and understanding. And all of you in some way or another are the wind beneath my wings. I KNOW you've done your research. I KNOW I've done mine, but when I'm in doubt, I check it out with those I have grown to trust. It hasn't cost me a dime to make friends with the people "in the know", just the desire to learn, the ability to listen with an open mind and a little love. But learning is an ongoing process.
Those of you that have been in this with us through the years know that Jeff and I are too old too take anything too seriously, and too young to take anything too lightly. We put our heart, our soul, our blood and our sweat into creating these products and in case anyone is under the impression that I have come to this forum with blinders on and a closed mind, stand corrected.
Before I started this thread, I realized what I needed to do with the advise and suggestions I was receiving; I understood how to go through the process of looking at it and storing it away in the right place in my brain. I wrote is as more of an essay that was not about my confusion, but for my concern for others. There is conflicting information out there. Some of it is VERY BAD advice! Dangerous advice! I don't want people to take the first piece of advice they get and run with it...it may cause a chinchilla harm. (didn't your mother ever ask, "Well, if your friend jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge, would that mean you had to?") Question what others say! Ask those who you've come to trust when in doubt. And on a more personal level, if you question something we're offering check with us...we've done our research. We know our woods; we've worked with them in every season for several years. If there is a question I can't answer, just know that I will find the right person to ask. Asking does not make us weak, it empowers us. (And please don't throw your wood away just because it has green around the edges. there just may be a very good reason for that) :wink2:
AndreaMD02
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2009
- Messages
- 50
:thumbsup:
S
Sugarmama
Guest
There is a lot of paranoia out there regarding chin products. I believe it's because so often chins get sick or die, and the owner is desperate for a reason. They rack their brain trying to think of what could have been the cause. "My chinchilla chewed his plastic house and died 2 days later..." and they attribute it to plastic, and warn all others away from the dangers of plastic, whether or not it had any basis. You can insert any product into that story, and that's where a lot of the stuff on the "not safe" list came from.
I had the same confusion for a long time after finding this website. I had to get to know some long time chinchilla owners, and find some with a similar philosophy as mine regarding pets. I wanted fact based information, not extremeism. Then I asked questions. Tons of them, in chat...and was able to throw out the old wives tales, and keep the truly good chin knowledge. It sounds like you are on the right track. ;P
I had the same confusion for a long time after finding this website. I had to get to know some long time chinchilla owners, and find some with a similar philosophy as mine regarding pets. I wanted fact based information, not extremeism. Then I asked questions. Tons of them, in chat...and was able to throw out the old wives tales, and keep the truly good chin knowledge. It sounds like you are on the right track. ;P
Kula
Pokemon Master
Thanks for bringing this up! I've seen so many conflicting stories, and I just don't really know what's "safe" anymore, but I knew if I asked, I'd get the same conflicting stories. I'm glad some people admitted to having plastic in their cage. The bottoms of my cage (there are two levels) are plastic liners. My chinchillas have never touched them, but I was always afraid to post pictures of their cage because I knew somebody would flip out.
One thing I do want to know though, which I guess could just be added to your list. What kind of glue is considered "safe"? I know I've seen handmade toys for chins that couldn't have been nailed together being sold by members. So what kind of glue are they using?
One thing I do want to know though, which I guess could just be added to your list. What kind of glue is considered "safe"? I know I've seen handmade toys for chins that couldn't have been nailed together being sold by members. So what kind of glue are they using?
Essentia
Jax Chinchilla Rescue
Elmers Wood Glue and Elmers School Glue (the white stuff) is nontoxic and safe. I know most people use that.
Kula
Pokemon Master
Ah, thanks!
So another question... Those people who sell willow baskets/toys and bamboo shredders say they get their products from places that manufacture products that are made for pets. But there is no way to really know how the woods were treated, and if they are actually safe for pets. The only difference I can see between buying from a place that markets these products for pets versus a craft store is the inflated price. So is there really a difference? How do you know?
P
PetProductsByNature
Guest
We're just getting ready to try our hands at making some log cabins for chins and have decided (for the 1st time) that we'll use the Elmer's School Glue to secure the dowels that will hold them together. Enough trustworthy people have told us it's safe and we're confindent that it must be, at least relatively safe. I remember putting it on my hand in elementary school and waiting for it to dry then chewing it for awhile like gum and hey...look at me :wacko: But then again, we were a little poor growing up and maybe my mother bought me an off brand...hmmm...
That's a really good question! Thanks for adding it to the list too.
