Everyone wants a pet pig that stays small. It makes sense. Those chubby little porkers with an adorable snout and curly tail are irresistible. But is it reasonable to assume that any piglet will stay small for its entire life? This is a highly disputed question. Some breeders or salesmen will say yes. While millions of pig lovers all over the world will give a resounding NO. Why the difference of opinion? And if there are no pet pigs that stay small, why would someone lie and say that there are?

Teacup Pigs

In the early 2000’s, a new trend took the world by storm: Teacup Pet Pigs. They were promised to be tiny and stay tiny. Other terms used since then are: micro, micro-mini, nano, dandee, apartment, pocket, and pixie. Unfortunately these people and poor little piggies were the scheme of some brilliant marketing tactics. The price tag on one of these “teacup pigs” was hefty, and they still are today. As these piggies continued to grow, their families weren’t prepared for what was happening so many of them were taken to shelters, rescues, rehomed at farms or even euthanized. A sad outcome for these pigs through no fault of their own. Believe it or not, this happens over and over again still today.

The truth is that a tiny pig does exist. Unfortunately producing a tiny pig comes with negative repercussions for not only the pig but the owner as well. Many times a very small pig has been inbred, starved or both inbred and starved. They may stay small but they don’t live very long and they are very unhealthy which can cost thousands in vet bills.

My “Teacup” Piglet

On my first anniversary, I convinced my husband to let me get a “teacup” piglet. He was hesitant but I convinced him that I had done my research and I was ready. I found Oscar at a little pet store in a close town. He was $100 and as tiny as could be. I was in love!!

I took him home and he became an amazing pet. He potty trained easily and loved to be held and cuddled. I took him everywhere. He was my baby. Everyone in town knew him and loved to see him. One day, while riding in the car on my lap, he bit me. I couldn’t figure out why. He seemed comfortable. I was scratching his side gently just like I always did. Why did he bite me out of the blue? I didn’t know. A few weeks later, it happened again. It continued out of the blue over the next few months and I couldn’t figure out why.

When Oscar was almost three years old, I found him one morning. He had died in his sleep. There was blood coming out of his nose. I was mortified and sobbed while I called my husband into the room. I had a family friend examine him. He found that his organs were squished… so although his body had stopped growing, his organs had continued to grow until there was no more room.

The breeder that owned and supplied that pet store with animals was arrested about 12 years after Oscar died. She was charged with several things including performing veterinary procedures without a veterinary license. Not only did she inbreed her pigs and dogs but she also starved them and kept them in filthy, tiny kennels. Why? All in the name of money. Greed. Disgusting.

This isn’t my only experience with a lying, greedy breeder. It’s disgusting to know that there are so many greedy people out there. When I decided to become a mini pig breeder, I knew I wanted to be different. I wanted to be honest… wait, what’s that?? Honest. When you actually tell the truth about yourself and the animals you take care of and sell.

In Conclusion

Don’t fall for the marketing techniques and buy a “teacup” pet pig. Do your research into pet pigs and into the breeder that you want to purchase from. There is no such thing as a healthy pig that stays tiny. If someone says they guarantee that their piglets stay small… RUN!

For more information on Teacup Pigs, check out my YouTube Channel.