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In recent years there has been an increase in the demand for such a pet as a “teacup” version of a regular sized animal. Most breed registries do not recognize this category of size in their animals as this is a gimmick used for marketing, and in fact are generally unhealthy, and poorly bred animals, stunted intentionally for the purpose of money.
The word “Teacup” is often associated with tiny dogs, being poorly bred, runts, or stunted through poor nutrition, the “breeders” (and I use that term loosely) price the animals high because cute sells, and small is cute.
In recent years the word “Teacup” has been applied to other animals, including pigs. Make no mistake Teacup Pigs are not healthy pets.
Trouble With Teacup Pets
Some of the problems common in teacup pigs, and other teacup animals are listed below:
One of the worst things that happens is their outsides stop growing, but their insides (intestines) continue to grow so by the time the pet is an adult, it has full sized organs in a part sized body. As you can imagine this causes the pet great pain, distress, and possibly illness, requiring expensive surgery. Your Teacup Piggy could end up breaking your piggy bank.
The Reality of Teacup Pigs
Teacup pigs are a result of poor breeding. Most reputable breeders (of any animal) take the parent animals to shows to prove their worth as breeding animals. They cull runts and generally do not breed them. They may sell them at reduced prices as pets only, and ensure they are spayed or neutered. Good breeders breed only the best animals, and their desire is to produce even better animals according to the breed standard. Remember “teacup” is NOT a breed standard.
In the teacup industry, not only are abnormally small animals bred but they are also often stunted through poor diet and nutrition. Fed only enough to stay alive, but not so much that they grow at a proper rate.
In some case the people who buy the pets find themselves strapped with a high veterinary bill, in other cases people find that with proper food the pet grows to an alarming size.
The Problem with Pet Pigs in General
Pigs are highly intelligent animals, on par with small dog breeds. They are social animals and do best when kept with other pigs, or at least other pets. If their mental needs are not met they become depressed, or destructive. Many people are not equipped or prepared to deal with a lifetime commitment of a large pig they thought would remain the size of a house cat.
Pet Pigs are not legal in some areas. Anyone interested in getting a pet pig of any kind is advised to do further research. If you are buying any animal labeled as a teacup and are being asked to pay a high price (anything more than the cost of vaccinations and deworming already done) you should INSIST on seeing show records of the parents (yes there are shows for pigs) to prove they were worthy of being bred, AND should get some sort of health guarantee and genetic guarantee IN WRITING.
Related Links
Caring for Pets with Daily Medical Needs
The Balance of Nature on the Farm
Well said Brenda, and Susan Kaul above. It is outrageous what is being done to some breeds of animals in the pursuit of some peoples ideas of a hobby or even a living. More should be done to crack down on these practises.
I had never heard of teacup animals before, Brenda. What a wonderful article, bringing this to everyone's attention.
Thanks for this informative article on little known breeding practice results for pigs.
I had a pet pig.. it was very small when I got him.. but he grew to be a full size pot bellied pig.. cute big or small.. he ate anything.. his favorite was Captain Crunch... he ate with my daughter... she would take a bite and give "Hammy" a bite.. lol. What I am getting at is.. that this pig was supposed to stay small.. but it didn't.
I was thinking about getting a "teacup pig" but after reading this, you totally opened up my eyes to the truth about these pigs. thank you.
very well written with great awareness, thumbs up!!!
I totally agree with all the comments. Mankind seems to be the only creature that really feels that nature should be corrected.
The article is correct. I have a farm in Kansas where I raise painted miniatures (Juliani) breeding stock. They are much smaller than a feeder pigs, but a FARRRR cry from teacup (about 40lbs within 4 years).
I get calls all the time asking if my pigs are teacups and wanting them for indoor pets. Don't get me wrong, people do have them as pets (Clooney being the most high profile with a Juliani), but it is the exception vs. the rule.
The article is correct. I have a farm in Kansas where I raise painted miniatures (Juliani) breeding stock. They are much smaller than a feeder pigs, but a FARRRR cry from teacup (about 40lbs within 4 years).
I get calls all the time asking if my pigs are teacups and wanting them for indoor pets. Don't get me wrong, people do have them as pets (Clooney being the most high profile with a Juliani), but it is the exception vs. the rule.
You have such knowledge and a big gentle heart to explain the tea cup pigs in such an article like this. I sure don't like the messing with mother nature to concoct an animal for money or pleasure since they are not well animals.
There is definitely truth to this article but it is very one sided. There are mini pigs who don't get up to forty pounds, who are not in bred and who are fed well. I am one in Alberta and I work closely with breeders in B.C, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec to ensure that the mini micro, microjule breeds are healthy, happy pigs. What this article fails to recognize is that mini pigs can be wonderful pets, they're easily trainable and collectively, as breeders, we have many pigs who are under 13" full grown, who are not starved, nor inbred. We do not cull runts, they are loved as pets. Our pigs are not unhealthy and live 12-15 years. There are bad breeders out there but for those of us who are not, please try to educate on both sides.
You all know that pure bread dogs are a product of inscest, right? And thats why they are also prone to a ton of illnesses and abnormalities. Same with cats, and ferrets, and chinchillas. Breeding small offspring is not more destructive than breeding other animals in general. Something like this is just as ignorant and horse blinder-ish as the giggly pet owners who just think piglets and puppies are cute.
There not that bad and not that unhealthey and stays little forever no matter what that is why they are teacups and not new born pigs the name teacup not babys so they do NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! get big.
Lily - teacup animals are stunted through poor breeding or nutrition, they may appear to be healthy but most suffer from aches and pains later in life, or other health problems, which often go undiagnosed by owners.
I think you just saved me from some serious heartache because I was looking at miniature pigs and found several ads for "tea cups" which sounded appealing because they were promised to be significantly smaller.
I applaud you for the honesty and integrity of the truth of this article. It is sinful what they are dong to animals to please such crazy whims.