Do teacup pigs make good pets? Some may say yes! Yikes! We want to assure you that teacup pigs aren't actually a 'breed' of pig. You need to know all the facts. We don't recommend owning teacup pigs or micro pigs as pets and have some solid reasons why as we understand how cute they are and hard to resist! They exploded in popularity over the past few years and Peta2 has a great article on mini pigs and whether or not they're actually a thing.
"There is no such thing as a "mini pig," "teacup pig," or "micro pig." These smallish animals are actually inbred underfed potbellied pigs. Breeders teach new guardians to feed them a restrictive diet, which results in a malnourished, growth-stunted pig."
Teacup or micro pigs are a big scam! When you see teacup in the ad copy remember that they are tiny for a moment in time! Many rescues are contacted after the pig grows really large and the owner can no longer take care of their 'teacup' pig. Let's break down the common questions asked when people are researching whether or not they want to live with a mini pig.
What is a teacup pig, or micro pig?
Do you know about Esther the pig? Derek Walter and Steve Jenkins were persuaded by a friend who wanted to find a home for a young "micro pig," Even though Esther started out as a tiny pig, she grew and grew! Read more about their story here.
We learn from Peta that they're really potbellied pigs.
"These animals are really potbellied pigs who are either deliberately malnourished so that they remain smaller than average or are falsely advertised as being mini."
How big does a micro pig get?
According to Wide Open Country, the Santa Fe breeder maintained her claim that the pigs she sold were mini pigs, and compared to farm pigs, pot-bellied pigs are indeed much smaller.
"Common farm pigs that are kept for breeding purposes can grow as large as 800 lbs. Fully grown Pot-Bellied pigs can still be anywhere from 100 to 300 lbs in weight. In a 2014 article, National Geographic claimed that because most pet owners do not have the land or home space to house such a large pet, many are ending up in pig rescues."
How much is a micro pig?
These pigs are expensive! Modern Farmer explains that people will pay way too much! Buyers will pay anywhere from $750 to over $3,500. Breeders put up listings for "teacup pigs," promising to sell teacup pigs that'll stay permanently tiny.
How long does a micro pig live?
When we start talking about old age, let's just look at how old a potbellied pig lives if they're healthy and well taken care of. They live between 12-18 years old so this is a major commitment! In some cases, they live to 20-years-old. This is a huge decision. Also, consider how much space you have. Unless you live on a few acres and have a lot of space it's hard to raise pigs.
Don't forget to check your zoning too as some places won't allow farm animals.
Do they make good pets?
No! Unless you also want to sign up for multiple pigs as they're very social animals. They're as social as dogs and cats.
There are many expenses involved and now you have to double that cost since you'll be owning two or more. Gather all the facts before you bring home a pig and remember that a 'teacup' pig just doesn't exist.
When you hear about 'teacup' pigs, micro mini pigs, miniature pigs, just remember that these are all growth stunted pigs. The pig breeders selling them aren't telling the whole truth. You should look at some potbelly pigs and have all the facts about cost and overall health.
Social media made these little pigs super popular and some of the pig parents are posting adorable pictures but we need all the facts before looking at a pet pig as a family member.
So many shelters have these pigs after pet owners realize they're more than they've signed up for and need to find them new homes. Pigs are very intelligent animals and underfeeding them to make a profit is horrible. Do all your research!
Do you know anyone that thought they were buying a teacup pig? Let us know in the comments below!
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