And please consider adoption. You'd be amazed how many guinea pigs are in shelters. I found several mistakes on this page that could lead to severe health problems and cause costs to skyrocket.
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. In addition to pellets, guinea pigs should also have about a cup of fresh vegetables daily.
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. Guinea pigs are awesome pets but could be a little pricey. On the bright side they are awesome and they never bite. 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!
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:. Related articles: Hamster , Rabbit , Ferret. The Humane Society offers care and handling tips for guinea pigs.
Check the local classifieds for free or low-cost guinea pigs that often come with cages and toys. Shopping for a guinea pig:. 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[ 2 ] vary in color by shipment.
Also, to prevent unwanted litters, each store only carries either females or males. Call ahead for availability. Comments CostHelper News.
Periodic exercise can extend the usable life of many items. Posted October 14 Posted November 19 Was this post helpful to you? Report prohibited or spam. Buying my sis a gineau pig. Guinea pigs Posted by: [email protected] in Doylestown, PA. I have seven guinea pigs amount for all. I'm from north Carolina. My guinea pig had babies. These prices will vary depending on your location and source. We strongly recommend the use of fleece liners , as it is the gold standard of guinea pig bedding nowadays due to its many benefits read here why are guinea pig owners swapping from wood shavings to fleece?
Although it may seem more expensive at the start, you will find that in the long run, fleece liners are more cost effective than other bedding types. If you are new to owning guinea pigs , you will need some basic essentials too!
Here is an outline of common essentials that you will need for you and your new guinea pigs. For an extensive checklist of your needs as a new guinea pig parent, please check our free care sheet bundle. Once you have considered the initial setup costs of guinea pigs, you will need to consider yearly recurring costs. Below, you will find our breakdown of the following categories: food, bedding, and health related fees. Though small, guinea pigs have large appetites! Piggies require an unlimited supply of hay, 50g of mixed vegetables per guinea pig, a small portion of pellets, and fresh water daily.
For safe and unsafe food lists, check out our free guinea pig care sheets. We recommend that guinea pig food contain little to no grain or cereal, as it puts your guinea pigs at risk of diabetes and obesity. For grain free guinea pig pellets , check out our collection of pellets and snacks that have no soy, corn or wheat, and no GMO in it.
Remember, prices may vary depending on where you shop. Here is our breakdown of the average food costs for two guinea pigs! In addition to your food budget, bedding will also be a monthly commitment. Below we have listed the costs of using fleece liners. Sadly, guinea pigs may sometimes require medical attention from a trained veterinarian. This is an average along their lifespan: some years you may not have any health fees, some years you might!
Some guinea pig owners may wish to consider registering with a pet insurance to help subsidize treatment costs in case of an emergency fees dependent on care provider. Even if your guinea pigs are healthy, you should take your guinea pigs for a routine check up at least once a year.
This is important as you not only establish a good relationship with your vet and maintain an active registration, but also because guinea pigs are good at hiding illnesses.
Routine vet visits may help catch something if it's overlooked during your own home health checks. A guinea pig with malocclusion may not be able to chew and swallow their food properly, so you may see drool around their mouths. Malocclusion can be caused by an imbalanced diet, especially a lack of vitamin C.
It also happens naturally in older pigs. Guinea pigs need worming every three months with a wormer specifically designed for small animals. This is usually added to their water and can be ordered through your vet. Guinea pigs are often less likely to need emergency treatment than larger pets like dogs and cats, as they spend most of their time in their cages.
Some varieties, like satin guinea pigs, can be more prone to developing osteodystrophy, which may need ongoing treatment. You may decide to insure your young guinea pig for medical expenses and pay a small monthly fee to help cover their veterinary expenses in the event that they need treatment.
Depending on the type of cover that you choose, this may include pre-existing conditions, emergency vet care, and investigative examinations if your guinea pig develops a medical condition. Make sure whichever brand you choose is designed specifically for guinea pigs, and contains added vitamin C.
Guinea pigs are low maintenance when it comes to their environment. Once they have their hutch or enclosure sorted, your main expense will be bedding. Guinea pigs usually need their cages cleaning out every other day, and as they love to burrow into their bedding, you want to make sure they always have enough. Guinea pigs will love having plenty of hideaways and chews in their cage, but the best way that you can entertain your piggies is to make sure they get plenty of daily enrichment.
Allowing them time outside in a secure enclosure is a great way for them to get fresh grass and enjoy seeing something new. As with any type of pet ownership, there are always ways and means to save money when it comes to caring for your guinea pig.
You could build a cage or outdoor enclosure using offcuts from other DIY projects and spend your money on high-quality food instead. If your guinea pig has an accident or develops a medical condition that requires ongoing care, then expect your annual costs to go up as a result. You may decide to insure your guinea pig from the outset, and most policies will cover multiple guinea pigs.
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