Question about making cubes

[arumberg]

Firstly, let me say that I admire all the wonderful cage products that are available for sale. However, one of my rats is a chewer so I can't bring myself to buy anything knowing that they won't last for more than a few weeks, so I've decided to make my own. I am currently working on a cube, but I have a few questions. I have been looking at the pictures of cubes that are available, and it doesn't seem that any of the hanging loops are actually made out of fleece. One is even made of ribbons. Is there a particular reason that fleece isn't used for the hanging loops? Is it too stretchy? Can I use fleece, or would using something else work better? If so, what could I use? I just don't want to waste my time making a cube and have it not be able to hang right.

Thanks!

[moonstream]

personally, I would use something else, fleece is just so stretchy and easily chewed through.  I think that something rigid would work best for chewers, maybe something metal like binder clips sewn diretly into the cube.

[MaevePotter]

You can use fleece, but it is a little stretchy. A lot of us use quilt binding, which you can find in a fabric store, or even at walmart. You can also use ribbons, or grommets.

[KoalaLou2]

The grommets would be a good idea for chewers.  You'd have to use eight grommets, two in each corner.

[MaevePotter]

actually you can use 4 if you just put the corner of the roof and the side together.

[Scubbs]

I used to use fleece for the loops when I first started making cubes.  Make sure that it's blizzard fleece (the non-furry, not-very-stretchy kind).  Usually it stretches in one direction, but not the other.  The 'ribbons' are double bias tape, which you can purchase at JoAnn Fabrics, and probably any other store with fabric.

[mandycoot]

My youngest girls are terrible chewers, so they don't get cubes anymore. It's so sad, I loooove Astrid's cubes but I just can't justify buying them now when they're eaten through after a day in the cage. I've relegated the bRats to waffle block houses filled with fleece scraps -- something you may want to consider for the sake of saving money!