Basic efficient and effective care tips for teacup pigs

As most of you know by now, adopting little pigs, or mini pigs as they’re known, has become a pet-lovers craze. They may go by different names, such as micro mini, teacup, pixie, and miniature Juliana pigs, but they all refer to an intelligent and social animal that has proven to be a great companion as a pet. They typically grow to be between 25 and 45 pounds and can reach 10 to 15 inches in height at the shoulder. There are breeders who claim to breed mini pigs that will be smaller as adults, but be sure to look at the parents first before you are convinced that they will really be that small. The lifespan of teacup pigs is expected to be around 15 to 20 years. If you are considering keeping one or two in your home, you should first pig-proof your residence so they receive proper care. These teacup pigs are naturally curious, active and friendly creatures, but with patience, they can be successfully tamed after a while. They can even be taught many tricks and training them as pets is not a problem at all.

However, before you commit to keeping mini pigs as a house pet, you should also first consider what actually goes into caring for and raising them. Just because you’ve seen Victoria Beckham and Paris Hilton strutting around with their teacup pigs, you should be quick to buy one for yourself, too. These adorable animals should not be taken as fashion accessories and just a fad. So before you embark on a long-term commitment, you should think carefully about how you’re going to enjoy the loving companionship a micropig can provide. Pig ownership isn’t about how beautiful they look in your arms, it’s about how well you can care for them. Don’t worry though, this article will walk you through the steps and with patience and understanding on your part, you will surely get through the first few weeks of owning a teacup pig with success. Just keep in mind that the care and feeding of these miniature pigs is similar to that of larger pot-bellied pigs, so you don’t need to worry as much.

Here’s a summary of what to ask yourself first to be fully prepared in micropig care.

Do you have enough time to spend with them? Teacup pigs are very social animals and they love to be cuddled a lot, so you should give them a special time every day. Ideally, they should be kept in pairs so that both have fun together and not get bored.

Can you assign them the appropriate space in your home? If you live in apartments or condos, you might want to reconsider before buying two pixie piggies. However, you can easily create a certain corner for them, just make sure your place is piggy-proof.

Are there regulations in your area that prohibit the keeping of farm animals, including teacup pigs? You have to be sure of this so that you do not regret it later.

Teacup Pig Care Basics

Pigs generally like to root and micro are no exception as it is in their nature. So you should look around your neighborhood where you can take them out regularly. If you have a backyard, find a suitable space with shelter, where they can roam at certain times. This is ideal when they are still less than a year old, but when they get older you may consider leaving them outside most of the time.

Although they are still small, between 6 and 10 months, it is recommended to create a controlled environment for them. A gate similar to those used for puppies or small children should be placed to block the entrance to their own space. A blanket can be placed in a corner to serve as bedding, and a litter box can also be set up several steps away from the bedding. Since teacup pigs are clean and intelligent, they can easily learn to use the crate with proper training. For food dishes, a flat cake pan will do and a dog bowl can be used as water. Make sure the area you choose for the playhouse is free of drafts for your safety.

Prepare your expectations in advance that the cute little pig you received from the breeder will remain the same. You have to wait for them to grow bigger, especially if you haven’t seen the size of their parents. In fact, they make lovely pets and can conveniently fit in a teacup during their tender age, but an adult pixie pig will, of course, outgrow the teacup. At this point let me warn you that many breeders today may claim that their litter will only grow to a particular size. Be careful with these claims, as no one can really guarantee how big mini pigs can grow to. Here at Pampered Piglets, we gladly display parent photos upon request to reassure all of our buyers that we are selling only the smallest breed.

A specific special feed for micropigs should only be the food that is going to be given to them. There are many manufacturers that supply these teacup pig feeds such as Mazuri, Purina, Heartland, Manna Pro, Nutrina, among others. Even if they tend to eat anything, it’s up to you to control their diet to prevent them from becoming obese. They can also sleep a lot if you give them the wrong food. Giving them the right piggie food will allow them to get proper nutrition without gaining weight unnecessarily. Those micro pigs that are still in their infancy stage can be freely given a lot of food that can reach one and a half cups of feed per day. Those really small teacups will eat less.

You can supplement your micropig’s diet with small portions of fresh vegetables as they grow. However, fresh fruit should be limited as it is high in calories and sugar. When it’s time to train them, use treats to encourage them. But you should also limit bribes with treats to prevent them from becoming spoiled and overweight. Another drawback is that the mini pigs can become very aggressive when they are not given the treats they want.

When you think you are fully prepared to have a micro pig as a pet, you can turn to our various piglets available for sale. Take note of the breeds so you can find the one that best suits your preferences. Congratulations on having a wonderful pet, in advance!