For tips on how to transition your pet pig outdoors read this. background: #000000; “A breed of very tiny pigs doesn’t exist in nature," he adds. Your pigs will need an area to root up the mud, eat grass, and look for other things to eat and stay occupied. Most importantly, your "mini" pig won't stay mini forever. Of course not except when first born. All male piglets are neutered between 6-8 weeks and all females are spayed at 8-10 weeks before they leave here and join your family. "It’s so important for them to be good and have them not root around on rugs," she says. "They don’t live to be with humans, though. "They want to see this work out. w[n] = w[n] || fn; That’s why most successful pig owners have at least two pigs. The end result is the most nutritious mini pig food on the market. Mini Pigs are not all Vietnamese Potbellied Pigs they are a mixed breed of swine and every farm has a different bloodline. min-width: 300px !important; Many … But because pigs are hierarchical, they can get aggressive — especially if they sense that you aren’t willing to take charge. .dpsp-button-style-7 .dpsp-networks-btns-content .dpsp-network-btn .dpsp-network-icon { } else{w.loadCSS=loadCSS}}(typeof global!=="undefined"?global:this)), Home » 3 Major Reasons You Don’t Want a Miniature Pig as a House Pet. Editor's note: Since this story was originally published, Oscar has since moved to Hog Haven Farm in Colorado. Join me as I share everything we are learning with you to encourage and inspire your dreams. “Pigs enjoy their company with humans — they like belly rubs and treats," he says. (w[n].q = w[n].q || []).push(arguments); Marygrace Taylor is a health and wellness writer for Prevention, Parade, Women’s Health, Redbook, and others. And because pigs can take up to five years to reach their full size, it’s tough to tell how large your new pet eventually become. :root { This is to make sure that your pet will not grow fast and stays at a desirable size. "He also started doing this thing where he’d get sleepy and squeal for an hour while walking around the house," says Tamara. e.src = s + h; } They are picked up, cuddled and played with every day to make sure you have a very socialized and friendly pet. These mini-pigs are pet pigs and are different from those found on farms. The volume of people who are looking for pigs is far less than the hundreds of pigs looking for a home. Even the pickiest pigs love it. If you ever decide to put your pig outside 24/7 you will need another pig friend. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. That’s an amazing feeling," Tamara says. Many new pig owners who keep their pigs in the house will end up giving their pigs all their scrapes. Prices based on coloring and genetics. Helping Kids Process Grief Over Celebrity Deaths, Everyone Assumes My Family Is White, and We're Not, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Our family is considering bringing home a piglet around Christmas. How heartbreaking is this? Or Teacup pig. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. } e.async = true; Keeping farm animals within city limits is against the law in many municipalities. The problem is I’ve had a miniature pig as a house pet and it wasn’t all adorable moments. That’s sad, and it shouldn’t happen. Most of us agree piglets are adorable. ", On the upside, that laser focus on all things edible means that pigs are easy to train. He’s a strange, hilarious creature. Welcome! We raise pet Juliana Pigs on our farm, commonly referred to as ‘mini pigs’ or ‘tea cup pigs’. “There are 15 to 20 breeds of mini pig, and all of them are 150 to 180 pounds at full size,” says Hoyle. Like the tiny dogs in designer purses popular in the '00s, mini pigs are having a bit of a moment. Mini pigs can live for more than 20 years. border-color: #8dbf42; But since we can’t read their minds, some of their antics come off as just plain silly. A miniature potbelly pig can be a great pet for you, but make sure you can care for one adequately. Thoughts? Myself and many other pig owners go crazy over how many “micro pigs” are being sold for thousands of dollars. And let me tell you they are amazing at growing their own food. My hope is that they will become fast friends. Please note there is no such thing as teacup mini pigs, pocket mini pigs, or micro mini pigs nor do they stay under 30lbs. .dpsp-button-style-7 .dpsp-networks-btns-content .dpsp-network-btn:hover .dpsp-network-icon { When Oscar starts to get hungry, he’ll stand by his food