The Perks of a C&C Cage

We get it - finding the right cage for your precious pets isn’t easy. Pet shops advertise traditional cages (that are much too small!) while the online community shows off DIY masterpieces that require a team of carpenters. So how can you find the right cage for you, without compromising quality or sacrificing hours of snuggle time with your pets?

Read on for the best tips and tricks to find the right C&C cage for guinea pigs, decide where to buy C&C cages, and choose your favourite C&C cage designs for guinea pigs!

What’s a C&C cage?

C&C cages are handy, spacious habitats for small pets, made from cubes and coroplast - and that’s where the name comes from. The C&C cage designs for guinea pigs have been around for over 40 years, and got very popular with guinea pig and rabbit parents recently. So popular, actually, that small animal experts and vets often recommend these cages as the best option for small animals.

The grid panels, or cubes, are made from powder-coated steel, so they’re pet-proof even if a cheeky cavy chews the bars. These grids link together with connectors to form the base, walls, and lid of the habitat. Coroplast sheets for a C&C cage, or corrugated plastic, are used for the base of the cage and are easy to clean.

The numbers in the cage’s name show how many grids are used for the cage’s exterior. For example, if you get a 6x2 C&C cage for guinea pigs, the cage will be made using 2 grids in width and 6 grids in length. If you choose a cage with a lid or stand, you’ll then add extra grids for those parts. Simple, right?

The space and flexibility of a C&C cage setup is why so many small pet lovers across the world use the flexible, roomy cages to help their companions live better lives!

Top reasons to choose a C&C cage

1. Room to popcorn, binky, and be themselves

Guinea pigs and rabbits around the globe popcorn and binky happily in their C&C grid cage - because they have the space to do so! Traditional pet shop cages are much too small for the active pets who love to run and play. The C&C cage setup provides the room our furry friends need to unfold their fun personalities in full.

Even Kavee’s smaller cages, like the 4x2 C&C cage for guinea pigs recommended for 2 pigs, are much larger than the minimum cage recommendations in the EU or UK. At Kavee, we know that small pets need room to stay happy and healthy, so we always recommend opting for the largest cage that fits your space.

2. Recommended by Small Pet Experts

Small animal experts across the globe recommend these indoor guinea pig cages for our pets, from vets to experienced rescuers. Saskia from LA Guinea Pig Rescue suggests that a Kavee cage set up is ‘great for piggies' because it gives them the space to exercise and stay healthy.

Many traditional cages consist of plastic base parts that slant inwards, cutting down on your pigs’ much needed living space. It can be so difficult to figure out the real room available to your pets in those cages. With a C&C cage, what you see is what you get - a spacious area for your energetic fur babies. No wonder vets and guinea pig experts recommend them!

3. Flexibility to suit your needs

A C&C grid cage is the building blocks of the small pet world. You can easily adjust the layout by moving, adding, or removing single grid panels. You can make your cavies’ habitat bigger, combine a stand with a loft & ramp for extra space & storage like in this 4x2 C&C cage, or even change the shape to fit your space - the ceiling’s the limit!

You can even build a playpen that attaches to the cage. In short, you can adapt the cage to your pets’ needs - and your own - at any point. And the best part? No DIY skills required!

4. Easy assemble without DIY

Putting together and adapting your C&C cage setup requires no DIY expertise or tools. The cages come with a cut-to-size coroplast base and grids and connectors that fit together neatly. Our video tutorials are full of useful tips and simple step-by-step guides - give them a watch!

And when you’ve built your cage in record time, you can spend more quality time with your furry friends.

5. Keeping small pets safe

New piggy parents often assume their pets will feel safest near the ground. Small animal experts say the opposite is true - a C&C cage with a stand helps guinea pigs get comfortable quickly, perfect for bonding time!

The extra storage is an added bonus: all your piggy accessories and cleaning materials in one spot. Make it both functional and pretty with our stylish storage boxes for a neater guinea pig house!

6. Perfect even for baby pigs

Kavee’s C&C grids are carefully constructed with extra thin meshing that keeps even the smallest pigs safe and sound in their new home. Baby guinea pigs as young as 8 weeks can live in a Kavee cage set up.

Do remember to run a test with your own pets - after all, guinea pigs come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and levels of mischief!

7. Enrich your pets’ lives

Guinea pigs are smart, social, and energetic pets… and if they get bored, they can get up to no good. At Kavee, we know that space and enrichment are key to your pets’ wellbeing. That’s why we created adaptable cages that give your piggies something new to explore every day - like a loft you can fill with treats and accessories!

By adding hideys and tunnels, you can make sure that your piggy stays comfortable and busy in their cage.

8. Cage cleaning day just got easier

Cleaning C&C cages is so much easier than traditional pet shop cages. The open top allows pet parents to reach every corner of the cage with ease while the base is made from solid coroplast sheets which are quick to wipe down.

And a few extras make life with a C&C guinea pig cage even more efficient, like our range of all-natural and pet-safe cleaning products. Plus, reaching those cage corners becomes even easier with a cage on a stand!

