How to Make Ramps for Small Animals

If you own a small animal, such as a rat, a ferret or a guinea pig, your pet might need ramps to access different levels of its cage or certain areas of your home. Although many cages contain wire ramps, wire can be tough pets' feet. If your ramps are wire, ensure that your pets have other areas covered with carpet scraps or fabric to avoid constant abrasion, which can cause a condition known as bumblefoot. To avoid the problem entirely, build a ramp out of wood, fabric or PVC piping that meets the needs of your pet.

Things You'll Need

  • Carpet scraps or fabric
  • PVC piping
  • Balsa wood
  • Wooden half-dowels
  • Hobby glue
  • Screw-in hooks, cable ties or eyelets
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine what type of ramp your pet requires. A rat or a mouse can climb a steep wire ramp, but a guinea pig or a ferret will need a covered ramp with a more gentle slope. While most rodents can climb wire ramps, consider a softer ramp that won't damage their feet. Consider whether your pet uses a litter box or not -- for pets that aren't litter trained, choose an easy-to-clean material, such as PVC piping.

    • 2

      Cut a length of balsa wood to the appropriate size for your pet if it is a lightweight pet, such as a mouse, rat or degu. For example, a ramp that is 4-to-6-inches wide is appropriate for a rat. The length of the ramp will depend on its location. Glue half-dowels or popsicle sticks spaced 2-inches apart down the ramp to provide traction. Attach screw-in hooks to the top of the ramp to attach it to a shelf. Soak the ramp in food coloring to add color to your pet's cage. Use a sturdier type of wood for heavier pets such as ferrets.

    • 3

      Make a ramp out of a length of durable fabric, such as denim, an old sock or a scrap of carpeting. Cut the fabric to the desired length. Attach it to the cage using eyelets. If using a sock, consider positioning it in the cage so that your pet can climb down inside it.

    • 4

      Use lengths of PVC piping to create a ramp. Make the slope gentle, so your pet can get down and climb back up easily. Glue wooden half-dowels or fabric, such as carpet scraps, inside the pipes to add traction.