What should I use on the cage floor?

[Tigerlily]

Hi I’m new here and I’m getting a new bunny (Holland Lop) on Friday. I’ve built a 3 grid by 3 grid NIC cage for him and for the flooring I used vinyl tile on top of plywood, however, what would be best to put over the tile until he is litter trained? He’s currently only 2 months old and untrained.

[BinkyBunny]

Welcome Tigerlily! How exciting and congratulations! Sounds like this is one lucky bunny as you are already preparing for this young bunny. I can’t wait to see photos.

So when you say vinyl tile – is it actually in square tiles or is it a sheet of vinyl. If it is actually a tile, I would put some plastic underneath, because urine will soak between the tiles and then get into the wood and it will be impossible to get out the smell.

If it’s actual vinyl sheeting, then just get a few soft things for him/her to snuggle up on. You will want at least three – one to put down, one to have in the wash, and an extra one, because it’s hard keep rotating them so often. If you go to a petstore, they can be rather expensive, so if you want to get some soft material, I suggest you go to a fabric store and get yards of soft fleesy stuff. That way you can cut it to the size you need and get a few for rotation.

Even though he is a young and will soon be reaching his most challenging times – 3 months – which is when his hormones will be kickiing in and he may get VERY messy, it still doesn’t hurt to go through the training process.

Are you planning on getting him neutered?

Can’t wait to hear all about him when you get him and be sure to post photos!

[3crazybuns]

Like Binky said…I would definately put some plastic down under the tiles…. or if you’ve put them down already see if there is something you can use thats SAFE of course to seal the tiles. (hummm…. I wish I had some suggestions there) I was recently at Walgreens, and they had some small fleece blankets 3 pack for $3.00 super steal!!! If you have one in your area check it out!!!!

Welcome to binky bunny, and congrats!!!—-> oh and post pictures!!!

[Beka27]

Welcome here! I agree about the blankets, you can do grass mats as well, but if those get soiled, they need to be thrown out. You may actually find that he likes to lay on the cool tiles. For potty-training purposes, you don’t actually want anything absorbent b/c that can hurt the training. Have the absorbent litter only in the litterbox, along with some hay to encourage him to do his business in there. For the floor of the pen, get some vinegar/water in a spray botttle for cleaning up any pee spots. For poops, toss those in the litterbox as often as you can.

[Elrohwen]

My bunny loves fleece blankets (I actually bought a few yards, and then cut them up into pieces that fit the bottom of his floor). He’s young and wasn’t litter trained when I got him and he’s never had an accident (other than some poops) on his blanket except when I had him in his carrier on a blanket. It was easy to pop in the washer and clean it up and the blankets seem to hold up wash after wash.

And congrats on your new bunny! I’d love to see pictures as a fellow holland lop owner.

[Tigerlily]

Thanks everyone for the tips! I’m going to go ahead and try the fleece since I use it for my guinea pig’s cage and already have a lot of it. The vinyl is square tiles so I’ll look around and see if I can find something safe to seal them with.

BinkyBunny – yes I’m planning to have him neutered as soon as possible. I’ve always heard 4 to 6 months is best to have that done, however is it possible to have them neutered as early 3 months?
I’ll definitely post some pictures once he’s home!

[Beka27]

Males can be neutered when the testicles descend, usually about 3.5 to 4 months. Since it is not invasive like a spay (just a little snip-snip!), there is little risk with doing it right away.

[Hedi]

Hi! Your other option as well is those cheap baby fleece blankets you can get from those dollar stores. Bunnies love blankies they can sleep in, wad up and push around. So it becomes a toy as well.

[Moonlight_Wolf]

Congratulations on your soon to be new bunny, you could always put some sheet linoleum over the other ones if you cannot find anything to seal the linoleum squares with. My bunny does not lye on anything soft, she refuses. she digs the cuddly cup out of the way and lyes in the place where it was if I put it in her favorite resting spot

[RabbitPam]

Welcome and congratulations!

It’s Saturday where I live, so is he home now? Pix please!

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