9. A style to match your home

Long gone are the days of boring pet shop cages that are an eyesore in your home. Make your piggy palace part of your home décor - stylish and practical in one with these C&C cage ideas for guinea pigs!

Kavee’s C&C cages are available with white or black grids and even with transparent panels, so your pets can enjoy watching you as much as you enjoy watching them. You can also get the coroplast sheets for the C&C cage, fleece liners, and accessories in a wealth of designs and colours to fit your aesthetic. Now you have only one dilemma: which design do you like best?

Assembling a C&C cage

Putting your Kavee cage set up together is much simpler than you think. All cage elements are tailored to each other, so it’s just a matter of connecting the grids and adding the coroplast sheets for your C&C cage to the mix. There’s no need for tools or a degree in DIY - these cages are suitable for all small pet parents.

You can find a simple step-by-step guide here and lots of video tutorials:

And if you want to add custom elements to your cage, don’t forget to share your favourite C&C cage ideas for guinea pigs with the Kavee Kommunity.

The different types of C&C cages

All C&C cages are made from cubes, also known as grids, and coroplast as the base. So they’re all the same, right? Not at all! Between different brands, size, material, and quality vary a great deal. So what type of C&C cage for guinea pigs should you be looking for?

The grids or cubes for these cages can be different heights, have different mesh spacing, and even different coating. All of these points are important for the safety of your pets. If the mesh spacing is too big, could your pet get stuck in it? If the grids are too small, could your pet jump out of the cage? If the paint on the grids is toxic, will your pets get sick?

The coroplast base can also become a hazard for your precious pet. Sharp edges and toxic material can hurt the small furries. To keep your beloved pets safe, it’s important to check carefully where to buy C&C cages from. Let’s find out how!

How to pick the right C&C cage

Now that we know not all C&C cages are made equal, how can we make sure you pick the right one for your piggies? Consider carefully where to buy your C&C cages from with these tips.

Pick the size - The first thing to pick is the cage size for your herd, and we’ve designed a super helpful tool to help you find out: the Cage Builder! Simply answer a series of questions to find out exactly what type of C&C cage is best for your furry friends. Alternatively, follow this graphic:

Grid safety - Make sure the grids are the right size and mesh spacing for your pets. Kavee cage grids are made with thin, rectangular meshing, so your piggies can’t get stuck in them. Rectangular meshing is a hazard, especially for baby pigs, and should be avoided wherever possible.

Get the right coroplast - Coroplast sheets for C&C cages come in various sizes and qualities. If you want a solid and lightweight base, it’s important to pick the right density, or grammage. The ideal coroplast grammage is around 650 mm per square, so the base is strong yet flexible. Kavee’s coroplast sheets are cut to your cage’s size with lock-in slots, so you don’t have to worry about sharp edges or an ill-fitting cage base for your cage. We’ve also made sure that our cage bases are low enough for all piggies to see the world around them.

Consider the materials - The materials are also key for a safe small pet habitat. Paint can be toxic for our furry friends, since they tend to explore the world with their mouth. That’s why Kavee cages use a non-toxic paint and coroplast that won’t harm your guinea pigs.

Making your cage a home

Now that you’ve picked the perfect cage for your precious pets, you can select the right accessories to make it a piggy palace. The first thing to consider is bedding! There are different types of bedding for small pets, and we believe that fleece liners are the best option for your pets and you.

The absorbent fleece layers keep your piggies nice and dry, while giving them a soft snooze spot. They’re also easy to clean and reusable, so in the long run, fleece liners will save you money and reduce your pets’ carbon pawprint. Plus, they come in fun, adorable, and stylish designs, so you can customise the cage to fit your aesthetic!

Next, your pigs like a hiding spot or two, and there’s a wide range of options for you here. Whether it’s hideys or the royal treatment with a wooden castle, your pigs will love popcorning from one to the next.

And while you’re sorting the interior design of your piggy palace, make sure to add accessories that allow your pigs to rediscover their home every day. Fleece tunnels or cuddle cups, so make sure to take a look at our range of accessories! Finally, there are some practical elements you may want to add to your cage, like a water bowl and hay bag. And you’re ready to go!

How to care for a C&C cage

Now that your cage is put together and set up, you may be wondering how to clean and maintain your cage. To make sure you and your pets are getting the most out of your new cage, set up a rigorous cleaning routine. Most piggy parents spot-clean their cage every day, removing leftover food, piggy poop, and swapping out pee pads. A full cage clean is needed every 4 to 5 days, all depending on the number of pigs and type of bedding you have.

And the coroplast sheets for your C&C cage can be wiped down with pet-safe cleaning products, quick and easy! A clean cage leads to happier, healthier pets.

Conclusion

From ease of cleaning to flexibility in set-ups, there's no doubt that C&C cages have done a lot to improve the lives of small pets (and their parents!) everywhere. There are many different options of indoor guinea pig cages out there to choose from, and hopefully this detailed guide has helped you decide what Kavee C&C cage will become their new pet palace. And if you're still unsure on what to get for your furry family, check out our Cage Builder to be easily guided towards the right cage for your guinea pigs!