Teacup Pigs - Your Next Pet?
87Teacup Piglet
Not long ago, a friend sent me an email containing a link and the words "I want one!!!!!" Intrigued, I clicked on the link and was taken to a YouTube video of teacup piglets. After awwwwing over their cuteness throughout the video, I forwarded the email to another animal lover in my office. Her response was almost identical to the first email. It quickly began appearing in the email inbox of every animal lover in the office. We all agreed - the teacup pigs were adorable but, at the same time, we expressed our concern for their health, safety and future as the newest and cutest pet to make its appearance on the pet scene. Thankfully, most of us already have dogs, cats, fish and other assorted pets, and are not in a position to add one more animal to our already full menageries - no matter how cute and adorable. But what about those who have fallen for these mini-porkers? Do they know what they are getting themselves into when they acquire one of these teacups?
Teacup Darlings
Acquiring Your Teacup Piglet
If you are serious about getting a teacup piglet for your household, do your homework before running out and plunking down a substantial sum of money to bring the tiny piggy home. Find a reputable breeder who specializes in this type of miniature animal. Take a tour of their breeding facility and take notes, mental or otherwise, on their breeding operation. Don't be afraid to ask questions - and keep asking until you are satisfied with their answers. You want to make sure you are getting a healthy teacup piglet.
The price of a teacup piglet will vary depending on where you get your newest pet. Breeders of these tiny pets are in business to make money so expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand if you want to purchase one from a reputable breeding farm.
Caring For Your New Teacup Piglet
A tiny teacup pig is like any other household pet. It requires shelter, a healthy diet, exercise, love and attention if it is to grow into a well-mannered, balanced, pig that thrives in its new home. Like a dog or a cat, your little piglet should be spayed or neutered when the appropriate time comes.
Vital Statistics for the Teacup Piggy
A teacup piglet weighs only ounces at birth but once it reaches its full adult size, it will weigh on average 30-65 pounds. This is considerably less than its 600-800 lb. fully grown regular-sized cousin. Compared to a dog, the teacup piggy is approximately the same size as a cocker spaniel, and it has an expected lifespan of 15-20 years. The teacup is a clean, odorless pet that can be litter-boxed trained. Their small size makes them well-suited for city living, particularly when their primary residence is an apartment. Although they are a low maintenance pet, they are highly intelligent and, as such, they get bored easily. Owners should expect to pay a lot of attention to them to keep them entertained. If a pet owner is in absentia most of the day, the teacup piglet is probably not the right pet for the household. As with a small child, or a cat or dog, if the tiny pig is neglected, the pet owner could be facing behavior problems with the mini-pig.
Teacups Are A Lifetime Commitment
There's no doubt about it, teacup piglets are adorable, but it is that very cuteness factor that is going to be the source of problems for the tiny creatures as they grown into adulthood. An impulse decision to acquire one of the tiny piglets will be followed, once the novelty has worn off, by the reality of owning such an unusual pet. Pet owners will find the care and responsibility of their fully-grown adult pig to be less enjoyable than they did when the teacup pig was first acquired. If two are purchased, as some breeders insist upon, the responsibility is doubled, and it is that responsibility that pet owners will turn away from when these unusual pets are no longer tiny and cute and adorable.
So before plunking down hard-earned money on a teacup piglet, do your homework and research the breed carefully. Make sure you are up to the challenge of owning this adorable animal. Bringing a teacup piglet into your household should be a lifetime commitment, as with any pet, not one to be taken lightly, in haste, or because of the cuteness factor.
If, after carefully considering what a teacup piglet will bring to your household as its newest member of your animal family, and the responsibilities it will bring with it, you decide to go ahead with acquiring one for your home, enjoy the fun of owning such an unusual pet. They are adorable!
The Smallest Pigs In The World
- Teacup Pigs
Angel Enterprise Farm, a breeder of teacup piggies located in Central Florida. The Website is chockful of detaled information on buying, owning and caring for your new pet.
Joey's Quill
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I agree. I am one that said "I want one" but I did not look into how much work and what it would take to have one. If I ever have a place and the money to care for one, I still want one. Thanks.
They are startlingly sweet!! I'd never seen them before!! Strange how the automatic reaction is to say 'I want one!' but your hub does well to caution people!!
Very nice!!
I want to thank you for letting people know to think it out before purchasing a piglet. To many people just jump into things. I never want any of my babies going to a rescue because it did not work out. I actually will take my babies back at any time. I also wish to Thank You for mentioning my web site.
thank you SO much I've been looking for info on owning a TeacupPig and this was all of the info i was looking for
thanks again!!
Thanks for the info. My wife was so in love with these little pigs. Once she read your info it did change her mind. These are probably not the best pets for our busy lifestyle. Thanks!
This is a great hub, with lots of useful information! I just recently got a micro pig who lives full time in our home. He is an amazing pet, and needs just about the same amount of love and attention as a human baby! He is very intelligent, so we always make sure to give him lots of love and interaction to stimulate him and make sure he is never home alone for more than a very brief amount of time. These little piggies are not your "average" pet, but if you have the time to love them and are able to provide a comfortable home for them, they are well worth it!
i myself want one very badly... i would love to have a teacup pig! i think it would be a great pet and expierence! i am 14 years old, have any ideas where i can get one?
What a cute pig, Great hub.
Wow, My Aunt and Uncle actually haved owned pigs as pets, and they say that they're wonderful animals to have around the household.
I will have to show my fiance this hub. As I have been trying to convince him to get one for me.
these piglets are soo cute!i would do anything for one!
how do you purchase a teacup piglet or a pocket pigelt??????
I used to raise market hogs, then I got on a first name basis with them and just couldn't sell someone I talked to everyday. A friend recently wound up with a breeding pair of teacups and just didn't have the time to monitor the sow and when the piglets came mom kept using them for a matress. We managed to scarf up the remaining 3 at 2 days old and 2 are almost 3 months old now. She just placed the female with a family who did lots of research and just love her. I think my vet's office manager's sister is interested in the male I have. We discovered a huge inguinal hernia in the process of haveing him neutered and decided to give him a chance and do a costly hernia repair. He did absolutly terriffic. The vet's office spoiled him rotten while he was there and everyone wants him. He's housebroken ( lets you know when he needs to go outside on his leash ) very friendly, and just a fantastic buddy. I'm currently camped in the attic of my sister's summer kitchen and it's getting a little tough to carry him up and down the stairs. The two Jack Russels are a problem because they see him as a pig roast. All the other dogs get along great with him. If I could find the property I want I'd definatly keep him but placing him with a trusted friend will have to do. If it doesn't work I will definatly take him back and figure out a way for him to navigate the old creaky steps to my room. We think he'd make a terriffic "therapy pig" since he loves everyone and there's a children's hospital nearby. Anyone have any thoughts on that?
What a great hub;I am a sucker for anything to do with animals or nature and this one is brilliant !!!
Take care
Eddy.
Thx! Very useful! I have loved pigs my whole life. I am hope to get one-I will do A lot of research though! my family has an acre is that enough land?
My mommy said i could have one, but after reading these comeents, i still odnt understand how much a tea-cup pig is. Thank You for the other information though! [:
Oops i should have read this before i bought mine and about them being.odorless mine has an odd smell to him can you showermini pigs?
I wanted one so bad but I never knew that they grew to be so big now I'm not sure but I still think it would be pretty ool to have one
don't be stupid.. please http://www.teacuppig.info/
do your homework before being another tea cup pig disapointed owner.
SimeyC Level 5 Commenter 2 years ago
Very nice first hub - a lot of useful info - I like the fact you point out that the cuteness will wear off and the committment continues!