I Built ANOTHER DIY Hamster Cage?!, by Victoria Raechel on YouTube. 10 min 5 s.
- Video length
- 10 min 5 s
- Time to do it
- 6 hours
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Pick a spot and a size. Aim for at least 24 by 48 inches of floor space, which suits a Syrian hamster. Measure the room first so the finished cage fits through the door.
Cut the plywood: a 24 x 48 inch bottom, a 23 1/2 x 48 inch back and two 23 1/2 x 24 inch sides. Ask the hardware store to cut it if you don't own a saw.
Sand every edge smooth, then seal all sides with a pet-safe water-based varnish. Let it cure for the full time printed on the tin.
Screw framing lumber along the base and corners as battens, then fix the back and sides to the bottom. Pre-drill the holes so the plywood doesn't split.
Cut a large opening in the lid and staple 1/4 inch hardware cloth over it. This is the main airflow, so make it generous.
Fit the glass panel into a channel of framing lumber at the front and seal the edges so bedding can't spill out.
Add hinges and a lock to the lid. Hamsters are escape artists, so check that every gap is smaller than a fingertip.
Bolt caster wheels to the underside of the base so you can roll the cage out for cleaning. Use locking wheels so it stays put.
Let the finished cage air out in a garage or spare room until you can no longer smell the varnish.
Set up the inside with 6 inches or more of paper bedding, a wheel with a solid running surface, a sand bath, hideouts and a water bottle.
Tips and common mistakes
Varnish fumes harm small pets, so air the cage out until the smell is completely gone.
A cage this size gets heavy, so build it where it will live or arrange for two people to lift it.
Skip pine and cedar shavings. Paper bedding holds tunnels better and is safer for hamsters.
Run a finger along the cut hardware cloth and file down any sharp wire ends before the hamster moves in.
Questions
How big should a DIY hamster cage be?
Aim for at least 24 by 48 inches of unbroken floor space. Bigger is always better, and bedding depth matters as much as the footprint.
Can I use plywood for a hamster cage?
Yes, as long as you seal it with a pet-safe varnish and let it cure fully. Bare wood soaks up urine and holds smells, so coat every surface the hamster can reach.
How long before a hamster can move in?
Wait until the varnish has cured and the smell has cleared, usually a few days. Add the bedding and setup first, then let the hamster settle in.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