bowl and oink loudly until he gets his meal. .dpsp-button-style-7 .dpsp-networks-btns-content .dpsp-network-btn { Here is a quick look at how much Bentley Has grown in three years. --mv-create-radius: 0; We are very confident and proud of our breeding program. (function(w){"use strict";if(!w.loadCSS){w.loadCSS=function(){}} Access to plenty of outdoor space is non-negotiable for pigs — even mini ones. }; When Bentley was in the house a treat ball was a huge help. "They have high social needs, and if they aren’t met, it can cause destructive behavior." The goal isn’t to put a ton of weight on them for market. color: #000000; Enter celebutante Paris Hilton, whose penchant for accessorizing with pets took a detour toward the … Tips? So they decided to make their own homemade, mini pig food. .article { They need to be able to do their pig thing. Don’t Forget to read or pin for later our super popular post- 8 Do’s and Don’ts of Life with a Mini Pig Pigs Are Not Full Grown Until 3 Years Old The number one reason is – pigs don’t stop growing until they are three years old. } } Miniature potbellied pigs are clean, intelligent and social pets. Toys, grooming, bathing, hoof care, or health & wellness, we have what you need. Meanwhile, mini-pig numbers at Marana, Arizona's Ironwood Pig Sanctuary grew from 329 in 2005 to nearly 600 today. var f = d.getElementsByTagName(t)[0]; Pet potbellied pigs are indeed generally smaller than the standard farm pig. You will need to play with your pig to assure it stays in shape. Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs (also called Asian or Chinese pot-bellied pigs) were first domesticated as pets in Southeast Asia and became popular in the U.S. in the 1990s. I’ve read a few of your articles and made some of your home products so thanks for sharing! These small breeds of pigs are potbelly pigs. return function(){return ret}})();rp.bindMediaToggle=function(link){var finalMedia=link.media||"all";function enableStylesheet(){link.media=finalMedia} } Have dreams of bringing your little piggy home and snuggling on the couch or playing fetch together? the fact is this is all the same "breed" of pig, there is not pig that will stay tiny enough to fit in your purse for life.These are all different "marketing terms" for American Miniature Pigs. As part of Ross Mill Farm’s non-profit work; the farm provides foster care, a safe haven, for pet pigs waiting to be adopted through PPN. } But if you’re nervous, you can keep a treat in your pocket,” says Tamara. We breed and raise miniature piglets, with adults ranging from 12 inches tall to 18 inches tall and 35-85lbs. ", Pigs live to eat, which can be both good and bad. But a regular pig can be 600-800 pounds or a full-grown potbelly pig at 120-200 pounds. Why not? They also don’t stay small like a piglet. After breakfast, Tamara takes Oscar outside so he can perform natural behaviors like rooting and grazing. We are always working hard to be a step above in the miniature pig world, striving to only produce the finest quality Miniature Pigs you can find. It’s important to know if you are going to have a potbelly pig as a house pet they need an outdoor area. Click here to learn about the marketing terms people use to entice you to buy a pig from them. "I’d estimate that 90% of mini pigs that are bought or adopted are given up within two years," says Richard Hoyle, director of The Pig Preserve, a pig rescue sanctuary in Jamestown, Tennessee. } All pigs are from pedigree parents. "In the beginning, pigs are stubborn," Tamara says. As you own the teacup pig you will notice how their appetite always needs to be satisfied. I always say to never leave the two alone unattended. Half the rescues in the past nine years were non-mini mini-pigs like Esther. Pigs and dogs usually get along fine, but every situation is different. w.FlodeskObject = n; A cute mini pig or a cute micro pig or you may call them baby pigs, these cute and funny animals will surely lift your mood. They will end up 13-16" tall based on genetics just like all mammals. A potbelly pig will need proper food and shelter. “Now, he’s fine off-leash. If you are wondering what it’s like to have a mini pig as a house pet, let me share with you four reasons it’s not a good idea. border-color: #000000; Teacup potbellied pigs are usually 35 … We are a family run mini pig farm in the panhandle of the great state of Florida. Miniature Pigs have been around since the 1940's. These pig treats will get my piggies to do anything. But