Guinea pigs need friends
Guinea pigs are highly social and should be kept in same-sex pairs or small groups. A solitary guinea pig is likely to become lonely and stressed.
Quick answer
Baby Guinea Pigs in the UK typically cost £15–£60. PetTrader lists them from licensed breeders, private sellers and rescues, with 6 varieties guides, prices, locations and health details on every advert.
Guinea pigs are highly social and should be kept in same-sex pairs or small groups. A solitary guinea pig is likely to become lonely and stressed.
Guinea pigs cannot make their own vitamin C, so they need fresh vegetables and a small daily vitamin C supplement. Without it they can develop scurvy.
A large cage or hutch with plenty of floor space, hiding places and soft bedding is essential. They need room to run, popcorn and hide whenever they choose.
Baby Guinea Pigs typically sell for £15–£60 in the UK. Price depends on the breed or variety, health testing and registration paperwork, the seller's location and the time of year. An advert priced well below the band for its breed is one of the most common signs of an unlicensed seller or a scam.
| Breed | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| American Guinea Pig pups | £20–£45 |
| Abyssinian Guinea Pig pups | £25–£50 |
| Peruvian Guinea Pig pups | £30–£60 |
| Sheltie Guinea Pig pups | £30–£60 |
| Rex Guinea Pig pups | £25–£50 |
| Skinny Pig pups | £50–£120 |
Guinea pigs usually cost £15–£60 each. Smooth-coated crossbreeds are cheapest, while Peruvian, Texel, Silkie and show-quality pedigrees cost more. Buy in pairs and budget for a large cage, hay and fresh vegetables.
Yes. Guinea pigs are herd animals and become withdrawn and stressed alone. Keep two or more of the same sex, or a neutered boar with sows. In Switzerland it is actually illegal to keep one on its own — that is how strong the evidence is.
From three to four weeks, but males must be separated from their mother and sisters by three weeks because they can breed from that age. Reputable breeders will already have separated the sexes.
Unlimited grass hay, a daily portion of fresh vegetables high in vitamin C such as peppers, and a small amount of guinea-pig-specific pellets. Guinea pigs cannot make their own vitamin C, so a rabbit food is not a substitute.
A minimum of 120cm x 60cm for a pair, plus daily floor time or a secure run. Bigger is always better — guinea pigs 'popcorn' and sprint when they have space, and cramped cages cause bullying between cage mates.
Typically five to seven years, sometimes longer. Common health issues to ask the seller about are dental problems, mites and respiratory infection, so check for clear eyes, dry nose and a full coat before buying.
They are one of the better small pets for families — they rarely bite, are active during the day and enjoy being handled once used to it. An adult should still oversee handling, cleaning and feeding.
View the animal in person at the seller's own home before any money changes hands, keep all messages inside PetTrader so there is a record, and never pay by bank transfer, gift card or crypto to someone you have not met. Every PetTrader seller completes a photo-ID and live selfie check, and verified accounts carry a badge, and you can report an advert from the listing page.
Selling rather than buying? Identity-verified private sellers get their first advert free, and the first 200 businesses and breeders get 12 months free. See all baby guinea pigs for sale, read where to advertise baby guinea pigs in the UK for the costs and legal rules, or rehome a pet you already own.