covering cages

[mishellyshel]

Does anyone "cover" their cages? Meaning, does anyone drape a cloth over them at certain times of the day? My one chin is in my kitchen/dining area and at night when he is napping we are often in their doing homework or eating and the light is blaring. i covered it once with a thin fleece blanket, not the whole cage but just where the light was getting in.
Are there any pros or cons to this? Just wondering.

 

[Essentia]

I cover the top of my cages with an extra liner (that way it is there when I need to change it). The chins seem to spend more time at the top when it is there. I think it makes them feel more secure.

 

[shubbles]

I've heard people do that when they breed and they have a new born and they want privacy and i've heard people use it when they have a brand new chin, they'll cover it to get it used to it's surroundings for a day or two, but i would be afraid it would restrict air flow, definitely in the summer, which would make the cage warmer, i do not have any personal experience though.

 

[starleomach]

I don't cover the cages. But I do provide dark areas in my cage that are not open with wire I don't notice any extra time spent in those areas versus the others though

 

[AZChins]

I don't recommend covers because a few years ago I had a customer put a sheet on the cage one morning and come home to a chin hanging by the sheet. She ended up putting the chin down instead of going to the vet for an amputation. Be very careful with cloth around chins.... Proper fleece hammocks make it hard for the chin to get tangled...but sheets and those ferret hammocks with the straps can be dangerous. I don't know about the fleece...I have no experience or stories about fleece on top of the cage.

 

[mishellyshel]

i have only used the cover when i am there, like during dinner time. but see that is exactly why i ask, i could not handle my chin hanging......so sad. i need to make sure no one does that when i am not there.

crysta--do they ever try to pull it thru?

 

[Jenn]

I have a tri level cage and cover only the top level. Tink prefers to sleep in a quiet, darker area. The other 2 levels are open if she feels like visiting. I also have a maze inside her pen and she likes to sleep in it where it is dark. So I do think chins like a darker area to be away from the rest of the world.

 

[cintistatern2005]

I covered my cages with a sheet and my chins would always pull it through. So I took it off . I think they are fine as long as they have something like a tube or a house to sleep in.

 

[Essentia]

i have only used the cover when i am there, like during dinner time. but see that is exactly why i ask, i could not handle my chin hanging......so sad. i need to make sure no one does that when i am not there.

crysta--do they ever try to pull it thru?

No because I use the liners. It would be a bit difficult for them to pull that through.

I do have fleece running along the back of my FN though to help with poop control and they leave that alone. I have it pulled really tight though and connected to the sides with binder clips. I can see how someone would have a problem with a chin pulling the fabric in if it is thin, and not attached to something.

 

[AZChins]

That's a good idea. Make sure that the cover is anchored so that it can't be pulled in.

 

[alpayton]

I have the plastic trays that came in the FN turned upside down on the top of the cage. They can't get to the plastic to chew it, but it helps create a little more darkness in their cage and also a place to set things on top of the cage without them getting to 'em.

 

[Carol~Anne]

I cover the top of both of my metal cages with with a fleece blanket b/c I think it makes them feel more secure. During the day when it's light out I do drape the fleece a little lower to shield the light but it's probably not necessary b/c they do have a hidey house they can comfortably sleep in during the day. I wouldn't recommend draping the whole cage with fabric b/c of the possibility of overheating.

 

[3CsMommy]

Mine has a large piece of fleece draped over the back and sides of the cage for several reasons: 1. it contains the poo etc. 2. it serves as a barrier between him and the wall/any cords that might be behind there in the event the cage gets moved. 3. it keeps the cats from bothering him when I'm not in the room to shoo them away. 4. it blocks any drafts that might blow in around the window. I tuck it under the cage on all sides, leaving the front open for light, air, etc. I should state, though, that my bedroom is about 68* at all times, often colder, so I'm not concerned about heat being an issue.