Condo Redo

[Isabelle]

I have a bunny abode condo, two story, from Leith Petwerks. So far I and Dutchess have enjoyed it the two years she’s had it. With her sore hocks however, the plastic bottom with super thin carpet is not very helpful in facilitating healing. I need help figuring out what I can lay down on the floors to add cushioning that Dutchess can’t turn out/pile in the corner to get to the flooring. My vet suggested dry wall and then cover with blankets and such, but it seems that everyone else is against this idea. So what other options are out there? I can’t just pile blankets down, she will move them and shove them out of the way and get angry. Are there any recommend pads or something? I bought two fleece pads from amazon that someone else advertised as being good for sore hocks. They are deep and soft and I like them, but again Dutchess is digging on them and trying desperately to flip them over all the time. I am also a bit worried she might try to eat the material. She is a major digger. I thought about some sort of pillowcase over the bed but I think they might be abrasive to her feet. Anyway . . . help!

[LongEaredLions]

Memory foam bath mats could work, I don’t think they can be flipped or piled up.
Just make sure to get the ones that aren’t plain foam, but have a fuzzy layer on top. Like this: http://www.amazon.com/Envision-Home-Microfiber-24-Inch-Espresso/dp/B005I5MXQ6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388817470&sr=8-1&keywords=memory+foam+bath+mat

[Zombie-Sue]

Is the bottom in such a way that you could clip a fleece blanket to it?

[Deleted User]

I hope this doesn’t sound super silly… you said you have carpet down? Are the edges covered by the cage? So she can’t access the sides/corners to chew? If so – what a about carpet underlay? Under the carpet of course… Sorry if it’s a dumb idea, but when we (finally) got new carpet in the lounge we were offered a premium underlay and it was super soft under foot beneath the carpet. No, we didn’t get it, but for the small amount you would need it may be affordable? Just an idea…. Cheers.

[Isabelle]

The reviews for the mat say it’s slippery and a pet hair magnet and some were smelling from not drying. I’m sure Dutchess will pee on it I’m looking around for a different brand of MF mat, it’s not a bad idea if I can use it on the bottom of several layers of blankets or something.

I can’t clip a blanket as the sides are large wire mesh, so I would have to drill tiny holes in the wood frame and loop like a gazillion zip ties to dozens of tiny holes in the blanket to hold it down. Not practical for removing for cleaning.

Her condo has wood around the edges by the plastic, so the carpet stays in the dish of the wood, nothing sits on the carpet to hold it down. It is just form fitted, and since it is industrial carpet it is pretty rigid and she can’t get enough of it up at once to flip it. The underlay wouldn’t be a bad idea but the carpet itself really should no longer be in her condo due to it’s abrasive material.

[LongEaredLions]

I didn’t really look at the reviews, I just picked th first one that came up to use as a demonstration. You definetly don’t have to use that one.

[Kbana]

Do the Leith condos have removable shelves? If so, could you wrap the shelf in some sort of soft but cleanable material? That is the only thing I can think of to not make the edges of whatever you use accessible to her….hmmmm

[jerseygirl]

I find the memory foam bath mats easy to launder and they are a fur magnet but for me, that’s a positive. The fur stays instead of floating around. I comb mine with a furminator like tool and the fur comes off easy.

Another thing that might work are puppy whelping pads. Someone here used EZwhelp pads and was a fan.

Could you use a strong Velcro glued around the edge of the flooring? with corresponding part attached (sewn?) to the padding??

Her condo has wood around the edges by the plastic, so the carpet stays in the dish of the wood, nothing sits on the carpet to hold it down. It is just form fitted, and since it is industrial carpet it is pretty rigid and she can’t get enough of it up at once to flip it. The underlay wouldn’t be a bad idea but the carpet itself really should no longer be in her condo due to it’s abrasive material.

What’s the backing like? Could you flip it upside down?

[Isabelle]

Unfortunately the back is a very cheap rubber, we tried washing some in the machine once and it made a horrible mess and came off and was really bad. I just wiped clean and replaced when needed, and the upper level has a hole in it for the ramp, that wouldn’t line up if I flipped it over.

I was thinking maybe leaving the carpet in there for the bottom layer, then putting down some padding like the foam mats if I find some I like, then maybe on top I could have one or too fleece blankets that maybe I could wrap under the edges or something so she couldn’t pull it all apart? Does that sound like something that would be cushion enough and also durable/cleanable? Then I wouldn’t have to use glues or zip ties but she shouldn’t be able to flip it all over. See if she goes to the corner to grab it, her own weight holds the corner down, so as long as the blanket wrapped far enough under it should stay put.

[Sarita]

Have you tried contacting Leith Petwerks with suggestions? Maybe see what they say. I wonder if they have come across this before with other rabbit owners. Might just be worth doing that – they may not have any suggestions but then again they may.

[Dobby]

I’m no help regarding the sore hocks, but I can say that Leith Petwerks is normally very responsive. I’ve have one of their cages and they have quickly replied to the questions I’ve had.

[Isabelle]

I might give that a try.

[Author]

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