Teacup pigs are wonderful pets! It is important that you are properly prepared for one.
I strongly recommend for you to purchase and study a book on how to raise a teacup pig so your teacup pig be the best pet possible.
Click here for a book on teacup pigs
According to most standards the weight range at one full year of age is normally 10-40 lbs. The maxium shoulder height at one full year is 17 inches. Colors can be black, white, silver, red, and spotted or any mixture of those.
Pigs can get bigger than that if overfed. Beware of Breeders claiming super tiny size because they’re often underfed, premature and unhealthy.
Disposition will be close to the same if both genders are neutered/spayed. Attitude problems can come from neglected pigs or pigs that were not trained and socialized properly. It is best to help neuter the piglets early (when they are 6 weeks old).
Teacup pigs are the fourth most intelligent animal on the planet, mini pigs easy to teach and are very sociable. Mini Pigs form a strong connection together with the family and with other pets.
They rarely will hold of fleas or lice because of their sparse hair. They are very clean animals. They tend to soil a single place and won’t soil near their bed sheets. Their feces consist of less ammonium substances than cats and kittens, so their litter box won’t smell as bad.
They usually tend to live 15-20 yrs.
Most problems are merely a problem due to the fact owners were drawn-in by way of the “cuteness” of the little piggies and weren’t prepared with the real-life care that matches them.
According to most local governments, Teacup pigs are considered swine consequently they are therefore subject for you to local ordinances related to commercial swine. Theses ordinances may include but are not limited to: housing, transportation, vaccination, discretion of waste, licensing, raising, limits on figures, and leash laws. Check with any local authorities to discover what pertains to your property.
Teacup Pigs need social time. They don’t do well if left alone for long stretches(several weeks). Because they are extremely social and intelligent they must be with some other animals and/or humans. They can get depressed and disappointed if left without care for too long. You must find a caretaker for the pig when you go on a vacation.
Feeding a Teacup pig is usually slightly less pricey than feeding a dog or cat, and the feed is easy to find.
They like to root and love to roam around.
Do not be harsh with training. Teacup Pigs do not respond to power struggles. They learn best by kindness in addition to a little food! Use lots of praise and never let visiting you be a bad experience. Just like puppies, they learn in the present not prior times so don’t scold them for a mess that happened hours ago!
Teacup Pigs are omnivores, which mean they will try to eat plant and meat. They love vegetables and and weird enough dog food.
Keep in mind, and underfed pig is usually just as unhealthy as an overfed pig. Do not listen to some peoples belief when you only feed it small amounts the pig will continue to be “small”. This can be as ridiculous as saying if you only ever feed child a little it will stay small. Sure, it may come to be small, but only because it is malnourished!
Feed is easy to find just make sure it is meant for teacup pigs and not just your average large pig.
Pigs root because they’re hungry (in most cases). Giving them a good amount of fruits and vegetables help keep them satisfied without putting excessive fat on them. Never give them chocolate… it could be poisonous to them.
Feed according to instructions on the bag, but the rule-of-thumb is usually to feed about 3% of their body weight in food, and divide this into 3-4 feedings on a daily basis while a piglet and 2-3 when an adult.
Never feed just once time a day.
Pigs love to graze on your lawn. This also helps provide for their special nutrient needs. They love to be outdoors grazing, in the sun, and rooting.
Teacup pigs love to be clean. So clean their litter box everyday.
Teacup Pigs really don’t sweat and don’t have hair or fur to keep them warm or to cool them down. Teacup pigs can be susceptible to heat.Having a wading pool or water if get temperatures over 75 degrees to keep your teacup cool during hot summer days pig and you just must provide warm and toasty bedding for days under 55 Degrees.
Some concerns to watch out for
Eyes- Pigs may have some a condition called entropion which is rare. This implies inverted eyelid.
The lashes rub about the cornea and conjunctiva and will cause suffering
and permanent damage if not surgically repaired.
Ears- They have to be cleaned with alcohol or peroxide as well as cottonballs. Never
put a Q-tip for their ear canal. Cleaning once a week will work.
Skin- Check the folds on their skin regularly Wash teacup pigs with mild shampoo
Teeth- Try to clean their teeth weekly with a soaked brush or clean cloth.
Hooves- Hooves can grow like fingernails. In a young pig, they can be filed with an
emery board of course, if they get older they must be trimmed.
Along with hyperthermia, pigs might get sunburned, so give your teacup pig plenty of shade or indoor relief from the sun. Signs of hyperthermia involve: vomiting, collapsing, glassy eyes and shock. If this happens, immerse the pig in cool mineral water or cover by using wet cool bath towels, then call the Vet.
PREPARING FOR A TEACUP PIG
The following is a list of what is needed for your pet Teacup pig:
1. A pet carrier to carry piglet in while traveling
2. An outdoor animal shelter with hay/straw as well as good ventilation
3. A workout area: To play in.
4. A secure fence that your teacup can’t escape from and get into trouble.
5. Housing to get inside
6. Litter box
• no cedar-type, its toxic
7. Wading pool area for outside for hot days
• will have to be sturdy
• needs to have a slope
8. Bed- bedding
9. Toys- Teacup pig toys, balls, squeaky toys
10. Grooming brush
• rubber Indy type
11. Hoof conditioner
12. Spray bottle with glycerin/water mixture for skin
13. Food
You have to teacup pig-proof your house. Kind of like baby-proofing a family house. Hide anything that can harm your teacup piglet, anything you would move if you had been bringing a young child to your house. Remember pigs will be pigs and will do everything to they can to search for food. They might bite wires; get into cupboards, anything if they think they’ll find food. So keep this in mind when preparing your own place. I recommend you train your teacup pig not to gain access to food areas!
Hopefully this information helps you plan for your new teacup piglet.
I hope you enjoy your new teacup pig.