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Guinea pigs are adorable and popular pets, loved for their social behavior towards humans. However, the cost of a guinea pig is more than just an adoption fee or purchase price. This is an investment in his life. His cage, food, bedding and health are all regular expenses that you need to know about in order to tell how much you will spend each year. Read more to find out about the annual cost of keeping a guinea pig.
Guinea pig initial cost
The adoption fee or purchase price isn’t the only upfront payments you have to pay. This alone can cost anywhere from $ 10 to $ 100. Typically this is $ 10 to $ 40 from an animal shelter and $ 25 to $ 50 from a breeder. If you help transplant a guinea pig, you can get one for free.
Initial costs range from $ 100 to $ 500, with an average of about $ 150, including supplies such as a house, bedding, food and water dispensers, food items, and additional items such as toys:
- Cage or booth: $ 50-500
- Food bowls: $ 10
- Water bottle: $ 10
- Or rack: $ 20
- Asylum: $ 25
- Bed linen: $ 10
- Guinea pig pellets: $ 15
- Grass hay: $ 10
- Fresh vegetables: $ 5
- Vitamin C Supplement: $ 7
After that, it comes to the running costs of caring for the guinea pig. Annual cost gives a good estimate of the annual cost you spend on your guinea pig.
On the other hand, there are also different breeds of guinea pigs. There are 13 major recognized breeds in the US, while the British Maritime Council recognizes 50. However, here are the costs of adopting some of the more expensive breeds:
- Alpaca, Longest Haired and Most Attractive: $ 45
- Abyssinian friendliest: $ 50
- American Popular Shorthair: $ 25
- Peruvian Longhaired: $ 40
Annual cost of caring for guinea pigs
The annual cost of caring for a guinea pig can be broken down for each specific expense after a monthly estimate. You can expect to pay around $ 70 a month to care for your guinea pig, which will give you an idea of the annual cost minus additional guinea pigs, regular vet visits, and any unique medical needs. You can expect to pay an annual fee of $ 100 to $ 500 for a guinea pig, with higher costs ranging from $ 200 to $ 1000. The lower limit is $ 500, the upper limit is $ 800, and the average is $ 650, while the cost of food, bedding, and healthcare is at least $ 200 per year. You can save on consumables, such as buying bedding in bulk whenever possible, or buying used houses and other items.
Housekeeping and bedding
The area of the cage must be at least 10.5 square feet to accommodate two guinea pigs. It should have a sheltered place where guinea pigs can hide in order to feel safe or to sleep. You can expect an annual cost of $ 50 to $ 200 for cage and bedding, while a single bed costs $ 50 to $ 100 per year with straw or other bedding that costs up to $ 10 per month.
Care
Guinea pigs usually don’t need a bath unless they’re dirty. Short-haired guinea pigs need to brush their teeth once a week, while long-haired guinea pigs need to brush their teeth daily. A slicker brush, the same one used for dogs, is best for cleaning long-haired guinea pigs such as Peruvian or Sheba – just select a size for smaller animals. Alternatively, you can trim the long-haired guinea pig’s coat to make it easier to handle.
Your guinea pig will also need nail trimming, so you will have to buy a rabbit or small animal nail trimmer. For the price of an ironing brush and nail trimmer, you’re making a one-time purchase that will probably only count for the first year. A brush for cleaning usually costs between $ 8 and $ 10, and a nail trimmer costs between $ 4 and $ 14, which adds up to $ 12 to $ 24.
Food
The annual cost of guinea pig feed ranges from $ 100 to $ 500, with the average monthly cost being:
- Grass hay: $ 10
- Guinea pig pellets: $ 15
- Fresh vegetables: $ 5
- Vitamin C Supplement: $ 7
Health care
There are many health considerations for each guinea pig that affect their cost per year. Annual health care costs can range from $ 200 to $ 1,000. This includes:
- Inspection: $ 50-100
- Dentistry: 0-200 dollars
- Parasite treatment (deworming every 3 months): $ 10-50
- Emergency: $ 0-500.
- (Optional) insurance: $ 50-200
- Any current medical conditions: $ 0-100.
Additional elements
Entertaining the guinea pig is not always necessary, but highly desirable for its emotional health and stimulation. The cost of toys and gummies can range from $ 0 to $ 100 per year.
One guinea pig versus two guinea pigs: what if you double your pleasure?
You should also consider adopting two or more guinea pigs instead of just one. Guinea pigs communicate with people, but also need to interact with their own kind. Although maintenance costs will increase, guinea pig owners can look forward to happier, healthier pets if they give them at least one companion to help reduce stress. The emotional well-being of your guinea pig will affect your annual cost of caring for it, and can range between much higher costs per year for one guinea pig, or moderately higher costs per year for two.
The guinea pig is a social pet that is relatively inexpensive to buy and maintain. However, investing in two guinea pigs is a smart choice to ensure interaction. The number of guinea pigs, the breed in which you buy them, and additional items affect the initial cost, as well as the annual costs of care, medical needs, nutrition and other costs.
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