How To Set Up A C&C Cage For Guinea Pigs

A simple step-by-step guide to building a spacious, safe C&C cage — in about an hour.

Setting up a C&C cage (Cubes and Coroplast) is easier than it looks and takes roughly 30 to 60 minutes. The basic process: choose a size based on how many guinea pigs you have (at least a 2×4-grid cage — about 10.5 sq ft — for a pair), connect the wire grids into walls using connectors or cable ties, make the Coroplast base by measuring, scoring, folding, and taping a corrugated-plastic sheet into a shallow tray, put the two together, then add soft bedding and accessories (hideys, water, hay, food) and place it somewhere calm indoors. The key rules: keep the floor solid Coroplast (never wire), make the structure sturdy, and give your pigs as much space as you can. Here’s the full step-by-step.

(New to C&C cages? See our companion guide, What Is a C&C Cage for Guinea Pigs?, for what they are and why they’re the best way to give guinea pigs the space they need.)

What You’ll Need

Gather your materials before you start:

• Wire storage-cube grids — enough for your chosen size (choose safe grids about 14 inches square with holes under 1.5 inches).
• Grid connectors (usually included with grids) and/or cable ties (zip ties) for extra sturdiness.
• A sheet of Coroplast (corrugated plastic) — sold in 4’×8′ or 4’×4′ sheets — for the base.
• A utility knife or box cutter, a ruler or measuring tape, a straightedge, and a marker for cutting and scoring the Coroplast.
• Strong tape for the base corners.
• Bedding — a fleece liner or paper-based bedding.
• Optional: extra grids for a lid, and accessories (hideys, water bottle, hay rack, bowls, tunnels).

Step 1: Choose the Size and Location

First, decide how big your cage needs to be, based on your number of pigs. The recommended minimums are about 7.5 sq ft for one pig, 10.5 sq ft (a 2×4-grid cage) for a pair, and more for larger groups — and bigger is always better. Two grids wide is the ideal depth, because you can still reach across to clean and pick up your pigs.

Then pick the location: somewhere indoors, in a calm family area with good natural light, on a stable, level surface. Keep it away from direct sun, heat sources, drafts, and chilly spots — guinea pigs do best around 65–75°F (18–24°C). Measure your actual space first, since it’s easy to overestimate how much room a cage will take.

Step 2: Build the Grid Walls

Now assemble the walls. Connect the wire grids together into a rectangle of your chosen size, using the plastic connectors (and/or cable ties for extra strength). For most setups, a single grid height (about 14 inches) is plenty for the walls.

As you build, make sure every joint is firm and secure so the structure is sturdy and can’t be pushed apart or collapse — cable ties at the corners and along the seams add reassuring strength. Leave the top open (you’ll add a lid later only if you need one).

Step 3: Make the Coroplast Base

This is the fiddliest part, but it’s straightforward once you understand it. The goal is to fold a flat Coroplast sheet into a shallow open box (tray) that lines the bottom and lower sides of the cage.

1. Measure. Your base needs to cover the cage floor plus enough to fold up the sides (usually about 6 inches high). So add roughly 6 inches to each side of your floor dimensions. For example, for a 28″×56″ cage floor, cut a piece about 40″×68″.
2. Mark and score the fold lines. Draw lines 6 inches in from each edge. Using a straightedge, score (cut only partway through, not all the way) along those lines — this lets the plastic fold cleanly.
3. Cut the corner squares. Cut out the small 6″×6″ squares at each corner, so the sides can fold up without overlapping.
4. Fold and tape. Fold the four sides up along the scored lines to form a shallow box, and tape the corners securely.

You’ve now got a waterproof tray that holds the bedding and keeps everything tidy.

Step 4: Put It Together

Set the Coroplast tray in place and position the grid walls around the outside of it, so the Coroplast lines the inside floor and low walls while the grids support and contain everything. Make sure the base sits flat and the grids hug it snugly. Some people secure the base to the grids with a few cable ties to keep it from shifting. Give the whole thing a gentle wobble-test to confirm it’s stable.

Step 5: Add Bedding

Never leave your pigs on bare Coroplast — it’s hard and chilly. Add a comfortable layer of bedding on top:

• Fleece liners — reusable, washable, and a favorite of long-term owners (you’ll need an absorbent layer underneath).
• Paper-based bedding — very absorbent and great for odor control; provide 2–3 inches.

Avoid cedar and pine shavings, whose fumes can irritate guinea pigs’ sensitive airways.

Step 6: Add Hideys, Food, Water, and Fun

Now make it a home. Add:

• Hidey-houses — at least one per pig, ideally with two exits so no pig gets cornered.
• A water bottle or bowl with fresh water.
• A hay rack or hay pile — since hay should always be available.
• A food bowl for pellets and veggies.
• Tunnels, chew toys, and enrichment to keep them active and happy.

Spread things out so there’s plenty of open floor left for running and popcorning. A common tip is to create a “kitchen” corner — a mat or liner under the food and hay to catch mess and make cleaning easier.

Step 7: Add a Lid and Do a Final Check

If you have cats, dogs, or other pets (or curious young children), add a grid lid on top to keep your guinea pigs safe. Finally, do a quick check: Is the structure sturdy? Is the floor solid Coroplast with no exposed wire underfoot? Are there no sharp edges or gaps a pig could squeeze through or get stuck in? If all’s good, gently introduce your pigs to their spacious new home.

Safety Checklist

• Safe grids — about 14 inches square with holes under 1.5 inches (baby pigs can get stuck in larger openings).
• Solid Coroplast floor — never wire, which injures feet.
• Sturdy structure — firmly connected grids that can’t collapse.
• Safe bedding — fleece or paper, never cedar or pine shavings.
• A lid if other pets are around.
• Two grids wide so you can reach in to clean and lift your pigs.

Tips for a Great C&C Setup

• Buy a few extra grids so you can expand the cage later or add a friend.
• Keep it two grids wide for easy reaching; go longer rather than wider for more space.
• Go bigger than the minimum whenever you can — your pigs will thank you.
• Don’t rely on levels. Guinea pigs are ground dwellers and don’t really use height, so prioritize floor space over lofts and ramps (and keep any ramp low and gentle to avoid falls).
• Plan for daily floor time — even a big cage isn’t a substitute for out-of-cage exercise.

Key Takeaways

• Setting up a C&C cage takes about 30–60 minutes and uses wire grids (walls) plus a Coroplast tray (floor).
• Choose your size by number of pigs — at least a 2×4-grid cage (~10.5 sq ft) for a pair, and bigger is always better.
• Build sturdy grid walls with connectors and cable ties, two grids wide for easy access.
• Make the Coroplast base by measuring, scoring, cutting the corners, folding up ~6-inch sides, and taping — creating a waterproof tray.
• Keep the floor solid Coroplast, never wire, and add soft bedding (fleece or paper, never cedar/pine).
• Add hideys (one per pig), water, hay, food, and toys, leaving plenty of open floor.
• Add a lid if you have other pets, place the cage in a calm indoor spot, and always provide daily floor time.

This article is intended as general educational information for guinea pig owners. Providing a safe, spacious home is essential to guinea pig welfare; for guidance on housing or any health concerns, consult a qualified veterinarian experienced with guinea pigs.