C&C Alternatives Want a nicer option instead of C&C

[CoriL]

We want to build a larger cage for our piglet, but the C&C doesn't fit with the rest of the furnishings. We want something nicer that we can customize for our piglet, and that is safe, but don't know where to start. Wood doesn't seem like a good option because she'd be able to chew it and it's hard to clean. Do they make stainless steel cages that are customizable?

 

[zaylea]

I've seen cube kits that come in chrome. You might have to really do some hunting though. At Target, they sell cube kits in chrome, white, and black. However, the grids aren't the same size and are actually 2 different sizes in the same box. You'd need to overlap the grids.

I had a similar problem with coordinating things. I couldn't find white grids in the correct size anywhere and black was out of the question. So, I used the closetmaid white grids for my stand, and then ordered white grids online. Then I used white binder edging on the coroplast to make it look neater (which also prevents them chewing on the coroplast and making it look ragged.) My cage ended up looking like this.


Edit: Also wanted to add there are a few store bought cages that might be acceptable for 2 pigs here: Guinea Pig Cages

 

[Inle_Rabbit]

Oh I know! I love the space of the C&C but it does -look- like a armatures home made cage. Which it is so I guess that makes sense. lol I'm holding out until we buy our house and then can make a cage to fit the space we will have there but here are a few cages that I really liked!

Perspex cage - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

Candy Cherry home - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

Cavy Condos #1 - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

 

[bpatters]

Look through the Photo Galleries and the alternatives to C&C cages.

Also, before you decide on a cage, you might consider getting your piggy a friend. They're herd animals, and with very few cranky exceptions, they're much happier with another guinea pig.

 

[zaylea]

Oh I know! I love the space of the C&C but it does -look- like a armatures home made cage. Which it is so I guess that makes sense. lol I'm holding out until we buy our house and then can make a cage to fit the space we will have there but here are a few cages that I really liked!

Perspex cage - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

Candy Cherry home - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

Cavy Condos #1 - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

I sooo wanted to do something like the 1st one. I live in a condo though, so we would have had to go use the community woodshop to build something like that, and it just didn't seem worthwhile for a place I'd only be in for a few years. I mean, the great thing about the C&C is that fact that it's so easy to disassemble and move/reconfigure.

 

[Inle_Rabbit]

I agree, the reconfiguring capabilities of a C&C is awesome and they are cheap compared to building something like the cages above but now that I have found a size that works well for me, I'd really like to build something more permanent as soon as we find out house! =D

 

[Inle_Rabbit]

Here is another one I really love. If our playroom/gameroom is big enough (or if there is one at all lol ) this is what I would love to do once we have a house.

Living Room - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

 

[Llamasomething]

C&Cs don't have to look cheap!

For the bottom, if you buy a piggy bedspread (or sew one yourself) that covers the outside of the coroplast too, you can't tell that the bottom is coroplast because it's just covered by fleece! (And you could do whatever colours suit your house best) and if you don't like the connectors looking cheap with the grids, you can Zip-tie them together, one small zip on the top and bottom corners of each grid, (You can buy zip ties in different colours to match the grids), cut off the excess and you can't even see them!

I have also heard of people spray-painting their grids to a colour that they liked best. I didn't hear how well that worked out for them, but as long as your piggy isn't one who likes to chew on anything and everything, you could spray the grids to match your furniture!

I have seen cages looking nicer with the wire-closet shelving used for sides, it looks very neat and uniform with the coroplast still as a bottom. I know there are a few like that in the gallery!

For my cage since I'm using fleece only and not loose bedding, I opted to have 3" sides instead of 6" sides for the coroplast, which looks a lot better. (And lets the piggies see what's going on without having to stretch their little heads above the sides!)

I wish you the best of luck in designing a cage that works for both you and your piggies!

 

[zaylea]

I agree with the fleece thing. I'd been wanting guinea pigs for a while, but thought wood shavings and carefresh looked nasty. When I read about fleece bedding, I was sold.

 

[C. Cole-Chakotay]

I have C&C cages and I think they look neat. I use fleece and that really dresses them up.

 

[CoriL]

These are nice! Thanks! Would there be enough ventilation with the plexiglass sides I wonder?

Oh I know! I love the space of the C&C but it does -look- like a armatures home made cage. Which it is so I guess that makes sense. lol I'm holding out until we buy our house and then can make a cage to fit the space we will have there but here are a few cages that I really liked!

Perspex cage - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

Candy Cherry home - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

Cavy Condos #1 - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

 

[CoriL]

We are in the middle of moving to a new apartment. Just signed the contract and should be closing mid January. Yay! As soon as we move, we are going to look for 1 or 2 friends for our piggy. Never thought about getting a guinea pig, this one just fell into our lives and we couldn't be happier. My grandmother found her in her backyard one day during the summer. When she couldn't find her owners or anyone to take her, we drove over and caught her and took her home before it got cold.