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If your hamster’s cage is less than inspiring, then we’ve got good news for you! It’s pretty easy to create your own DIY hamster cages, rather than buying an expensive ready-made one.
Hamsters need safe and secure places to sleep at night, so even if you let your hamster out for exercise during the day, you’ll need a cage for them to hang out in at other times too.
We’ve done the hard work for you and found eight of the best DIY hamster cages — and the best part is that they’re all free!
From a super-stylish Palm Springs-inspired cage to one using an easily available Ikea bookshelf, pick your favorite and start building!
Each plan includes a list of the tools and materials you’ll need, as well as an approximate suggestion of the level of DIY skill you’ll need to successfully build each project.
For each plan, we’ve assumed that you already have all the vital accessories your hamster needs, such as bedding, wheel, water bottle, and a cozy house.
It’s worth noting that there is a minimum recommended size for hamster cages, so make sure your new project gives your hamster enough space to move around comfortably. The ASPCA recommends a minimum tank size of 10 gallons for Syrian hamsters, but they do mention that it’s best to get the biggest cage you can afford!
1. Palm Springs Hamster Cage by The Sorry Girls
Skill Level: Beginner
If your hamster would like a minimalist and stylish cage, then this tutorial by The Sorry Girls uses an old aquarium to provide an eye-catching new home for your hamster, including a wheel, elevated house, succulent plants, and even a super-cute swing. Besides the written tutorial, you can find a YouTube video here. We’d recommend adding a wire mesh top to stop your tiny critter from making any escape attempts!
- Glass aquarium
- Plywood
- Hot glue
- Wood glue
- Popsicle sticks
- Small nails
- Twine
- Hamster-safe plants and accessories
- Suction cups
- Hot glue gun
- Craft knife
2. Ikea Billy Hamster Cage by Small Furry Friend
Skill Level: Beginner to Medium
This hamster cage by Small Furry Friend is clever because it uses an Ikea bookshelf frame and glass shelf to provide most of the cage structure. All you need to do is to create a mesh roof, and your hamster will have a large and stylish new home!
- Ikea Billy Extension
- Ikea Billy glass shelf
- Wooden planks
- Aquarium silicon
- Wire mesh
- Nails
- Hammer
3. High-Life Hamster Mansion From Instructables
Skill Level: Beginner
If your hamster would like a bit of multi-level living in a cute mansion, then you can upcycle an old doll’s house using this tutorial from Instructables. Many of the materials needed can be found around the house, so besides being an easy project, this one is budget friendly too. Be sure to choose a doll’s house with enough floor space for your hamster.
- Old doll’s house
- Plastic netting
- Hot glue
- Spray paint
- Paper clips
- Small wooden planks
- Staple gun
- Hot glue gun
- Knife or scissors
4. Victoria Raechel’s Large DIY Hamster Cage
Skill Level: Medium
This large hamster cage made by Victoria Raechel uses melamine back, sides, and base with a glass front to create a deep and airy hamster cage. If your hamster loves to burrow, then you can add a deep layer of bedding to this cage to give them plenty of room to dig to their heart’s content. The large floor space of this cage measures 1,152 square inches.
- Melamine wood
- Glass sheet
- Four wheels
- Wire mesh
- Wood strips
- Melamine tape
- Aquarium silicon
- Wood glue
- Staples
- Screws
- Drill
- Nail gun
- Saw
- Clamps
- Staple gun
- Tin snips
5. Dad V Girls DIY Hamster Cage
Skill Level: Medium
This video tutorial from Dad V Girls shows how to make a large wooden hamster cage with a clear plastic front. Using non-toxic animal-safe paint, you can paint this any color you like! There’s a raised platform, sand bath, hamster wheel, and plenty of places for your hamster to explore and burrow in their new home.
- Wood
- Clear plastic
- Wood dowels
- Wood glue
- Saw
6. Budget Ikea Detolf Hamster Cage by Victoria Raechel
Skill Level: Beginner
This is another budget hack from Victoria Raechel: a long hamster cage using an Ikea Detolf glass display cabinet to create the main cage structure. While an equivalent-sized glass aquarium would cost around $900, this Ikea Detolf comes in at just $70! It is quite narrow but will provide your hamster with around 940 square inches of running room.
- Ikea Detolf display cabinet
- Wood planks
- Wire mesh
- Staples
- Small handles
- Drill
7. Acrylic Lookalike Aquarium Hamster Cage from Instructables
Skill Level: Beginner to Medium
This DIY hamster cage from Instructables uses four pre-cut panels of clear acrylic glass for an aquarium-style hamster cage on a budget. You can also add a platform with a ladder for your hamster to explore, and the tank is deep enough for them to enjoy plenty of burrowing. You can follow the YouTube tutorial here.
- Pre-cut clear acrylic panels
- Wood screws
- Acrylic glass glue
- Craft knife
- Screwdriver
8. Plastic Crate Cage from Hammy Happenings
Skill Level: Beginner
This plastic crate cage from Hammy Happenings can be put together in a couple of hours. There’s plenty of ventilation, thanks to the mesh top and sides. The design here uses two levels to create space for your hamster to explore. You can use a plastic tunnel internally or externally to provide access between the levels.
- Wire mesh
- Cable ties
- Plastic crates
- Duct tape
- Nuts and bolts
- Metal ruler
- Soldering iron
- Knife
That’s a wrap!
We hope that you enjoyed our round-up of the eight best DIY hamster cages that you can start building today. Whatever your level of DIY skill, one of these plans is bound to suit you. From a cute doll’s house cage to a roomy run made from an Ikea display unit, there’s something for everyone.
Your hamster will be more than happy with their new home!
Featured Image: CrizzlDizzl from Pixabay
An avid animal lover, Roland started this blog to help all varieties of pets and their owners on their journey to living their best lives.