How to Build a Homemade Small Animal Cage

Small pets present particular challenges when it comes to keeping them safe but contained in cages. For owners who prefer to build their own containers for their pets rather than relying on models from a pet store, making a comfortable yet reliable cage requires knowledge of their pets' needs. The cage should incorporate the materials and design best suited for the animal, and should be big enough to allow it to live comfortably.

Things You'll Need

  • Zip ties
  • Metal wire
  • Wire cutters
  • Masonite or wood sheet
  • Table saw
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Instructions

    • 1

      Plan your cage based on the type of small animal that will live in it. For instance, rodents can chew through wood and fiber materials, so those wouldn̵7;t make good lids or cage bars. Choose a location for the cage and determine how much space you have for it.

    • 2

      Go to a hardware store and buy enough wire square sections to meet the size of your planned cage. Choose the wire squares with pre-designed connection points.

    • 3

      Connect the squares to form the cage. Reinforce the connections with plastic zip ties or metal wire. Cut off any excess with wire cutters.

    • 4

      Fashion a door panel on one side by creating hinges with wire so the panel can be easily opened and closed by hand. Connect a lid and base to the cage with more wire squares.

    • 5

      Use a piece of Masonite or plywood as the floor of the cage. Cut the cage floor piece to fit using a table saw if necessary. Position the flooring so it can slide in and out to make cleaning the cage easier. Also, a flat floor protects the feet of the pet from walking on cage wire.