How to clean the bottom of a chameleon cage?
Chameleons can be a lot of work to care for. One thing that is often overlooked is the bottom of their cage. If you don’t clean this area, it may become caked with feces and urine, which will create an unhealthy environment for your chameleon.
This blog post will tell you how to get the job done quickly and easily.
Do not use harsh chemicals or bleach on any surfaces in the room where your chameleon lives because they may harm your pet! Always test out any cleaner on an inconspicuous spot before using it anywhere near your chameleon’s living space.
Again, do not use bleach or harsh cleaners around them!
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How to Clean the Bottom of a Chameleon Cage?
How to clean the bottom of a chameleon cage?
I clean the jungle out about every 2 weeks with hot water and soap, and let it dry for a day or two in full sun.
Then I line my bottom with paper towels to help absorb moisture, which also makes it easier to clean when they poop on the floor of their tank all over.
They are chameleons, so they won’t poo many, just little pellets that you can’t see easily, but when they do, it’s usually in one spot at least after a while.
How Often to Clean a Chameleon Cage?
Since I clean mine every couple of weeks, there is always lots of stuff visible on the bottom all the time so it looks dirty even though it’s not really dirty, right?
Also, can too much humidity cause problems in chameleon tanks since I have mine set up with two damp sponges?
One on the hot side and one on the cool side, which is what I heard chameleons like. And I also use a 5″ bell dome to help keep the humidity up, too.
I would say you are cleaning it often enough, well done!
Yes, over-humidifying can be dangerous because it can lead to white spots (you need to spot-clean them every 3 days) and other health problems.
Also, your chameleon may not drink as much if there’s excessive humidity, hence leading to dehydration.
It should only take once or twice to soak both sides of the substrate until all feces/urates are dissolved before letting it dry for 2 days in full sunlight.
If you haven’t soaked the substrate, the paper towels won’t be able to soak up everything.
I am currently using moist sponges on both sides of the tank to help keep humidity higher but it’s getting pretty bad around here with all this rain and stuff, that’s why I’m using two sponges at once because one isn’t really doing it.
How Often to Replace a Chameleon Cage?
It has only been about 2 weeks since I put mine in there but after reading your response, I see they aren’t what you use for chameleons, so I guess you don’t think it’s too much humidity then?
Because mine is always drinking from them. Even though the mist is on all day, my humidity is still low.
Also, before I had the humidifiers on there, I only had one damp sponge on each side for months without having any problems with humidity, so I’m wondering what changed.
Is this the type of sponges you use? If that’s not it, then yes they are safe to use.
They are water-soaked paper towels/absorbent material securely placed at both ends of the enclosures on top of either damp bark or moist substrate.
They suck up moisture throughout the night when chameleons usually drink from them while they are sleeping off their food.
There should be no standing water inside of these devices, but if there is, you can see right through your enclosure where it’s full and has no more room to absorb excess moisture.
How to Clean Chameleon Poop?
When cleaning a chameleon’s enclosure, you have to be very careful.
Otherwise, the humidity will drop too much. If this happens, your chameleon will experience health issues.
You have to balance between avoiding drying out the substrate and having a clean cage.
Cleaning the poop is also an essential part of chameleon care. Here is how to clean chameleon poop.
Materials:
- Shovel
- Gloves for safety
- Disinfectant solution
- Bleach. Bleach must not touch your skin, so use protective gloves!
Instructions:
1. Remove all old substrates from the bottom of the tank with a shovel. Make sure no little pieces are left behind because they can cause trouble later on. It doesn’t matter if it gets wet!
2. Put the old substrate in a plastic bag and throw it away.
3. Remove all decorations including plants, fake or real (if you use live plants make sure to disinfect them before putting them back in the tank), hideouts, etc. Also, remove any uneaten food leftovers! This is important because mold can grow on it, which will harm your chameleon.
4. Wash everything with warm water and some dish soap. Make sure there are no residues of soap when rinsing off with water. If there are any, they’ll kill your chameleon eventually!
5. Dry everything with a towel or let it dry by itself. Don’t forget that humidity needs to stay high, so don’t let it dry completely!
6. Once everything is dry, you can put the old substrate of your chameleon into the tank again (if you threw it away already).
Now you can put back all decorations and food. For decorations, you can use fake plants because they are easier to clean than real ones, especially if they get moldy.
If there were any uneaten crickets or worms left on the floor when removing everything, remove them with a net.
Never leave food lying around outside the enclosure! It attracts insects, which will harm your chameleon eventually.
Also, remember that crickets can breed in an enclosure, so sometimes, it’s better to keep them out altogether.
7. There are now two possibilities:
- If you have a chameleon that buries itself in the substrate, keep some old substrate on the bottom to make it easier for your chameleon to find its way back home after a day of activity
- If you don’t want any substrate at all, remove any old substrate and then simply cover up the floor with paper towels or newspaper. I wouldn’t recommend this option because if your chameleon gets sick, it’s next to impossible to treat him/her without substrate, which can absorb fluids.
8. Add new chlorine-free water (not tap water as it contains chemicals that will kill your chameleon) and mist everything well before putting your chameleon back into its tank. You can also add a drop of reptile vitamin and calcium supplements.
