Rabbits, rats, gerbils, ferrets, snakes, birds, and hamsters are only a few of the fun pets we can bring into our families. All of these animals live in cages, which must be maintained by a responsible pet owner. Without careful cleaning and de-sanitization, these cages may become breeding grounds for germs and bacteria, which could be damaging to your small furry (or scaly, or feathery) friend.

Cages animals live in close contact with their litter. The bedding in their cages must be kept clean and free of toxins, if you want a happy and healthy pet. It is important to put down an absorbing material on the bottom of the cage, such as newspaper shavings or light wood shavings. If you choose to use newspaper shavings, be aware that the ink may rub off onto your pet. The black ink can leave spots on their fur, especially in the case of white rabbits, rats, or guinea pigs. There are plenty of different options for absorptive flooring available at your local pet store. You can also use hard pellets as the flooring for a rat's cage.

Many of these animals nest in their natural habitats, so you will want to provide a nesting spot for them with soft material. If you use pellets on the floor of your pet's cage, then you will want to use something softer in the bedding area. Never put splintering wood chips in your pet's cage, because these could cause splinters and lacerations. If your cage has a raised floor, then you can put and absorptive material underneath to help conceal the smell and dampness of feces and urine. Be aware that raised metal cages like this can sometimes create a condition called bumblefoot.

This disease is also common in birds. It results from urine and feces gathering on the wire bars in trace amounts. When birds or rodents constantly walk on the contaminated bars, they develop a reddened area on the foot. The reddened area eventually turns into an inflammatory infection that can lame a pet for life. A good way to avoid bumblefoot in raised cages is to put old clothing or cardboard over the bars. You will also want to add some absorbing materials, and you will need to switch the clothes or cardboard every few weeks.

When your pet's cage is soiled, you will need to clean it out. Some animals are more sensitive to a dirty cage than others. If you neglect the responsibility to clean your cage, your pet's waste will start to build up ammonia. Not only will the cage start to smell, but your pet may suffer damages. The ammonia can irritate delicate tissues, and damage your pet's respiratory tract. If you let your pet's cage get smelly, then you are waiting too long to clean it. It is best to set a schedule to clean the cage every four days or so. Every once and awhile, you may want to scrub the interior of the cage.

Always make sure to replenish your pet's food and water. If your pet drinks out of a water tub, rather than a spigot, then you will want to take care that it is not possible the water could tip. If the water tub topples over, then you will need to change the shavings on the bottom of the cage, since the soggy shavings might cause a mildew build-up. Whenever you add new litter to your cage, only put about one-fourth of an inch. Adding too much is a waste of money, and cannot prolong the amount of time you can wait between cleanings. If you are careful to maintain your pet's cage, then you are more likely to have a happy and healthy pet.