Guinea Pig Cage Question? Coroplast cages?

1

If you are in the US, which I can't tell by your post, go to your local home store (Home Depot, Lowes, etc) run back to the area where they have the outdoor signs. They have coroplast signs - that is what I made my bottom out of. It was less than $10 and I have had it for almost 6 months with little issue. The only issue I have had is that they love to chew on it, but that is going to be almost anything you use (they just love to chew).

The C&C pens are the very best, INHO, for them. Good for you for going with a C&C style pen. If you are outside the US, I'm not really sure where you can get the coroplast, but you have got to be able to find it cheaper!

You should not pay much more than $30 to $35 for a sheet. It wholesales for less than $10. So anything over $30 is pricey. Over $50 and they are stealing!

Be SURE to tell the store what you want the Coroplast for. It's not exactly a household item. Sign stores will generally mark it up pretty high, thinking that you, too, are going to make signs with it, therefore, they won't be getting their signage profit from you--or they might think you are a competitor who ran out of materials! TELL THEM it's for a guinea pig cage! More often than not, if they've already quoted a price that's too high, they will lower it to a reasonable amount when they hear what it's for.

A white sheet should be a dollar or two cheaper than a colored sheet. Try to get a colored sheet if possible, unless you really want white. Cavies can see color

If you cant find coroplast, then linoleum will also work. However, you can't let the pigs chew on it and it's not as strong as Coroplast.

Can't find Coroplast? Get creative in your search.

Other possible sources:

-Home-improvement stores such as Home Depot might carry it, although this is definitely the exception and not the rule, but worth investigating.

-Large art-supply or craft stores might be worth investigating, as it is a source in Canada.

-Large shipping or distribution centers near you may use Coroplast to cover wooden pallets before items are added for shipping. They wouldn't sell it, but you might be able to get some for free.

-Glass stores sometimes use Coroplast as good, smooth packing material between sheets of glass.

-Real-estate agencies may have some as it might be used to make the 'for sale' signs.

You can find a coroplast that is already cut and that fits your cage size at...

http://www.guineapigzone.com/c-and-c-cages-guinea-...

Is this the cage you bought?

http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Homes-for-Pets-171GH...

This cage meassures 47" x 24" so this coroplast base should fit your cage

http://www.guineapigzone.com/c-and-c-cages-guinea-...

and if its a little big than you can always cut it a bit, its a little pricey though (38$)

If you still can't find coroplast then DON'T let your guinea pig chew on plastic, Stick to plain cardboard which is SAFE for your guinea pigs

Good Luck

Hope I helped

Go to

http://www.guineapigzone.com/c-and-c-cages-guinea-...

Cardboard and poster board won't work because they will soak up pee and/or any dripped water. Even if you use fleece/towels, some will soak through! It'll stink and you'll have to replace it every time you clean the cage. That can get expensive and i bet it would be good for the pigs to be walking on or chewing on. Coroplast is water proof.

Have you looked in your phone book for any sign shops? Sign shops carry coroplast and will usually sell them by the sheet to anyone who asks for them. If you specify it's for an animal cage they may even discount it for you.

You can get a three foot sq. piece for $8 @ Lowe's. Do NOT use cardboard. Cardboard is absorbent, and will leave you with a huge mess.

I hope you are able find some chloroplast at an affordable price.

Best of luck, my friend!

I used cubes with a shower curtain stretched over it for a time and it worked well before I switched to coroplast. You can also use linoleum but I haven't used it personally.

The best place to get it is at a sign store. Look in the yellow pages for a business that makes custom signs. That is where I got it and they were able to cut any size I needed. It was not very expensive either as they use coroplast in bulk.