Small Animal Cage

Chores are seldom fun, but are essential in keeping pets happy and healthy, as well as in keeping our home and environment clean and germ free. It would be easier to establish a routine schedule for cage cleaning and maintenance to make it less of a tedious task to do whenever it is time to  scrub away the dirt and grime of our pet’s cage.

Here are a few cage cleaning tips to keep in mind:

-Avoid using any harsh cleansing materials that may be hazardous to your pet. Make sure that the soap, detergent, and other cleaning materials you use is pet friendly.

-Vinegar is an excellent ingredient to use for cleaning. It is safe and it can remove most of the calcium salts found in small animal urine. Vinegar also gets rid of stubborn odors.

-Consider litter training your pet to make it easier to clean cages.

-Do not use your kitchen sink to clean your pet’s cage. It would be best to use a garden hose or do the cleaning in your yard or garage. It is not hygienic to wash feces and urine in an area where you prepare the food that you consume.

-Have a set schedule for what should be done on a daily or weekly basis.

What should daily cleaning involve?

-Clean the food and water bowls and provide fresh water.

-Remove any uneaten fresh food such as vegetables and greens.

-If you use any type of shavings, remove the parts that have been soiled.

-Remove the food that has fallen from the food bowl.

-Clean the small areas have water spills and soiled areas.

-Clean the litter box if your pet uses one. Make sure that you check the urine and feces for any indication of a health problem. This a great way to keep an eye out for any possible illnesses your pet may have.

What should weekly cleaning involve?

-Make sure that you have a safe place to keep your pet while you clean its cage. It is advisable to have a spare cage so that you do not have to be in a hurry whenever it is time to clean. You can give the dirty cage a thorough cleaning and allow it time to dry.

-Remove all accessories and cage attachments, bowls, etc. and wash them well.

-Scrub and wipe the bars of the cage and make sure you get the dirt in between the bars. You can soak them in water and a pet safe cleaning solution for at least 30 minutes and then rinse well.

Photo: http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/ad236/ash8848/Picture687.jpg

To view this article in spanish, click here: http://www.petsintouch.com/pnnespanol/12604/limpieza-adecuada-de-la-jaula-de-tus-pequenas-mascotas