How to Clean Small Animal Cages

By Susan M. Keenan

Many household pets are small animals. These furry pets are cute, cuddly, and lovable. An entire entourage of small pets is available including mice, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, and more. Most pets respond well to tender, loving care and become part of the family quickly.

Taking care of this type of pet can be entertaining and enjoyable. Unfortunately, the homes of many small pets are cages that require a large amount of cleaning. Cleaning the pet’s home is important not only to prevent odors and maintain a nice appearance, but also, cleaning the cage properly is essential to the health and well-being of your pet.

It is probably easiest to clean your pet’s home while he or she is awake. Place your pet in another cage or box while you are doing the cleaning. If your pet is housebroken, you can allow it to roam freely. However, restricting the pet to one room while you are cleaning might be a good idea.

Several chores or tasks are required on a daily, every other day, or weekly basis in order to maintain a healthy environment for your pet. Thorough cleaning of the cage is especially important to prevent the growth of mild or mildew in the soiled and damp areas of the cage. Cleaning steps are detailed below.

Daily Chores

• Rinse out the water bottle or dish. Refill it with clean water.
• If you use a dish for food, throw away any uneaten food that is soiled. Rinse and dry the food dish. Refill the dish with food. Replenish any fruits, vegetables, or food that needs replacement.
• Carefully clean up and remove any pet droppings. Be careful that you do not inhale any dust from the pet droppings. Dust from pet droppings can cause illness, so you need to be cautious when cleaning the pet’s cage. Cover the droppings with a damp paper towel or use a damp paper towel to remove the droppings.

Every Two Days

• Replace dirty litter with fresh litter. Dispose of the soiled litter promptly.

Once a Week

• Clean the entire cage thoroughly. Remove everything from inside the cage.
• Wash the bottom of the cage with a mild, soapy solution. Use a small scrubbing brush with nylon bristles to remove any stubborn spots of dirt or grime.
• Wash the sides and top of the cage with a mild, soapy solution.
• Wash any accessories or toys with a mild, soapy solution.
• Rinse the entire cage including the accessories and toys thoroughly with clean water.
• Either allow the cage to air dry completely or use a clean cloth or paper towels to dry it.
• Replace the litter or dry shavings in the cage.
• Replace all other accessories, dishes, and toys to the cage.
• Return your pet to his or her home. Secure the door for your pet’s safety.

Things to Remember

• It’s important to realize that certain types of cages are easier to clean than others. If you have limited time, try to select the cage that provides the easiest surfaces to clean. Fewer nooks and crannies will cut the cleaning time down considerably.
• Additionally, it is important to wear gloves when cleaning the cage to protect yourself from disease
.• Use only soap products that are safe for small animals. Pet stores and stores that have a pet section have animal safe cleaning products available for purchase.
• Place the cage in an ideal spot. If it is easy to get to, it will be easy to clean.
• A water bottle will require less cleaning than a water bowl since nothing will get into it.

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