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Efficient and Effective Basic Care Tips for Teacup Pigs

As most of you already know, the adoption of small pigs or mini pigs, as they are known, has become insane for pet lovers. They may have 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 weigh around 25 to 45 pounds and can reach 10 to 15 inches in height at the shoulder. There are breeders who claim to raise small pigs that will be smaller as adults, but be sure to look at the parents first before convincing yourself that they will actually be this small. The lifespan of teacup pigs is expected to be around 15-20 years. If you are considering keeping one or two in your home, you must first protect your residence so that they receive proper care. These teacup pigs are curious, active, and friendly creatures by nature, but with patience, they can be successfully tamed after a while. They can even be taught many tricks and training them as household pets is not a problem at all.

However, before you commit to keeping piglets as a household pet, you should also first consider what it actually takes to care for and grow them. Just because you’ve seen Victoria Beckham and Paris Hilton parading their teacup piggies, you should rush to buy one for yourself too. These adorable animals should not be taken as fashion accessories and simply as a fad. So before making such a long-term commitment, you need to think carefully about how you are going to allow yourself the loving company that a micro pig can provide. Owning a pig is not about how beautiful they look in your arms, but more about how well you can take care of 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 having a successful teacup pig. Just keep in mind that the care and feeding of these miniature pigs is similar to that of the larger pot-bellied pigs, so you don’t need to worry as much.

Here’s a rundown of what to ask yourself first to be fully prepared in micro-pig care.

Do you have enough time to spend with them? Teacup pigs are very sociable animals and they loved being hugged, so give them a set amount of time every day. Ideally, keep them in pairs so that both of you can have fun together and avoid getting bored.

Can you assign them the appropriate space in your home? If you live in apartments or condos, you might reconsider before getting two pixie pigs. However, you can easily create a certain corner for them, just make sure your spot 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 you don’t regret it later.

Pig care basics cup of tea

Pigs generally like to root and micro are no exception as it is in their nature. Therefore, you should look in your neighborhood where you can get 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 are grown you may consider leaving them outside most of the time.

However, even though they are still small, between 6 and 10 months old, it is recommended that you create a controlled environment for them. A door similar to those used for puppies or young 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 made several steps from the bedding. Since teacup pigs are clean and smart, they can easily learn to use the crate with proper training. For food dishes, a flat cake pan will do and a drinking dog can be used as water. Make sure the area you choose to be the piggy bank is free from drafts for its safety.

Prepare your expectations in advance that the cute little pig you got from the breeder will remain the same. You have to wait for them to grow up, especially if you haven’t seen the size of their parents. They are indeed lovely pets and can comfortably fit in a teacup during their tender age, but an adult elf pig will, of course, outperform the teacup. At this point, let me warn you that many breeders today can claim that their litter will only grow to a particular size. Be wary of 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 assure all of our buyers that we are selling only the most miniature breed.

A special feed specifically for micro pigs should only be the feed that they will be given. There are many manufacturers that supply these pig feeds in teacup form such as Mazuri, Purina, Heartland, Manna Pro, Nutrina, among others. Even if they tend to eat anything, it is up to you to control their diet to prevent them from becoming obese. They can also sleep a lot if you feed them the wrong food. Giving them the right pig food will allow them to get adequate nutrition without gaining unnecessary weight. Micro pigs that are still in their infancy stage can be given plenty of free food, up to a cup and a half of feed a day. Those really small teacups will eat less.

You can supplement the diet of micro pigs with small portions of fresh vegetables as they age. However, fresh fruit should be limited as it contains a high level of calories and sugar. When it’s time to train them, use treats to cheer them up. But you should also limit the bribery with treats to prevent them from spoiling and becoming overweight. Another downside is that mini pigs can become very aggressive when they are not given the treats they want.

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

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