Pet Keen advocates for adopting before shopping. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder or purchasing from a store, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. Learn more.

Guinea pigs are adorable, easy-to-care-for animals that make great pets for kids and adults alike. As any guinea pig owner will tell you, these little animals have unique personalities, and despite their small size, they can be wonderful companions. If you want to bring a guinea pig home, it can be confusing to find the right breeder and place to purchase one.

Luckily, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we look at what to look for when purchasing a guinea pig and the best places to buy one. Let’s get started!

What to Know Before Welcoming a Guinea Pig Into Your Home

First, it’s important to understand that buying a guinea pig is a long-term commitment. While guineas don’t live as long as cats or dogs, they live far longer than other small pets like rats. On average, they can live for 7 years or even longer. Also, guinea pigs are social animals, and they need to have other guineas around them to be happy—a guinea pig alone in a cage will not be happy.

You also need to get a suitable cage, one that is large enough for multiple guinea pigs to have plenty of space. Many cages sold as guinea cages nowadays are far too small for guineas. You’ll need a cage of 8 square feet as a minimum, but the bigger, the better.

Depending on the breed, guinea pigs cost between $10 and $40, and you’ll need to buy at least two. Factoring in the price of the cage and accessories, it can be a fairly substantial initial cost for such a small pet.

Guinea Pig Adoption