Post by Katt on Oct 3, 2011 12:36:30 GMT -9
Cage requirements for every animal are very different (see species-specific care sheets for specifications) but there are some basics that you should always consider when purchasing a new cage for your little friends.
SPACE: Is the cage big enough to provide room for exercising and exploring, especially if you are not able to take the animal out to play on a daily basis? Can the animal move around comfortably? If there are levels, ramps, tunnels etc that seem a bit cramped or difficult to get to, you might want to rethink your cage. Keep in mind that the cage size recommendations for each species are minimum sizes and bigger is always better.
SAFETY: Is the cage safe? Are there places in the cage that the animal could get stuck or perhaps get a limb caught? Metal grid wheels are one example of something that poses a risk for cutting or catching small feet. Are the tunnels big enough for the animal to easily get through without getting stuck? Is the floor solid or is it a grate? (No animal should have to walk on a wire/grated floor, this is very bad for their feet and can be painful). Are there shelves or levels in the cage that the animal could fall off of and get hurt? Can you place the cage on a stable base so that it will not fall off, even if the animal shakes the cage (i.e. a sturdy dresser compared to a narrow shelf)?
VENTILLATION: Is the cage well ventillated? If it is a plastic tub have you provided enough holes on the sides as well as large screened off openings on the top (preferrably the entire top) to allow for air flow? Is the cage in a closed in area with little air flow? If it is a glass cage can you provide a screen top? Barred cages provide the best ventillation, but due to escape risks are not always the best cage for smaller animals.
ESCAPE PROOF: Is the cage escape proof? If it is a barred cage are the bars wide or narrowly spaced? Does the top latch securely to the base? Are the bars sturdy or can they be easily bent/spread apart? Is the lid secure? Are there houses or shelves to climb on that could allow them to escape out of the top if there is no lid or an insecure lid? Cages should be 100% escape proof. I you are stuck wit ha small animal, or a particularly young animal, in a barred cage you should consider blocking off the sides at least part way up. Plywood, plexi glass, plastic sheeting, etc can be zip tied to the sides (be sure there is stil adequate ventillation) as a temporary block while young animals are growing up. If the bars are too wide for even an adult animal, then you should find a more secure cage.
LOCATION: Do you have a safe location to place the cage? It should have a sturdy base that will not wiggle or allow the cage to fall off. The cage should never be placed in a spot that recieves direct sunlight as this can quickly overheat small animals, especially in glass or plastic cages. Is there good air flow? Is the room the cage in nice and quiet, or is it a high traffic area that might cause undue stress? Is the cage in a room where it will NOT be "out of sight out of mind?"
FOOD AND WATER ACCESS: Are the food dish and water bottle easily accessible or is it difficult to find a spot to put them that will allow for easy access?
ROOM FOR HIDEYS AND TOYS: All cages should have a minimum of one hidey-house (igloo, box, etc) and one wheel. Ideally extra tunnels and toys should be provided as well. After these are added into the cage, will there still be sufficient space left in the cage to play and exercise?
SPACE: Is the cage big enough to provide room for exercising and exploring, especially if you are not able to take the animal out to play on a daily basis? Can the animal move around comfortably? If there are levels, ramps, tunnels etc that seem a bit cramped or difficult to get to, you might want to rethink your cage. Keep in mind that the cage size recommendations for each species are minimum sizes and bigger is always better.
SAFETY: Is the cage safe? Are there places in the cage that the animal could get stuck or perhaps get a limb caught? Metal grid wheels are one example of something that poses a risk for cutting or catching small feet. Are the tunnels big enough for the animal to easily get through without getting stuck? Is the floor solid or is it a grate? (No animal should have to walk on a wire/grated floor, this is very bad for their feet and can be painful). Are there shelves or levels in the cage that the animal could fall off of and get hurt? Can you place the cage on a stable base so that it will not fall off, even if the animal shakes the cage (i.e. a sturdy dresser compared to a narrow shelf)?
VENTILLATION: Is the cage well ventillated? If it is a plastic tub have you provided enough holes on the sides as well as large screened off openings on the top (preferrably the entire top) to allow for air flow? Is the cage in a closed in area with little air flow? If it is a glass cage can you provide a screen top? Barred cages provide the best ventillation, but due to escape risks are not always the best cage for smaller animals.
ESCAPE PROOF: Is the cage escape proof? If it is a barred cage are the bars wide or narrowly spaced? Does the top latch securely to the base? Are the bars sturdy or can they be easily bent/spread apart? Is the lid secure? Are there houses or shelves to climb on that could allow them to escape out of the top if there is no lid or an insecure lid? Cages should be 100% escape proof. I you are stuck wit ha small animal, or a particularly young animal, in a barred cage you should consider blocking off the sides at least part way up. Plywood, plexi glass, plastic sheeting, etc can be zip tied to the sides (be sure there is stil adequate ventillation) as a temporary block while young animals are growing up. If the bars are too wide for even an adult animal, then you should find a more secure cage.
LOCATION: Do you have a safe location to place the cage? It should have a sturdy base that will not wiggle or allow the cage to fall off. The cage should never be placed in a spot that recieves direct sunlight as this can quickly overheat small animals, especially in glass or plastic cages. Is there good air flow? Is the room the cage in nice and quiet, or is it a high traffic area that might cause undue stress? Is the cage in a room where it will NOT be "out of sight out of mind?"
FOOD AND WATER ACCESS: Are the food dish and water bottle easily accessible or is it difficult to find a spot to put them that will allow for easy access?
ROOM FOR HIDEYS AND TOYS: All cages should have a minimum of one hidey-house (igloo, box, etc) and one wheel. Ideally extra tunnels and toys should be provided as well. After these are added into the cage, will there still be sufficient space left in the cage to play and exercise?