How to Make a Small Animal Cage

It can be difficult to find just the right cage for a new pet. Often pet stores sell expensive cages with limited sizes and configurations. To make a small animal cage that better suits your size requirements and budget, you just need to gather a few supplies.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Cube kit
• Zip ties
• Spring clips (2)
• Scissors
• Coroplast (optional)

1. Evaluate the size requirements for a sufficient cage. Decide where you'll locate it, and if you want to make it more than 1 story.
2. Buy 1 or more wire cube kits. Found in hardware and retail chain stores, these kits consist of wire grid squares (roughly 14 inches by 14 inches each) and connectors. Look in the Home Organization department. One kit is usually sufficient for a small animal cage, but keep in mind the needs of your specific pet. Guinea pigs, for example, require at least 1 cube kit per animal.
3. Assemble the kits by snapping connectors to panels in a variety of ways. Experiment with door placement, height and depth until you find the configuration you prefer. When you're satisfied, replace the connectors (which come apart too easily) with zip ties for a more secure cage. Remember to leave a doorway open, and trim excess plastic from the ties.
4. Connect one side of the door with loosely drawn zip ties. This allows the ties to work as a hinge. Secure the other side of the door with spring clips so you can open and close it whenever you choose.
5. Add a Coroplast flooring if desired. Coroplast is similar to thick cardboard with a shiny coating. You can usually buy it next to poster board displays. A Coroplast floor will keep bedding from falling through the grates and prevent bumblefoot (a painful foot ailment caused by constant walking on wire flooring).

Tips & Warnings

• Tiny animals such as mice aren't suited to all cube kits. Be sure the grid openings aren't large enough for your pet to escape.