How to Make a Squirrel Cage

Squirrel cages are similar to many small animal cages. The cages often are made with wood framing, covered with a wire mesh to allow airflow to the animal. Squirrel cages specifically should be at least a couple feet to ensure the squirrel will be comfortable. A tall cage helps mimic the natural environment, allowing a squirrel to be at multiple height levels like it would if it were on a tree. Building your own cage will be inexpensive, and it shouldn't require more than an hour or two of your time.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • 4 pine boards, 1-by-1-by-36-inch
  • 2 plywood sheets, 1/2-inch, 12-by-36-inch
  • 4 pine boards, 1-by-1-by-10-inch
  • Plywood sheet, 1/2-inch, 24-by-36-inch
  • 2 plywood sheets, 1/2-inch, 13-by-24-inch
  • Screw gun
  • 30 wood screws, 1 1/2-inch
  • Wire mesh, 24-by-36-inch
  • Staple gun
  • 16 staples, 3/8-inch
  • Wire cutters
  • Wire, 6 inches
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay two 36-inch boards parallel and 10 inches apart. Lay the 10-inch boards perpendicularly between them 34 inches apart. Lay a 12-by-36-inch sheet of plywood on top of the boards with the edges of the plywood flush with all of the boards. Screw through the plywood and into the boards. Use eight screws. This structure is one of the sides to your squirrel cage. Repeat this process to complete the other side.

    • 2

      Stand both sides parallel to each other and on their 36-inch edge. The boards should be between the plywood sheets, with the outside edges of the plywood 24 inches apart. Lay the 24-by-36-inch sheet of plywood on top of the sides with its 36-inch edges flush with the sides. The 24-inch sides of the plywood should be flush with the 12-inch ends of the sides to your cage. Screw through this sheet of plywood and into the boards that are attached to the sides of the cage. This board is the back of the cage.

    • 3

      Screw a 13-by-24-inch sheet of plywood to the 10-inch boards. The edges of this sheet of plywood should be flush with the sides to the cage and with the back of the cage. Repeat this process on the opposite side. These two pieces of plywood are for the top and bottom of your cage.

    • 4

      Position your cage until it stands on one of the 13-by-24-inch sheets of plywood with the open area facing you. Position your mesh flush with the edges of the plywood. Staple the mesh to the two 36-inch pine boards. Staple the top and bottom of the mesh to the 1/2-inch plywood.

    • 5

      Cut a hole in the mesh with your wire cutters. This hole will allow you access to the inside of your cage. Make the hole size according to your preferred dimensions. Use the wire to wire the hole closed when it is occupied by a squirrel.