Litter tray question

[Hamster Haven]

Hi everyone! So, our Syrian, Cinnamon, did end up taking to a litter tray, but I have two issues with our litter tray currently. 1) It is a hair larger than I would like. It is plastic and I have to sort of jam it into the chamber of his hideaway that he uses so that I can get the hideaway lid back on. I don't know that this bothers him though (just me ) He routinely uses it and I clean it out every few days- change out the damp sand and bedding that I layer in the tray. He clearly uses the area to chew his whimzees and sometimes a hard nut, as I find them there- separate from his hoard.
2) After a long time, plastic that is a little softer, like the litter of tray, just doesn't clean out as well.

Based on the above, I'm tempted to order a Rodipet ceramic litter tray. I haven't found a US-based company that is selling ceramic litter trays, but I could have it shipped still and just pay extra. I like the idea of ceramic but I am also a little hesitant about how he might react to a different type of litter tray- especially if it's a hair smaller. Does anyone have experience with this? I think I might also have to put dowels on it to make sure that it is stable since ceramic would be heavier than the plastic. Currently the tray lays on the top layer of his hideaway bedding (hideaway is raised so there is about 7 inches of bedding under it) and he digs down to the bottom of his cage in the chamber next door to hoard his food and sleep slightly lower, so I would be a bit cautious it was heavier since it is adjacent to where he sleeps.

Thoughts on any of the above?

 

[elusive]

I wouldn’t think he’d be too bothered if you changed the tray, if you put some of the substrate or whatever is already in the old tray into the new one he should accept it ok.
I’ve only had the dwarf size ceramic litter tray from Rodipet & the Syrian on would be a bit larger so a bit heavier but the one I have is actually really light & I don’t think the weight would be anything to worry about.

 

[Maz]

I think I know what you mean about softer plastic being difficult to clean out - although I’ve had similar issues with the ceramic one - white vinegar does the trick really well! If you spray it on and wait a few minutes.

I’m having the opposite issue right now - having changed to a different multiroom house recently. The Rodipet ceramic one won’t fit! So I’ve gone back to using the plastic one because it is a slightly different shape and can be “jammed “ in as is flexible

So I wouldn’t bank on the Rodipet one fitting either! Also - don’t Niteangrl make one similar to the Rodipet one? I’m sure I saw one somewhere.

 

[Maz]

I must be mistaken - can't find a Niteangel one I am not sure that Rodipet ship to the US and Canada though.

 

[Hamster Haven]

I think I know what you mean about softer plastic being difficult to clean out - although I’ve had similar issues with the ceramic one - white vinegar does the trick really well! If you spray it on and wait a few minutes.

I’m having the opposite issue right now - having changed to a different multiroom house recently. The Rodipet ceramic one won’t fit! So I’ve gone back to using the plastic one because it is a slightly different shape and can be “jammed “ in as is flexible

So I wouldn’t bank on the Rodipet one fitting either! Also - don’t Niteangrl make one similar to the Rodipet one? I’m sure I saw one somewhere.

I'll have to check that out. you might be right about Niteangel. I'll also have to do my best to measure the size of the chamber to avoid what you've experienced- the plastic one had certainly worked to date because it's moldable!

 

[elusive]

I didn’t think about the Rodipet delivering to the US & Canada but they’re not on the shipping list of countries so probably not.

 

[Lovelyness]

I’ve just managed to find a rodipet ceramic corner litter tray on eBay which I’ve bought for Miss B. She chewed the corner of her plastic one She has gone back to weeing in the corner of her cage under her wheel. A litter tray is much easier to clean out. The postage from Rodipet is quite expensive.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Socks has switched to his corner loo. It's on the roof of his cardboard MCH so he has a good view from it. He likes to lie in it and snooze or watch the world go by. When I get his wooden MCH, I'll get a second one for indoors

 

[Lovelyness]

Socks has switched to his corner loo. It's on the roof of his cardboard MCH so he has a good view from it. He likes to lie in it and snooze or watch the world go by. When I get his wooden MCH, I'll get a second one for indoors

Blossom does have a tray/bowl on her platform which I initially thought she may use as a toilet. She uses it to sit in and have a wash I call it her bath!

 

[Socks' Mum]

 

[Hamster Haven]

Yes to socksmom and lovelyness! We have a corner sandbath on top of his hideaway and he used to use it fairly regularly as a bathroom, but now he has started using it mostly just to clean off or dig around in and he favors his "inside" litter tray. Maybe I will look on ebay as you suggested. Ultimately, the plastic litter tray is not that big of a deal (he doesn't chew it thankfully) and is working fine, but I think I would definitely give a ceramic one a try if I can find one that isn't too expensive. I thought I had found one on Amazon...and then saw that the price was sixty dollars!

 

[Lovelyness]

Ooh! Look what just arrived! Considering it’s from eBay, it’s in very good condition…almost as new with the box! Apparently it was never actually used by a hamster. I’m very pleased with it! I’ve given it a good clean with white vinegar and hot water, and will pop it in Miss B’s cage at the weekend when I give her a spot clean

 

[Socks' Mum]

Very smart!

 

[Hamster Haven]

I may have to try that route! (Ebay)

 

[Lovelyness]

I may have to try that route! (Ebay)

I may have got lucky with that one, but it’s certainly worth keeping an eye out I’ve been looking in charity shops too to see if I could spot a dish or anything that might work.

 

[Maz]

Glad you managed to find one

 

[Lovelyness]

I’ve put the corner toilet in Blossom’s cage today. I rubbed some of her soiled bedding all round it to scent it. She sat in it and had a bit of a wash. I’ve literally, as I’m writing this, heard her squeaking and went to see what the problem was. She was trying to dig under the toilet to get to her wee spot in the corner I told her that she could do a wee in her toilet, and she climbed in and did her first wee in her new toilet Proud mummy moment lol. I clapped my hands and said ‘good girl Blossom for using the toilet!’ It sounded like I was potty training a toddler lol Hopefully now she has the idea of using it and will carry on using it

 

[Maz]

They soon get the hang of it!