Question, don't be mad.

[oscar54]

I hope I dont offend the creator/creators off the site when I ask this question...I'm just very curious and share the same opininions as most of the people here.

So I was wondering, who came up with the idea of creating C&C cages because it sure is genius! Which brings me to this... All the information given on this site, where do the sources come from...like did the person whos info this belongs too just type it up coming from there own good/bad experiences? Because if this is the case this whole website is just opinions of people correct? (dont forget I share these opinions, so am against breeding and showing etc.etc.)

So when people come on here as new guests why do we tell them that they HAVE to have a C&C cage? Im sure very caring people could give just as much care to a pig in a store bought cage then somone could in a C&C cage. I don't know if I'm right or not, but thats just how I see it.

I mean, I've read tons and tons of books and alot of the information I read is stuff many many people here say isnt true and that its wrong. But the authors are clearly writing to inform other people based on there own experiences wich are good and bad. No books have ever talked about a C&C but talk mostly about pens and storebought. Many even talk about laptime and good things like what to feed and such. So why are storebought cages so bad?If the authors of these books have had good experiences with them, then why shouldnt they write about them right? Why are we convincing people that they are the worst things in the world? Before finding this site we had 1 guinea pig and a good sized storbought and he was the happiest thing in the worl. We gave him a C&C just because they are so much cooler(I love them) but theres no change in his attitude. We give him everything he needs and hes very loved.
So could you answer my question? Dont be angry I'm just really curious how the whole thing got started. There should be books out there about C&C and such if we really want people to know about them.
Thanks

[VoodooJoint]

Originally Posted by oscar54

So I was wondering, who came up with the idea of creating C&C cages because it sure is genius!

Here is a link all about Teresa's trials and tribulations and how the cages were created and why
http://www.cavycages.com/aboutus.htm

Originally Posted by oscar54

Which brings me to this... All the information given on this site, where do the sources come from...like did the person whos info this belongs too just type it up coming from there own good/bad experiences? Because if this is the case this whole website is just opinions of people correct?

If you read the link you will see that Teresa runs a GP rescue. Good rescuers tend to learn alot more about GP because they see so many in so many different stages of health. They speak to a Vet often and have a network of other knowledgable people to compare and talk to. Teresa also relies on http://guinealynx.info for health info. There are a lot of cavy savy people that hang out there. So I would have to say that non of the info on T's site is opinion...it's fact.

Originally Posted by oscar54

So when people come on here as new guests why do we tell them that they HAVE to have a C&C cage? Im sure very caring people could give just as much care to a pig in a store bought cage then somone could in a C&C cage.

I'm sure there are people that love their GP a lot and keep it in a pet store cage. The problem is that pet store cages are too small. Gps need more room.

Originally Posted by oscar54

I mean, I've read tons and tons of books and alot of the information I read is stuff many many people here say isnt true and that its wrong. But the authors are clearly writing to inform other people based on there own experiences wich are good and bad. No books have ever talked about a C&C but talk mostly about pens and storebought. Many even talk about laptime and good things like what to feed and such. So why are storebought cages so bad?If the authors of these books have had good experiences with them, then why shouldnt they write about them right?

Most of those books are outdated (all that i have seen) so C&C cages weren't even around then. They were written by breeders. They are also written to sell pet store products. You are reading VERY biased information.

Originally Posted by oscar54

Why are we convincing people that they are the worst things in the world?

We aren't. We are educating them. We are assuming that they love their pet and want what is best for it.

Originally Posted by oscar54

Before finding this site we had 1 guinea pig and a good sized storbought and he was the happiest thing in the worl. We gave him a C&C just because they are so much cooler(I love them) but theres no change in his attitude. We give him everything he needs and hes very loved.

But he's alone. He is lonely. He needs a friend.

Originally Posted by oscar54

There should be books out there about C&C and such if we really want people to know about them.
Thanks

There will be a book. Soon. Teresa is looking for pictures of C&C cages for it now. The GP world is about to change. But don't expect to see it in the pet shops. Unless a book sells their product they won't carry it.

[TheQueen]

Well, Voodoo already beat me to it, but here's my bit.

I think that before, the standard cage size was smaller, and pet store cages were modeled after that ideal size. Then the size changed, after research. No pet store cages were big enough, and then someone thought up the idea for C&C cages, which were indeed big enough. We tell people to get them because they are the right size for their pig to live and be happy and healthy. They're cheaper than pet store cages too. About the books, C&C cages are fairly new, I believe, and they aren't "name brand" or anything. There's no C&C company that you can buy them from. Maybe the authors haven't heard of them, or maybe they just mention guinea pig cage brands, like Mariochio (or something like that). And maybe some of the books are out of date, and the info in them has been changed?

[oscar54]

Ok...Good answers to everything. I was just very curious since the site is so vast and expanding and such. Glad things are alot cleared up now. Thanks guyes!!!

[VoodooJoint]

Your welcome. Glad it cleared things up.

[Teria]

Besides, it's about space, not necessarily about C&C as a dogma. Here in Germany, the cubes and coroplast are basically unknown. I searched the whole country and bought the last 9 cubes from a decoration store in Munich - they don't sell them anymore cause people here don't know there's such a cool use for them.

I experimented quite a bit, I mixed cubes, storebought cages and freerange grids, and no one on Cavycages here said that what I did was crap. Everybody said it was okay as long as the pigs had enough space. My cage still looks nothing like the cool piggy castles you guys have - it's more a patchwork home but my pigs are happy, and that's what counts.

I'm now advertising in my german cavy forums - and people are warming up towards the C&C (it will be C&PVC here, I think) idea. And I'm thinking of talking the store in Munich to take them back into their program and sell them as cavy cages. Or I'll even do it myself cause the idea is just so good.

[Skyenoir]

Actually, I did find a book/magazine at a petstore, before I stopped shopping at petstores, that mentioned Teresa and C&C cages. I can't remember if that is why I came to this site, but I know I saw the C&C cages on Ebay before I even got guinea pigs. But there are books out there that mention them! There were even several quotes in there from Teresa. I don't have the name of the book right now because I am out of town and the book is at home, though.

[CavySpirit]

We gave him a C&C just because they are so much cooler(I love them) but theres no change in his attitude. We give him everything he needs and hes very loved.

In good part, why you haven't seen a change in behavior with your guinea pig is because you only have one. You really should have another guinea pig friend for it. And I'm not just 'saying' that. Not only is it my and the experience of thousands of other cavy caretakers that they are happier in pairs or more, it is scientifically stated and proven. If you go to my social life page on Cavy Spirit, http://cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm, you can read more about it along with the quoted scientific studies.

Also, there are over 400 testimonials on this site alone of people who's pigs state of happiness (if you want to call it that) do, in fact, improve by increasing the cage size. However, you'll also read that most of the people have two or more pigs, not a solitary pig. You're missing out on a lot of piggie behavior and antics by only having one.

Also, I've covered a lot of ground on explaining HOW the small cage size standard evolved. Perhaps you missed this page on my site (which hasn't been converted to the new look, but all the content is there): http://cavycages.com/references.htm

I really suggest taking a few minutes to read that page. I put a lot of effort into that reseach. I'll add more after I get a the site overhaul done.

[CavySpirit]

Keep in mind that for breeders, especially the ones writing the books, cavies are stock, not pets--despite any protests to the contrary -- actions speak louder than words. They house them accordingly. Imagine telling someone that comes to your house to buy a pig, "do as I say and not as I do." Ha! No way.