How to Make a Rat Cage by Connecting Other Cages

Buying a brand new rat cage can be expensive. But it is a necessity, especially as your fuzzy friends grow from tiny babies to big adults. Luckily, you can avoid the added expense of a brand new cage if you already have a few old ones lying around the house. All you need is a few crafty tips to properly dismantle your current cages and successfully connect them together to make one bigger, better home for your pet rats.

Things You'll Need

  • Wire cutters
  • Pliers
  • Gloves
  • Zip ties
  • PVC pipe
  • C-rings
  • Plastic tub
  • Wooden bird ladders
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Instructions

  1. Connect Two Wire Cages Side-by-Side

    • 1

      Cut one side off each cage using wire cutters.

    • 2

      Using pliers, bend the now loose wires of one cage around those of the other cage.

    • 3

      Affix each connection with zip ties or C-rings. Pliers are useful in both cases, as zip ties are difficult to hold onto and C-rings are too hard to press closed with bare fingers.

    • 4

      Place the newly joined cages in an appropriately-sized plastic tub. This will serve as the new base of the cage.

    • 5

      Punch holes through the sides of the plastic tub about an inch from the top.

    • 6

      Attach bungee ties to the cage wire and through the hole in the tub to keep the cage and the bottom connected.

    • 7

      If there are levels within the newly joined cages, make sure they line up. If they don't, insert wooden ladders or create new ones out of the scrap cage sides. Attach them with zip ties or C-rings.

    Connect Wire Cages On Top of Each Other

    • 8

      Cut away half of the top of one cage. Snip the wire close to the horizontal bars. Don't leave sharp edges exposed.

    • 9

      Removed the other cage from its base and set it on top of the cage with only half a top.

    • 10

      Using zip ties or C-rings, connect the top and bottom cages together at every third bar. Be sure to make these connections tight.

    • 11

      Make two ladders out of the discarded portion of the old cage top. Carefully cut away wires that protrude.

    • 12

      Attach one ladder between the old cage "top" and the highest level in the bottom cage.

    • 13

      Attach the other ladder between the lowest level in the top cage and "top" of the bottom cage.

    • 14

      Double check for lose wires and stability. Anywhere the cage seems flimsy or unstable, solidify with C-rings or zip ties.