Building new cage need screen

[GlassEyez]

After losing my first lizard from my fat cat jumping on the cage and tearing the screen from the liner I have thrown the exoterra metal cage away and have built a new wooden cage. I found some metal screen at home depot but wasn't really up to par for what i need. I need a strong metal screen small enough to keep a small lizard and crickets but strong enough that it won't tear if my 12lb cat jumps on top. The screen will be stapled in with 5/16" light duty staples. Anybody know where I can find such a screen for a decent price?

 

[GlassEyez]

Anybody? Any suggestions? Its a wood frame cage

 

[mrfixit01]

After losing my first lizard from my fat cat jumping on the cage and tearing the screen from the liner I have thrown the exoterra metal cage away and have built a new wooden cage. I found some metal screen at home depot but wasn't really up to par for what i need. I need a strong metal screen small enough to keep a small lizard and crickets but strong enough that it won't tear if my 12lb cat jumps on top. The screen will be stapled in with 5/16" light duty staples. Anybody know where I can find such a screen for a decent price?

Had you thought about getting 1/2" hardware wire and putting it on the outside, over the screen wire? Usually in the yard fence area at any hardware store and pretty cheap. Cat won't be able to claw through that!!! Cost maybe $5-7 a roll. Could take one or two rolls total to cover all the sides.

 

[reptoman]

They have screen called petscreen at HD that is PVC coated nylon. Its made for dogs and cats that try and tear screen out and is super strong. It has an added benefit of not being bad for your chams nails that can break off with regular aluminum screen. About the only downside is that it is a little harder to see through than aluminum screen. That is also a benefit to your cham as they are not quite as affected by outside stimuli.

 

[kokom05lb]

They have screen called petscreen at HD that is PVC coated nylon. Its made for dogs and cats that try and tear screen out and is super strong. It has an added benefit of not being bad for your chams nails that can break off with regular aluminum screen. About the only downside is that it is a little harder to see through than aluminum screen. That is also a benefit to your cham as they are not quite as affected by outside stimuli.

I was thinking about using that with the next cages that Im going to build. But are they uvb reflective? When I was looking for screen I seen a couple that kept uvb rays out and know thats not a good thing!

 

[ealizard]

I would just clip the cats nails and squirt the cat when it gets close to the cage ,and it will learn not to , and just use the regular metal screen ,Ive been using it for years and have a cat, just make sure the door latches,

 

[reptoman]

I was thinking about using that with the next cages that Im going to build. But are they uvb reflective? When I was looking for screen I seen a couple that kept uvb rays out and know thats not a good thing!

I dont use petscreen for the top of the cage. It would not be very good for a basking light and could melt. Petscreen would go on sides and bottom.

 

[OfficialChameleon]

Hey!,

So, Funny that you would post this today, since I was just at Home Depot getting some metal mesh for my new lizard cage I am constructing! So I just asked one of the workers where I could find some metal mesh maybe... lets say 1CM sq, and he said "go to the garden portion of the store so when I got there I found smaller rolls of it, 24" wide and 5' in length for $8 a roll, this I believe will work fine Good luck, and you have one mean cat :O

 

[GlassEyez]

thanks for the suggestions guys. i think im gonna go with the hardware wire mentioned by mrfixit. its not the sides that im worried about. its the top 24"x24" square im worried about. the exo terra cage i had the cat had jumped on top of it and it gave way to his fatness and the screen ripped right out of the liner. He is an evil bastard. i think some of the mentioned hardware wire across the top should do just fine heres a couple pix of my feline monster

 

[ealizard]

I put a piece of wood across the top then cut out an area for the lights and then put the screen on top stapeled to the wood around the edges, Im working on some cages to, the wood can be thin like luan 1/4 , will take phots soon,

 

[mrfixit01]

Ha ha ha he looks so evil! No really, cute kitty kitty...he's just sitting there like "what'cha get for me? Purrr" Just wants - has - to be center of attention doesn't he?!