How do I clean the cage?

[sallysmom]

I just have a quick question. My bun has begun exploring his cage…that’s a huge WOOHOO. But he has only poked his nose out of the cage. Only came as far as 2 hops once, then runs back in. I have heard and read that you aren’t supposed to reach in to get a rabbit. It invades there space. Ok, totally get and respect that, but how do I clean the cage if she is not ready to leave it? There are poop pellets all over, and I don’t know about pee. She has gotten things throwed around everywhere. So, how do I clean it?  Any help would be great. Thanks.  Oh, one more thing, how do I post pics? Do I have to have a link? Put them in my profile? Or do I just drag them onto my post? Just curious. Thanks.

[MarkBun]

Well if you need to clean the cage, you can reach in and pull them out. Or, you could just put the hose on the vacuum cleaner and suck out the poops that way. We do it at Save A Bunny all the time.

[BinkyBunny]

Well, this would be an exception. Maybe you can entice him out with a treat? Otherwise, yes, you would have to get your bunny out if you need to reach in and clean. You could also work around him if possible.

Regarding how to post pictures – check out the tech section https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/forumid/5/view/topic/postid/1433/Default.aspx

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I often, for small clean ups of the condo, poke the vaccum in and work around them. That could also double as his encouragement to hop out

[Scarlet_Rose]

Here are a few tips we had in a discussion a while ago:

Cleaning Tips & Routines:

https://binkybunny.com/Default.aspx?tabid=54&forumid=2&tpage=1&view=topic&postid=242#300

Cleaning a NIC condo https://binkybunny.com/Default.aspx?tabid=54&forumid=1&postid=42400&view=topic

I like to use a vacuum cleaner and if you have the space, a shop-vac will do wonders. For urine, I use a 50/50 white vinegar/water solution.  Be sure though that if the surface touches bunny paws that you wipe it afterwards with a damp cloth.  The vingear raises the ph and is not good for tender bunny feet.

[Alicia Conklin]

I used to use a vacuum to clean up the stray poops when we had a condo.  Tucker would sometimes come out and sometimes she’d follow the vacuum around..I used to say she was quality control lol.   You can also do a small section at a time. I still do this with my pen.  I will take everything off her shelf first and put it on the lower level.  This level I still vacuum since it has carpet.  After that’s all done I put everything back there as it belongs (except the litter box as those get done last so that would still be out waiting).  Then I pick up everything from the lower level and put it either on her shelf or on top of the pen on my shelf that I keep my supplies on  This depends on if she’s in the pen or not.  If she’s in the pen she’ll just toss everything off her shelf while I am cleaning so then I put it on top.  I then sweep up this level since it’s tiled.  After that I put everything back and then I clean the litter boxes.  I put the big one back in first since this is the main litter box and that way she gets it ASAP in case she needs to use it..which of course since it’s fresh she always does!  Then I do the other two and put those back in.  After all this is done I go and get the vacuum again and I take the telescoping handle and get behind and on the side of the pen to catch any stray hay or poops that might have gone back there.  

I only do a big cleaning like that once or twice a week.  Depending on what is needed. 

 

Daily I sweep up the poops from each level and tidy it up at night for her so that she has nice new spots to explore.  I got from walmart I think it was..a small little hand broom and a mini dust pan that clips onto it.  This is AWESOME and a huge lifesaver.  Since daily I do spot cleaning only I usually only lift up the stuff from a small area, clean under it and then move on.  This little broom gets in those small areas really well and it also helps me get the corners really well.  Even on my big cleaning days I find this helpful for the corners.  The small broom would probably be easy for you to use while she’s in there too as it doesn’t take up much more space then your actual hand.  That way it wouldn’t be frightening for her to see while she was still in the cage. 

Like others have said though..getting in there with a vacuum might just do the trick to getting her out and about heheh.

[bunnytowne]

Do you have the type of cage where the top comes off.  That will encourage then to hop out while you clean. 

[Balefulregards]

I do the same thing as tuckerbunz – once a week is a Big clean/mop. But I have a little dust pan and whisk broom that I do a clean up after her a couple times a day.

She doesn’t love it…but it has to be done.

[sallysmom]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I gave it a good clean today. She came out of her box a couple times to sniff around, but overall didn’t like I was in her space. I have one of those little brooms with the detachable dustpan…it’s working great. I have another question though. I bought some Yesterdays news litter for her, how can you tell if she’s using it? I’m still finding pee on the floor all around her cage. I looked in the box to see if it looks like she’s using it, but can’t tell. Does it clump or anything? Just a question. Thanks again for all your suggestions and help.

[BinkyBunny]

Any kind of pelleted litter will usually disintegrate into a sawdust like texture when it receives enough moisture. One little pee won’t necessarily do it, but a couple will. And also, usually the pee seeps down to the bottom layers, and so the top may look untouched while underneath you’ll find the pellets have disintegrated. The best way is to take a scoop and just check the corners underneath the top layer.

[Scarlet_Rose]

You’re welcome! Sallysmom, what kind of litter traiing techniques have you tried so far? Have you soaked a piece of paper towel in her urine and put it in the litter box?

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