Not too long ago, a friend sent me an email containing a link and the words "I want one!!!!!" Intrigued, I clicked on the link and was taken to a YouTube video of teacup piglets. After awwwwing over their cuteness throughout the video, I forwarded the email to another animal lover in my office. Her response was almost identical to the first email, which had quickly become a chain email that was being circulated to every animal lover in the office. We all agreed - the teacup pigs were adorable but, at the same time, we expressed our concern for their health, safety and future as the newest and cutest pet to make its appearance on the pet scene. Thankfully, most of us already have dogs, cats, fish and other assorted pets, and are not in a position to add one more animal to our already full menageries - no matter how cute and adorable. But what about those who have fallen for these mini-porkers? Do they know what they are getting themselves into when they acquire one of these teacups?

If you are serious about getting a teacup piglet for your household, do your homework before running out and plunking down a substantial sum of money to bring the tiny piggy home. Find a reputable breeder who specializes in this type of miniature animal. Take a tour of their breeding facility and take notes, mental or otherwise, on their breeding operation. Don't be afraid to ask questions - and keep asking until you are satisfied with their answers. You want to make sure you are getting a healthy teacup piglet.

The price of a teacup piglet will vary depending on where you get your newest pet. Breeders of these tiny pets are in business to make money so expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand if you want to purchase one from a reputable breeding farm.

A tiny teacup pig is like any other household pet. It requires shelter, a healthy diet, exercise, love and attention if it is to grow into a well-mannered, balanced, pig that thrives in its new home. Like a dog or a cat, your little piglet should be spayed or neutered when the appropriate time comes. 

A teacup piglet weighs only ounces at birth but once it reaches its full adult size, it will weigh on average 30-65 pounds.  This is considerably less than its 600-800 lb. fully grown regular-sized cousin.  Compared to a dog, the teacup piggy is approximately the same size as a cocker spaniel, and it has an expected lifespan of 15-20 years.  The teacup is a clean, odorless pet that can be litter-boxed trained.  Their small size makes them well-suited for city living, particularly when their primary residence is an apartment.  Although they are a low maintenance pet, they are highly intelligent and, as such, they get bored easily.  Owners should expect to pay a lot of attention to them to keep them entertained.  If a pet owner is in absentia most of the day, the teacup piglet is probably not the right pet for the household.  As with a small child, or a cat or dog, if the tiny pig is neglected, the pet owner could be facing behavior problems with the mini-pig. 

There's no doubt about it, teacup piglets are adorable, but it is that very cuteness factor that is going to be the source of problems for the tiny creatures as they grown into adulthood.  An impulse decision to acquire one of the tiny piglets will be followed, once the novelty has worn off, by the reality of owning such an unusual pet.  Pet owners will find the care and responsibility of their fully-grown adult pig to be less enjoyable than they did when the teacup pig was first acquired.  If two are purchased, as some breeders insist upon, the responsibility is doubled, and it is that responsibility that pet owners will turn away from when these unusual pets are no longer tiny and cute and adorable. 

So before plunking down hard-earned money on a teacup piglet, do your homework and research the breed carefully.  Make sure you are up to the challenge of owning this adorable animal.  Bringing a teacup piglet into your household should be a lifetime commitment, as with any pet, not one to be taken lightly, in haste, or because of the cuteness factor. 

If, after carefully considering what a teacup piglet will bring to your household as its newest member of your animal family, and the responsibilities it will bring with it, you decide to go ahead with acquiring one for your home, enjoy the fun of owning such an unusual pet.  They are adorable!