The Best Lining To Use In A Bird Cage | Coops & Cages (2024)

Do not ever underestimate the power of the lining found in your bird’s cage. Although its use is to basically collect the dirt of your flock, little do you know that it makes cleaning easier and more convenient. Apart from that, it keeps your colroful and adorable pets healthy and safe at all times.

Well of course, sanitation plays a vital role not only in the lives of humans, but also for birds. So in order to achieve a clean and healthy environment, a cage liner has to be used. But with all the available linings today, you might have difficulties in choosing one. To help you in deciding, here’s a useful guide.

Paper

If you can notice, most bird owners are using paper as lining. It can be in the form of butcher paper, paper bags, paper towels, or even the simple black and white newspaper. Technically, it doesn’t really matter. As long as it can absorb all the dirt, then any kind of paper will suffice.

Paper won’t be a popular choice without a reason. Aside from being practical and economical, it also has another advantage. That is it lies still and flat.

With paper as liner, it will be easier for bird owners to check on their bird’s health. They just have to check the quantity and the texture of the droppings on the paper, and then they will know if their birds are fine. Come to think of this. It would be very hard to examine your bird’s droppings if the surface is uneven and broken.

Wood Shavings

Another popular lining for bird cages is wood shaving. People opt for this because they believe it helps mask the odors in the cage. But always keep in mind that a healthy bird should have no odor. In the event that you smell something unpleasant from the cage, this might mean that your bird is sick.

Despite its popularity, the use of wood shavings also has a downside. Certain wood chips are harmful for the birds. These include redwood, treated pine, and cedar. When these will come in contact to the skin of birds, it might result in skin inflammations and allergies. Also, these only create an uneven surface, which means it would be quite tough to check the quality and quantity of the droppings.

Untreated Pine Shavings

Untreated pine shavings are safe for the birds unless ingested. But still, some bird owners do not prefer using this because it is impractical. To use, one has to sift it through to ensure no debris comes along.

In addition, untreated pine chips allows small particles, such as dander, to go down through the cracks to the tray below. Once the birds begin to flap their wings, all the dust might rise up into the air, which can pose a threat to the family’s health. And remember, you cannot get rid of dander by simply vacuuming or sweeping.

Corncob and Creased Walnut Shells

Creased walnut shells and corncob are among the natural linings that you can use in a bird cage. But even if they are natural, you need to be careful when using this because it can become a breeding ground for bacteria, molds, and fungi.

When swallowed or ingested, these materials can cause serious problems in the digestive tract of your birds. This is because corncob or creased walnut shells will swell once moisture is introduced.

Kitty Litter

Kitty litter comes in two different types. The first one is clay, which produces dust in the long run and can cause problems to the respiratory system of your birds. The second one is the clumping litter that has an ingredient that grows massively in size when moisture is presented.

Whenever toys or damp food is dropped into the kitty litter, regardless of the type, it will stick to it. And for sure, you already know its effects to the bird’s digestive system and to the entire bird aviary.

Sand

Even if it is also very popular, sand is not recommended to be used as a bird cage lining. The primary reason is that it is very dangerous when ingested. Because it is dense, cleaning the cage might be very tedious as well. And over time, it can definitely ruin the bottom and the back of the cage.

There are others who are very concerned because they think sand will only introduce fleas into their homes. But in reality, the fleas they are referring to are not fleas at all. Instead, they are just tiny creatures of the ocean.

Obviously, every cage liner has its perks and downsides. So it doesn’t really matter which type of lining you are going to use in the bird cage. What’s important is that you as the owner understands the fact that it is your obligation to have the bird aviary lining changed every now and then to promote a healthy and a clean environment, not only for your birds, but for your family as well.

Image Sources: [1]