How to Make Cardboard Cages

Creating a cardboard cage is a short-term solution to housing a small animal, such as a rat, hamster, guinea pig or chinchilla. A complete cage can be constructed from cardboard, or a house can be built from cardboard and placed in a metal cage. Shredded or chipped cardboard can also be inserted into the cage to allow the small animal to tunnel and burrow within the cardboard cage. A cardboard cage will degrade over time through gnawing and urination by the animal using the cage.

Things You'll Need

  • Cardboard box
  • Scissors/knife
  • Packaging tape
  • Newspaper
  • Shredded/Chipped cardboard bedding
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a location for the cardboard cage to be positioned within another cage or inside a pet house. Choose a cardboard box that will fit easily into the chosen area.

    • 2

      Cut a door with scissors or a knife for the animal to gain access in and out of the cardboard cage. Additional features, such as windows can be cut into the box. Smaller cardboard boxes can be placed on top of the box to add floors to the cage.

    • 3

      Cover the cardboard box with packaging tape on the interior and exterior. Packaging tape will stop the cardboard box from degrading quickly when the animal urinates or spills water and food on the cardboard.

    • 4

      Place newspaper on the bottom of the cardboard box to protect it. Cover the newspaper with a layer of chipped or shredded cardboard to add to the protective layers on the bottom of the cardboard cage.

    • 5

      Position the cardboard cage in the chosen location. Place the small animal into the box.