How to Modify a Cage for a Senior Pocket Pet’s Comfort
As our beloved senior pocket pets age, their comfort and wellbeing remains of utmost importance. Here are a few of our tips to help modify your pets cage to ensure they are comfortable and happy:
Easy access and navigation
Naturally, with age, our pocket pals' mobility tends to become less and less, therefore it’s very important to make sure their cage is easily accessible for them. Consider looking for a cage with larger doors, to ensure they have enough space to easily access the cage (if entering and exiting). The addition of ramps or steps are also a great and simple way to help lower the entry and exit points of the cage, making it easier to for them to use.
Another important thing to consider when modifying a cage for a senior pet, is to remove any potential barriers or obstacles that may be in the way. This will help them navigate the cage as easily as possible and decreases any potential safety risks.
Comfortable flooring
Just as we like to sleep on a soft, comfy mattress, so do our senior pocket pets! Including soft bedding like shredded paper or some sort of soft fabric in their cage, can help reduce the stress on their joints and will help them get some good rest - they need it.
As well as decreased mobility, as our pocket pets begin to age, so does their eyesight and ability to gauge potential safety risks. In order to avoid any preventable accidents from happening, consider lining the cage floor with rubber mats or any type of lining to ensure the surface is non-slip.
Regular cleaning
This should be a priority at any given point of your pocket pets life, however it’s definitely something to be even more mindful of as they age. Senior pets tend to be a lot more sensitive to any changes in their environment and are definitely happiest when they are familiar with their surroundings. Therefore, it’s important to keep their cage nice and fresh, allowing for their comfort as well as helping to avoid any potential health issues from arising.
We would also highly recommend checking out the condition of their cage every now and then to check if anything needs to be repaired or replaced.
Easy to reach food and water
An easy yet very important thing to consider when modifying your senior pets cage, is to check the positioning as well as the types of bowls and water bottles you are offering them. As they grow older, it’s crucial for our senior pets to be hydrated and well fed, to ensure they have the energy they need to be in their best form.
In terms of their bowls, we would recommend choosing a shallow and wider bowl for their food and water. This allows them more space for drinking and eating. However, if your senior friends tend to struggle with having to bend down and are slightly more immobile, consider exploring the option of a slightly more elevated bowl.
If your pocket pet prefers to use a water bottle, check to make sure the spout of the bottle is easy and comfortable for them to reach. Most water bottle heights can easily be adjusted when attaching to the side of their cage. If water bottles are no longer easily accessible for your pet, consider switching to a normal (shallow and wide) bowl.
There are plenty of options available. Keep a close eye on your pet to ensure the set up you currently have is still working well for them. We don’t want our pocket pets not eating and drinking enough because we are unaware of their set up no longer being suitable for them.
Temperature control
Just like us humans, our little pocket pets are most comfortable when their home is regularly ventilated and temperature controlled.
Make sure your pet's cage has good ventilation, to ensure their home is as comfortable as possible and to prevent them from overheating, especially on those long, hot summer days.
In terms of temperature regulation, depending on where you are based and what the weather is like, consider adding in a cosy and insulated corner or, if you live in colder temperatures, a small heat source to help your little pet keep warm. These are two pretty easy things to look out for and will make a world of difference in regards to the comfort of your pocket pet.
Safe and secure
Whilst modifying the interior of your pets cage, don’t forget about the exterior!
It’s important to check that the cage is set up in a stable environment and does not show any risk of wobbling or potentially tipping over. With age, our senior pets tend to become less steady on their feet and have a much slower reaction time. So, the stability of their cage is really crucial! Remember to also do a quick check for any sharp corners or edges that may cause potential injury, both on the inside and outside of the cage.
We hope that these straightforward tips and tricks will help you make any necessary modifications to your senior pocket pets cage to ensure they are happy and comfortable!
Curious to learn more about your pocket pets? Check out our latest blog post about pocket pets here.
