What makes a safe supply?
This is a complex question. Cage accessories come in many types, styles and materials.
Metal- metal items are not very common but are a great choice. There are some shelves, houses and tunnels available in metal. Softer metals can be chewed out with on the edges over time, so be sure to run your hands over them regularly to check for sharp areas. If items rust, they will need sanded or replaced.
Wire- Wire is sometimes used to make hanging bridges, hanging chews, ext. Wire strand is safe if the edges are tucked away and can not poke the animal. Be sure to check often that the ends do not become exposed.
Ceramic/terricota/tile/glass- another safe option. These can be planters, slabs, bowls, tile pieces, ext. Make sure that they do not have paint/glazes that can chip or are toxic.
Wood- this is the most common cage accessory material. Only certain woods can be used though. Kiln dried pine and poplar are most common, but some other types can be used. Make sure any items are made without screws, nails, staples, ext. Items should be held together with dowel rods, nontoxic glue (Elmers, gorilla glue, ext), machine bolts with inserts, carriage bolts and hanger bolts are safe. You want to avoid any material that has a pointed tip. Hanger books are considered the only safe pointy item due to the fact that if it becomes exposed, the whole structure is likely fallen apart already and should have been removed a whole ago. Any holes should be 3 inches in diameter or larger to prevent pets from becoming stuck- this includes any holes in metal or other objects. Smaller holes require careful monitoring.
Fleece- this is another favorite in cages. Any 'fabric' items in the cage must be made of fleece. Anti pill, polar and blizzard fleece are all safe to use. Plush fleece, flannel and other fabrics are not safe. This is due to the way that they come apart until strings. These strings may become wrapped around legs, necks, ext and this never ends well. If eaten, strings will cause major internal damage. Fleece items can only be stuffed with fleece scraps. Cotton or other fillings pose a risk if your chin chews or wears a hole in the item. If your chin chews fleece, then it must be removed.
Make sure that all items are checked regularly to monitor wear. Replace items as they get worn. Clean your accessories regularly to prevent bacteria building up and encouraging health issues. Make sure heavy items are placed low in the cage to prevent your chin from dropping them off a shelf, breaking them and making sharp edges or even dropping them on a cage mate.
This is a complex question. Cage accessories come in many types, styles and materials.
Metal- metal items are not very common but are a great choice. There are some shelves, houses and tunnels available in metal. Softer metals can be chewed out with on the edges over time, so be sure to run your hands over them regularly to check for sharp areas. If items rust, they will need sanded or replaced.
Wire- Wire is sometimes used to make hanging bridges, hanging chews, ext. Wire strand is safe if the edges are tucked away and can not poke the animal. Be sure to check often that the ends do not become exposed.
Ceramic/terricota/tile/glass- another safe option. These can be planters, slabs, bowls, tile pieces, ext. Make sure that they do not have paint/glazes that can chip or are toxic.
Wood- this is the most common cage accessory material. Only certain woods can be used though. Kiln dried pine and poplar are most common, but some other types can be used. Make sure any items are made without screws, nails, staples, ext. Items should be held together with dowel rods, nontoxic glue (Elmers, gorilla glue, ext), machine bolts with inserts, carriage bolts and hanger bolts are safe. You want to avoid any material that has a pointed tip. Hanger books are considered the only safe pointy item due to the fact that if it becomes exposed, the whole structure is likely fallen apart already and should have been removed a whole ago. Any holes should be 3 inches in diameter or larger to prevent pets from becoming stuck- this includes any holes in metal or other objects. Smaller holes require careful monitoring.
Fleece- this is another favorite in cages. Any 'fabric' items in the cage must be made of fleece. Anti pill, polar and blizzard fleece are all safe to use. Plush fleece, flannel and other fabrics are not safe. This is due to the way that they come apart until strings. These strings may become wrapped around legs, necks, ext and this never ends well. If eaten, strings will cause major internal damage. Fleece items can only be stuffed with fleece scraps. Cotton or other fillings pose a risk if your chin chews or wears a hole in the item. If your chin chews fleece, then it must be removed.
Make sure that all items are checked regularly to monitor wear. Replace items as they get worn. Clean your accessories regularly to prevent bacteria building up and encouraging health issues. Make sure heavy items are placed low in the cage to prevent your chin from dropping them off a shelf, breaking them and making sharp edges or even dropping them on a cage mate.