Post by flutegeek104 on Aug 9, 2006 15:04:27 GMT -5
A Complete Guide to Cage Cleaning
Written by Flutegeek104/Katelyn
Cage cleaning is a necessary part of ferret ownership. Ferrets have oils in their skins that will rub off into bedding and anyone who’s kids do the “bum scoot” after using the litter pan need to REALLY clean the cage. If you don’t already have it, I recommend using natures miracle as a cleaner. I buy it in bulk from a local store.
The first thing you need to do is empty the litter pan from the cage. You can either dump the pan or scoop it. I scoop twice a day and dump the pan every other day. This keeps the litter smelling nice and fresh. I then clean up any litter/food off the cage floor using a mini dustpan/broom I bought from IKEA for 99 cents. Also make sure that you clean out dishes from the cage. If you have two sets of dishes one can be used while the other is in the wash (thanks canni!).
After emptying the litter pan and sweeping up the floor I pull all the floor bedding out and wipe the entire cage down with Natures Miracle. I have a dish brush with a hollow handle meant to hold dish soap. I put Natures Miracle in there and use the brush/soap combo to clean out my cage. This picks up any spare crumbs and also removes invisible bacteria and feces from the cage floor. I do this every other day (the same day I dump the pan). Make sure you wash the brush after using it!
When I am finished wiping down the cage with Natures Miracle I either put the litter pan back in or continue to remove the bedding. I wash the bedding twice a week. I have three sets of bedding I can put in the cage so I usually wash the weeks worth of bedding (two sets) together while the third is used in the cage for a short time during the wash. I use my regular detergent and soap (ERA and Downy) and usually go for the fragrance free kind. I am sensitive to laundry products as well so I use gentle soaps.
You may or may not be finished with your cage cleaning now. I know some super pet cages have shelves that are dishwasher safe. Twice a year I pull the cage outside and hose it down and use a 9/1 water to bleach solution to clean the cage. This is especially easy now that my cage has wheels.
Cage Cleaning Duties:
The Summery
Daily: Scoop Litter and check toys for wear and tear, pick up crumbs using dustpan/broom, wash dishes out
Every Other Day: Dump litter and clean litter pans, wipe down cage with NM
Twice a Week: Wash bedding
Twice a Year: Hose cage down and clean thoroughly with bleach/water solution
NOTE: If you wish to use this article please PM myself and the management (see first post on forum) first. I don’t mind but I want credit for it and to know that you are using it. Thank you!
Written by Flutegeek104/Katelyn
Cage cleaning is a necessary part of ferret ownership. Ferrets have oils in their skins that will rub off into bedding and anyone who’s kids do the “bum scoot” after using the litter pan need to REALLY clean the cage. If you don’t already have it, I recommend using natures miracle as a cleaner. I buy it in bulk from a local store.
The first thing you need to do is empty the litter pan from the cage. You can either dump the pan or scoop it. I scoop twice a day and dump the pan every other day. This keeps the litter smelling nice and fresh. I then clean up any litter/food off the cage floor using a mini dustpan/broom I bought from IKEA for 99 cents. Also make sure that you clean out dishes from the cage. If you have two sets of dishes one can be used while the other is in the wash (thanks canni!).
After emptying the litter pan and sweeping up the floor I pull all the floor bedding out and wipe the entire cage down with Natures Miracle. I have a dish brush with a hollow handle meant to hold dish soap. I put Natures Miracle in there and use the brush/soap combo to clean out my cage. This picks up any spare crumbs and also removes invisible bacteria and feces from the cage floor. I do this every other day (the same day I dump the pan). Make sure you wash the brush after using it!
When I am finished wiping down the cage with Natures Miracle I either put the litter pan back in or continue to remove the bedding. I wash the bedding twice a week. I have three sets of bedding I can put in the cage so I usually wash the weeks worth of bedding (two sets) together while the third is used in the cage for a short time during the wash. I use my regular detergent and soap (ERA and Downy) and usually go for the fragrance free kind. I am sensitive to laundry products as well so I use gentle soaps.
You may or may not be finished with your cage cleaning now. I know some super pet cages have shelves that are dishwasher safe. Twice a year I pull the cage outside and hose it down and use a 9/1 water to bleach solution to clean the cage. This is especially easy now that my cage has wheels.
Cage Cleaning Duties:
The Summery
Daily: Scoop Litter and check toys for wear and tear, pick up crumbs using dustpan/broom, wash dishes out
Every Other Day: Dump litter and clean litter pans, wipe down cage with NM
Twice a Week: Wash bedding
Twice a Year: Hose cage down and clean thoroughly with bleach/water solution
NOTE: If you wish to use this article please PM myself and the management (see first post on forum) first. I don’t mind but I want credit for it and to know that you are using it. Thank you!
Thanks for the contribution!
I hope my kids are that hard working with cleaning cages when they are your age. 