Temporary chew blocks

[Exodog]

Just wondering what kind of stuff I might be able to use as a temporary chew for my little foster Berkshire until I can get out to the pet store. She's chewing on the bars of her cage just like the one my partner and I have (Ellie) and it's annoying the heck out of me when I try to sleep. Any suggestions?

 

[Rachael]

Any fruit trees near you?

 

[lilangel]

cardboard boxes, toilet paper rolls

 

[Exodog]

No fruit trees, and they have a big cardboard tube in there too for sleeping in, crawling through, and chewing on.

 

[lilangel]

mine seem to chew the boxes like rice boxes, food typed boxes hehe but after a while they do get tired of the same box. Chicken/Beef bones(cooked) take out in a few hours. low protein dog treats/ biscuits.

more ideas here http://www.dapper.com.au/toys.htm

 

[ryelle]

if you have any bones from red meat, or the really thick leg bones from a chicken help
my rats have a cow knee bone in their cage that cost me about 40pence from the butchers, they occasionally get the chicken leg bones when we have a roast dinner. They can't be small or overly brittle bones though

 

[Marylou Mader]

Our's like corks, although they are messy, they sure love them...

 

[victoria]

Our's like corks, although they are messy, they sure love them...

Cork can expand quite a bit, so I would not give it for fear of being ingested.

 

[MomRat]

Ours love the corks too, and from the pile left over when they're done, I don't think it's getting ingested. If you're looking for something quiet tho, cork can get awfully squeaky. =) Ours love to chew the inside of their cardboard hides, and also to chew on their plastic ones, on the doorways(rubbermaid boxes with a hole cut for a door, ikea bag holders) We have a wicker basket or two for them to sleep in(with fabric scraps in it), that gets chewed on.

 

[rats4ever]

you could possibly use dollar store dog chew bones i have used those once,or you could possibly clean a nice tree branch.

 

[Exodog]

Thanks for all of the advice you guys. I like the branch idea, it's natural and readily available, thanks! I think it's probably an attention thing though, because she doesn't seem to have any interest in the cage bars when I'm NOT trying to fall asleep. :doh:

 

[Joanne]

I think you have to be careful about what kind of tree branch you use. Since you're not supposed to have them on certain types of wood chips, the tree would be the same, ie NO pine, spruce, evergreens, cedar, etc.
Stick to fruit trees, or probaby Maple or Birch would be ok. Anybody?

 

[ryelle]

Thanks for all of the advice you guys. I like the branch idea, it's natural and readily available, thanks! I think it's probably an attention thing though, because she doesn't seem to have any interest in the cage bars when I'm NOT trying to fall asleep. :doh:

Do you go over and give her any sort of attenion when shes doing it? like, even telling her to stop, making eye contact etc.

 

[Exodog]

Oh, I did not think of that! Thanks for bringing that up Joanne! That would be bad if I accidentally poisoned them!
And ryelle, I do try to ignore her when she does it (though it can be a little difficult). She stops eventually when she realizes I'm not going to take her out or pet her.

 

[jorats]

I don't think your little one is chewing the cage bars because she needs to chew. She's either bored or wants out to play or wants a bigger home or needs buddies.

 

[Exodog]

I don't think your little one is chewing the cage bars because she needs to chew. She's either bored or wants out to play or wants a bigger home or needs buddies.

Well I put her and her sisters back after they played for hours right before I went to bed, and she does have company. The only cage I have for them right now is the one xxchelle lent me, and the others seem to be pretty happy about it, it's only really the Berk that does it. I do think you're right though, it's probably just an attention grab.