The guinea pig breed cost sorter
Sort 5 guinea pigs by what they cost to feed, insure and own — and filter by size, shedding and budget. Click any column to sort.
Owning a guinea pig in the US runs from about $6,200 to $10,650 over a lifetime across these 5 breeds, with a typical (median) figure near $7,450. The cheapest to own is the Teddy Guinea Pig (~$6,200); the priciest is the Silkie (Sheltie) Guinea Pig (~$10,650). These are not sticker prices — each figure fuses purchase, food (computed from breed weight via the vet RER/MER calorie formula), insurance (NAPHIA averages by health-risk tier), routine vet, grooming and supplies across its average lifespan. Sort by any column or filter by size, shedding and budget to find the guinea pig that fits your home and wallet.
| Breed | Size | Avg lb | Food/yr | Insurance/yr | Lifetime | Lifespan | Shedding |
|---|
Cheapest guinea pigs to own (lifetime)
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest guinea pig to own?
The Teddy Guinea Pig, about $6,200 over its lifetime — small, healthy breeds cost least.
How much does a guinea pig cost over its lifetime?
Across 5 breeds the median is about $7,450, ranging from $6,200 to $10,650.
How is guinea pig cost calculated?
Food from breed weight via the vet RER/MER calorie formula and US prices; insurance from NAPHIA averages by health-risk tier; lifetime = purchase + first-year setup + annual cost × average lifespan.
Compiled by the PawCosts data team from breed standards, NAPHIA averages and vet nutrition formulas.