Litter Pan for Hay = Cleaner Cages

[ItsaZoo]

I started using a small litter pan for hay in Ruby Sue’s cage. Some of the YouTubers like Squeak Dreams recommend hay boxes to make cleanup easier. I first used a kitten size pan but the sides were about 4” and she was jumping in and out instead of using the lower entrance. I was worried that might not be good for her back. Plus the litter pan wasn’t completely flat on the bottom and she could tip it over. I had ceramic tiles in the bottom to weigh it down.

Then I saw a rabbit litter pan on Temu, so I ordered it. I’ve been using this for a few weeks and it works great. The pan comes with a grate that I removed, and it’s sturdy and flat on the bottom so she can’t tip it over. The sides are just shy of 2” deep, so getting in and out is no problem. I ordered a second one for Millie and that arrived today. I’m hoping this will cut down on laundry.

[Waddles]

I like the Cagetopia cavy bistro style kitchens for C&C cages.

[SardonicSmile]

I recently upgraded my cage, but it doesn’t (yet) have options to hang a waterbottle from the new part, so I made a “kitchen” from a plastic box and hung a waterbottle on it.

[ItsaZoo]

The Cagetopia Bistro is nice, and I also like this kitchen in the corner. Millie would be okay with that. Ruby Sue pushes everything away from corners or walls. She’ll even dig or burrow, just so she can walk along the walls of the entire cage.

[Lynx]

Cool solutions! Glad you all are finding things that work!

[ItsaZoo]

I’m on Temu way too much. husband laughed at me for ordering because he watches the YouTube videos about what people order and what they actually get. These litter pans are advertised for rabbits. But then I saw the same item advertised as a vegetable cleaning tray. The grate was used to rinse and drain the vegetables.

Millie hasn’t quite grasped the hay box idea. She mostly sits outside the box and munches around the edges. Ruby Sue hops in and chows down.

[Sef]

Nice! Those of you who use those chenille bath rugs...do you put anything underneath them? I love mine but am debating whether I really need two layers of towels on the bottom.

[SardonicSmile]

I have washable incontinence pads underneath.

[RavenShade]

What kind of washable pad do you use? I'm in the process up updating my fleece and looking for new ideas. How easy/hard is it to sweep the bedding if you use those rugs?

[SardonicSmile]

I recently ordered these

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Dreamzie-Inc ... B0D6FRBL7L

I have used all different kinds and all of them have worked so far. Some were easier to get the hay off, but they were all good where pee was concerned.

I use a dustpan and broom to sweep poos and it is mostly easy. Sometimes the bathmats bunch up while sweeping, but you can easily sweep up the poos from the incontinence pads if that happens. Hay does tend to stick to mats and pads, but I shake them well and sweep them before washing. I have a really good washing bag so my washing machine stays hay free.

[ItsaZoo]

I use the chenille mats from Target. I have washable incontinence pads underneath everything, and a waterproof sheet under that because my homemade cages have wood floors.

The chenille is easy to clean, the hay and hair shake off pretty well. I use a whisk broom and spot clean a few times a day.

Another option for underneath is quilted mattress pads that are waterproof. I find those at thrift stores. I cut the skirt off that wraps around the sides of the mattress, so I just have one large quilted pad. Then I either cut these to fit the whole cage, or cut them into individual pieces and sew on a layer of fleece. I finish the edges with my serger sewing machine.

[Waddles]

How often do you have to change out the Chenille mats in your cages, ItsaZoo?
I've wondered if the poop and hay gets stuck to the fibres of the chenille more than it does to fleece liners since the former is more plush.