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KZN
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I used to have two...
They're not really high-maintenance animals, work-wise, save for cleaning their cages.
As for expensive, you'll need quite a lot of money for bedding, as guinea pigs can mess their cages rather fast. And I recommend recycled paper bedding; it's soft and not as dusty as wood shavings, so it doesn't hurt the animal's eyes or nose. Keep in mind that this bedding is usually more expensive, though.
As far as feeding goes, mine LOVED Gerty food. It's moderately priced, but very healthy and tasty for the guinea pigs. You can also feed them fresh veggies and fruits, they love 'em. Carrots, tomatoes, celery, apples, grapes, strawberries, etc. Oranges especially, because they need vitamin C.
You need a pretty big cage for them (one level is fine--mine didn't like to climb.) I'd recommend around a rabbit sized cage for one of them; you can combine two cages or get a bigger one if you get more than one guinea pig.
I also recommend you get at least two, because they can get lonely. Make sure if you get two males though, that they were litter mates, because otherwise they will most likely fight with each other. You'll have to separate them if they start fighting, but that doesn't mean they'll hate each other forever. (If you keep them in separate cages next to each other, the territorial tension goes down and they enjoy each other's company.) If you get a male and a female, spay/neuter them if you don't want babies. Two females will get along fine.
When it comes to humans, they're VERY affectionate. They purr and enjoy being petted and held. They're vocal and will squeal at you for attention or a treat. Though they're not nearly as active as rats or mice, so they're content just sitting in your lap and cuddling. That isn't to say they don't have their times of being active and running around, but mostly that energy is used up while they're chasing each other around.
(I'll continue in another post--I typed too much.)
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