Finishing wood for diy cages?
3 posters
Page 1 of 1
Finishing wood for diy cages?
by masonbee Thu 20 Apr 2017, 10:50 am
Hello!
I'm looking into building an enclosure for my mice, and was wondering if anyone had any experience or recommendations for finishing the wood in a pet safe way, to prevent both chewing on the wood and soaking in any urine.
I'm building a cage topper for their current aquarium as well, and was planning on using some wooden dowels to give it structure. Any advice on keeping them from chewing?
I'm looking into building an enclosure for my mice, and was wondering if anyone had any experience or recommendations for finishing the wood in a pet safe way, to prevent both chewing on the wood and soaking in any urine.
I'm building a cage topper for their current aquarium as well, and was planning on using some wooden dowels to give it structure. Any advice on keeping them from chewing?
masonbee- New Member
- Join date : 2017-04-01
Posts : 19
-
Re: Finishing wood for diy cages?
by River Thu 20 Apr 2017, 5:19 pm
I'm not sure, but I think it was said in a previous topic that finishing wood for a cage is more suited to hamsters. Mice urinate a lot more than hamsters do, so the finish will eventually wear down, and the cages need to be cleaned too frequently.
EDIT: Have you looked into making a bin cage? They're great homes for mice, if done correctly.
EDIT: Have you looked into making a bin cage? They're great homes for mice, if done correctly.
River- Hero Member
- Join date : 2016-06-19
Posts : 1486
Re: Finishing wood for diy cages?
by stephlisa Mon 24 Apr 2017, 7:38 am
Are you using the wood as a surface for the mice to live on, or just for supporting other materials? I have wooden levels in my mouse cage at the moment and I coated them with Plastikote (fast dry enamel, brush on version). However, it does mean that the urine isn't absorbed so I have to put something absorbent on it otherwise it just smells so bad. I use normal beeding on each level, but previously I've just used sheets of paper.
The coating I used is safe for mice, but its not always easy to find so you have to make sure whatever you use is mouse friendly - normally that means child-safe and non-toxic.
Although I use it, I personally wouldn't recommend wooden floors for mice cages/tanks. When these levels are unusable for whatever reason I plan to diy some from other materials (e.g. hard plastic).
The coating I used is safe for mice, but its not always easy to find so you have to make sure whatever you use is mouse friendly - normally that means child-safe and non-toxic.
Although I use it, I personally wouldn't recommend wooden floors for mice cages/tanks. When these levels are unusable for whatever reason I plan to diy some from other materials (e.g. hard plastic).
_________________
Remembering Basil, Pumpkin & Colin
stephlisa- Hero Member
- Join date : 2016-04-03
Posts : 522
-
Re: Finishing wood for diy cages?
by masonbee Mon 24 Apr 2017, 12:50 pm
Thank you for the advice!
I think I will probably stick with glass or hard plastic, then.
I'm thinking of some wood structures for their enclosure though, I'll probably just play it by ear of how fast they need to be changed when enameled vs not.
I think I will probably stick with glass or hard plastic, then.
I'm thinking of some wood structures for their enclosure though, I'll probably just play it by ear of how fast they need to be changed when enameled vs not.
_________________
they/them pronouns please!
Bridget and Judith are my sweet Virgo rescue girls
masonbee- New Member
- Join date : 2017-04-01
Posts : 19
-
Similar topics» Appropriate Wood for DIY Levels
» How to waterproof wood for a DIY cage?
» wood chippings???
» Is spider wood safe?
» Pine wood toys?
» How to waterproof wood for a DIY cage?
» wood chippings???
» Is spider wood safe?
» Pine wood toys?
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum|
|
|
