[C&K]

Guinea Pigs are Cheap or Economical Pets.

FALSE

Guinea Pigs often require more financial resources to keep healthy and happy then the average cat or dog.

In addition to the cost of building the cage they require:

Unlimited hay. (Grass hay for adults, with alfalfa for young pigs or pregnant / nursing mothers)

Fresh vegetables on a daily basis.

High quality pellet (Although some people to skip pellets and supplement with an appropriate vegetable mix in addition to unlimited hay, not advisable without a lot of research)

Appropriate litter for the cage, such as Aspen Shavings, Recycled Paper products (Care Fresh or Yesterdays News) or a material that needs frequent washing such as Fleece, Vet Bed, Puppy Pads, gauze or towels. (Never use sawdust or clay)

Vet Care, when the pig develops a medical condition. Some vets charge more, some less to see a Guinea pig then a cat or a dog. Other expenses with the visit may include additional charges for running tests, taking x rays, and for medication.
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All of these costs are highly variable, depending on the prices you can source these items at. However, be prepared to spend $15.00 - $20.00 a week not including less frequent expenses, such as toys, medication, and vet visits just to meet basic pig necessities.