Pigs can be amusing and rewarding company due to their clever and friendly temperament.A pet pig is also quite cute and intelligent. Pigs have received a lot of popularity in the news within the last few years.People have been purchasing this ‘mini pig’ as pets. Pigs can be easily trained also, like dogs. You can teach pigs some tricks and even walk them on a leash like a dog.There have been many breeds of pigs that have been sold as ’teacup pigs’ or ‘miniature pigs’ if bred comparatively tiny. Many of the pigs sold as ’tiny pigs’ are usually a variety of pot-bellied pigs such as the Vietnamese potbellied. Many responsible people with farms have been owning and breeding this wild and mature yet cute creature, regardless of if they are part of a domestic family or consider themselves a specialist breeder. Although a wild animal, some people do have a pig as a full-grown, full-size domestic pet. It is better to own a pig with good body weight for the farms but if you just want to become pig parents, then their weight isn’t as important. Breeding these pets or animals will result in cute piglets. Other than just being cute, these piglets are very small and are even sold in the market to be bought by other bidders and anyone that is wanting to become a pig breeder.Keep reading to know more about the lifestyle of a mini pig. Afterward, why not also read about the wonderful gilt pig and find out the answer to how long do pigs live?Is there a breed of pig that stays small?Although the ever-growing trend of miniature pigs as a pet is increasing, it is believed that in reality mini pigs or tiny pigs are a myth. However, there are some types of potbellied pig breeds that are considered to be ‘mini’.Several breeds of pigs are known as ‘miniature pigs’ and are also commonly called tiny pigs, mini pigs, and teacup pigs, These are varieties that have been domesticated as pet pigs from the Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, Juliana pig, Göttingen minipig, Kunekune, and several others by crossbreeding.These miniature pigs are differentiated by small, pushed-back ears, a chubby body, round head, potbelly, and short legs. Miniature pigs can weigh approximately 60-250 lb (27.2-113.3 kg). Although breeders may use words like ’teacup pigs’ or ‘dandie’ to indicate pig size, choosing ’teacup pigs’ or a’dandie’ pig does not guarantee that your pet will stay small forever. A pig’s adult size is determined by a variety of circumstances. Any two piglets that were born together can grow differently in size as they mature.What is the smallest breed of mini pigs?After years of cross-breeding diverse pig breeds from around the world, American micro pigs emerged. American micro pigs grow up to 15-20 in (38-51 cm) which is why they are pigs often seen as a pet. American micro pigs are calm, highly intelligent, and can be tamed with proper techniques.Juliana pigs come in a variety of colors. A Juliana pig’s weight depends on bone formation and health, but it normally stays in the range of 28.6-59.5 lb (13-27 kg). Juliana pig lives up to 15 years or more.The Kunekune is the tiniest breed of pig in micro pig breeds but it can grow up to 100-400 lb (45.4-181.8 kg). The gentle and amiable temperament of Kunekune, like many small pet pig breeds, is well-known. Kunekune pigs stay mostly in woodland ecosystems, as these animals do not live well inside.The miniature pig is known as the tiniest pig in the pig world. The miniature pig has a tiny body. The miniature pig is also known as a pygmy pig, micro pig, and dwarf pig.The American guinea hog is a small, domesticated pig breed that was developed in the United States. Blackcoats, upright ears, and many more features characterize the American guinea hog. A domesticated pig hog has a lifespan of 10-15 years.Mini potbellied pigs are intelligent, curious, fascinating, and affectionate pets. The potbellied pig is perhaps the only domesticated pet pig that dislikes being held by humans. Read on to discover more potbellied pig facts.How big do miniature pigs get?A normal mini pig can grow to be more than 14-20 in (35.5-50.8 cm) tall and reach between 50-150 lb (22.7-68.1 kg) when fully matured, as per the American Mini Pig Association.If a ’teacup’ pig is a typical farm-breed pig, it’ll still grow to be three times the size it is as an infant. A male pig can weigh over 1000 lb (454.5 kg) and a mature female pig can weigh over 700 lb (318.1 kg)!What do you need to know before you adopt a mini pig?In the last several years, the mini pig has become increasingly popular. ‘Mini pig’ is a phrase that is sometimes interchangeable with words such as ’teacup pigs’ and ‘pocket pigs’, to describe any smaller type of pig.It is always better to adopt a pig if you wish to get a pet pig but it is important to remember that pigs are not like a cat or a dog, they require a different lifestyle and activities that our ‘usual’ pets don’t. If you are considering bringing home a pet pig, read this section to find out the must-know facts before adopting a mini pig.Legality: Before even considering adopting a teacup pig, the first step is to confirm whether keeping a pig is legal in your area or not. Many reports