How to Clean a Rabbit Cage. In this article I have provided step by step rabbit cages cleaning instructions.
The Importance of Cleaning Rabbit Cages
One of the most important ways to keep your rabbit healthy is to give him a sanitary place to live. Dirty cages lead to all kinds of problems. Ammonia from built-up droppings can cause respiratory issues such as snuffles. Rabbits that must sit on their own waste develop soiled feet and tails, which not only cost them points on the show table, but can be breeding grounds for parasites and bacteria.
A Sanitary Set-up of Rabbit Cages
Of course, no one expects that rabbits will live in an entirely germ-free environment. No one thinks that they should. But in general, a cleaner cage makes a healthier rabbit, and your time spent cleaning rabbit cages can be greatly reduced by starting with the right equipment. Wire floors go a long way to making for healthier housing. Droppings fall through the wire and are collected in trenches or a drop-tray. Breeders with trenches often grow fishworms in the beds, and the worms turn the droppings into valuable fertilizer. If you use a drop-tray method, trays should be emptied at least once or twice a week and filled with odor-absorbing bedding. Some cage companies offer fancy set-ups where the droppings are automatically removed by use of slanted trays and pipes, and simply need to be hosed down now and then. Even if you can’t afford one of these high-tech systems, you can probably create something similar with some plastic sheeting and a little ingenuity.
Ideally, the cages themselves should never be resting directly on wood. Instead, if you have a wooden hutch, use metal L-brackets to support the cages. These will offer less surface area for droppings to collect, and will not absorb urine like wood will.
How to Clean Rabbit Cages
Step by Step Instructions to Clean a Rabbit Cage…
There are usually two elements to cleaning cages: removing debris and disinfecting. If you have galvanized wire cages, a blow torch will accomplish both tasks. If you don’t have access to a torch, you can use a stiff brush to remove hair, bedding, and droppings. Sunlight is the best natural disinfectant; consider hauling your cages and dishes out into the bright sun and letting them sit for fifteen to thirty minutes. Avoid using strange chemicals on your rabbit equipment whenever possible. You should never use Lysol or similar disinfectants, as they leave harmful residues even when rinsed. A natural disinfectant such as vinegar is better. Chlorine bleach is acceptable at the ratio of one part bleach to five parts water. However, many breeders prefer an iodine-based disinfectant such as Vanodine (not currently available in the United States) or non-sudsing betadine mixed with hydrogen peroxide. Feed and watering equipment should be sanitized once per week. Cage floors should always be kept clear of debris. You can disinfect cage floors once per week, and the entire cage once per month.