How To Make a Bin Cage for a Hamster

If you’re the proud owner of a hamster, you’ll know that they need a lot of exercises to stay healthy. One way to give your hamster plenty of exercise is to create a bin cage. Bin cages are perfect for hamsters because they allow them to play and explore in a safe environment.

Here are the steps for making a bin cage for your hamster:

1. Choose the right plastic bin.
2. Prepare the bin.
3. Cut the lid at the top.
4. Add ventilation holes (optional).
5. Add the wire mesh.
6. Add beeding and toys.
7. Introduce your hamster to its new home.

So get ready to roll up your sleeves and get crafting! If you’re looking for an inexpensive and easy way to make a bin cage for your hamster, look no further! This blog post will walk you through the steps necessary to create a safe and comfortable home for your furry friend.

1. Choose the Right Plastic Bin

Choosing the right plastic bin is essential to making a successful bin cage. You’ll want to find a big enough bin for your hamster to move around in, but not so big that they feel lost. A good rule of thumb is to choose a bin with at least 450 square inches (2903.22 square centimeters) of floor space.

This much area will give your hamster plenty of room to play and explore. You’ll also want to ensure that the bin you select has smooth sides. This will help prevent your hamster from getting hurt if they happen to bump into the side of their cage.

Lastly, be sure to choose a plastic bin with a tight-fitting lid. This will help keep your hamster safely inside its cage and prevent any unwanted critters from getting in.

2. Prepare the Bin

Once you’ve selected the perfect bin for your hamster, it’s time to prepare it for their arrival. Start by giving the inside of the bin a good cleaning with soap and water. This will help remove any dirt or debris that could harm your hamster.

Next, use sandpaper to smooth out any sharp edges on the inside of the bin. This will help prevent your hamster from getting cut if they happen to bump into the side of their cage. Hamsters like to creep along the sides, so you’ll want to make sure there are no rough edges to hurt them.

Once you’ve finished cleaning and sanding the inside of the bin, it’s time to move on to step three.

Read How Long Should a Hamster Be Out of Its Cage?

3. Cut the Lid at the Top

The next step is to cut the lid at the top. You’ll do this to replace the upper lid with the wired mesh. This will help ensure that your hamster has plenty of ventilation.

Use pliers to cut the wire mesh to almost the same size as the lid. Once you’ve done this, use hot glue to attach the wire mesh to the lid. Be sure to give the glue time to dry completely before moving on to the next step. An alternative to glue can be zip ties, but for that, you’ll have to drill holes around the lid’s circumference.

This can be done by making parallel cuts around the lid’s circumference, a few inches apart. Afterward, use a hammer and nail to punch holes along the line you just cut. Make sure the holes are big enough for the zip ties to fit through.

You can also use a power drill to make the holes, but be careful not to make them too big. Once you’ve made the holes, use the zip ties to secure the wired mesh. Cut the excess ties once done.

4. Add Ventilation Holes (Optional)

To provide your hamster with adequate ventilation, you’ll need to add some holes. This can be done by making holes on the sides of the bin. Be sure to space the holes evenly around the bin so that your hamster has plenty of fresh air.

Don’t worry too much if you decide against doing this. Your top cover has wire mesh that will provide adequate ventilation.

Read 450 Square Inch Hamster Cage

5. Adding the Wire Mesh

Now it’s time to add the wire mesh to the top of your bin. This will create ventilation holes that will allow your hamster to breathe. It’s important to use wire mesh with small holes to prevent your hamster from escaping.

You’ll also want to make sure that the wire mesh is secured tightly to the top of the bin. The last thing you want is your pet getting hurt by a loose piece of wire.

Your bin cage is almost complete once you’ve added the wire mesh! All that’s left is to add some bedding and your hamster’s favorite toys.

6. Add Bedding and Toys

Now it’s time to add bedding and toys to your hamster’s new home. You can use any bedding you like, but I recommend using plant fiber bedding. This will help keep your hamster comfortable and dry.

As for toys, feel free to get creative! Your hamster will love anything that they can chew or climb on. Be sure to add a few hiding places for your hamster to sleep. This will help them feel safe and secure in their new home.

After you’ve added these things, your hamster’s new bin should be complete!

7. Introduce Your Hamster to Its New Home

Now that your hamster’s bin cage is complete, it’s time to introduce them to their new home. Start by showing them where their food and water dishes are located. Then, let them explore their new home at their own pace.

Be sure to supervise your hamster during this process to ensure they’re not getting into any trouble. After a few days, your hamster should be fully acclimated to its new home and will be able to enjoy all the fun that comes with living in a big cage!

Read How To Keep a Hamster Cage From Smelling

Benefits of a Bin Cage for a Hamster

There are many benefits to having a bin cage for a hamster. Some of these benefits include:

• They’re much cheaper than purchasing a pre-made cage from a pet store.
• They’re easy to clean and maintain.
• They provide your hamster with plenty of space to run around and explore.
• They can be easily customized to meet your hamster’s specific needs.

