How to Build a Wooden Guinea Pig Cage

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.

Things Needed

• 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

Step 1

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

Step 2

Cut the plywood to the final cage size.

Step 3

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

Step 4

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

Step 5

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

Step 6

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

Step 7

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

Step 8

Screw them in to create a top frame.

Step 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

Step 1

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

Step 2

Carefully unroll enough wire to get to the next post.

Step 3

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

Step 4

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

Adding the Plastic Liner

Step 1

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

Step 2

Staple the plastic liner to the bottom of the cage.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Pour bedding into the cage.

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.