Oxbow Animal Health Enriched Life Small Animal Stretch 'n Snuggle Sleep Spot

Cozy Fleece Bed for Comfortable Small Pet Rest

Product Description

The Oxbow Enriched Life Stretch 'n Snuggle Sleep Spot is a soft, supportive bed designed to provide small animals with a comfortable retreat for rest and relaxation. Crafted from premium fleece and cotton materials, this cozy nest supports full-body comfort while encouraging natural stretching behaviors. The plush design creates a secure hideaway that meets your pet's instinctual need for privacy and nesting, promoting mental wellbeing, better sleep quality, and reduced stress in their habitat.

Benefits

• Full Body Support and Comfort: Premium fleece and cotton materials provide cushioned support for your pet's entire body, ensuring comfortable rest positions and reducing joint stress during sleep.
• Encourages Natural Stretching: Spacious design allows small animals to fully extend their bodies and stretch naturally, promoting healthy circulation, muscle flexibility, and physical wellbeing.
• Stress Reduction Through Privacy: Enclosed hideaway design fulfills pets' instinctual need for private, secure spaces, significantly reducing anxiety and promoting emotional stability in their habitat.
• Promotes Healthy Sleep Patterns: Soft, cozy environment creates ideal conditions for quality rest, supporting proper sleep cycles essential for immune function and overall health.
• Mental Enrichment Essential: Provides critical daily enrichment that supports mental and physical health by satisfying natural instincts to hide, nest, and seek privacy in their environment.

Materials Used

Polar Fleece and Cotton Blend: Premium combination of soft polar fleece exterior and cotton materials creates a durable, comfortable surface that is both warm and breathable for extended rest periods.

Features

• Soft and Cozy Design: Ultra-soft fleece fabric provides maximum comfort and warmth, creating an inviting retreat that small animals naturally gravitate toward for security and rest.
• Plush Interior Structure: Supportive cushioning throughout the bed maintains shape and comfort, providing adequate support for full-body relaxation without compromising structural integrity.
• Enclosed Hideaway Style: Partially enclosed design creates a den-like atmosphere that appeals to small animals' natural burrowing instincts while maintaining good air circulation.
• Pet-Safe Materials: Constructed from 100% pet-safe materials free from toxic dyes, adhesives, or harmful chemicals that could endanger your small animal.
• Compact Size for Most Cages: Sized appropriately to fit comfortably in standard small animal habitats without taking up excessive space while providing ample room for stretching and movement.

How to Use

Specifications

• Material Composition: Polar fleece and cotton blend
• Dimensions: 28 cm W x 23 cm L (approximately 11" x 9")
• Design Style: Partially enclosed hideaway bed with soft cushioning
• Suitable For: Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, hedgehogs, and ferrets
• Weight: Lightweight portable design for easy placement and repositioning

Usage Instructions

• Initial Placement: Position the Stretch 'n Snuggle in a quiet area of your pet's habitat away from food bowls and water bottles for a clean rest space.
• Introduce Gradually: Place the bed in the habitat and allow your pet to explore and become comfortable with it naturally, without forcing interaction.
• Placement Considerations: Position in a draft-free location away from direct sunlight and extreme temperature fluctuations to maintain comfort during rest periods.
• Multiple Pets: Provide separate sleep spots for each pet to prevent territorial disputes and ensure all pets have access to private resting areas when needed.

Additional Information

Care Instructions

• Machine Washing: Wash the Stretch 'n Snuggle in a washing machine on a gentle cycle with cold water to preserve fabric integrity and maintain softness over time.
• Use Mild Detergent: Wash with mild, pet-safe detergent and avoid fabric softeners as they leave residue that reduces absorbency and can irritate sensitive skin.
• Avoid High Heat: Dry on low heat in the dryer or preferably air-dry to prevent fiber damage, shrinkage, and maintain the bed's shape and comfort properties.
• Regular Washing Schedule: Wash every 1-2 weeks, depending on your pet's usage and the habitat's moisture levels, to maintain hygiene and freshness for your pet.
• Remove Hair Before Washing: Use a lint roller or brush to remove loose pet hair before machine washing to prevent buildup and maintain washing machine efficiency.

