What's more, some shady "teacup" pig breeders will simply show potential buyers infant potbellied pigs that will eventually grow into full-sized adolescents and adults. After buying, the cost of keeping a pig as a pet only climbs from there. Because many "teacup" owners believe their pigs will remain small, they don't even consider the cost of raising a pound plus pig in their home.
Between adequate food supply potbellied pigs can eat a lot , check-ups and vaccinations at the veterinarian, and other piggy supplies, it can cost thousands of dollars each year to own a pig. Plus, it's recommended to spay or neuter pet pigs to limit unpleasant behaviors and reduce the risk of certain cancers. Although the average potbellied pig is expected to live anywhere between 12 and 18 years , a "teacup" pig's lifespan typically hovers around five years due to issues with their skeletal and immune systems.
Genetic disorders caused by inbreeding can also contribute to a shorter lifespan. Pigs, in general, take up a lot of space, and not just because they're large. Pigs require daily exercise so they don't become bored, which could lead to destructive or aggressive behavior. Some can even become aggressive towards humans and bite or charge. Many pigs are abandoned or surrendered to shelters simply because their owners don't have the space to keep them happy, healthy, and engaged.
Believe it or not, keeping a pig as a pet may be illegal where you live. Zoning laws in several states consider pigs strictly farm animals and won't allow them in non-farming or non-agricultural settings. If you're considering adding a pig to the family, be sure to check out the zoning laws in your area.
A little bit of research can help prevent the abandonment or surrender of many domesticated pigs each year. Did you know pigs are extremely social animals? Much like dogs, pigs develop "packs," often playing, lounging, and sleeping together. Depriving a pig of his or her social interaction can cause the pig to become bored, restless, or depressed, and he or she may act out aggressively. That being said, it's best to keep at least two pigs at a time, but many "teacup" owners who find themselves struggling with a pound-plus pig will have an even harder time with two or more.
Not to mention, double the pigs means double the expenses for food, supplies, and vet visits. Pigs are indeed extremely intelligent, playful animals who are capable of forming deep, loving bonds with their humans.
For some families, they're the perfect pet! Owning a pig, however, is entirely different than owning a cat or a dog. New pig owners are often surprised to learn how much work and money pig ownership truly requires. Unfortunately, many people who purchase "teacup" pigs are not prepared for them to grow into full-sized adolescents and adults. When the pigs grow too large, develop health problems, or display destructive behavior, they're often surrendered to shelters or simply abandoned. If you start to see the back and hips becoming overly round, your pig might be getting overweight.
The shoulders also hold fat humps that can be an indication your pig is gaining too much weight if they start to get too large. Many people purchased mini pigs believing misinformation spread by breeders that it would remain tiny and cute; under 50 pounds.
When that pig ends up growing to a massive size of over pounds, it becomes too much for many to handle. These terms are all used loosely with no real classifying specifications. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.
Skip to content. Sep 21 Age Weight Range Height Range Length Range Newborn 9 oz — 7 lbs inches inches 1 year lbs inches inches 2 years lbs inches inches 3 years lbs inches inches 4 years lbs inches inches. Nicole Cosgrove. Conclusion Related. Related Posts. November 7th, What Do Sloths Eat? All You Need to Know! Terms of use Affiliate Disclaimer Credits Menu. Facebook Instagram Twitter. Those who are looking to add a pig to their family will have a hard time finding cheap teacup pigs to purchase.
The teacup pig price range can be anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars. Yes, smaller potbellied pigs do exist. If someone has been promised a micro teacup pig, and that pig grows to plus pounds as an adult miniature pig, suddenly that pig is not going to seem so cute anymore. And trying to keep pigs tiny can have some pretty negative effects on their health and well-being. Some breeders claim that a nano pig or micro pig adult will only grow to pounds.
That's about the size of a miniature dachshund. The mini pig pets people see online and on TV are really just potbelly piglets who may be as young as a few days old, or who are underfed so that their growth is stunted, or who are sold under false pretenses. Because pigs can breed when they are as young as three months old, the parents of baby piglets may be piglets themselves.
Therefore, pig parent sizes are not an accurate measure of how large their offspring will be in adulthood. Potbellied pigs can keep growing until they are five years old, which can be problematic for people who simply want tiny pigs for pets — especially those who take their pig home to live in a small house or an apartment. Read more about the myth of teacup pigs. Breeding and keeping pigs as pets has really only become a phenomenon over the past four decades or so.
The practice of keeping pigs as house pets is an even greater novelty. Once you look past the cute factor of a so-called mini piglet and the novelty of owning a mini pig, there are many factors to consider. Pigs are, as breeders claim, very clean and intelligent animals. They can form close bonds with people and be very affectionate and playful. They can even be clicker trained to learn basic training cues and tricks. However, in spite of what breeders may say, living with even a small pet pig is not the same as having a dog or a cat.
Fortunately, a little bit of research and mini pig information can help prevent abandonment. One of the first things people need to consider before bringing home a pig is whether or not the zoning laws in their area will allow it. Pigs are often surrendered to shelters or turned loose when well-meaning people find out that pigs are not legal where they live, because they are considered farm animals rather than pets. Things can quickly become cramped when your piggy roommate exceeds or even pounds.
Providing a safe, secure and pig-proof outdoor area is not only key to keeping pigs happy, but also to keeping the inside of the house and any fancy landscaping from being destroyed. A bored, frustrated pig can do a lot of damage quickly. Lack of mental stimulation for a pig can also lead to aggressive behavior toward humans, such as charging or biting. In the wild, they live in communities called sounders. Another crucial part of pig care is proper feeding.
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