Chinchilla Community Forums

Chinchillas => Q & A => Topic started by: Rachael29 on October 05, 2015, 04:34:09 PM

Title: Litter
Post by: Rachael29 on October 05, 2015, 04:34:09 PM
Ok so at the moment in the bottom of the trays we have like recycled litter from pets at home (our pet store in the uk) however the chinnies can easily peak through the bottom and eat it and it's a pain to clean out LOL. So I'm wondering can you use puppy training pads? Like in the tray underneath? Or has anyone had any more ideas for easy clean up that's chin safe?
Thanks for any responses :)
Title: Re: Litter
Post by: GrayRodent on October 05, 2015, 05:34:29 PM
Do not use puppy training pads unless you can ensure your pets cannot reach them. Personally I use them in my cage setup but the floor is custom fabricated so there is a wire floor that prevents them from getting access to it. To be honest I actually had a problem with this a couple of weeks ago and I didn't lay it down flat enough. When my chinchillas got it they chewed a pretty good sized hole in it. I was very concerned about bowel obstruction and I could see the cotton fibers in their feces the next day. Regardless of that I've been using them for two years now and it is an excellent system when it is done properly. If you can't do that then pine litter is your best and safest option.

As far as cleanup I generally use a small hand broom and use a shop vac every couple of days. I used litter in the past and that was before I had a good shop vac so I got very good with the broom! You could get a cage that has a wire floor and a tray beneath it. Make sure it's all metal with no plastic parts or trays.
Title: Re: Litter
Post by: BLS Chins on October 07, 2015, 08:39:20 AM
i use wood chips and news paper. puppy pads contain hormones to attract the puppy and are usually plastic so if the chin can reach any part of it, i wouldnt use it. a shop vac and broom go a long way in keeping the chins area clean