9. Put your chameleon back into his clean cage and watch how it’s enjoying its new home!
This was the basic procedure for cleaning a chameleon cage
What’s important is that you keep the humidity between 60% and 70%, which can be easily measured with a humidity gauge.
If it goes below, mist everything well or put moistened pieces of moss into the tank to bring up humidity again. It may take several days before everything gets back to normal, but eventually, it will.
It’s better to clean out the tank more often than harm your chameleon because of dirty substrate!
Do Chameleons Need Substrate?
We know it sounds cliche, but when in doubt, do your research.
Just like anything else that comes with superlative claims, buying live plants is not an exception, so let’s get the most out of your money by doing a little bit of reading up about what types are best to buy for our beloved pets.
As always, the type is primarily dependent on their natural habitat and characteristics, which also include a preferred substrate.
Let’s try to understand each one better before we go off buying any old type of plant/substrate just because it says “for chameleons” somewhere on the packaging.
First, you have peat moss or composted moistened soil, then there are two main choices: cypress mulch and coconut fiber substrate.
Cypress mulch is from the cypress tree and is perfect for arid-type species of chameleons. This type of substrate mimics their natural environment.
They are mostly found in arid areas such as desert areas with loose, dry soil, which is also sandy and well-drained.
Cypress mulch also has a nice scent to it that camouflages the strong odor of moltings and even your chameleon’s urine, which can be problematic if not addressed right away by removing the soiled substrate altogether or cleaning it more frequently than regular.
Coconut fiber substrate, on the other hand, is usually used for humid areas such as those found in jungle habitats where humidity levels remain consistently elevated.
Coconut fiber is made of the husk of the coconut and is also used in kitchens for lining baking pans, usually with pie crusts or other dough-based recipes that need to be baked without sticking.
It’s said that it can keep moisture longer than cypress mulch, which makes it great for humid areas such as where your chameleon may live.
We’ve seen some breeders who use this type exclusively and swear by its success and longevity, especially when combined with a slightly acidic substrate like topsoil.
Each has its own pros and cons, but if you have a very active species, then it may be best to go for cypress mulch since they need more air circulation from what we’ve been told.
That being said, it’s always best to discuss substrate choices with your breeder or vet since they are the ones who’ve spent time learning about their needs and preferences.
Conclusion
How to clean the bottom of a chameleon cage?
If you want to keep your chameleon happy and healthy, make sure to clean the bottom of its cage regularly.
We recommend doing this every time feedings are done so that there isn’t any food or feces on the ground in their enclosure.
Using a paper towel is recommended for cleaning up messes because it will be less likely to harm your pet’s sensitive feet if they accidentally step on it while walking across the cage floor.
Key points to remember when it comes to cleaning the bottom of a chameleon cage:
Maintaining a clean chameleon cage is essential for your pet’s health and well-being. Cleaning the bottom of the cage is a crucial part of this process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you keep your chameleon’s habitat clean and hygienic:
Materials Needed:
- Gloves: Wear disposable or reusable gloves to protect your hands from waste and cleaning solutions.
- Trash Bags: Have trash bags ready to dispose of waste and soiled substrate.
- Substrate: If you use a substrate like reptile carpet, paper towels, or newspaper, be prepared to replace it as needed.
- Cleaning Supplies: Gather cleaning supplies such as a bucket, mild reptile-safe disinfectant, spray bottle, scrub brush, and paper towels or cleaning cloths.
Cleaning Steps:
- Safety Precautions:
- Ensure your chameleon is safely removed from the enclosure before beginning the cleaning process.
- If you have live plants, cover or protect them to prevent damage from cleaning solutions.
- Remove Furnishings:
- Take out all decor items, branches, water dishes, and any other cage furnishings.
- Dispose of Waste:
- Carefully scoop up and dispose of any feces, uneaten prey items, or shed skin. Place this waste in a designated trash bag.
- Replace Substrate (if applicable):
- If you use substrate like reptile carpet, replace it if it’s soiled or shows signs of wear. For paper towels or newspaper, simply discard and replace with fresh material.
- Prepare Cleaning Solution:
- In a bucket, mix a mild reptile-safe disinfectant with water as directed on the product label. Ensure it’s safe for your chameleon and won’t leave harmful residues.
- Spray and Wipe:
- Use a spray bottle to apply the cleaning solution to the bottom of the cage.
- Use a paper towel, cleaning cloth, or scrub brush to gently scrub away any stuck-on debris or stains.
- Pay particular attention to corners and crevices where waste may accumulate.
- Rinse and Dry:
- After cleaning, rinse the enclosure thoroughly with clean water to remove any cleaning solution residue.
- Allow the enclosure to air dry or use a clean, dry cloth to wipe away excess moisture.
- Replace Furnishings:
- Once the cage is completely dry, reintroduce all cage furnishings, making sure they are clean and in good condition.
- Monitor and Maintain:
- Regularly check the cage for waste buildup and spot clean as needed to prevent excessive soiling.
- Perform a complete cleaning and substrate replacement every 2-4 weeks, or as necessary based on your chameleon’s habits.
Final Notes:
Maintaining a clean chameleon cage is vital for your pet’s health and comfort. Regular cleaning and substrate replacement, along with proper husbandry practices, will help ensure a safe and hygienic habitat for your chameleon. Always use reptile-safe cleaning products and practice good hygiene during the cleaning process to minimize the risk of contamination.