Safety Instructions

• Supervise Long-Haired Pets: Monitor long-haired rabbits and guinea pigs initially, as fleece can occasionally catch in thick coats, though this is rare with proper supervision.
• Check for Damage: Regularly inspect the bed for holes, tears, or loose seams and replace immediately if damage occurs, as small animals could ingest fleece fibers.
• Non-Toxic Materials Only: Verify that replacement beds use only 100% pet-safe materials to prevent accidental toxicity if your pet chews or ingests small amounts.
• Adequate Ventilation: Ensure the bed placement allows proper air circulation in the habitat to prevent moisture accumulation and maintain fresh, breathable sleep conditions.
• Temperature Monitoring: Use in temperature-controlled environments between 65-75°F to prevent overheating and ensure your pet remains comfortable throughout all seasons.

Shipping & Return

We offer ground, express, priority, and international delivery; see our shipping policy for details.

For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What size small animals is the Oxbow Stretch 'n Snuggle Sleep Spot suitable for?

Ans: The Stretch 'n Snuggle is designed for all small animals including rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, chinchillas, hedgehogs, and ferrets. The compact dimensions of 28 cm x 23 cm fit comfortably in standard small animal habitats without consuming excessive space while providing ample room for your pet to stretch and relax.

Q2: Is the Stretch 'n Snuggle machine washable and safe to clean regularly?

Ans: Yes, the bed is fully machine washable on the gentle cycle with cold water. Wash regularly every 1-2 weeks using mild, pet-safe detergent without fabric softener. Air-dry or tumble dry on low heat to preserve the soft fleece and cotton materials. This makes it a hygienic, long-lasting option compared to disposable bedding.

Q3: Why is hiding and nesting important for small animals' mental and physical health?

Ans: Hiding and nesting are instinctual behaviors essential for small animals' well-being. A comfortable hideaway like the Stretch 'n Snuggle reduces anxiety, provides stress relief, and creates a sense of security. This improves sleep quality, supports immune function, and promotes natural behaviors that contribute to better overall mental and physical health for your pet.

Q4: Can I use the Stretch 'n Snuggle alongside other bedding in my small animal's cage?

Ans: Absolutely. The Stretch 'n Snuggle works wonderfully as an additional enrichment item alongside your regular bedding, like Oxbow Pure Comfort or Eco-Straw. Layer it on top of absorbent bedding to create a multi-textured habitat that provides both comfort and functionality while encouraging natural nesting behaviors.

Q5: How does the Stretch 'n Snuggle encourage stretching in my small animal?

Ans: The bed's spacious, open design allows your pet to fully extend their body and stretch naturally. This promotes healthy circulation, increases blood flow to tissues, improves joint mobility, and helps prevent muscle contractures. Regular stretching also provides psychological well-being by fulfilling natural movement instincts during rest periods.

Q6: Is the fleece material safe if my pet accidentally ingests small amounts?

Ans: The Stretch 'n Snuggle is made from 100% pet-safe materials, so small amounts of accidental ingestion are not toxic. However, regularly inspect the bed for holes or damage and replace it immediately if tearing occurs. This prevents your pet from continuously ingesting fleece fibers, which could potentially cause digestive issues or blockages.

Q7: How does the Stretch 'n Snuggle compare to other small animal beds on the market?

Ans: The Oxbow Enriched Life Stretch 'n Snuggle stands out due to its dual material construction of soft fleece and cotton, full-body support design, machine-washable durability, and alignment with Oxbow's enrichment philosophy. Unlike disposable options, it's reusable and eco-friendly, reducing long-term costs while maintaining quality comfort and hygiene standards.

Q8: Can I use the Stretch 'n Snuggle for multiple pets in the same cage?

Ans: While you can place one bed in a shared habitat, it's recommended to provide separate sleep spots for each pet to prevent territorial disputes and stress. If you have multiple small animals, consider purchasing additional Stretch 'n Snuggle beds to ensure each pet has access to their own private, secure resting area.

Q9: What temperature conditions are best for using the Stretch 'n Snuggle?

Ans: The Stretch 'n Snuggle performs best in temperature-controlled environments between 65-75°F, which is ideal for most small animals. In warmer climates, the fleece provides comfort without causing overheating when properly ventilated. In cooler environments, it provides additional warmth and insulation for comfort during rest periods.

Q10: How does enrichment like the Stretch 'n Snuggle improve my pet's behavior and temperament?

Ans: Proper enrichment, including cozy hideaways, reduces stress-related behaviors like excessive chewing, aggression, or lethargy. Pets with access to enrichment items like the Stretch 'n Snuggle show increased exploratory behavior, healthier sleep patterns, better social interaction, and improved overall temperament. Daily enrichment is essential for preventing boredom-related problems and supporting mental well-being.