Thinking about possibly getting guinea pigs as a pet? Here are my 5 pros and cons of guinea pig ownership.
5 Pros of owning guinea pigs
1. They don't cost alot to purchase. Compared to a dog which may cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, guinea pigs are relatively inexpensive. You can usually buy them from $10-$50 each, depending on what breed you get. Some of the long haired breeds may cost more than standard guinea pigs.
2. They’re fairly inexpensive to feed as well. Their diet consists mostly of grass or hay. If you’re housing them outside grass is generally readily available but even if it's not or you plan on housing your piggies inside hay is quite affordable. You can generally buy a bag of hay from any pet supply shop for about $10, give or take. Depending on how many guinea pigs you own this can last you more than a week. Some stores will also sell bales of hay which generally work out more cost effective, providing you have the storage space. The rest of their diet consists of fresh fruits and vegetables and a good quality pellet. Which means way less wasted vegetable scraps and your piggies get some yummy food. Win-win.
3. They are kept in an enclosure and can be housed outdoors or indoors, making them a versatile pet for those who don't necessarily want animals inside the house or if you are renting and are only allowed outdoor animals. For those who want inside options there a plenty of cages and enclosures specifically designed for indoor use so you can keep your piggies close at hand. Some people even opt to have indoor and outdoor options to keep their guinea pigs amused and happy.
4. They are super cute! Unlike puppies and kittens which start off small and cuddly but may grow big and lose their appeal, guinea pigs start off small and cute and even when they're fully grown, they're still small and cute. Which leads to the 5th and final pro of pet guinea pigs;
5. They love a cuddle. Guinea pigs are social animals and love to bond with their human companions. Guinea pigs will happily sit on your lap or next to you on the couch for pats and cuddles for as long as you're willing to have them there. They might even purr if they are super relaxed and happy.
5 cons of owning guinea pigs
1. You can't have just one…is this really a con? If you think buying a guinea pig, putting it in a cage and feeding it will be sufficient you will be in for a shock. Guinea pigs are social animals so you need at least two for them to be happy. Personally, I would recommend a minimum of three so that if something happens to one you've never got a lonely guinea pig.
2. This brings me to the cost of housing. To have happy, healthy piggies the housing you provide needs to be big enough for them to scurry around and to have the space to provide plenty of hiding places and other amusement to keep them entertained. This can become costly, a lot more than you would expect for such a small animal. If you're housing them outside keep in mind their enclosure will need to be sheltered from rain and wind. Guinea pigs also don't do well in extreme weather so somewhere they can be out of extremely hot or extremely cold temperatures is a must.
3. Bedding can become a hassle if you're not prepared. There are many different types of bedding available from stores but they all have their advantages and disadvantages. They will eat hay, they also like to hide inside it. This means they can pee and poo In the hay which makes it smelly. You can get biodegradable bedding similar to kitty litter but I find this also becomes smelly after a couple of days once it gets wet. These types of bedding are fine if you are prepared to clean it every couple of days but you will be forever buying more and the cost will add up. Another alternative type of bedding is to use fleece blankets. This is soft for their feet, wicks away moisture so doesn't create a smell. These have a bit of an initial outlay but can be reused after a wash.
4. Another cost to consider is veterinary expenses. What kind of care does a guinea pig require? Generally, not alot but if they do it can become costly. Guinea pigs can sustain injury from things like hay poking their eye and causing inflammation, other piggies getting a bit rough or behaving aggressively, falls and more. But they're only small so surely they won't cost much? Because they're small they require an exotic animal vet which cost more and depending on what they're being treated for they can cost quite a lot.
5. Many people get guinea pigs as a pet for children or as a first pet. And while they do make great pets and children will absolutely adore them you really need to consider a few factors before committing. How old are your children? Are they old enough to actively help take care of them? Do they know how to behave around them so as not to constantly starle them? Remember guinea pigs are naturally skittish because they are a prey animal. Will your child know how and be able to hold and pet them in a safe way to ensure the guinea pig is not accidentally injured?
So now you've got some information to ponder. Hopefully this helps you make a decision.