Are you looking to add a cute Guinea Pig to your family? It’s a good idea to do some research before you commit to any pet.
Guinea pigs can be more expensive than other pets but they are still very affordable to own. You will need to budget at least two Guinea Pigs for these affectionate and social pets.
You’ll also need to consider ongoing monthly costs like food and veterinary care. We’ve made it easy for you. Continue reading to learn everything you need about the cost of owning a Guinea Pig.
The One-Time Cost of Bringing a New Guinea Pig Home
It is recommended that you keep these social animals in pairs before buying your guinea pig. Guinea pigs are social animals and will often be found in groups. They can become stressed if left alone. While we have provided the price for one guinea pig, it is advisable to purchase two.
To avoid accidental litter of guinea-pig babies, they should have the same sex.
No cost
Guinea pigs may be advertised as being free to a loving home. Ask questions to learn why they are being rehomed. This is especially important if you want guineas that your children will be able to handle.
Keep in mind that free guinea pigs could be accidental litters or the owners might not have properly sexed them. If you decide to buy any, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian to verify which sex you gave your guinea pigs, and have them spayed/neutered if necessary.
Adoption
- $20-40
Guinea pigs can be found in animal shelters that are looking for homes. They may have been abandoned by their owners due to allergies or changes in family circumstances. These may also be caused by an accidental litter of Guinea pigs. Shelters will often conduct health checks to ensure that the guinea pigs are safe for children.
Adopting a guinea pig from a shelter is free and covers all costs including food, veterinary care, and meditation.
Breeder
- $25-50
A breeder can usually expect a guinea-pig price between $25-50. There are many varieties of guinea pigs available. If you purchase your pet from a breeder you will have the opportunity to take the time and find the right guinea pig for you.
Breeders of Guinea Pigs will ensure they have an ethical breeding program. This means that they will take the time to select the best mix of male and female Guinea Pigs to breed together to give their offspring the best chance of being healthy.
| American guineapig: | $25 |
| Abyssinian guinea pig: | $50 |
| Peruvian guinea pig: | $40 |
| Alpaca guinea pig: | $45 |
Stock
- $100-500
Guinea pigs can be active so make sure they have a big enough enclosure to allow them to run free. For two guinea pigs, we recommend an enclosure of at least 10.5 feet in size.
A separate outdoor enclosure is also a popular option for owners. This can be placed on your lawn and moved around to allow your piggies outdoor time.
Guinea pigs can be nervous when they are out in the open, so it is important to give them a safe place to hide.
Before you can welcome your new guinea pigs home, you’ll need to purchase everything on the list. Items will be available at both lower and higher prices depending on where you live. To give you an idea of the price of each item, we have taken its average cost. You can adjust this depending on your budget.
| Food bowls | $10 |
| Guinea Pig enclosure | $50-500 |
| Water bottle | $10 |
| Hay rack | $20 |
| Guinee Pig hideaway | $25 |
| Straw and other bedding | $10 |
| Grass hay | $10 |
| Guinea pig pellets | $15 |
| Fresh vegetables | $5 |
| Vitamin C supplement | $7 |
Annual Expenses
- $100 to $500 per year
Although Guinea pigs are relatively inexpensive to purchase, you will still need to pay a certain amount each year for their care. After you have covered the one-time expenses we mentioned above, you will need to budget for your annual costs like food and insurance.
Health Care
- $200-$1,000 per annum
Guinea pigs require very little maintenance. You can keep them healthy on a tight budget. Your annual expenses could rise if you spend more on their food and/or buy insurance. Your annual expenses will rise if your guinea pig is injured and requires emergency vet care.
Vitamin C is essential for Guinea Pigs. These can be purchased as drops or tablets. These can be purchased as tablets or drops. However, they will still need to be paid for over time.
Check-Ups
- $50-100 per annum
It is a good idea to bring your guinea pig to the vet at least once per year. Their overall health will be checked by the vet, which will include their weight and their dental health. A six-month checkup may be necessary for an older guinea pig or one who has a chronic condition.
Vaccinations
- $0 per annum
The good news is that guinea pigs don’t require any vaccines. Although we recommend that you consult your vet before making any decisions about vaccinations, it is not necessary to budget for the annual vaccines of your guinea piggies.
Dental
- $0-200/year
Guinea pigs’ teeth change constantly. It is important to have your vet check regularly so that your pet’s teeth don’t become too big.
Guinea pigs’ teeth tend to wear naturally when they grind or come in contact with each other, and when they eat hard food.
Malocclusion is a condition in which guinea pigs have their teeth misaligned and become too big. Malocclusion can cause guinea pigs to have difficulty chewing and swallowing their food. You may also see drool around the mouth.
Malocclusion can result from an unbalanced diet, particularly a deficiency in vitamin C. It can also happen when guinea pigs don’t have enough chewing material or hard food to grind their teeth. Malocclusion can also occur naturally in older pigs.
Treatments for Parasites
- $10-50 per annum
Every three months, Guinea pigs should be wormed with a wormer specially designed for small animals. You can order this through your veterinarian.
Emergencies
- $0-500/year
Because Guinea pigs spend the majority of their time in cages, they are less likely to require emergency care than larger pets such as dogs or cats. It’s important to remember that every pet can need emergency medical attention at one time or another.
