|
|
|
 |
 |
| | | Guinea pigs belong to the rodent family and come in a mixture of colors from solid white, to brown and black. Native to South America, they have compact bodies and no tails. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Guinea pigs with short hair in white, black and cream, or those with non-distinct markings run $10 -$33.
- Guinear pigs with strong multi-colored patterns in black and white, gold and white cost around $29. Long and curly-haired Peruvian or Himalayan pigs run about $30 -$35.
Additional costs: | - Cages cost $35 -$80. Some pet stores offer guinea pig starter kits which include a small cage, a month's supply of food, a water bottle, a bowl and bedding for around $45. 10-gallon aquariums run $20, but don't offer the same amount of ventilation as a wire cage.
- Guinea pig food costs around $5 for a 5-pound bag, or about $5 -$10 per month depending on the size and appetite of the guinea pig.
- Harnesses used to take guinea pigs for a walk or to play in the yard run $5 -$7.
- Exercise balls are priced $14 -$17.
- Common Veterinary costs include spay or neutering for around $45. The Human Society offers care and handling tips for guinea pigs.
Discounts: | - Check the local classifieds for free or low-cost guinea pigs that often come with cages and toys.
Shopping for a guinea pig: | - Petfinder.com offers a listing by zip code of rescued guinea pigs looking for a home. Enter "small and furry" under animal and "guinea pig" under breed.
- Many local pet shops only carry rescued animals, so call ahead for color and availability.
- Guinea Pigs at Petsmart vary in color by shipment. Also, to prevent unwanted litters, each store only carries either females or males. Call ahead for availability.
|
| |
Article updated September 2007 |
|
|
|
Recent Posts |
| Amount: $0.00 |
5 guinea pigs so far!
|
| Posted by: a user in Charlotte, NC. | Purchased: July, 2001 |
| Type: short-haired | Store: Petsmart and other local pet stores |
| I had one guinea pig and my sybling had 4 between them both over the years. They passed several years ago and I am ready for a new one! |
|
|
| Amount: $50.00 |
guinea pigs
|
| Posted by: Roary in queens, NY. | Purchased: January, 2008 |
| Type: | Store: petco |
| Guinea pigs are awesome pets but could be a little pricey. They range from 40-80$. On the bright side they are awesome and they never bite. You could cuddle with them and even take theem for long walks, I <33333 guinea pigs1 |
|
|
| Posted by: jedifreac in , NA. | Purchased: 2009 |
I found several mistakes on this page that could lead to severe health problems and cause costs to skyrocket.
Neutering is usually far more expensive than $45, anywhere from $100 to $300. Also, most guinea pigs should not have to be fixed as long as they live in same sex pairs. The budget should also reflect supplies for two guinea pigs since it is never reccomended to only have one. They are social animals and more prone to health problems if they live alone.
They are also more prone to health problems when living in a small cage. 10 gallon aquariums are NEVER appropriate unless you want your pig to develop respiratory infection. An inexpensive homemade cage large enough to prevent health problems can be constructed for under $50 (see guineapigcages.com)--cheaper than ANY pet store cage.
In addition to pellets, guinea pigs should also have about a cup of fresh vegetables daily. And they should ALWAYS have hay. Guinea pigs need timothy or bluegrass hay in order to stay alive; it's a dietary necessity.
Also, exercise balls should never be used by a guinea pig. Their spines don't bend that way and it could lead to back injury, foot injury, heat exhaustion etc. |
|
|
| Amount: $60.00 |
These estimates aren't even close
|
| Posted by: Adopt a pet! in Boston, MA. | Purchased: July, 2005 |
| Type: Pair of American short haired | Store: Adopted from animal shelter |
Where to even start? An aquarium isn't even close to being an acceptable cage. A good home-built cage runs about $50. A too-small store-bought cage runs well over $100. Neuter costs is in the $300 range, not $45. Those exercise balls are a hazard. Starter kits are mostly junk, in a too-small cage.
The Amount Spent is the adoption price for my latest pair of pigs (they were so happy I was adopting, the offered the pair for $30). I've had guinea pigs for over a decade. Yearly amounts for guinea pig pellets, hay, veggies and pine bedding run me about $550 for two pigs (and I get a great deal on the bedding and pellets). Vet visits, on a good year, is $0. An average year runs over $200 per pig, and in a bad year, tops over $1000 per pig. Another gotcha is they require an exotics vet -- not every dog&cat vet is going to know how to treat them.
They are amazingly entertaining and fun pets. But they are not as inexpensive as this article indicates. And please consider adoption. You'd be amazed how many guinea pigs are in shelters. |
|
|
| Amount: $0.00 |
guinea pigs
|
| Posted by: a user in wichita, KS. | Purchased: September, 2009 |
| Type: medium-long haired | Store: petco |
| my guinea pig cost $30 alone. the cage and its excessaries cost $75 (cage, water, food, toy, treat) that was just the started kit. i usually spend $20 at the most on him every 2 weeks for food, bedding and hay. Vet visits are 48.00 and then any mediciation needed or other things needed is an additional cost to the vet. he is expensive but i love him very much! |
|
|
|
|
Post About Your Experience With a Guinea Pig |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Digg this
del.icio.us
E-mail
Post