Cage Cleaning
How Often?
The rule of thumb is your piggies' cage should never smell.
Regular spot cleaning should be done on a daily basis. This involves removing soiled hay, bedding/shavings and poops with a dust pan or vacuum, and disposing of thoroughly. New bedding or shavings can be replaced a few times a week, as needed (depending on cage size and how many piggies are using it!). If Ozzy Cage Fleece liners, polar fleece or Vet-Bed liners are used as a bedding material of choice, simply sweep up the soiled bedding and replace the under bedding if needed. We recommend having a few 'sets' of clean bedding at hand, so you can swap a dirty one out for a clean set, ready to go.
Thorough cage cleans (or deep cleans) should be done weekly to maintain a healthy environment for your piggies. This involves completely removing and replacing all bedding for clean bedding, giving the cage base a disinfectant and thorough dry out, and changing up your cage accessories.
Our new Ozzy Cage Fleece Liners are an all-in-one bedding option, with soft, comfortable fleece on top that wicks away moisture, an super absorbent internal layer and a waterproof backing, so there's no need to have multiple layers! It makes cage cleaning a breeze. Check out these game-changers here.
Natural Cleaning Solution
When cleaning your cavies cage it is important to not use harsh chemicals that may be harmful to animals.
White vinegar is a versatile cleaning agent which is anti bacterial, and can cut through dirt and urine residue. The powerful acidic qualities of this product easily breakdown alkaline substances such as urine. For a simple yet effective cleaning formula use our below mix in a spray bottle:
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- Five drops of dishwashing liquid
Simply spray this mixture onto you cage surface, once all bedding has been removed. For those tougher areas pour concentrated vinegar onto stubborn stains and clean away with a toothbrush.
💩 Poo Removal 💩
Unfortunately, piggy ownership means dealing with a LOT of poo - and often!
Removing piggy poo can be as simple as sweeping it up with a dustpan and brush (we recommend silicone ones as these scoop up the waste really effectively!).
Alternatively, you can use a handheld dustbuster or cheap vacuum cleaner. Remember, poo removal is something you will need to do daily, so if you want to choose this option, it's worth investing in a piggy-specific vacuum you can use solely for piggy cage cleans!
TIP: If using a vacuum, make sure your piggies are removed in a carrier or another enclosure while you are doing this, as the loud noise will frighten them!
🧺 How To Clean Bedding 🧺
We recommend cleaning any fleece liners or Vet-Bed bedding in a washing machine, if possible. This helps give the material a thorough clean, removes bacteria and limits odours in the long-term. If you are concerned about using your machine for piggy loads, you can buy large washing bags to put your bedding in, to protect your washing machine and contain any waste inside the bag.
✨ TIP: Add a 1/4 to 1/2 a cup of vinegar to your normal laundry detergent, this works as a natural fabric softener!
If you prefer an alternative, you can pin your bedding to your washing line or fence and hose it down instead and let dry. While this saves your washing machine, it won't give you as thorough a clean.
Before washing your bedding, take it outside and give it a good shake to get rid of any loose mess that you haven't swept up (hay, poo etc.).
Using Wood Shavings?
Replenish any heavy-traffic areas with fresh shavings daily, with a complete change over of shavings once a week.