bigger cage for squirrels

[meganmarire]

When their eyes open am i supposed to be putting them in a bigger cage? i read a large dog cage is good but I can't find a cheap one. I was wondering if I could just buy a really big container and put holes in it? Or maybe cut the front out and put up a screen?

[SammysMom]

You need a cage. Plastic is a chewers paradise and they chew like mad!!!

[meganmarire]

Ok so just a regular dog cage with not plastic will work? Do you know anywhere online that i can get one cheap?

[stepnstone]

Besides chewing out of plastic cages/crates they would have too wide of bar (or wire) spacing.
Whatever you use should not have spacing any wider then 1/2".

[Spanky]

Ok so just a regular dog cage with not plastic will work? Do you know anywhere online that i can get one cheap?

Check Craigslist and the like. My daughter got em a great medium sized cage (3 feet high X 2 feet wide and 14 inches deep) for... free! The lady on CL was just thrilled it would be put to good use.

I use this cage all the time now for kids 5 - 6 weeks up to about 9 - 10 weeks. Bonus that is it a perfect "travel" cage. Even a smaller cage for now would give you time to find a larger one!

[meganmarire]

Would a rabbit cage work?

[Spanky]

Would a rabbit cage work?

It really comes down to the bar spacing. Rabbit cages are usually 1" X 2" spacing, which is too big for squirrels.

Ideally you want to have 1/2" spacing.. this makes it difficult for them to chew on the cage which can cause damage to their teeth.

Edit: If you are handy at all a cage can be built more economically with lumber and hardware cloth! :thumbsup

[meganmarire]

My boyfriend can probably build one. I just have to make him make time. Thanks.

[Rocky1]

I'm not an expert or rehabber, but I think I've seen homemade cages that were just wood, nails, and hardware cloth. I might have been thinking of this thread, http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?53163-Plans-for-cage-that-can-be-used-on-porch-and-as-a-pre-release

[meganmarire]

I just don't want to make their cage too big because they need fed so often and I have to take them back and forth between work and home.

[Squarl]

My boyfriend can probably build one. I just have to make him make time. Thanks.

It Is probably still cheaper to get one on Craig's list.

I bet if you call a vet and ask to buy a used metal dog cage they'd probably give it to you for free. Every vet has tons of cages in storage that are "donated" when animals pass away or are abandoned at the back door.

[SammysMom]

The bar spacing in dog cages is too wide for squirrels.
It Is probably still cheaper to get one on Craig's list.

I bet if you call a vet and ask to buy a used metal dog cage they'd probably give it to you for free. Every vet has tons of cages in storage that are "donated" when animals pass away or are abandoned at the back door.

[Squarl]

The bar spacing in dog cages is too wide for squirrels.

What about something like this? Not big enough for adults but I figured it would ok for a juvenile

https://www.google.com/search?q=metal+dog+cage+1/2+inch&client=ms-android-hms-tmobile-us&sa=X&biw=360&bih=559&tbm=shop&srpd=14456277101532230786&prds=opd:9939676482664706499,olvc:1,num:4,cid:1224 215457047276905&tbs=vw:g&ved=0ahUKEwi7xb7Zrc_MAhWM4SYKHSwvA3kQhC0ICCgA&ei=sL8xV7utEYzDmwGs3ozIBw

[Spanky]

The cages on the search look to be dog kennels, and as SM said the bar spacing is not suitable for squirrels. I know the search criteria include "1/2 inch" but these do not have 1/2 in bar spacing (except maybe the $600 IATA, airline approved carrier!).


The bar spacing in dog cages is too wide for squirrels.


What about something like this? Not big enough for adults but I figured it would ok for a juvenile

https://www.google.com/search?q=metal+dog+cage+1/2+inch&client=ms-android-hms-tmobile-us&sa=X&biw=360&bih=559&tbm=shop&srpd=14456277101532230786&prds=opd:9939676482664706499,olvc:1,num:4,cid:1224 215457047276905&tbs=vw:g&ved=0ahUKEwi7xb7Zrc_MAhWM4SYKHSwvA3kQhC0ICCgA&ei=sL8xV7utEYzDmwGs3ozIBw

[DarkLies212]

What about something like this? Not big enough for adults but I figured it would ok for a juvenile

https://www.google.com/search?q=metal+dog+cage+1/2+inch&client=ms-android-hms-tmobile-us&sa=X&biw=360&bih=559&tbm=shop&srpd=14456277101532230786&prds=opd:9939676482664706499,olvc:1,num:4,cid:1224 215457047276905&tbs=vw:g&ved=0ahUKEwi7xb7Zrc_MAhWM4SYKHSwvA3kQhC0ICCgA&ei=sL8xV7utEYzDmwGs3ozIBw

Squirrels need between 1/4" and 1/2" bar spacings. Anything bigger and they can get seriously injured or escape.

I had a squirrel who was given up by his first squamma and his cage was wood with chicken wire (the hexagon shaped holes) and he constantly got his teeth caught in those holes and would panic trying to get out. We are both very lucky he never chipped teeth.

I also had a very compromised baby squirrel who got stuck on 1/2" hardware cloth the lid of her bin and break off her almost nonexistent teeth to the gum.

Since that incident, I use nothing but 1/4" until they wean.

[Rebecca817]

Here's my suggestion on cages. I'm the mother of 3 sugar gliders and they need a lot of room to jump and play in. I purchased the Madagascar cage and love it.

http://www.exoticnutrition.com/suglca.html

[Elise]

http://www.petsupplies.com/Search.aspx?query=Critter%20Nation%20Small%20Anima l%20Cage


This is where I got my critter nation (1/2" bar spacing). I'm pretty sure this is the best price on the Internet for a new double unit with the 30% off coupon they give you when you first open the site. If it doesn't offer you 30% off, pm me and I'll send you mine.

I got a double unit and single unit and made a triple unit. My two foxers have been over wintered in it and I think they have enough space until release. :grin2