How to Build Animal Cages

It is important to build animal cages that are suited to the needs and size of your particular pet. Some animals thrive in any type of cage, while others do much better in cages built of specific materials. You can build animal cages from screen, welded wire, chain link, Plexiglas, wood, glass, or plastic. Research the best cage type for your particular pet before starting. The following plans would provide a cage for a reptile under 12-inches, rodent, or other small animal.

Things You'll Need

  • 3 24x15 sheets Plexiglas
  • 2 15x15 sheets Plexiglas
  • Screen top, 24x15
  • 8 1/2x1x24 Boards
  • 8 1x1/2x13 Boards
  • 3/4" Screws
  • Caulk gun
  • Liquid Nails
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Instructions

    • 1

      Build two wooden frames that will support the Plexiglas sides of the animal cage. One frame is for the bottom of the cage, and the other frame is to support the top. Lay the 24-inch long boards flat on a hard surface parallel to each other. Place the shorter 13-inch boards in between, creating a flat surface that is 24x15 after adding the width of each 24-inch board on each end. Connect with liquid nails.

    • 2

      Stand one 24-inch long board on edge alongside each 24-inch board laying flat and one 13 inch board on each end, and attach each standing board to each flat board using screws. Repeat on the second frame.

    • 3

      Spread liquid nails on the inside bottom board of one frame and then lay a sheet of Plexiglas flat inside frame. Spread liquid nails all the way around the inside of the boards on edge of the frame and along the outer edges of the Plexiglas you already glued into the frame.

    • 4

      Stand each sheet of Plexiglas inside the frame against the liquid nails. The 24-inch sheets on the sides, and the 15-inch sheets on the ends. Apply liquid nails to the sides of each sheet of Plexiglas as you stand it into the frame so that the sides of the cage will be glued together.

    • 5

      Spread a narrow strip of liquid nails along the top edges of the Plexiglas tank, as well as the outside upper inch of the outside of the tank.

    • 6

      Secure the second frame you built over the top of the tank. This creates a flat wooden area on top of the cage that you can attach the screen top to allowing your animal air circulation but preventing escape.