sadly, many owners put them up for adoption after just a year or two once they realize they can't care for them. "If you’re willing to put in the work, you’ll get that reward.". Each piglet will go home with a USDA health certificate, a birth certificate, a record of their vaccinations, a micro mini pig care manual, and a bag of food specifically formulated for mini pigs. Here are eight things every wannabe owner should know about making sure the pig you adopt into your family stays a part of family — for life. - Paradise Valley Farm. "He corralled himself up in the garage, and it was probably two hours before we caught him," Tamara says. Some pigs, like Oscar, seem to be satisfied spending time with their human companions. If you don't see what you're looking for, call us, email us, or use our LiveChat function to let us know. They are a pig and will eat anything right? /* End Mediavine Sidebar Fix */ Mini Pig also called Micro Pig, Dwarf Pig, Pygmy Pig—is used to refer to small breeds of domestic pig, such as Vietnamese Pot-Bellied pigs, Göttingen minipigs, Juliana pigs, Choctaw hogs or Kunekunes (and specimens derived by crossbreeding with these breeds). Usually, breeders would instruct to give a minimum amount of feeds twice a day. Problem is, none of them are regulated — so it’s pretty tough to know exactly how big your little pig will get. It was right up her alley. Do they fit in a teacup? (That's Oscar in all of these pictures!) } They must be adopted in pairs or you have a pig already. } .sidebar { The thing I’ve noticed with out pigs is that they love to cuddle up together when they sleep. They can weigh between 100 and 200 pounds, while farm pigs … I would recommend harness training a pig early on if you are going to be taking it for walks. Is it legal? (That sounds huge, but compared to full-size farm pigs, which hover around 600 pounds, they are mini.) Learn how your comment data is processed. Micro Pig, Teacup Pig, Micro-Miniature Pigs, Mini Pigs. var e = d.createElement(t); When you adopt from our local shelter they will not let you bring home one pig. If you truly do want to make a go of keeping your pig in your house be mindful they are heavy and will grow until they are three years old. The Paris Factor Also referred to as “dandie pigs,” “mini potbelly pigs” and “pocket pigs,” these teacups have become increasingly fashionable over the past decade. width: 100% !important; It is also said pigs with same species friends have a better relationship with humans too. You will quickly see the variety of sizes, shapes, weights, colors, lengths and disposition of "mini" pigs in the pictures that will follow and that there is absolutely no way to know how big your pig … Which leads into my next point, they love to be outdoors and exercise their natural instincts. It’s that much more gratifying. If you are thinking about pigs as a pet let me give you the insider edition. /* Begin Mediavine Sidebar Fix */ Because are much smaller than the standard farm pig and even the original potbelly pig. We do not have a large yard, but do have a very walkable neighborhood. Shelters will only adopt out pigs that are healthy and well-socialized, so you’re less likely to have to deal with huge vet bills or behavior issues. "He can’t think about anything but that food. body:not(.home) .article { Why trust us? color: #8dbf42; A fun and frustrating ride for sure. When I brought home my first 10-week old pet mini pig, I was in for quite a ride. But when your pig finally does come around? var fn = function() { var h = '?v=' + new Date().getTime(); Teacup potbellied pigs and mini pigs are becoming more popular as the new household pet. f.parentNode.insertBefore(e, f); Pigs and their human parents bond eventually — but the process is slow. The American Mini Pig is a breed that has been developed over the years by combining a variety of breeds from around the world. Mission Statement: To educate, advocate, protect miniature pigs, improve breeding practices, as well as encourage responsible mini pig ownership, to further the progression of the breed through DNA parentage confirmation and future documentation of ancestry. It’s been 3.5 years since I brought home a pet mini pig. .rll-youtube-player, [data-lazy-src]{display:none !important;} Pigs are happier and healthier when they have another pig friend. Mini Pigs come in all shapes and sizes. To this day my pigs still use a treat ball in winter to keep them occupied. 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