Hi everyone!
I'm getting my very first ratties (a pair of young brothers, Frank and Sammy!) tomorrow from a wonderful local rescue. I need to know what I do and do not need to clean and sanitize before they can romp around.
From PetCo:
-Coconut hut thingy (like this http://tinyurl.com/hq6wb36)
-Driftwood perch (like this...also, is this wood safe? http://tinyurl.com/zcdv2ru)
-Willow branch balls
-Plastic travel pet carrier
-Plastic cat toys (like jingle balls, pom poms, and crinkly balls)
-Rope chew toys for dogs
From the Foster Family (all new and unused)
-Martin's Cage cage (the Lodge)
-Plastic Igloo
-Vinyl floor tiles
-Water bottle
-Food Dishes
I'm going to wash all the hammocks and pet carrier bed before they're used - I scored a bunch of fleece at Goodwill, and may as well wash the new stuff with it too!
So please tell me what else I need to clean, and how, if you have the time. And if something doesn't look right, please let me know!
Also, I wasn't planning on putting anything on top of the powder coated wire, and instead, give them lots of hammocks and places to "get off their feet". But since they're including cut-to-fit floor tiles, maybe I should?? Using liners is absolutely not something I want to do (too much smell or laundry), but if it's not as big a deal to manage as I think it is, I might consider it. Any opinions on using the tile and liners or not is appreciated.
This is like bringing home a new baby! I'm so exciterrified!
~Gypsy~
I'm getting my very first ratties (a pair of young brothers, Frank and Sammy!) tomorrow from a wonderful local rescue. I need to know what I do and do not need to clean and sanitize before they can romp around.
From PetCo:
-Coconut hut thingy (like this http://tinyurl.com/hq6wb36)
-Driftwood perch (like this...also, is this wood safe? http://tinyurl.com/zcdv2ru)
-Willow branch balls
-Plastic travel pet carrier
-Plastic cat toys (like jingle balls, pom poms, and crinkly balls)
-Rope chew toys for dogs
From the Foster Family (all new and unused)
-Martin's Cage cage (the Lodge)
-Plastic Igloo
-Vinyl floor tiles
-Water bottle
-Food Dishes
I'm going to wash all the hammocks and pet carrier bed before they're used - I scored a bunch of fleece at Goodwill, and may as well wash the new stuff with it too!
So please tell me what else I need to clean, and how, if you have the time. And if something doesn't look right, please let me know!
Also, I wasn't planning on putting anything on top of the powder coated wire, and instead, give them lots of hammocks and places to "get off their feet". But since they're including cut-to-fit floor tiles, maybe I should?? Using liners is absolutely not something I want to do (too much smell or laundry), but if it's not as big a deal to manage as I think it is, I might consider it. Any opinions on using the tile and liners or not is appreciated.
This is like bringing home a new baby! I'm so exciterrified!
~Gypsy~