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PangoVet 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 popular animals due to their size and adorable appearance. They can be excellent pets for children and adults, and anyone can find companionship in this little creature. If you are considering adding a guinea pig to your home, you may wonder where to find them. Luckily for you, there are many avenues that you can take to bring a guinea pig into your family.
In this article, we will look at the main options for buying a guinea pig, such as adoption, online shopping, and retail purchasing. We will give an overview of the methods and provide examples of each.
Guinea Pigs as Pets: What to Know Before Welcoming One Into Your Home
Guinea pigs are friendly and typically easy to care for. However, before bringing one home, it is essential to consider whether or not you can provide them with proper care.
Ensuring your guinea pig has a healthy diet and roomy enclosure are the basics of caring for your pet. Likewise, budgeting for recurring costs such as veterinary care will be necessary.
If you have several pets, it is best to keep them away from your guinea pig. As prey animals, guinea pigs do best with other guinea pigs but may be easily frightened by cats or dogs. Similarly, guinea pigs are sensitive to loud noises, so keeping them in a peaceful, quiet area of the home is ideal.
Guinea pigs are considered one of the most family-friendly animals available. They are affectionate and entertaining, and when your children are old enough, they can handle them gently.
Where to Adopt Guinea Pigs
One way you can bring a guinea pig into your family is by adopting them. Adoption is an excellent choice for many people, as it allows you to bring home a pet, provide a loving family for an animal in need, and support your local animal shelter or sanctuary.
As a bonus, adoption is cheaper than purchasing your guinea pig elsewhere. Often, adopted pets have already been given their necessary vaccinations, and you can save money on upfront veterinary fees.
There are many locations where you can adopt a guinea pig. If there is a local animal shelter or sanctuary in your area, reach out to them and ask if they have any guinea pigs in need of a home. If they don’t have any available, you can start looking at other adoption sites, including the ones listed below.
1. Adopt a Pet
Adopt a Pet is a great place to check for a guinea pig and has locations across the United States. You can start by looking at Adopt a Pet’s website, where you can search for guinea pigs based on age, sex, distance, and whether or not they have a bonded pair or special needs.
2. Guinea Pig Sanctuary
If you live in or near Massachusetts, the Guinea Pig Sanctuary may be the perfect fit for you. The Guinea Pig Sanctuary is a non-profit organization that strives to care for guinea pigs in need and provide them with their forever homes. If you choose to adopt your pet through the Guinea Pig Sanctuary, you will need to make the drive to their facilities to fulfill specific adoption requirements that they have set.
3. Pet Finder
Pet Finder is a searchable database that includes nearly 15,000 animal shelters in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Pet Finder is a great resource if you are struggling to find a guinea pig to adopt near you.
Where to Buy Guinea Pigs Online
Another way that you can bring a guinea pig home is by purchasing them online. Typically, buying a guinea pig online is more expensive than adopting one from a shelter, but price ranges may vary. You must tread carefully when searching for a guinea pig online since some retailers don’t provide a healthy diet or sanitary conditions.
Many guinea pigs found from online retailers can be perfectly healthy, but some may be kept in inadequate conditions that cause them to be sick or poorly developed. Conduct thorough research on any online retailer to avoid supporting an unethical practice.
1. S&S Exotic Animals
One place where you can find guinea pigs to purchase is S&S Exotic Animals. Many other small mammals, such as rabbits, ferrets, and mice, can be acquired here. The shop also allows you to browse pet care supplies such as cages, toys, and food.
How Much Does a Guinea Pig Cost Online
Prices may vary, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $30–$50 for a guinea pig online.
Pet Stores That Sell Guinea Pigs
Small animals like guinea pigs are popular at pet stores. If there are pet stores in your area, you may be able to find your new companion there. Like online retailers, pet stores will typically be more expensive than adoption. However, for small mammals, the price is manageable.
Take caution when browsing retailers like you would when purchasing online to avoid supporting a shop that does not care for their animals. Thankfully, it is easier to evaluate a store when purchasing a pet from a physical shop, as you can see the conditions with your own eyes and assess the guinea pig’s condition.
1. PetSmart
PetSmart is a big name among pet stores. You can check with your local store to see if any guinea pigs are available onsite; if they are, you can purchase your pet’s care supplies at the same location for your convenience.
2. Petco
Petco is another prominent name in the pet industry. As with PetSmart, plenty of pet care supplies are also available at Petco.
How Much Does Guinea Pig Cost in Store?
Typically, you can expect to spend around $50 for a guinea pig at a pet store.
Guinea Pig Breeder Information
Finding your guinea pig from a breeder is also an option. Looking for a reputable, responsible breeder is essential, as finding a guinea pig from an unethical breeder can cause problems down the road. Unethical breeders typically don’t care to be mindful of genetic conditions or other issues that may cause your guinea pig health issues later in life.
This can cause you to spend extra on veterinary expenses and may cause your pet a lot of needless pain and suffering. Therefore, finding an ethical breeder is of utmost importance.
When buying a guinea pig from a breeder, you must be prepared to spend several hundred dollars. Your guinea pig’s show value and pedigree will play a huge role in determining the price, with a better show value and pedigree correlating with a higher price. Searching for a guinea pig from a breeder is by far the most expensive option on this list.
Tips for Adopting or Buying a Guinea Pig
Once you have decided that you want a guinea pig in your family, the first step that you should take is to budget for their care and supplies. Caring for a guinea pig has initial costs as well as recurring expenses, so ensuring that you can cover the costs is vital. Around this same time, you should also consider how you will plan to find your guinea pig. Whether you adopt or purchase your guinea pig will impact initial costs, thus affecting your budget.
Look for reviews made by other pet parents to determine whether or not the organization is trustworthy. It’s ideal if you can visit the physical location and see the conditions for yourself.
Before bringing your newest companion home, ensure their living conditions will be appropriate. Remember that guinea pigs need a quiet space, so be sure to provide a peaceful area in your home.
In Conclusion
Guinea pigs are popular pets and incredible companions, and they are adorable and easy to care for. We hope this article has helped you embark on your journey to bring a guinea pig into your family. Whether you adopt, shop, or reach out to a breeder, ensure that you are prepared to cover your pet’s care requirements to ensure their continued quality of life.
Featured Image Credit: Alexas_Fotos, Pixabay
