A History of Guinea Pig Cages: A Learning Curve
Image courtesy of Sally HurleyThe evolution of the guinea pig cage
Years later, when I got guinea pigs as an adult, I bought a plastic bottomed cage with a wire top. It was still unbelievably tiny. I am embarrassed to even post the dimensions of that cage and two pigs lived in it for a few years.
I eventually realized that guinea pigs required more space to be happy and active and splurged on the biggest guinea pig/rabbit cage I could find. It cost me nearly $100 and it was (as I discovered later) still too small for a pair of guinea pigs.
At this point the internet was becoming a common resource and a wealth of information. I learned about C&C (cubes and coroplast) cages at Guinea Pig Cages. I discovered I could build a cage twice the size of my big one, for half the price. It took me a year of looking at C&C cages and reading testimonials before deciding I really needed to build one for myself. I had invested so much in the current cage, I couldn’t see just replacing it with this home-made one. And really, how much difference could there be in only a slightly bigger cage?
image courtesy of Sally HurleyTri-level cage with Willow's divided cage next door
I’ve had a lot of fun with that cage over the years and all of my pigs have enjoyed it. C&C cages are modular. You can add to them, rearrange them, modify them to whatever the current situation requires. I still have that original 2×3 base. It has had a number of levels added to it, removed from it and it was briefly part of a divided 2×5 cage. It is now the base of a triple-decker and half of a divided L-shaped cage for my three pigs.
Guinea pigs are not climbers and generally speaking you want to build a cage out, not up. I had space constraints for the overall footprint, but I wanted to give my guinea pigs more room to run around and hang out. The additional levels took a little time for all of us to adjust to it. But now? Bertie particularly enjoys running up and down the levels. I think she popcorns on the third level and the ramp just because it has more bounce than the ground floor! I believe all of us, both human and guinea pig, really like this cage design. What a contrast from the humble, misinformed, aquarium beginnings. We have all benefited from my extensive education in guinea pig habitats.
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I have learned so much since I have met the guinea pig on line community. I had my beloved cavies in tiny situations too, and feel very bad I did. I relied on books that were supposed to be the most up to date information on G.P. care. Wow, was I wrong! Thanks for the article, Sally. Long live your piglets!
Bertie particularly enjoys running up and down the levels. I think she popcorns on the third level and the ramp just because it has more bounce than the ground floor!
lmao!! Too cute!!!
I too got a 2 storey hutch from a pet store, and I did the c&c cage thing, but had to put them in the hutch for a few days, and they didnt like going back to that. I have a 2×3 c&c at the moment, and the only annoying thing is the fact that for extra stability you need cable ties to secure it which makes it more time consuming when modifying it.
I only recently rediscovered the joy of owning cavies when my two sons asked me to adopt. I was surprised to find out that most of the stuff I knew then had gotten an upgrade in recent years. Like these C&C cages. Back in the days, all you needed was either an aquarium or a wooden hutch and you’re set.
I purchased what I thought was a really big cage – the Welcome Home Hutch on wheels that was 32L by 18.5W by 20H. Took out the metal grill below their feet and lowered the shelf and ramp. Then went online to Cavy sites and saw the C&C ideas. I went to a local department store and bought the grids and some ties and made a nice 2 by 5 portable run. I can set it up and put it away easily and it keeps the dog from getting in and the cavies from getting out and under furniture. I always put a couple of tubes and a box and some lettuce and they race around and amuse the kids. One kid at a time can climb in and say hello too. Because I have cats, I really like the Welcome Home cage for its security and portability (easily moves on wheels for cleaning or just out of the way for company), but I did take some extra grids and purchased some Coroplast and set up a third level using ties within the cage. We call the third level the kitchen because it has the lettuce, carrots, bowls, water bottle and a straw hidey house (14″ by 18.5″). Because it has sides, I have Carefresh on that level too. For a ramp, we actually took one of the bendable log houses and wired it to the grid down to the second level. The second level has a hidey house filled with hay (it’s the built-in shelf and is quite narrow, 11″ by 18.5″). The base level, we call the playroom. It is empty and the ramp is in the middle so they can race around and around. A couple of push toys in there, that’s it. They also love hiding down there and I think they sleep there, so I might put a cuddle bed at one end. They now race up and down the ramps all day. More exercise! It was a fun project to do and gives them so much more square feet. Because the cage is so high, we could fit a third level in.
Yes, I have a Cage (no coroplast yet) with 1 mt and a half for my babies, with a meter long second floor. They have fleece and hay bedding and couches to lean over (they love to jump from second floor to couch!) Although they exercise plenty, I’m not allowed to get more space as the house is not mine
I asked for permission to enlarge it when my baby hits 3rd month and I’m confident I’ll get it. I feel sorry for them, I’d love giving them more room, but they dont seem to mind the space, they sing and popcorn around, they have 2 houses, couches and comfort and the surroundings are peaceful. It has a lot to do with stress, I reckon, having small cages, but even if I feel mine is small, it’s keeping my babies happy.
I heard guinea pigs like these cages, but what about cats and dogs? If a piggie owner owns other animals that could eat the guinea pigs. I think that making a top on t em would be hard, so you can also make a large wooden cage if you have the tools and skills, though I admit, this seems much easier. Also to Lorena, if you don’t feel ,ike you have enough space, make sure you take them out and let them run around once a day. This encourages spending time and popcorning, which is super cute. They love to explore but first you must make sure your room is piggie proof.
Making tops for these is very easy for a single level cage (it can be trickier with multiple levels, if they’re staggered like the one in this article). I’ve seen some lids made from more grids, but I think the best lids are made from wire closet shelving. Two lengths of 16″ closet shelving cut to the length of the cage will cover any 2-grid deep cage, can be built to easily hinge in the middle and would be incredibly strong (no sagging in the middle). I’ve seen some with no latches, other lids latch with binder clips, and even one person that kept the pig lid locked down with a padlock!
There is a photo album of contained cages on the GuineaPigCages website (although a lot of photos don’t have lids… photos in the wrong place?) . I found a couple of good examples on page five of the album: http://www.guineapigcages.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=504&page=5
I want a cavi so bad it’s not funny…however…there is much I wish to learn BEFORE I adopt one, and yes I would like to have an older one or 3…and yes, making a forever home for a cavi begins BEFORE you bring him/her/them home.
Ms.Sally, I can not thank you enough for all you have shared, there are no words to express my thanks & gratitude.
Thank you again Ma’am. 8 )