If you live in a warm climate, it's important that you have a backup plan to keep your chinchillas cool in case your A/C unit fails. We keep a couple of frozen jugs of water in the freezer during the summer months. So far, doing so has come in very handy.
Remember the blackout that hit the Northeast? On that day we had nighttime temperatures in the 90's. It was also very humid. This is the kind of weather that can kill a chinchilla, and with no power, we had no A/C.
Too keep our chinchillas cool, I moved them into a small cage we have. I did this so that they couldn't run around. I then placed one of the frozen jugs of water on top of a cookie sheet, both of which I placed on top of the cage. I used a cookie sheet to catch the condensation from the bottle so that the chinchillas wouldn't get wet.
Using a thermometer I was able to determine that the temperature in the cage below that frozen jug of water was around 80 degrees. That was a whole 10 degrees lower than the rest of the house.
Although I haven't used these techniques myself, I have read that others have had success with them:
- Keep stone tiles in the freezer and put them in the cage or attach to the sides of the cage when needed
- Put ice cubes in your chinchilla's water bottle.
- Put ice cubes in a dish for your chinchilla to chew and lick.
- Drape damp (cold water), not dripping wet, towels on the cage.
- Freeze empty food tins and place in the cage. Make sure there are no sharp edges.
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June 30th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
I just purchased from walgreens a lunch pack where the outside lining has ice cubes. It's made out of non toxic, puncture resistant material. What I do is put it in the freezer put the frozen cubes in the cage. My chin likes it and has rested on it. The only con is that when it melts, some moisture does seep out but not enough to get the chin wet. I am hoping this is a good idea on hot days.
June 30th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
I am thinking about getting a chinchilla soon and I was wondering something. I am going to place the cage in my room since it is the least disturbed part of the house and I like the noise at night, but my room is not always cool in the summer and I can't afford an air conditioner. We have a window one in another part of the house and I was wondering if I left my door open to allow the air in and put a fan on if the chin would be alright? My house barely ever gets to 80 F but it has before.
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Debra,
Sounds like a good idea to us!
May 11th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
I was wondering if it's ok for my chinchilla if the dust bath is cooled in the refrigerator before placing it in his cage. When I did it, he twirled more vigorously then usual and seemed to enjoy the cold dust.
April 22nd, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Jane,
An air conditioner is the only real option. Fans, cold bricks, and other similar techniques won't cut it as they're only temporary solutions. A window air conditioner is a good option if you have your chinchillas in a separate room.