You may have to take your guinea pig to the vet if they eat something it shouldn’t or are dropped by inexperienced hands.
For ongoing conditions, Medications
- $0-100/year
The majority of guinea pigs will not require any additional medication beyond vitamin C supplements. Some varieties, such as satin guineapigs, are more susceptible to osteodystrophy and may require ongoing treatment.
Insurance
- $50-200 per annum
Your young guinea pig may be insured for medical expenses. You will also pay a monthly fee to cover their veterinary costs in case they require treatment. This may include coverage for pre-existing conditions or emergency vet care. It can also cover investigative examinations in the event that your guinea pet develops a medical condition.
Food
- $100 to $500 per year
There are many options for guinea-pig food. It is possible to keep your pet nourished on a tight budget or to spend more on premium food. You should ensure that the brand you choose is made specifically for guinea pigs and has added vitamin C.
The following are essential for your guinea pig:
- Pelleted food
- Grass hay
- Vegetables
You might also consider supplementing your diet with:
- Chew sticks
Environment Maintenance
- $50-200 per annum
Guinea pigs require very little maintenance in their environment. After they have their enclosure or hutch set up, the main expense will be bedding. Guinea pigs need their cages cleaned every other day. Because they love to burrow in their bedding, it is important to ensure they have enough.
| Bedding | $50-100/year |
| Toys & chews | $0-100 |
Entertainment
- $0-100/year
Guinea pigs love to have lots of chew toys and hideaways in their cage. However, the best thing you can do for them is to get daily enrichment. It is a great way to let them enjoy the outdoors and get fresh grass.
The Total Annual Cost to Own a Guinea Pig
$200-1000 per annum
There are many factors that can affect the cost of owning an guinea pig. It is possible to keep them on a tight budget, buy the best food and hutches you can afford, and still have the luxury for your pet.
Guinea pigs are generally healthy and don’t require much care. However, they can become ill with expensive conditions like malocclusion and osteodystrophy or have accidents that need emergency vet attention.
A Guinea Pig on a Budget
A guinea pig can be kept on a tight budget and doesn’t require expensive equipment. You can save money if you choose to spend your money on the best food and save in other areas.
Guinea Pig Care: Saving Money
There are many ways to save money on your guinea pig care. It’s possible to order hay in bulk, rather than in small bags. Your guinea pig will not care about the appearance of your food bowls and water bottles, so long as they are clean.
You can build an outdoor enclosure or cage using leftovers from other DIY projects. Instead, you could spend your money on good-quality food.
Conclusion
After you have made one-time costs like the cage, guinea pig ownership can be as low as $200 per year. There are many options when it comes to food or equipment.
Your annual costs will rise if your guinea pig is injured or has to be treated for ongoing medical conditions. It is possible to decide to insure your Guinea Pig from the beginning. Most policies cover multiple Guinea Pigs.
While food and bedding are the largest expenses of an annual budget, you can find them to fit any budget. No matter how much your guinea pig costs each year, most owners agree that it is worth it to enjoy time with these cute little animals.
Is it acceptable to get one guinea pig?
To summarize, a guinea pig can, but should not, live alone. This is because they are social animals who seek and require the company of other guinea pigs. A guinea pig requires a lot of attention and interaction on its own, which is why experts recommend keeping at least two guinea pigs together.
Are guinea pigs soft?
Even though guinea pigs are extremely cuddly and enjoy spending time with their owners, they require gentle handling. They also dislike loud noises, making them unsuitable as pets for young children.
Do guinea pigs enjoy kissing?
Do guinea pigs enjoy being kissed? This will ultimately be determined by your relationship with your guinea pigs! Some guinea pigs may be fine with their piggy parents kissing them on the head or cheeks, while others may find this unpleasant.
Do guinea pigs enjoy being picked up?
Although guinea pigs enjoy being held and cuddled, we recommend only handing a pregnant piggy if absolutely necessary. This is especially important one month before their babies are due. Also, avoid picking them up too soon after giving birth.
Do guinea pigs kiss?
Despite the fact that most people consider licking to be the animal equivalent of kissing, guinea pigs actually give human-like kisses! They are not nibbling because they do not use their teeth. Instead, they nip you gently and repeatedly with their lips for a split second.
Do guinea pigs have a strong odor?
To summarize, guinea pigs should not smell. If they have an unpleasant odor, it is usually a sign that the cage is dirty, their diet is incorrect, they are sick, or they are struggling to groom themselves. Boars may also smell more than sows due to an oily buildup around the grease gland.
Do guinea pigs pee all over the place?
The majority of the time, guinea pigs will urinate in the same location. If there is any type of shelter in the cage, that is most likely where they will do their business. These behaviors are frequently performed instinctively in order to avoid attracting predators. Place the litter box there.
Do guinea pigs have a lot of poop?
Number Guinea pigs, as herbivores, are designed to eat and poop a lot because their diet is relatively low in nutritional value. A ‘normal’ guinea pig will poop up to 100 times per day. This figure is naturally lower in guinea pigs that are older or less mobile.
Do guinea pigs poop inside the house?
Guinea pigs have a tendency to defecate and urinate all over their cage, but some owners have had great success in almost eliminating this behavior and allowing their guinea pigs to do their business in their litter boxes.
How much are baby guinea pigs?
A guinea pig from a breeder costs about $25 to $50 on average.