How to Make Cardboard Shelving for Hamsters

Hamsters are relatively low maintenance pets, requiring only a clean cage that is stored out of direct sunlight, food and water. Hamsters are also expert climbers and part of the fun in having a pet hamster is watching them scale and maneuver a variety of paths and obstacles. Manufacturers sell multi-tiered hamster habitats in a variety of styles and colors. However, building shelving with cardboard allows you to customize a hamster cage you personally enjoy while simultaneously saving you money.

Things You'll Need

  • Pencil
  • Paper
  • Wire pet cage
  • Tape measure
  • Corrugated cardboard
  • Craft knife
  • Packing tape
  • Small nail
  • Zip ties
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Instructions

    • 1

      Sketch a basic design for your hamster cage shelving. Determine if you prefer shelves to be horizontal, slanted or some combination. Draw a basic design of the shelving from the side view. You can change this over time if you decide to reorganize things.

    • 2

      Measure the enclosure of the pet cage and take note of the length and width of the cage.

    • 3

      Measure a length of cardboard to match the length of the cage. This allows the shelf to stretch from one edge of the cage to the other. Use a fraction of the cage width to determine the width of the cardboard shelf. For example, if the cage is 1-foot wide, make the width of the cardboard one half that, or 6 inches. This makes the shelf only half as wide as the cage, allowing room for the hamster to access it.

    • 4

      Draw four lines on the cardboard using the length and width determined from your measurements, and then cut out the shape. This is a cardboard shelf.

    • 5

      Wrap the cardboard shelf in packing tape. This provides a water-resistant laminate to protect the cardboard from urine and water.

    • 6

      Poke holes in the cardboard shelf on all four corners, about 1/2 an inch from the cardboard edge.

    • 7

      Insert one zip tie into each of the holes in the cardboard and then position the shelf in the cage. Tighten the zip ties around the wires of the cage to secure. Repeat steps 3 through 7 to add more shelves.