How to Clean a Small Pet's Cage

Even though small pets don't take up space, their cages must be cleaned often or your house will be invaded by a large smell. Regular maintenance will keep your pet's habitat healthy and both of you happy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Pet safe cleaners
• Fresh newspapers
• Wood shavings (depending on pet)
• Dish washing soap
• Sponge or scrub brush
• Plastic trash bags
• Plastic gloves

1. Place your small pet in a contaniner with proper ventilation. If you have a spare cage, use that. Supply your pet with water, food and bedding while you conduct your housecleaning.
2. Remove all pet waste, spilled food, soiled newspaper or soiled wood shavings. Have a plastic trash bag handy to toss in the soiled items. Wear plastic gloves to keep your hands sanitized.
3. Scrub down the entire cage. Use a scouring sponge or brush to remove items that have become hardened. Use cleansers that are pet safe. If you are unsure of a product's safety, don't use it. Cleansers that contain bleach should only be used on the bottom of trays that your pet doesn't touch.
4. Wipe off the tunnels, ramps, wheels and toys that small pet touches. Keep everything your pet touches or licks clean and disinfected.
5. Vacuum around the cage. Even small pets can make a big mess by kicking things out of their cages and onto your carpet. Wash your flooring or tile if there is no carpet.
6. Wash your pet's food dish and water container with dishwashing soap. Run these items through your dishwasher to disinfect. Dry completely before returning them to the cage.
7. Reassemble all the items back into the pet's cage. Line the catch trays with plastic or fresh newspaper and refill their water dispensers and food dishes. Place all the pet's freshly cleaned toys back into the cage.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not clean anything with bleach or products that contain bleach that your small pet will lick, chew on or stand on. The bleach could kill your pet, so use caution in selecting your cleaning products.