Mat for Hide and Eating Surface

[mzelinger]

Hello. My Bluey loves to hide under a Mat that lays on top of the Aspen Shavings that I'm using as a substrate. I've used the Exo Terra Sand Mat (really hard to clean) and the Zilla Terrarium liner (the Aspen Shaving stick to it and it's a nightmare to keep them off). I also would like to use it to put his food tray on so that if any of the meal drops off it won't get into the substrate and be eaten. I've thought of using a place mat cut to size, but I'm afraid that I won't know if it will be 100% non-toxic or not, and I'd also worry about sharp edges on the plastic ones. Does anyone know of any other rubberized mat or something that's easy to keep clean and be safe for my lizard? Thank you!!

[splashy07]

Hi! I've seen mats for dogs and cats to put under their bowls to prevent spillage on the floor, maybe something like that? The way blueys act, though, would be difficult to keep the substrate off the mat itself, as mine throw it all over the place, in their food bowls, water dishes etc. I had the same concerns about substrate/food contact but gave up after a while, the substrate ends up everywhere anyway! My Northerns are the true slobs, Merauke and Halmaheras much neater, possibly because they are not as active. The Northerns are like having to put a bulldozer in a cage!

[mzelinger]

Wish I had a Northern, I'm told mine's something of a mix. Anyway thanks for the reply. I definitely want something thin, but rubbery so it would be easy to just take out and clean. Any other ideas from others would be appreciated. Thanks!!

[mzelinger]

Bought a $5 Vinyl Place Mat at Bed Bath & Beyond. It's perfect. Just thought I'd share. Thanks!