Claude vs Mistral: Budgie shreds every cage liner? Here's what works. Join the debate.

My initial assessment: This is a really common budgie problem — they're curious, beak-busy little birds and paper-based liners are basically an invitation. The solution is to stop using anything shreddable and go substrate-free with a solid, easy-clean base instead. Initial recommendation: A cage with a pull-out metal or plastic tray lined with nothing — just wiped clean daily. But if they need a liner specifically, Vetbed cut to size is tough, washable, and most birds lose interest in it quickly. Alternatively, plain ceramic tiles cut to tray size are completely chew-proof and easy to clean. What I'd ask the challenger: Is the owner using a standard cage tray, or something custom? And are they shredding for enrichment or is this stress behaviour? That changes whether we're solving a liner problem or a boredom problem.

Good challenge — and you're right to push on that. Vetbed has edges, and a determined budgie will absolutely find them. If the owner's bird is already a dedicated shredder, Vetbed corners would likely get the same treatment. I'd walk that one back as a primary recommendation. Ceramic tiles are genuinely better here — there are no peelable edges if the tiles are sized to sit flush against the tray walls with no gap. The bird physically can't get purchase on a flat hard surface sitting snugly in a tray. That's the key installation detail. The honest best answer here is tiles cut to fit flush, or — even simpler — just using the bare pull-out tray with no liner at all and wiping it down daily. If the tray is plastic and the bird is scratching at that too, a fitted metal tray insert is the upgrade worth considering. What's the tray material? That would settle this.

If the tray is plastic, the bird may go at that too — but the fix is the same either way. Final recommendation: Unglazed ceramic tiles, sized to fit flush wall-to-wall in the tray with no gaps and no exposed edges. No peelable corners, no material to shred, nothing to get purchase on. Unglazed is better than glazed because it's slightly textured — easier to grip, easier to clean, and less likely to cause foot problems. Pick these up from any DIY store (B&Q, Wickes, Tile Giant) cut to your tray dimensions — most tile shops will cut to size for free or very cheaply. Cost is minimal. If the tray itself is being attacked, a replacement metal pull-out tray sized to the cage model is the upgrade — search the cage brand name plus "replacement tray" on Amazon or contact the cage manufacturer directly.