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Peruvian Guinea Pig — cost & care
Active, social, inquisitive. Small longhair guinea pig.
A Peruvian Guinea Pig costs roughly $10,650 over its lifetime (5–8 years), or about $1,600/year: ~$480 food, ~$120 insurance, ~$200 routine vet, ~$600 grooming. Purchase price runs $30–$70.
📍 Costs in USD (United States) — see this breed in another country.
0.125cups of pellets / day (~10.0 lb/mo)
0.5cups of water / day
6.5 yraverage lifespan (5–8)
Customize your estimate — tick only what you actually pay for
Your estimate: / year · lifetime
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Get Peruvian Guinea Pig insurance quotes — average plan ~$120/yr. See quotesRecommended food
A Peruvian Guinea Pig eats ~10.0 lb/month. Shop small-breed foodFull cost breakdown
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Purchase (one-off) | $30–$70 |
| Food / year | $480 (0.125 cups/day) |
| Pet insurance / year | $120 (est.) |
| Routine vet / year | $200 |
| Grooming / year | $600 |
| Supplies & misc / year | $200 |
| Total annual | $1,600 |
| Lifetime total | $10,650 |
Breed stats
| Size | Small |
| Avg weight | 2.1 lb |
| Height | 8–10 in |
| Lifespan | 5–8 yrs |
| Group | Longhair |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Temperament & care
| Energy | 3/5 |
| Friendliness | 4/5 |
| Grooming need | 5/5 |
| Shedding | 3/5 |
Common health conditions
- Vitamin C deficiency
- Matting & skin issues
- Dental disease
How we calculate: food cost = breed weight → vet RER/MER calorie formula → cups/day → US food-price average. Insurance = NAPHIA US average adjusted by breed health-risk tier and size. Estimates — verify with your vet and insurer.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Peruvian Guinea Pig cost per year?
About $1,600 a year — roughly $480 food, $120 insurance, $200 vet and $600 grooming.
What is the lifetime cost of a Peruvian Guinea Pig?
Around $10,650 across its 5–8-year lifespan, including purchase and first-year setup.
How much does a Peruvian Guinea Pig eat?
About 0.125 cups of pellets a day (~10.0 lb per month).
How much water should a Peruvian Guinea Pig drink?
About 0.5 cups of water a day — verify with your vet for your animal.
Is the Peruvian Guinea Pig hypoallergenic?
No — the Peruvian Guinea Pig sheds and is not considered hypoallergenic.