I was wondering if you could use some type of bedding in the bottom of your S.G.'s cage instead of paper towel. My older brother said you could, but not to use pine. He said it would be best to use Aspen Shavings. Is this true? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" />

Yes you can use aspen shavings, however, I think puppy pads work the best. They have baking soda in them which helps to rid the smell. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" />

I use fleece personaly...You have to do alot of laundry, but it looks nice and its cozy.

Puppy pads are VERY toxic to your gliders. They have a scented chemical in them to make puppies want to mark it with their scent. That is why they are so good to use if you want to make puppies urinate on them.

However, this chemical is toxic to small animals like gliders. When they walk on it they get the chemical on their feet.
Since they clean themselves frequently they lick this chemical off their feet. If they do it often enough it will make them extremely ill and might kill them.

I have worked in medical setting which deals with animals for many years. It is things like the puppy pads that we do not use because they have toxic chemicals in them.

Personally I have used Eucalyptus shaved bedding and Aspen shavings. They love the texture of the Aspen, but they are drawn to the smell of the Eucalyptus. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/littleglider.gif" alt="" />

Most people that use puppy pads for their glider's cages use them UNDER the bottom grate of the cage where the gliders can not walk on them. This is the first I have heard of them being toxic and am very interested. Do you have any type of link about this? I would like to do some more research on it. If it is a true hazzard to gliders, we need to get the word out and any and all research links would be very valuable.

I personally don't use anything in my drop trays but I do clean them daily. With as many cages as I have, regardless what is in the drop tray, if I don't clean daily, the dropped food really starts to stink.

I am using puppy pads in the drop tray and the smell is almost killing me. It is almost an ammonia smell. I was planning on pulling out the puppy pads because of the smell but am not sure what would be best. The smell does not drift and it is only at the bottom of the cage. Any ideas would be welcome. I have gotten into the habit of changing the pads every day because of the smell and would like something that would at least make it two days.

i just use newspaper and that seems to work for me !!!!

I just put some fleece in the drop pan. I have 7-8 fleece pieces, and every day I shake it out and either flip it over to the clean side or throw it in the laundry. If you only have one cage, it doesn't really increase the lanudry duty, and after the first investment, it's free!