Personally, I don't think there is a difference. My guess is they all came from the same warehouse, just at some point they were packaged differently. But again, in reality, our pets aren't eating these things, they're just tearing them apart. It's the colors on the bamboo shredders that really make me stay away cause "I don't know" what they've been dyed with. (some customer will surely ask and I won't have the answer and won't know where to get the real truth)
Jeff and I decided when we named our company, we would stay away from anything that wasn't created, in our opinion, by nature, or products processed by a manufacturing plant, so we don't use the bamboo and willow products on the market. I made some willow wreaths a few years back but it was very time consuming (and they weren't very pretty) and I charged more for them (due to the time involved) than the ones our customers were used to buying that were imported. I had a few customers that bought me out every time I listed them and swore their chins liked them better than the imported ones, but for the most part people thought they were overpriced so I've quit wasting my time.
If we started adding the bamboo shredders to our line of products, surely I'd have somebody ask me about the dying process and like I said, there is (probably) no definative answer.
Another factor that seems to be a cause for concern: CLEANING!
There isn't a day goes by that at least one person doesn't ask me how we clean our woods, and I can usually tell which forum they have been getting their advise from by the methods they mention. Members of CnH will ask me if we scrub, boil and bake our woods. From another forum they'll ask me if I use salt water, and from another, a vinegar solution.
Let it suffice to say, "Our woods are grown organically and collected in our pristine Airzona desert and cleaned by patient hands because we care about the safety of your pets. No chemicals have been used ~ 100% Natural" The most important thing to us, and we think, to the safety and enjoyment of our pets, is that they do not come from a tree where the neighbors next door spray on a regular basis, there are relatively no environmental polutants (either in the air or underground) where we live and we do not clean our woods with chemicals. The method we use to clean and dry our woods has satisfied you for many years and will continue to satisfy you and keep your pets safe.
BTW...I'd LOVE to see pictures of your cage...I promise not to point at the plastic liners on the bottom and laugh at you behind your back or jump down your throat. One of Krickett's cages has a plastic liner too and although they are a "no-no" in the bird world, (don't tell PetSmart that or they'll go out of business) but that's the cage she goes to shows and markets in and no one has ever said a word...not a word!
That's a really good question! Thanks for adding it to the list too.
Personally, I don't think there is a difference. My guess is they all came from the same warehouse, just at some point they were packaged differently. But again, in reality, our pets aren't eating these things, they're just tearing them apart. It's the colors on the bamboo shredders that really make me stay away cause "I don't know" what they've been dyed with. (some customer will surely ask and I won't have the answer and won't know where to get the real truth)
Jeff and I decided when we named our company, we would stay away from anything that wasn't created, in our opinion, by nature, or products processed by a manufacturing plant, so we don't use the bamboo and willow products on the market. I made some willow wreaths a few years back but it was very time consuming (and they weren't very pretty) and I charged more for them (due to the time involved) than the ones our customers were used to buying that were imported. I had a few customers that bought me out every time I listed them and swore their chins liked them better than the imported ones, but for the most part people thought they were overpriced so I've quit wasting my time.
If we started adding the bamboo shredders to our line of products, surely I'd have somebody ask me about the dying process and like I said, there is (probably) no definative answer.
Another factor that seems to be a cause for concern: CLEANING!
There isn't a day goes by that at least one person doesn't ask me how we clean our woods, and I can usually tell which forum they have been getting their advise from by the methods they mention. Members of CnH will ask me if we scrub, boil and bake our woods. From another forum they'll ask me if I use salt water, and from another, a vinegar solution.
Let it suffice to say, "Our woods are grown organically and collected in our pristine Airzona desert and cleaned by patient hands because we care about the safety of your pets. No chemicals have been used ~ 100% Natural" The most important thing to us, and we think, to the safety and enjoyment of our pets, is that they do not come from a tree where the neighbors next door spray on a regular basis, there are relatively no environmental polutants (either in the air or underground) where we live and we do not clean our woods with chemicals. The method we use to clean and dry our woods has satisfied you for many years and will continue to satisfy you and keep your pets safe.
BTW...I'd LOVE to see pictures of your cage...I promise not to point at the plastic liners on the bottom and laugh at you behind your back or jump down your throat. One of Krickett's cages has a plastic liner too and although they are a "no-no" in the bird world, (don't tell PetSmart that or they'll go out of business) but that's the cage she goes to shows and markets in and no one has ever said a word...not a word!
