Can Chinchilla Dust be used for dusting?

[arlee453]

60413 CHINCHILLA BATH SAND 60413 / 100079172 Product Use: CHINCHILLA BATH SAND IS A SUPERIOR ALTERNATIVE TO THE TRADITIONAL CHINCHILLA DUST BECAUSE ITS VIRTUALLY DUST FREE ESPECIALLY WHEN USED WITH YOUR SUPERPET CHINCHILLA BATH HOUSE. Label Instructions: CHINCHILLA BATH SAND. Ingredients: MADE FROM 100% NATURAL VOLCANIC MOUNTAIN PUMICE FOUND IN THE ANDES MOUNTAINS. EACH BOX INCLUDES 5 READY-TO-USE E-Z POUR PACKETS ENSURING YOU USE A PERFECT AMOUNT OF SAND EVERYTIME. Manufacturer: SUPER PET Weight: 1.75 Size: 5 PACK Color: UPC Code: 045125604139

Looks like this brand, anyway, is made from pumice... I'd not think it would hurt the buttons.

I use parakeet gravel/grit in their dust pan. It's about $1.50 for a box at walmart and 2 boxes fill up their pan. I'm sure I could get a 50lb bag of playground sand for cheap too, but then I'd have to deal with lugging it home and finding a dry place to store it...​

 

[starshrike]

I forgot to add all chinchilla dust is *theoretically* made from volcanic ash - some cheap knock offs are sand, which are not useful for chinchilla bathing. I figured that DE is fine enough, and if it's safe for birds....

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
I agree i think DE would be find for chins, especially since it's the edible kind im assuming...the chinchillas could benfit from a daul purpose dust! HE HE!

 

[priszilla]

when I ran out of chinny dust and the petshop was out as well-I used some DE and they didn't mind a bit-- but not messy????--I must use too much dust for my 2 because it flies all over- of course they HAVE to bathe together!!! they love to dust bathe!

 

[jaybme]

Well, I am not sure DE is as safe as all that. It is a fine powder that when breathed repeatedly can cause silicosis, especially as it can have quarts in it. I use it occasionally but as a bug killer ( tiny amount) and not a dust bath.

That is my take on the current info- but by no means the final decision on DE. Everyone has to make the best decisions they can based on available knowledge!