Keeping Teacup Pigs As Family Pets

Many people know that pigs are remarkably intelligent and can be friendly, but without a barnyard it is hard to have one for a pet – at least until you find out about teacup pigs. Along with miniature dogs, horses, and donkeys, breeders now have developed tiny pigs for those who want an unusual pet.

The pigs fit into a teacup when newly born, but – being pigs – grow rapidly to about the size of a Cocker Spaniel. Maturing at about fifteen inches tall and weighing around thirty pounds (healthy weight), they do not have to get larger. However, unwise feeding will cause them to outgrow their small pet status. They come in many different colors and are generally a mixture of breeds.

Ideally, a mini pig should be able to spend a lot of the day turned out on edible but low calorie grass, where it will root around happily and take frequent naps. In the house, a pig will be content to spend time with the family, but it will be constantly thinking about a pig’s main aim in life – eating. However, they are easy to train, will walk on a leash, and are at least as companionable as a dog or cat.

They house train very easily, will learn to do tricks (for edible rewards), really like people (who they regard as food vending machines), and stay incredibly cute all their life. They have one main advantage over dogs – they do not bark. If properly trained when young and not allowed to become demanding and manipulative (over food), they are well-mannered and safe for children and adults.

Like other miniature breeds, pigs may have congenital health problems, so make sure you deal with a reputable and experienced breeder. Many health conditions are caused by letting the animal gain too much weight, so you have to be smarter than a pig and able to withstand begging, no matter how cute. You ain’t seen cute until you’ve seen a pig who wants a cookie. However, you can find a lot of low-calorie, low-carbohydrate snacks that will be much healthier for your pet, and you can always distract it with a good belly rub.

Being bred to be small but still having the porcine ability to turn every calorie to advantage, the animal’s feet and legs are too small to support it if it is obese, its eyes will disappear in rolls of forehead fat if you don’t watch out, and it will not want to move around freely. Other, more minor problems are dry skin and sunburn, both in winter and summer.

If you live in town or in a residential community, the zoning may not allow pigs. You need to check out the local ordinances and find out if there is a vet in the area who is knowledgeable about pigs. If there is a 4-H Club in the area, you may find the information you need from members who raise pigs. A fenced yard is good; otherwise plan to spend a lot of quality time outdoors with your pig.

Nothing is cuter than tea cup pigs gamboling around, peering at you to see what good thing is going to happen next, or snoozing on your chest after a good meal.

Whether your piglet resides inside the home or outside, it will need a comfortable place to sleep. mini pigs for sale Even if you choose to let your piglet live indoors, you will need to provide a secure fenced in yard for them to play in. A dog bed inside a large dog kennel with shelter and warmth is necessary.