Tray-like thing - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**longboardskier** · #1 03-05-08, 12:16 am

I'm looking to put something, like a tray, that fits underneath Henry's house (large size Woodland Getaway). My idea is to put "yesterday's news" pellets in the tray and then put his house over it so that when he pees in his house (about 90% of the time) it doesn't get the rest of his cage messy.

I think I would be able to extend the time between cleanings (maybe), but we're going away for a week and I want to make it as easy as possible for the person looking after him and our house to take care of.

So yeah looking for something that I can put the pellets in that's ideally waterproof. My first thought was some sort of cooking pan that you can buy at the store, but I'd be afraid he'd chew it as it would be metal. Any suggestions?

**newpiggiemommy** · #2 03-05-08, 06:18 am

A lot of people use a litter pan. You can find the ones with a lower side or just cut it down to match the opening of the house!

I would also suggest using care fresh or critter care. It is more absorbent and will last a week, and it is more comfortable for the piggies to sleep on! Just my opinion, though!

**longboardskier** · #3 03-05-08, 01:43 pm

Oh yeah a litter pan should work! I wanted to make sure it would be safe for him if he decided to chew it.

I was going to put the yesterday's news in the pan and cover it with some fleece so he's comfy too

Plus we have a bunch of it.

**newpiggiemommy** · #4 03-05-08, 01:50 pm

For the week you are gone I would not use the fleece because it will have to be shaken out as the poop will become overwhelming. I suggested carefresh for that week because it is possible that it could be left for a week if it is thick enough, and it is soft and comfy for the piggie to sleep on. The poop kind of falls to the bottom of the carefresh and the pee is soaked in!

As for every other day (when you are home) yesterdays news with fleece over it will be okay. I just don't like the stuff because it doesn't seem comfy! With the fleece over it, it would be better, but the fleece should be shaken out in the trash or garden each day so it doesn't build up!

**longboardskier** · #5 03-05-08, 01:57 pm

Well he'll be taken care of everyday (don't think he would die of insanity if he didn't get his veggies!)so it could get shaken out (we have fleece bedding and sweep it out everyday anyways).

But I think he actually likes laying on the stuff, oddly enough, because before when we were trying to potty train him he would just go lay down in it! He's a random one! But I'm with you it doesn't seem comfy, but whatever!

**longboardskier** · #6 03-05-08, 06:21 pm

Well I went to the pet store today and they didn't have any smaller pans that were low enough for him to get over. I was wondering if a roasting pan that's made out of aluminum would be ok? Would he chew that?

**naturegal592** · #7 03-05-08, 06:28 pm

Do you have any extra coro? I made litter boxes out of that. You could also use a plastic container such as a cake pan. I have seen them at the dollar store that are a 9"x13".

**longboardskier** · #8 03-05-08, 07:07 pm

No extra coro here. We happened to have a roasting pan that would be perfect if it's safe.

**longboardskier** · #9 03-06-08, 06:33 pm

Would a foil roasting pan be ok? My gut says no but...

**naturegal592** · #10 03-06-08, 07:59 pm

No, the last thing you want to give them is foil, they will chew/eat it and it will cut them up on the inside. The aluminum pan should be OK though, I would try to replace it soon though.

**longboardskier** · #11 03-06-08, 09:19 pm

Ok, well I'm not going to take a chance then! I'll look a little harder for something usable (like plastic). By the way, are there any types of plastic that aren't ok?

**naturegal592** · #12 03-07-08, 06:58 am

I wouldn't use a really thin plastic container like the disposable ziplock/gladware containers. They might chew them up rather quickly. I would look around the dollar store if you have one or you might find something at a goodwill, habitat, or salvation army store. I have some local sign shops that have scrap coro that they will sell cheap or give away. Cardboard boxes work well too, you just have to replace them once and a while.