If you’re looking for an affordable, easy-to-maintain, and spacious home for your hamster, then a bin cage is the perfect option!

Drawbacks of a Bin Cage for a Hamster

While bin cages offer many benefits, there are some drawbacks to consider before making one for your hamster. Some of these drawbacks include:

• They can be challenging to build if you’ve never built them before.
• It’s important to make sure that the cage is escape-proof, as hamsters are very good at escaping!
• You’ll need to purchase or find a bin that’s the appropriate size for your hamster.
• The bin should also have smooth walls so that your hamster cannot hurt itself while climbing around.
• If you’re looking for something that looks more like a traditional pet home, then a bin cage might not be the best option.

Read How Much Does a Hamster Cage Cost?

Other Hamster Home Options

Here are two more DIY hamster home options for you to consider.

Interconnected Plastic Bins

If you’re looking for something more spacious, then interconnected plastic bins might be the way to go. This option gives your hamster plenty of room to move around and explore. You can also add some bedroom furniture and toys to make it feel like home.

The main advantage of interconnected plastic bins is that they provide a lot of space for your hamster. However, one downside is that they can be difficult to clean. If you’re not careful, your hamster may also be able to escape from this type of cage.

How To Build

To build a cage out of interconnected plastic bins, you’ll need to cut out bigger holes on the sides of the bins. Then by using a transparent plastic pipe, you can connect the holes of each bin. Make sure that the plastic pipe is big enough for your hamster to move through easily.

You can also use duct tape to secure the plastic pipes in place. Once everything is set up, you can add bedding, toys, and other accessories to complete your hamster’s home.

Like with a bin cage, it’s important to ensure plenty of ventilation in an interconnected plastic bin cage. You’ll also want to be careful when cleaning these cages, as your hamster may be able to escape if they’re not properly secured.

Like with a plastic bin cage here, the top cover will be a wired mesh to allow airflow and keep your hamster from escaping.

When building an interconnected plastic bin cage, it’s important to use bins that are the same size. This will make it easier to connect the cages and create a more secure home for your hamster.

Glass Aquarium

If you’re looking for a more traditional option, then a glass aquarium might be the way to go. The great thing about glass aquariums is that they’re readily available in various sizes, so you should be able to find one that’s the perfect fit for your hamster.

They come with a built-in lid, making them ideal for keeping your furry friend safe and secure.

You’ll need a glass aquarium, some wire mesh, and zip ties to get started. Once you have all of your materials, follow these steps:

1. First, cut a piece of wire mesh slightly smaller than the aquarium’s opening. Then, use zip ties to attach the wire mesh to the top of the aquarium. Ensure that the wire mesh is securely fastened so that your hamster can’t escape.
2. The wired mesh, in this case, should be secured on a plastic or wood cover.
3. Next, add some bedding to the bottom of the aquarium.
4. Once the bedding is in place, you can add toys and other accessories to make your hamster’s home more fun and inviting. Be sure to include a food dish and a water bottle so that your hamster has everything it needs.

That’s it! Your acquarium cage is now complete. Remember to clean it out regularly so that your hamster always has a fresh and comfortable place to call home.

Provide your hamster with plenty of food, water, and toys no matter what cage you decide to use. They will appreciate the extra effort you’ve put into making their home comfortable and safe.

Read How Big Should a Hamster Cage Be?

How Much Does It Cost To Make a Hamster Bin Cage?

The cost of making a bin cage for your hamster will vary depending on the materials you use. A basic plastic storage bin can be purchased for around 20-50$ in the United States. You’ll also need to purchase other accessories that can push the costs further.

If you plan to build a metal cage, the cost will be slightly higher. A metal cage will cost around $100 to set up if you’re in the US. Also, after purchasing bedding, food, and toys for your hamster, the total cost of setting up a metal cage should be around $150 – $200.

Since hamsters have a decent lifespan of around two to four years, make sure you don’t compromise on quality to save a few bucks. A higher-quality cage will last longer and provide your hamster with a comfortable place to call home.

How Much Time Does It Take To Make a Bin Cage?

Setting up a bin cage for your hamster shouldn’t take more than an hour or two. This includes drilling ventilation holes into the lid and adding bedding and toys to the inside of the cage.

However, you’ll also need to add extra stuff like bedding, miniature toys, and food bowls before your hamster can move in.

Making sure you have everything your pet needs can be time-consuming, but it’s worth it when you see how happy they are in their new home!

Conclusion

So there you have it, a guide to making your own bin cage for your hamster. Be sure to consider the needs of your little friend and provide them with a comfortable and safe home. Have fun creating something new.

You may like the following hamster articles:

• Why Is My Hamster Biting the Cage
• How To Clean Hamster Cage
• How Far Can a Hamster See?
• Why Is My Hamster Up During the Day?
• Will My Hamster Be Okay Without a Wheel?