Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Despite twice daily removal of feces, my beardies cage tends to have an ammonia-type of odor to it. I suspect part of it comes from their use of their favorite basking log as a toilet, and I wonder if soaking it in some natural enzymes might help break down the waste/smell.

I have also seen a product from "Nature's Miracle" designed for ferret substrate. It is dry, and designed to be mixed in with the substrate, and is activated by their waste. It seems like it would be a good thing to mix with the beardies' substrate, as well, so that their urine would start breaking down immediately.

As I said, I remove feces twice a day, and change the substrate (screened playground sand) every week or so. At that time I also scrub off and disinfect all climbing logs, yet this odor persists. Any ideas would be appreciated!

Diana

it hasn't done anything for our NEW carpet and the gifts an adopted, adult neutered male cat left us.

No experience with any of their dry products, though. Maybe I'll just cover the carpet with it. :

>>it hasn't done anything for our NEW carpet and the gifts an adopted, adult neutered male cat left us.
>>
>>No experience with any of their dry products, though. Maybe I'll just cover the carpet with it. :

for cleaning my carpet. I had gotten several samples and so far have used two on the dog. None on reptiles yet. I will be testing the healthy habitat stuff with this weekends cleanings. The natural chemistry stuff worked WONDERS on the carpet when the pupper had the runs from an allergic reaction to his vax. I also hear from several people that the reptile relief mite stuff is GREAT. I havent had to use it and really hope i dont have to use it.
-----
Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

Considering dragon urine is in solid form, does it even break down like regular urine to produce ammonia?

I don't know anything about the cleaning product you are asking about but since you mentioned you suspect the smell is coming from the log they use as a toilet, I would take that out. Soak it for a few hours in a bleech solution, then over night in plain water and air (or oven) dry. That should take care of the smell (you could also soak again in water with vinegar to kill any lingering odours). Another possible source of the ammonia smell could be the cleaners you are using to clean down the cage..many household cleaners, especially glass cleaners have ammonia in them.

From what i've seen, nature's miracle is the most popular odor removing product. I have used the liquid for cats before, and it worked better then the other stuff. However, I don't know that it would work for dragons, or to get stuff off a basking log. If your log is dirty, a soak in a bleach solution would do it. Then you could dry it in the oven. Maybe you could try some of the Nature's Miracle in a soak and see how that goes. I'd suggest buying at petsmart. If it doesn't work just save your receipt and you can take it back. The return policy there is great.

check out "Kleen em Away Naturally". its a preformed enzyme cleaner. the article in this years annual Reptiles Magazine about iquanas mentioned using it. you should check it out. hope this helps.

Raymond

cage? I checked for the article to which you refered online, and couldn't find it. How do they suggest using it?

Nature's Miracle is our best seller but I didn't hear of a dry product for ferrets...humm, will look into that. You wouldn't have to soak the log, just spray it down and give it time to work.

I also like to use vinegar better then bleach.