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Is Acrylic Paint Safe for Chinchillas?

If you have a chinchilla and you want to paint its cage, it is important to use paints that are safe for your pet. There are so many products out there that are toxic to animals, and since chinchillas are so small, their respiratory systems are even more sensitive.

So, is acrylic paint safe for chinchillas? Yes, but only non-toxic acrylic paint. One of the best options is acrylic paint because it is water-based and it’s considered safe to use around animals, as long as you use it properly. Even though it is safe, that doesn’t mean it is completely risk-free for your chinchilla.

Even though acrylic paint in non-toxic, you shouldn’t use acrylic paint, or any paint, on the inside of your chinchilla cage. This is because even when the paint is dry, there might still be some fumes detectable by your chinchilla that can be irritating to them.

How to Paint a Chinchilla Cage

Painting your chinchilla cage is much easier than you might think. First, you need to remove your chinchilla from the cage and give them an alternate place to stay for a while. If you have a spare cage, that will work best. They will need to stay here for a few days while the paint completely cures and dries.

After your chinchilla is in a safe place, you will need to thoroughly clean the cage. You can do this with warm, soapy water and a wire brush. This will help remove any loose pieces of the outside of the cage that might lift the paint in the future.

My favorite and top pick is always Arteza Acrylic Paints. They have so many different colors, and the quality is amazing! I usually use Arteza Paints for all my projects.

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After you clean the cage, you will want to sand the cage to make it smooth. After sanding, wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any dust from sanding. If there is anything left on the surface of the cage, the paint won’t stick properly. 

You are going to apply a primer to the cage before you paint to enhance the adhesion to the surface. Just like the paint, it needs to be water based and non-toxic. Let the primer dry thoroughly based on the instructions for the specific primer you used. After it has dried and cured, you can start painting. 

For the primer, I like to use Liquitex Gesso Primer. It offer great coverage, and it also works for other mediums, which is always a plus!

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When you apply the paint to the cage, make sure you are using thing coats. Thicker paint coats will drip and get messy very quickly. Using thin coats will prevent this and leave you with a much smoother finish. Thin coats will also dry quicker, making it easy to apply the next coat quickly. 

I also recommend that you paint a minimum of two coats on the chinchilla cage, but you can add more if you aren’t happy with the coverage. You want to make sure you give each layer plenty of time to dry before adding the next one. For the best results, wait about 3-8 hours between each paint layer.

You can also add a sealant to the paint on the cage if you wish. This will make the paint last longer and protect it from peeling or chipping. This will also need to be water based and non-toxic, and Mod Podge is a great option.

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I like Mod Podge because they have a variety of finishes, such as satin, matte, waterproof and even glitter! They are all water-based and non-toxic, so it will be safe for your chinchilla.

For the safety of your chinchilla, it is best to wait as long as possible before putting them back in their cage. If you can, wait a minimum of a week. Two weeks is even better as this will ensure that there are no fumes that will bother your chinchilla anymore.

What To Do If You Get Paint on Your Chinchilla

Even if you take every precaution possible, there are still instances where you might get paint on your chinchilla by accident. Cleaning paint off a chinchilla can be extremely challenging because their fur is so thick, they shouldn’t be bathed with water. Their fur takes an insanely long time to dry and can make them cold or cause fungal growth and skin infection.

The easiest thing to try trimming the fur that has paint on it. You will need to be careful when you do this because chinchillas can lose hair easily. Make sure you keep the scissors near the paint only and do not touch other parts of the fur with the scissors. 

If you are concerned about the paint on your chinchilla, it is best to contact your vet to see what they recommend for you to do. They will know what the best thing is for your chinchilla and what the best way is to handle the situation.

What Paint Is Safe for Chinchillas?

It is always important to make sure that any products you use on your chinchilla’s cage is safe for them. You want to avoid oil paints or paints that are considered to be toxic. The best possible paints to use around a chinchilla are going to be non-toxic and water based. 

The safest paint will also be free from VOCs, heavy metals, petrochemicals, and carcinogens. This includes acrylic paint and tempera paint. Tempera paint is the one you will typically see in a preschool or kindergarten class. This is because it is one of the safest paints available on the market.

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If you want to paint a toy for your chinchilla, you aren’t going to want to use regular acrylic or tempera paint. This is because there is a chance of the paint flaking or chipping and being eaten by your chinchilla. The best way to paint toys for your chinchilla to play with is by making a DIY pet safe paint with cornstarch, water, and food coloring.

Final Thoughts 

If you want to paint your chinchilla’s cage, it is important to use a paint that is safe for them. Luckily, acrylic paint is a great choice because it is water based and non-toxic. It also dries quickly, meaning the painting process will take less time.

You should always keep your chinchilla in a separate area than where you are painting to protect them from paint fumes that can irritate their respiratory system. It is also best to keep them out of the cage until the paint is completely dry and cured.

Make sure to follow all my tips and recommended products to ensure your chinchilla cage project turns out great! Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting! 

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