I have read a lot on here, but I can't go through every thread and I feel like I have some specifics that need to be answered. I know I have a lot of questions and any help would be great!
My two chinchillas have had the same cage for the two years that I've had them, but I really can't remember the name or even the brand of it. I've been looking around these forums though, and it either is the "FN 142" as I've seen it called, or a cage very similar to it. There aren't any modifications on it at all, it's just in the standard, out of the box form.
I've always just had a layer of bedding on the very bottom, in the slide out tray that it comes with. They have recently chewed a hole in a corner of the tray though, large enough for them to escape out of, which is what sparked my interest in modifying the cage.
I would like to just put some sort of tile on the bottom to replace the tray, so one of my concerns about modifying the cage, is what will happen without the bedding tray there? I have seen some cages on here with just a small pan with bedding in it. If I do that, will the chins know to use it? Can they be "potty trained" after being able to use the bathroom freely their whole lives? I realize they will probably still poop anywhere, but what about urine?
Also, there will be a lot of different materials in there they have never been around before, as the cage is currently made up of just the wire framing and plastic shelves. Because of that, I'm wondering if they may have any problems adjusting to the changes? There is currently a marble slab in there, so I don't think the tile will be a big change for them. Do your chins usually chew on the wooden shelves a lot though? Do you have to replace them after so long? Fleece will also be new to them and a big concern for me... I've read on here that it is safe, but my chins are big chewers, and I am not sure how they'll react to it.
All of the posts here for modifying cages are great and have been a big help and inspiration for me! Like I said, I realize I have a lot of questions but any help would be really appreciated! I am just realizing how much better of a home my chins could have and would love to give that to them : )
My two chinchillas have had the same cage for the two years that I've had them, but I really can't remember the name or even the brand of it. I've been looking around these forums though, and it either is the "FN 142" as I've seen it called, or a cage very similar to it. There aren't any modifications on it at all, it's just in the standard, out of the box form.
I've always just had a layer of bedding on the very bottom, in the slide out tray that it comes with. They have recently chewed a hole in a corner of the tray though, large enough for them to escape out of, which is what sparked my interest in modifying the cage.
I would like to just put some sort of tile on the bottom to replace the tray, so one of my concerns about modifying the cage, is what will happen without the bedding tray there? I have seen some cages on here with just a small pan with bedding in it. If I do that, will the chins know to use it? Can they be "potty trained" after being able to use the bathroom freely their whole lives? I realize they will probably still poop anywhere, but what about urine?
Also, there will be a lot of different materials in there they have never been around before, as the cage is currently made up of just the wire framing and plastic shelves. Because of that, I'm wondering if they may have any problems adjusting to the changes? There is currently a marble slab in there, so I don't think the tile will be a big change for them. Do your chins usually chew on the wooden shelves a lot though? Do you have to replace them after so long? Fleece will also be new to them and a big concern for me... I've read on here that it is safe, but my chins are big chewers, and I am not sure how they'll react to it.
All of the posts here for modifying cages are great and have been a big help and inspiration for me! Like I said, I realize I have a lot of questions but any help would be really appreciated! I am just realizing how much better of a home my chins could have and would love to give that to them : )
)
