Hi all, another query from me. My chin Misty is doing great seems very happy and is now exploring outside of her cage every day or so. All seems to be going well. I have been watching a lot of youtube videos and reading a lot of comments on website etc and I am wondering about the implications of having a wire mesh floor to my chinchilla's cage.
The cage we got her from pets at home is quite big and easy to clean as it has a drawer underneath that collects her poop and hay etc as it falls. Here is the cage:
http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/small-pet/chinchilla/chinchilla-homes/chinchilla-and-degu-cageNow the floor of this cage is wire mesh and I have read that this can cause irritation and bumblefoot. Ive read that I should have bedding for the chin to walk over but its a big cage and would need a lot that would also need to be replaced every day or so. What I have been doing is cutting toilet rolls and kitchen rolls in half and putting them on the floor of the cage for her to walk over. I have also got an edible mattress for her (kinda small but doesn't need replaced). Thought this would be a cheap and safe option.
What do you think of wire mesh cages, should I try and completely cover the floor or do you think this home method of mine should the trick? I will be aiming to either make a custom cage or buy a much larger ideal cage in the future but for the meantime I want to make the current one she has as comfortable as possible.
Many Thanks as always!