If you have thought about purchasing a guinea pig and heard the pet store assistant make reference to a C&C cage then you’ve probably wondered exactly what type of cage that is? If this is the case then this article will answer this question for you as well as tell you how to make a C&C cage of your own.

The expression C&C means coroplast and cubes. Coroplast is really the company trade name name but the commodity is basically furrowed plastic which is small sheets of plastic that are separated by empty columns. Cubes is referring to the square metallic grids that you would use in making storage cubes. Chances are you’ve seen these types of storage cubes in many stores today.

In essence your C&C cage is a custom made and designed guinea pig cage. You use square metallic grids for the outside partitions and then the coroplast lays within the cage to make the floor or bottom.

Are there advantages to a C&C cage?

Guinea pig owners find that the reason they like to make their own C&C cages is due to the fact that most of the ones you will find for purchase that are available for guinea pig use are just to little.  If you own one guinea pig that little piggy needs a cage that is about 7.5 square feet. Most of the commercially made cages are about 42”L x 20”W x 22”H.

The various sizes of the metallic grids will allow you the guinea pig owner a way in which to design a assortment of cage sizes to suit your guinea pig and you. Also the coroplast is very effortless to work with as it’s non toxic, strong, waterproof and lightweight.

This also means it is really simple to clean. Aw, now I’ve got your attention! Many C&C cage owners have said that their cages have lasted for more than 5 years. Since the materials are so simple to use this will let you design more charming and luxuriant cages which can include features like multiple levels. Just think you can make your little piggy a home with several stories to play in.

When selecting the materials what should you consider?

Make sure that you realize that while the metallic grid cubes themselves come in standard sizes, the grid spacing can differ from manufacturers. When you look at some of the grid spacing and layouts you will see that many are to large. A 14in square cube that has a 5 x 5 layout would be too large.

One of the dangers of the grid size not being small enough is that your guinea pig could quite possibly get his head stuck through the sides and this could cause him to become strangled. This would not be good for your little piggy. So if you are considering building your own C&C cage choose a grid layout of 9 x 9. This one usually has 1.5in spacing and is the fail-safe for your guinea pig.

How do I make a C and C Cage?

• The first thing to decide on is the size of the cage that you plan to build.
• Next purchase as many holding cubes as needed.
• Once this is done then lay them out and decide the diverse arrangements to determine which you like the best.
• Once that has been decided then you need to connect them together. You can do this with the connectors which has been provided. This is important: these connectors are not very strong and it is recommended that you use two cable ties for reinforcement. One at the top side and one at the bottommost.
• Next measure the width and length. This way you have the measurements for creating the coroplast inner walls that you will deposit down inside. Be sure and make them just a little littler than the actual measurements or they will not fit properly.

• Remember that you are only making four sides and a bottom, so leave the top open.

You might also want a lining of 5 or 6 in. about the sides for storing the bedding or hay. For this you might use a razor or craft knife as you can mark a side which will allow you to be able to fold the stuff up.   At each corner you will need to have the length of the liner cut through. You can do a individual horizontal or a vertical cut. This allows the coroplast to shape to the corners when folded together. The corners can then be sealed with tape.
Last but not least, place your coroplast box within the metallic grids.

That’s it, your done now.  Isn’t the C&C cage much nicer than the pre-made ones that you looked at?   Now that wasn’t to hard either!

Want to see a video of a C&C cage being made?