PetSmart Guinea Pig Price and Real First-Year Cost
PetSmart sells guinea pigs starting at $59.99, while the Fancy Guinea Pig costs $89.99. While the purchase price is what most shoppers notice first, it’s only a small part of the total cost.
Guinea pigs do best with a companion and need a spacious habitat, making the realistic first-year cost closer to $800–$1,300.
Prices verified July 2026. Prices and availability vary by store, and PetSmart occasionally offers discounts on small pets.
Key Highlights
- Guinea pigs should always be kept in pairs.
- A 10.5+ sq. ft. cage is recommended for two guinea pigs.
- Timothy hay should make up most of their daily diet.
- Find an exotic vet before bringing your guinea pig home.
Why You Need Two
Guinea pigs are herd animals. A single guinea pig kept alone is a genuinely under-stimulated animal, and welfare organisations across the board recommend keeping them in same-sex pairs or small groups. Some countries have written this into law.
Practically, that means doubling the purchase price and sizing everything up. Two same-sex pigs from the same litter or already housed together bond most easily. Introducing unfamiliar adults takes patience and neutral territory.
Never house an unneutered male and female together unless you want litters guinea pigs breed readily and females can conceive within hours of giving birth.
The Cage Is Where Budgets Break
Standard guidance is 7.5 square feet minimum for one guinea pig and 10.5 square feet for a pair roughly a 30 by 50 inch footprint.
A large proportion of cages marketed as guinea pig habitats come in nearer 4 square feet, which is adequate for a hamster and cramped for an animal that runs and popcorns.
Measure before you buy rather than trusting the label. Floor space is what counts; guinea pigs don’t climb, so tall multi-level cages add less usable room than they appear to.
Many experienced keepers build C&C cages from wire grids and coroplast, which costs less than a large commercial cage and gives more room.
Real Setup Cost Breakdown
When you buy a guinea pig from PetSmart, you receive the animal along with basic care information to help you get started.
Before bringing your guinea pig home, it’s best to have a properly sized enclosure, fresh hay, pellets, bedding, water bottle, hideouts, and other necessities ready to create a safe and comfortable habitat.
| Item | Notes | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Two guinea pigs | Standard pair at $59.99 each | $120 |
| Cage, 10.5+ sq ft | Commercial or C&C build | $100–$200 |
| Two hideouts | One per pig, minimum | $25–$40 |
| Hay rack | Keeps hay off the floor | $12–$20 |
| Water bottles | Two, to avoid competition | $15–$25 |
| Food bowls | Heavy ceramic, won’t tip | $12–$20 |
| Initial bedding | Paper-based or fleece liners | $25–$40 |
| Carrier | Needed for vet trips | $25–$35 |
| Nail clippers, brush | Nails need regular trimming | $15 |
| First vet check | Exotic vet, not a standard clinic | $60–$100 |
Startup total: roughly $410–$615 for a pair.
Ongoing Monthly Costs
After the initial setup, you’ll need to budget for food, bedding, and other essentials every month to keep your guinea pigs healthy and comfortable.
➤ Timothy hay costs $25–$35 per month. Unlimited hay makes up most of a guinea pig’s diet and is the largest recurring expense. It’s essential for healthy teeth and digestion.
➤ Fortified pellets cost $12–$18 per month. Choose a high-quality pellet made specifically for guinea pigs.
➤ Fresh vegetables cost $20–$30 per month. Daily servings of bell peppers, leafy greens, and other guinea pig-safe vegetables provide important nutrients.
➤ Bedding costs $20–$30 per month. Disposable bedding requires regular replacement, while fleece liners can reduce long-term costs after the initial purchase.
For a pair of guinea pigs, expect to spend around $75–$110 per month, or approximately $900–$1,300 per year, before veterinary expenses.
PetSmart Guinea Pig Price vs. Adoption
Buying a guinea pig from PetSmart is convenient, with prices starting at $59.99. However, adopting from a local rescue or animal shelter is often more affordable, with adoption fees typically ranging from $20–$50.
Many adopted guinea pigs are already socialized, and some come with a companion or basic health records.
If you choose PetSmart or adoption, you’ll still need to budget for a proper enclosure, food, bedding, and ongoing veterinary care.
PetSmart Discounts
PetSmart occasionally offers promotions on small pets, although guinea pigs are discounted less frequently than hamsters or other small animals.
You may find limited-time in-store sales or seasonal promotions, and Treats Rewards members can sometimes save on habitats, food, bedding, and other guinea pig supplies.
Checking current offers before purchasing can help reduce your initial setup costs.
The Vitamin C Problem
Guinea pigs can’t produce their own vitamin C, which makes them one of very few mammals that can develop scurvy. Deficiency shows up as reluctance to move, a rough coat, and swollen joints.
Cover it through fresh vegetables bell peppers are the best source plus fortified pellets bought in small quantities, since the vitamin C in pellets degrades within weeks of opening.
Skip the vitamin drops sold for water bottles they break down quickly in light and can make water taste unpleasant enough that pigs drink less.
Before You Buy
Find an exotic vet in your area first. Most general small animal practices don’t treat guinea pigs, and they hide illness until it’s advanced, so knowing where to go before an emergency matters.
Consider adoption too. Guinea pigs are surrendered often, and rescues frequently rehome bonded pairs with the cage included which removes the largest single line item above. Some PetSmart locations host adoptable small pets; see our PetSmart adoption guide.
For comparison with cheaper starter species, our hamster prices guide and small animals guide cover the alternatives. Live pets follow separate rules from merchandise check PetSmart store policies before purchase, and sign up for Treats Rewards first, since a full setup easily clears the spend thresholds on bonus point offers.
Final Verdict
PetSmart is a convenient place to buy a guinea pig, with prices starting at $59.99. The purchase price is only a small part of the overall expense.
Since guinea pigs should be kept with a companion and need a spacious habitat, expect to spend $800–$1,300 during the first year. If you’re prepared for the long-term commitment and ongoing care, a guinea pig can make a rewarding and affectionate pet.
