Aivituvin Chew Proof Guinea Pig Cage - 2 Level Metal Frame Small Animal Habitat for Hamsters, Rats & Critters | Durable, Movable & Double Use | Perfect for Indoor Pet Housing & Play Areas

After looking at several cages and studying the reviews I went with this one. I was expecting mediocre wood full of knots, roughly finished. I planned on spending a good amount of time sanding the wood and painting it. My first clue was when I got the box, how heavy it was. That explained the hefty delivery fee. The cage was carefully packed and no damage was evident. The wood was mostly clear of defects. The finish was acceptable and best of all, it was already painted! No need to fill voids, sand, or paint anything - it was fine the way it was. Yeah, OK, I could of done a better job of it myself, but I was happy enough the way it was. Assembly was straightforward. The instructions were easy enough to follow and the parts were all well labeled. Granted I have a LOT of assembly experience, but even so I think pretty much anybody could follow the directions. I do have one quibble with the process however. While the face frames were pre-drilled and (kind of) countersunk, the parts they attached to were not. Drilling into wood without pilot holes is a recipe for splitting. So I used a #6 tapered bit (the screws are all #6 diameter. I work at a hardware store so I notice that kind of thing) to drill the pilot holes, and everything went together without a hitch. Another point in the plus column is the thickness of the bottom tray. In the ad, the manufacturer makes the claim that their tray is heavier than their competitors'. Yeah, I've heard that one before. But this thing was VERY robust, and DEEP! They knocked it out of the park with the tray, which is a shame because I ended up using the bottom part of the cage for storage. I have one rat that lives on the upper deck, and I closed of the bottom part with a little door that was provided. The upper deck is finished with a smooth surface similar to a countertop - no worries about water penetrating and causing the wood to swell or stink of rat pee. I should also mention that the door latches are quite secure and I have no fears of my pet rat getting out. Now then, as to the claim that this cage is chew proof....not so much. Some of the surfaces (the entrances to the two included hideaways, the edges of the ramps) are clad with aluminum, but that's it. If an animal wanted to it could chew its way out. I made sure my rat had plenty of toys, and so far she has not nibbled on any of the wood frame after two weeks. Other comments: the wire mesh is just adequate - not as heavy as regular hardware cloth but it does the job. The acrylic panels at either end help keep bedding in the cage and off the floor. There could have been a higher lip at the front of the top deck, but really spillage has not been a problem at all. You may have problems attaching some water bottles. I have a medium/small-ish bottle that I attached to one of the sloping front doors by taking a piece of coat hanger and bending it to fit. I also appreciate the fact that this cage comes with wheels, which is nice because it is rather heavy. Bottom Line: For me, this cage is a pure winner! Well worth the money.