ViciousCurse
Well-Known Member
I recently (within the last six months) added a shallow plastic bin filled with water and rocks, meant to add a little water feature, drinking spot, enrichment, etc. to my rats' cage. Unfortunately, it's just annoying me at this point and doesn't serve its purpose anymore. I want to get rid of it, but I want some advice first. If it wasn't nearly 12:30AM, I'd do a cage cleaning right now since I'm so tired and annoyed with the smell.
The little pool on the lowest level of a DCN because my cage sits next to my desk and near my PS4. I'd rather not have my laptop or PS4 get water spilled on. I have another problem-- water is being distributed elsewhere somehow, because the pan's fleece is getting absolutely soaked. I don't think the bin is leaking. My rats can't swim in it and none of them get much more than their feet and tails wet. Even with repeated use, that wouldn't be able to absolutely soak my fleece liner like it is.
Now it's no longer a toy, it's a new potty spot for them. The fleece I give them to cuddle is quite literally thrown into the water and litterbox, causing a smell.
It smells even with frequent cleaning, changing of water, etc. I'd love to continue having a water feature and a little pool/bowl to drink from, but I can't if they're going to poo and pee in it. I know others will suggest heavy bowls that can't be tipped over, but I have a couple of heavy ceramic bowls that they frequently tip over, so the pool is really my only choice.
This post is a tad bit irritated sounding because it's late, I'm tired, my chronic illnesses are flaring up, and I'm sick of this pool giving me problems. I can't really use it for a dig box either, because it is too shallow. I bought it just to use as a pool, not as a hide or dig bow. Any ideas for salvaging the stupid thing? Any ideas how to fix this problem? I can't remove the cuddle fleece and or any other nesting materials (paper towels, toilet paper, etc.) and it'll just end up in the pool.
The little pool on the lowest level of a DCN because my cage sits next to my desk and near my PS4. I'd rather not have my laptop or PS4 get water spilled on. I have another problem-- water is being distributed elsewhere somehow, because the pan's fleece is getting absolutely soaked. I don't think the bin is leaking. My rats can't swim in it and none of them get much more than their feet and tails wet. Even with repeated use, that wouldn't be able to absolutely soak my fleece liner like it is.
Now it's no longer a toy, it's a new potty spot for them. The fleece I give them to cuddle is quite literally thrown into the water and litterbox, causing a smell.
It smells even with frequent cleaning, changing of water, etc. I'd love to continue having a water feature and a little pool/bowl to drink from, but I can't if they're going to poo and pee in it. I know others will suggest heavy bowls that can't be tipped over, but I have a couple of heavy ceramic bowls that they frequently tip over, so the pool is really my only choice.
This post is a tad bit irritated sounding because it's late, I'm tired, my chronic illnesses are flaring up, and I'm sick of this pool giving me problems. I can't really use it for a dig box either, because it is too shallow. I bought it just to use as a pool, not as a hide or dig bow. Any ideas for salvaging the stupid thing? Any ideas how to fix this problem? I can't remove the cuddle fleece and or any other nesting materials (paper towels, toilet paper, etc.) and it'll just end up in the pool.