How to Build a Wooden Guinea Pig Cage

Guinea pigs are friendly pets that are easy to care for. A satisfying project is to build a wood-and-wire cage for your pet. Carefully selecting the right materials will allow you to build a home much larger than most commercially available cages.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tape measure or ruler
• Saw
• 1 x 1 wood
• Plywood
• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Screws
• Wire mesh
• Staple gun and staples
• Knife or scissors
• Plastic sheeting
• Hinges (optional)

Building the Frame

1. Cut four 1 x 1 posts to match the height of your wire mesh. These will form the corners of the cage.

2. Cut the plywood to the final cage size.

3. Screw the posts to the four corners of the plywood. Using two screws in each will give the corners additional strength.

4. Cut two 1 x 1 pieces of wood to the cage's width.

5. Screw these two pieces to the tops of the corner posts.

6. Measure the distance between the posts on the short side of the cage.

7. Cut two pieces of 1 x 1 wood to fit between those posts.

8. Screw them in to create a top frame.

9. If you want a cover, cut a piece of plywood to the size of the bottom piece. Attach it to the back of the top frame with hinges.

Installing the Wire Mesh

10. Staple one end of the wire mesh to one of the posts.

11. Carefully unroll enough wire to get to the next post.

12. Pull the wire tight and staple the wire to the next post. Keeping the mesh tight adds structural stability to the cage.

13. Continue in this fashion until the sides of the cage are formed.

Adding the Plastic Liner

14. Cut a piece of plastic to the interior dimensions of the cage.

15. Staple the plastic liner to the bottom of the cage.

16. Cover any exposed wood with plastic to prevent urine or fecal material from permeating the wood.

17. Pour bedding into the cage.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to use natural, untreated lumber. Guinea pigs gnaw on wood. The openings in your wire mesh should be small enough to prevent the guinea pig's head from passing through.