Is it Safe? A whole new idea, but will it work? - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**LauLeaf** · #1 12-28-07, 11:03 pm

Hi there, fellow piggle lovers!

My name is Laura, and I'm a huge animal lover. I currently own 4 hamsters = 2 male syrians and 2 female roborovskis. I would love a pair of guinea pigs, but my mom won't allow me to have one...at least for now.

I'll get there, I mean, I got to having 4 hamsters!

Anyway, to the question. I did a lot of research on piggles and love the C and C cage. Tonight though, I was looking at cages online and saw that the website supplied bottom pans for cages. I looked around and saw a pan that was 30" by 36" and remembered that this is the minimum dimension for C and C cages. I really liked the thought and it became an idea!

So here is my plan:
Instead of using chloroplast or linoleom for the base, we could use the pan and put the grids around it.

To see the pan, go here:

Martin's Cages Inc. - The source for all your pet cage needs.

I'm sure many of us are familiar with Martin's Cages. Scroll down to the one that is PAN-220. It should have the dimensions of 30"X36" and be $22.00.

So, would it work?

**socal805** · #2 12-28-07, 11:23 pm

Those measurements are most likely the outer dimension measurements and not the inner useable dimensions. I don't think it would be big enough. You should be able to get corolpast for about $22.00, call around to your local sign shops and see what they have to say about it!

**LauLeaf** · #3 12-28-07, 11:27 pm

I thought that too, but what if it were the inner dimensions, would it work then?

**catzeye21138** · #4 12-29-07, 12:11 am

If it were the inner dimentions, yeah. But I do'nt think it would be worth ordering it when you could just get some coroplast. And then you could add more onto it later!

**CavyHubby** · #5 12-29-07, 05:21 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by LauLeaf

Hi there, fellow piggle lovers!

My name is Laura, and I'm a huge animal lover. I currently own 4 hamsters = 2 male syrians and 2 female roborovskis. I would love a pair of guinea pigs, but my mom won't allow me to have one...at least for now.

I'll get there, I mean, I got to having 4 hamsters!

Anyway, to the question. I did a lot of research on piggles and love the C and C cage. Tonight though, I was looking at cages online and saw that the website supplied bottom pans for cages. I looked around and saw a pan that was 30" by 36" and remembered that this is the minimum dimension for C and C cages. I really liked the thought and it became an idea!

So here is my plan:
Instead of using chloroplast or linoleom for the base, we could use the pan and put the grids around it.

To see the pan, go here:

Martin's Cages Inc. - The source for all your pet cage needs.

I'm sure many of us are familiar with Martin's Cages. Scroll down to the one that is PAN-220. It should have the dimensions of 30"X36" and be $22.00.

So, would it work?

No, It would not work for my cage, I run a 8" border on my pan. I think the smallest pan border I have seen is 5", so I don't think that pan would work for many applications.

Safe Journies
Samuel

**babybunny** · #6 12-29-07, 10:38 am

The thing about that would be:
1) 30x36 is the bare minimum for a piggie or 2 sows. While it may seem like a lot to a new owner, in reality it still isn't a whole lot of room left when you add in hideys, dishes, toys, etc.
2) You can usually get a whole sheet of coroplast for that or even less.
3) With a pan, it would be much more difficult to add on later.
4) With Coroplast, you aren't restricted to just one shape, yo can cut it to fit your room, nooks and crannies.

Hope this helps a bit.

**CavySpirit** · #7 12-29-07, 11:27 am

The pan isn't really deep enough to hold shavings and hay in. It would be okay of you used fleece I guess. However, the big thing with those metal pans is they become a bear to clean and usually the edges are sharp (to you, not the pigs). Coroplast is a much friendlier material. You are still much better off finding a sheet of Coroplast.

And when you finally figure out that the pan isn't really big enough in the long run, you won't be stuck with a metal pan.

**JarBax** · #8 12-29-07, 11:28 am

I don't really see where this idea is new - it would just be a normal pet store cage base with grids instead of standard cage. There are so many advantages to get away from a normal cage base, which is where the coroplast comes into it's element. If you are having difficulty in finding coroplast, check out older threads on where people have found theirs - or linoleum is an OK alternative, ore tarpaulin or a shower curtain.

I just find the thought of using a pan base restrictive, especially as it is not so big - though with mesh grids it may well be a fab idea for your hamsters!

**LauLeaf** · #9 12-29-07, 03:25 pm

Thanks for the opinion guys! I checked the shipping anyway...and was blown to see that it totaled $52.38 for the cheapest shipping price! Gee, what a rip-off!

It's not that I can't find Chloroplast, although it's a little hard, it's just I'm afraid I'll mess it up when I cut it. Got any tips?

**Jenni_Feathers** · #10 12-29-07, 03:33 pm

Just remember there is always tape if you cut it wrong

**babybunny** · #11 12-29-07, 05:04 pm

If you know the dimensions you want it, you can ask them at the sign store if they will do it for you. I cut my first one by myself and well.. its interesting to say the least. Hehe, thankfully packing tape fixed it. The second time I asked the sign store to do it for me, they cut it for 5 dollars extra. I was glad to pay the extra to have the peace of mind knowing it would be done right.