Any potential problems with plastic canvas?

[adoptaratcanada]

Although the boys are too big for the 1" bar spacing to be an escape hazard, what I've noticed is that they LOVE to climb and all of them, especially Dukhat, as they get lower to the shelf, I guess they get lazy and rather than use their feet the last few bars, they seem to depend on upper body strength. What then happens is they drop themselves the rest of the way (just a couple inches) and rather than put their feet on the shelf, their feet shoot between the bars. Sometimes they swing quite a bit outwards and their entire leg(s) go right between the bars. THEN, they scramble to get upright while said legs are through bars! *yeesh!* They've made my heart jump more than once! I guess they have split-second timing because they haven't caught themselves, thankfully, but I think it could be an accident waiting to happen.

My first thought was to put plexi-glass on the inside of the cage to stop them climbing at all (on the top level where they can gain some altitude! They don't do that often at all, except for Mad Thor).

However they seem to have fun doing it so I hate to limit them to much shorter climbs between levels.

I'd be interested in input regarding the climbing thing...should I discourage it? I've never had such climbers before.

Then I thought rather than plexiglass, I might fix some plastic canvas over the parts where they climb, to stop their feet from shooting through like that.

Any potential problems with plastic canvas? I got a few sheets with larger spacing with the idea of avoiding toenails getting caught. Chewing it isn't a huge deal (except for replacement cost) because hopefully they won't fluke out and make a gaping hole where their feet/legs often go through...at least not while I'm at work.

I figure it has to be VERY snug to avoid a getting caught/twisted between the layer of plastic canvas and the bars (ironically, with the bars open their legs at least have room to twist into the correct position).

[Die Fledermaus]

I am not sure. Let me think on this, and ask for advice. . . back soon.

[Die Fledermaus]

I am still undecided, and still waiting for advice from others. . . stay tuned. . .

[Die Fledermaus]

Here is the only response I got from a rat expert. . .

>> I sure hope there aren't any problems, because it's what I've always used in my second cage :-) It's a tank topper, so the floor has to be something that allows air movement.

It must not be especially delicious, because they seem to chew it more for appearances' sake. Tastier floors would be devoured in a week <<

[adoptaratcanada]

Thanks! I asked around, too, and got only one response, which said it shouldn't be a problem.

[tonyshuman]

I use plastic canvas in the litterboxes of my bunnies to keep their feet out of dirty litter. It's also good for separating the poo from the wet litter in case you use it for fertilizer.

I haven't had any problems with it, other than a few bits chewed out. Some people's bunnies chew it too much so they can't use it.

Can't think there would be other problems for other animals than bunnies as well.