What’s the Deal with Teacup Pigs? by Allison Harrison
Pigs are having a moment in the spotlight. Instagram accounts like pickle.the.pig and cutest_pigs share images of adorable piglets and interact with thousands of followers a week. Heck—you’ve maybe even seen a pig or two at your local farmer’s market or out on a hiking trail. There’s no denying these pigs have a certain charm. After all, millions of people around the world love Ms. Piggy and her sassy attitude. As you’ll find below, it turns out that real-life pigs have big attitudes, too. But before you hoof it to the nearest pig sanctuary, let’s find out the deal with all these pigs and discover the truth about so-called teacup piglets.
Teacup Pigs... Aren’t Really A Thing
Anyone claiming to have a teacup pig doesn’t have a special small breed. The truth is, there is no such thing as a teacup pig. Breeders use this term to drum up interest in piglets under the false pretense that the animals will stay small. Sure, a twenty-pound pig sounds great, but the reality isn’t so adorable. Grown “teacup” pigs are actually malnourished in order to keep them small and marketable. Mini-pigs are classified as any breed that’s 300 pounds and under. People often think that when they get a mini-pig such as a potbelly pig, their animal will stay piglet-sized. However, when fed a normal diet, many of these animals grow well 48 | Winter 2021
over 100 pounds. When pigs’ diets are restricted in an unhealthy manner, they may stay small, but they won’t be at a natural, healthy weight. On the other hand, pigs are prone to overeating so it’s important to monitor their diets closely. Overweight pigs can develop arthritis, back issues, and a condition called fat blindness. If you’re not ready to take care of a large animal, a pig is not for you.
Pigs Require Specific Care (And Are Costly) Choosing to adopt a pig is a huge responsibility. You wouldn’t adopt a new puppy without a plan to care for it properly, and the decision to add a pig to your home is no different. In fact, pigs can be as destructive as a new puppy, and they live for much longer than an average dog. Potbelly pigs can live for up to 18 years, and larger breeds may live for as long as 35 years. If you’re considering getting a house pig, research the animal’s lifespan and plan accordingly. Feed them too little, and they’ll starve and begin raiding your pantry. Feed them too much and they’ll become obese, leading to the health problems mentioned above. Between the costs of feeding a pig and veterinarian bills, it can be expensive to have a pet pig. And if you’re thinking you won’t need to spay or neuter your pig because there aren’t any other cuties on the
