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 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

block, think again. Pigs get territorial and can exhibit unpleasant behavior when they’re looking for a mate. This can include headbutting and humping other animals or humans.

However, if you’re prepared to take your pig to the vet semi-regularly, you don’t mind a housemate who eats more than a teenager, and you’ve pig-proofed your house, then you can form a special companionship with a pet pig. But don’t put “small” or “teacup” in its Instagram account, because your pig will grow quickly, and that’s sure to confuse and mislead its followers. There Aren’t Enough Sanctuaries

Because pigs aren’t as easy to care for as many people think and because they don’t stay teacup size, many people abandon their pigs within two years. Fortunately, there are kind souls committed to running pig sanctuaries, such as the folks at Central Texas Pig Rescue.

However, due to the cost of feeding abandoned pigs, many of these sanctuaries struggle to keep up with the numbers of animals dropped off at their doors. According to the Central Texas Pig Rescue website, their “vision of rescuing a few pigs was soon overshadowed by an endless flow of owner surrender requests, shelters with pigs dumped, and rescuers all over the country in desperate need to place a pig.”

If you’re thinking about getting a pig because you can dump it at a sanctuary if it turns out to be too much trouble, then you should stop now. Instead, donate the money you’ve set aside to a pig rescue.

If you do decide to adopt a pig, then by all means start that Instagram account. Just use it to educate others about the realities of caring for pigs, and not to make it look more glamorous than it really is.

Donate to a local sanctuary, foster a pig, or do your research and come to the conclusion that you are ready to take on a new, voracious companion. As Ms. Piggy once said, “Love is where

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you least expect it.” Pigs are smart, lovable, and great pets for the right people.

What Can You Do?

If you’re thinking, yeah no, this sounds like a way bigger responsibility than I’m prepared for, then you can still help in other ways. Tell your friends about the realities of “teacup” pigs, and educate anyone who will listen. Combat misinformation with facts. Support your friends who do own pigs by babysitting their companions when they need a break.

If you’re looking to adopt, check out Triple P Sanctuary, Maggy’s Piggy Friends: Adoption and Rehome, or Chicagoland Pig Rescue.

Already Have a Pig?

Send us an image at cultivate@cultivate. com and we might include your image in an upcoming issue of Cultivate San Antonio!

Check out my favorite pig on Instagram @scarlett.johamson