Used Cage - Safe or Not ?

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Hi, I was wondering if anyone can help me. My neighbour has offered me an indoor cage for my piggies which has been used before by her rabbit when it was a baby.

I was wondering if it was safe to use bearing in mind it has had another animal in it - have not seen it yet so dont know what condition it is in ie: dont know if it has wee stains in corners etc !

Can anyone help me ?

x
 
well if it is in good conditon, then i think its fine because people have reused cages that were used before by another animal. if you look in the wanted/selling threads, you can see people sell cages that were already used. i hope i helped. oh and it was a baby bunny, so should be no problem.
 
I think it will be fine. I would make sure I cleaned it myself regardless of how clean it is but I can't see a problem with it.

How big is it?
 
I will take a look at it tomorrow and see what its like - if its just a case of having wee stains in corners and everything else ok, do you think it will be ok for my babies?

Obviously I would clean it all out with proper stuff before its used !
 
Not sure how big it is as yet - am popping round there tomorrow to see it. I have seen it once but cant for the life of me remember how big it was.

What sort of size would you recommend ?
 
If the overall condition is good just make sure you disinfect it really well and it should be ok to use :)
x
 
Thanks Rawr, Will disinfectant remove traces of smells etc of any wee stained bits and is there any chance of my baby catching anything from a used cage (sorry, paramoid question i know) ?
xx
 
Hi

I always wash my cages out in vinegar and put them out to soak for a few days, and then wash well. Normally brings urine stains out.

Jaye.
 
The disinfectant I get from pets at home makes my cages smell lovely and really helps in the cleaning/removing of stains ect.

I've heard washing cages in vinegar is a good idea - but I've never personally done this.

After it's been disinfected if the previous occupant did have anything wrong with them, the germs will have been killed so they shouldn't catch anything no. I've used, used cages before and my guineas have been fine :)

If you're nervous about it though there's nothing wrong with politely declining and getting a brand new cage - you have to do what you're personally comfortable with
x
 
I will take a look at it and see what its like. Her rabbit was perfectly healthy and still bounces round her garden now so should not be any problems. x
 
As long as there are no sharp parts that they can get hurt on and make sure that you clean it with diluted vinegar and water and let it soak for a while then rinse with luke warm water and dry it good.
 
Thanks Jess, How long should i let the diluted vinegar and water soak in it for and should i also disinfect it out too ?

This may sound a funny question but why vinegar ?

x
 
I use Tesco value vinegar, neat, left on for about half an hour to remove stains. Quick rub with a nylon scrubbie and it comes up like new. Not sure that vinegar will kill bacteria/germs though. So once cleaned, rinse really well then I usually use dettol to wipe the bars and around the cage in between different piggies using it, or you could use one of the purpose made cleansers and anti bacs from P@H xx
 
Thank you everyone - once i know that i am happy to accept the cage, I will be off out for the vinegar then and then go and get some cage cleaner from PAH to finish it off (maybe a quick disinfect to be doubly sure). x
 
Thank you everyone - once i know that i am happy to accept the cage, I will be off out for the vinegar then and then go and get some cage cleaner from PAH to finish it off (maybe a quick disinfect to be doubly sure). x

I'm sure it will be fine, I have had cages donated to me for my foster rescues, and have never had a problem. I think 2nd hand cages are much easier to clean than 2nd hand hutches, I always worry there may be something lurking in the woodwork of hutches. rolleyes x x
 
As for size - I think 2 ft by 4ft is recommended for 2 pigs. I have a cage coming that's 120cm long and i think that's 4 feet long or there abouts.
 
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