Anti-flingable cage lining?

[PureRose]

Hey there,

My boys have a Ferplast Jenny cage in my bedroom which is lined with paper-based, dust-free cat litter. It's brilliant, absorbant doesn't get too smelly, and most importantly is fairly cheap.

When they are out during the day I have a small hamster cage in the living room which I use as a base for them. They can go to the toilet there, hide from the dog, take their stolen goods back there to stash (and I can shove them back in there if someone comes in who doesn't like them). I also use it for transporting them from one room to another, since Finn is a big roly-poly boy who hasn't got the hang of my shoulder.

I'm hoping to take the boys to my fiance's place on evenings when we go there to watch TV as his mum is slowly coming around to the idea of them. But the problem is, the hamster cage tray isn't as high sided as their proper cage, so they are able to throw the litter out really easily. Especially during little power struggles and squabbles.

At my place I don't mind the mess too much, I just vacuum up afterwards. But taking them to someone else's house I'd be rather more self-conscious.

Would sheets of newspaper or magazines be okay instead? I'm worried that newspapers would get their little paws dirty (could be harmful to them if licked?) and also Finn likes to make beds. Obviously whatever goes in can be changed each day, since the cage is small I just replace the litter in it every couple of days anyway, so that's not adding any extra hassle there.

I've got another long cage which'll be at the fiance's place, but it's actually a plastic rabbit hutch so the only entry is through the top, not so easy for my boys to get into, although perfect for keeping litter off the carpet. They love their little cage when they come out so I'd like to use that as their place of safety when they go round to his, I just need to find a less-flingable lining for it.

[xxhawksxx]

Newspaper is ok if the ink is soy-based (wich it should be anyway, but if in doubt just phone up[there should be a number to phone the head office on the back]) even if licked, but the problem is it isnt absorbent, so if they pee they would be able to walk/roll in it (and heck, we all know they would  ), I use fleece in my boys cage with towels underneath and a big-ish litter pan in the corner, although you could use one of them covered hamster litter pans and fleece, another alternative (if yours dont chew) is puppy-training pads, absorbent, cheap-ish, clean and dont smell.

[Addicted2Rats]

I'd go with cheap white paper towels or fleece.  Obviously the fleece is going to be a bit more of a pain because you'll have to wash it, if your fiance's mom doesn't mind.

Deb

[PureRose]

Thanks for that.

I think I'll look at buying some fleece then, washing won't be an issue since I can take it home with me and do it there.