Guinea Pigs Price: How Much Does a Guinea Pigs Cost?

Guinea pigs are inexpensive to buy but add up to a steady monthly expense. They eat unlimited hay, fresh vegetables, and pellets, and they need a roomy cage and a regular supply of bedding. They are also social animals, and many owners and shelters recommend keeping at least two. That doubles the purchase price and the food bill.

This guide covers buying, setup, ongoing care, and vet costs. Figures come from published guides and live store listings, and carry a check date of Oct 12, 2026.

Breeder prices are listed at $25 – $50, and another guide lists hobby breeders at $50 – $100. Shelters and rescues charge less: one source lists adoption at $20 – $40 and another lists shelter or rescue fees at $25 – $60.

PetSmart lists a regular guinea pig at $59.99 and a fancy guinea pig, meaning a longer-haired or specially marked animal, at $89.99. These are live store prices, and prices vary by store.

The animal is usually the smaller part of the cost, and a budget should assume a pair.

• Seller. Shelters cost the least, followed by hobby breeders, and chain stores can charge more.
• Coat type. Long-haired and rare coat types often cost more, and they may need extra grooming.
• Age. Rescues often have adults, while stores and breeders usually have younger animals.
• Included care. Some rescues include a health check, spay or neuter, or a starter bag of supplies.

A guinea pig needs a large enclosure, bedding, hay racks, hideouts, water bottles or bowls, and food dishes. Many owners build a cage from grid panels, often called a C&C setup, instead of buying a pet store cage, because it offers more floor space.

Supplies are listed at $100 – $700, a wide spread. A cage or C&C setup is listed at $60 – $200, and a travel carrier at $25 – $60. Bigger enclosures cost more but give pigs room to move, and cheap small cages are often replaced later.

Hay, vegetables, pellets, and bedding make up most of the yearly bill. Fleece or paper bedding needs regular replacement or washing, and fresh produce is a weekly purchase.

One guide lists the total annual cost at $500 – $1,500/yr. Another lists routine annual spending for a pair at $720 – $1,620/yr, which works out to $60 – $135/mo. The differences come from the number of animals and the kind of bedding and food.

Guinea pigs need a veterinarian who treats exotic small mammals. Check-ups are listed at $50 – $100/yr, and health care at $100 – $500/yr. An annual wellness exam is listed at $60 – $120 per pig. Treatment for illness costs more, and with a pair the exam fees double. Find a vet near you before you bring the animals home.

The two annual totals below do not match, partly because one covers a single animal or an unspecified number, while the other covers a pair. Bedding choice, produce quality, and whether vet care is counted also change the totals. Compare what each figure includes.

Rescues and shelters often have guinea pigs, and many place bonded pairs together. Fees are usually lower than store prices and may include a health check. Adults have established personalities, which helps if you want to know what you are getting. Search local small animal rescues and shelters before you visit a store.

• Are the animals the same sex, and have they lived together?
• What do they eat now, and how old are they?
• What is the seller's health policy?
• Which veterinarian nearby treats guinea pigs?