![]() ![]() While, in some ways, pigs are similar to dogs – they can be house-trained, for instance – they have other needs that are difficult to meet in a home setting. “People often expect owning a pet pig to be similar to that of owning a dog,” says Salumets. Some aspects of the urban environment are not compatible with keeping pet pigs. This 70-page book only covers the minimum requirements for caring for pigs. Think pigs are easy to care for? Check out the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs. They may not even fit in your car! Image source: Petpiggies Ltd. Mature females can be over 700 pounds and males even larger: possibly over 1,000 pounds! “Be aware that whatever you adopt, they will never fit inside a teacup,” says Salumets. If your “teacup” pig is actually a standard farm-breed pig, they will grow even heavier and up to three times as tall. ![]() Bernard! Any breed of pig that weighs under 350 pounds is considered a “miniature pig.” That is as tall as a border collie, and can be as heavy as a St. According to the American Mini Pig Association, a standard mini pig can range from 35 – 50 cm tall and can weigh between 50 – 150 pounds full grown. However, even the smallest breeds of pigs will not remain very small. There are many breeds of pigs sold as “mini pigs,” including the Kunekune, Juliana and Pot-bellied pig. By three to six years of age, pigs are fully grown. “Sometimes breeders show people how small the parent pigs are when the parent pigs are not yet full grown themselves,” says Salumets. “Not many homes can accommodate a pet that size,” says Salumets.īe sure to ask the age of the parents if the breeder shows you pictures, or better yet, ask to meet the parent pigs. Many pigs sold as pets are young, even newborn, and have yet to reach their full size and weight, which can be substantial. “Words like ‘micro’ and ‘teacup’ are misleading,” Salumets says. How big do mini pigs get?Īnother common reason pet pigs are surrendered is because they grew larger than expected. Learn more about model municipal bylaws for farm animals. “People soon discover that hobby farms and rescue groups have little or no capacity to take on more pigs.” Zoning restrictions are one of the main reasons why pet pigs end up in search of a new home. “Pigs are not easy to place,” Salumets says. These people are then faced with a choice: move or find a new home for their pig. Many people get a mini pig only to later realize they are not allowed in their city. Keeping farm animals within city limits is against the law in many municipalities. ![]() If you are considering a pet mini pig, here are a few things to consider first. “How many will still be cherished pets a year from now?” However, Salumets warns against mistaking them for easy-to-care-for house pets. Pigs are intelligent, curious and affectionate animals,” she says. Leiki Salumets, manager of equine and farm animal care for the BC SPCA, understands the appeal. But are mini pigs real? “Mini pigs” is a term used to encompass any smaller breed of pig, and is often substituted with other terms like “micro-pigs,” “pocket pigs,” and “teacup pigs.” They are not a distinct breed, but rather can be a variety of breeds and mixes of breeds that have been selectively bred to be smaller in size. Mini pigs have experienced a surge in popularity over the past few years. ![]()
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