on mini pigs state that a lot of people first get a mini pig to their house and then realize that it is actually illegal to keep a mini pig. This question leads to people either moving or finding a new pig home. In many instances, this can lead to the abandonment of the pigs.Do pigs stay small? Most people get small pigs because of their small size but when they grow unexpectedly, many people question whether they want to keep their pet pig or not. Pigs need enough space to grow and play and if the space is not available, this can lead to the pig feeling depressed. Breeders often use words like teacup or micro to describe young pigs or even newly born pigs. These terms are misleading. Breeds like Kunekune, Juliana, or potbellied pigs are sold as small breed pigs, but it is important to know that even the small ones grow quickly.Is a miniature pig cost-effective? The initial cost of a micro pig can be very expensive. Keeping a pig as a pet costs a lot of money when you get one. Many mini pig owners don’t think about the cost of raising a pig weighing almost 100 lb (45.4 kg) in their home, as they mistakenly think that the pigs will always remain small in size.Owning a pig can cost thousands of dollars each year between proper food (potbellied pigs eat a lot), veterinarian check-ups, immunizations, and other pig necessities. Spaying or neutering a pet pig is also recommended to curb undesirable behaviors. However, finding a veterinarian that can undertake this care can be a tedious task.Pigs need Space: Pigs take up a lot of room. Pigs should always be exercised daily to avoid boredom. Boredom can lead to destructive or violent behavior. Some pigs can grow violent toward humans and exhibit behavior like biting. When pig owners do not have enough space, many pigs are abandoned or surrendered to shelters.Are pigs pack animals? Pigs form packs like many other animals. Pigs typically love to play, relax, and sleep in a group. If a pig is not provided enough socialization, the pig may eventually become unhappy. This may make them aggressive.The Trouble With Teacup PigsWhen a teacup pig is born, it is quite small. Just like dogs, your pig will continue to develop after that, to more than 100 lb (45.4 kg). Teacup pigs have already been inbred to maintain their size tiny.Some breeders will tell you that their pigs will never get larger than a specific size. They’ll even brag about their ’little’ parents.Many individuals purchase a teacup pig. Pigs are frequently abused, neglected, and even abandoned when they reach a size that people do not expect. Pigs require enough space, and you should consider all factors before buying or even adopting a pig.Does maintaining a teacup pig’s small size seriously hurt their health?Breeders use the fancy name ’teacup pigs’or ‘mini pig’ but in reality, many breeders stop their growth to keep pigs small. They do this by various methods. To preserve the reduced stature in mini pigs, potbellied pigs are inbred.These teacup pigs, as we have previously mentioned, are potbellied. This causes a lack of genetic diversity in the progeny of mini pigs that leads to a variety of health problems. Some breeders underfeed pigs to hinder the pig’s growth and this is one of the many ways teacup pig breeders maintain their small stature. Mini pig breeders frequently advise pig owners to restrict their diets as well. These pigs are essentially starving and do not flourish.A mini pig tends to have various health concerns. Health concerns include obesity, respiratory issues, skin issues, and arthritis. Obesity is common in potbellied pigs. As pigs love to eat, they can face weight issues very frequently.Due to a runny nose, many pigs can face respiratory concerns. Vaccinations can prevent these health concerns from becoming exaggerated so it is important to get your small pet pig vaccinated on time. Consult a veterinarian if your pet pig has a fever.Arthritis is common in aged pigs. Keeping their weight in check at the right time can prevent arthritis from developing in your pet pig.How long do they live?A teacup pig is a term given by breeders to typical potbellied pigs who are malnourished to restrict their growth, or who have been wrongly sold as small.A potbellied pig’s life span is between 12-18 years as a pet, but a teacup pig has a lifespan of only around five to six years due to underlying skeletal and immune system abnormalities. Interbreeding gene mutations can also lead to a shortened life span.How can we help?The surge in buying mini pigs has increased the inbreeding of miniature pigs. A pig is an exotic animal and is a huge responsibility.It is important to consider all factors before buying or adopting a mini pig. As in any purebred animal, genetic manipulation is performed at a high stage and can cause life-threatening effects on the animal. If you do decide to keep a mini pig, provide your pet pig with ample space and make sure you get the required food for the pig.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for the smallest pig breed then why not take a look at hog vs pig, or teacup pig facts.
Pigs can be amusing and rewarding company due to their clever and friendly temperament.
