Teacup Pigs

Look at that little face above, and tell me you don't want one! The piggy is irresistible!

Last night at dinner a woman next to me spoke about her co-worker's new pet, a little, tiny teacup pig. "He oinks himself to sleep at night and wraps himself in a blanket when he's cold," she said. I came to conclude that I, too, want a teacup piggy!!! They are so small and precious! I found some online this morning for an outrageous dollar amount of $4000, shipped from California. Personally, I would prefer to hand select my teacup piggy and not receive it from the airport for a $385 dollar shipping fee.

To begin, they are probably the most adorable animal you will ever see. They are quite small and that is why they are called teacup pigs. They also are referred to as teacup potbelly pigs, pixie pigs, pocket pigs and potbelly pigs. Whatever they are called, I call them the cutest thing ever!

Teacup pigs grow 95% of their growth in their first year. Their second year they will grow one to two inches of body fat.

Teacup pigs have a special diet consisting of 12% protein grain and hay. This is available at most feed stores where you can buy food for goats and horses.

They also enjoy limited amounts of cut up fruits and veggies such as cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce and squash. Use these as training treats. Make sure these aren't exceeding the 1-2 % body weight feeding each day.

Many, many teacup piggies will be housebroken and can go outside and play with the dogs (supervised) and can go use the litter box to relieve themselves. Give little piggy all the love and attention you have.

Little piggy can sleep wherever h/she is comfortable. They do get along well with other animals such as dogs, cats, chickens and other farm animals. However, use caution when introducing a teacup pig to other animals. Teacup pigs are considered prey animals, and we would not want a new teacup piggy to be abused by a fellow animal who might chew their ears off.

You can set up a crate for little piggy in the den. Provide a blanket and tuck him underneath it at night.

Your piggy can be trained and can be a great lap pet. Provide them with love!

Looking at the parents of little pig, h/she will become as large (or a little smaller) than the little pigs mother.

Contrary to popular belief, pigs are quite clean animals. In general, pigs keep their living and eating areas far away from their areas where they relieve themselves.

However, piggies who are living in dangerous and unsafe conditions live in restricted small areas where all their business must be done in a small region or stall. This is tragic for piggies because they get sick and increase their bad reputations of being filthy animals.

Teacup piggies can be bathed just as you would bathe your doggy.