Oink, there is no such thing as a teacup pig!
Pot bellied pigs. Oink, there is no such thing as a teacup pig.
special from Best Friends Animal Society
The recent plight of influencer Logan Paul’s pig has shed light on common myths surrounding teacup pigs. Sadly, the misinformation has resulted in large amounts of potbelly pigs ending up at sanctuaries across the country. Studies show that only 2 to 5 percent of pig owners keep their pigs throughout their life.
At Best Friends Animal Society’s Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, there are currently 42 pigs awaiting adoption and at least half of those originated from breeders touting pigs as teacup size.
“Underfeeding pigs is the most common way to keep them tiny. Breeders will also showcase the parents, who can start breeding at 3 months and are still small, to illustrate what size the baby pig might be when it grows up, which is misleading,” said aid Rosalie Wind, lifesaving and care specialist at Marshall’s Piggy Paradise at Best Friends Animal Society’s Sanctuary. “People think teacup pigs are real, but it’s just restricting the pig’s calories, so they grow up stunted, which leaves the pigs prone to all kinds of health issues.”
Most potbelly type pigs will grow to the 80 to 200 pound range and require a special kind of adopter for a happy home.
“Potbellied pigs can make wonderful pets — they’re intelligent, friendly, and downright adorable. Some like belly rubs and will come running for treats,” Wind added. “Their grunting, snorting and wallowing — signs that they are happy and content — and charming personalities make them truly lovable.”
Wind suggests potential pig parents educate themselves on the below before they bring home a potbelly:
- Pigs need a lot of time and attention, as well as a veterinarian that is comfortable caring for them.
- They don’t need a ton of land, but pigs should have room to roam in a livestock-approved property.
- Pigs should live with other pigs, since they can provide enrichment, mental and physical stimulation, and companionship that other animals can’t provide. Because they are prey animals, pigs need each other to feel safe.
- Providing insulated shelter to protect pigs from predators and escaping is a must.
- Potbellied pigs are omnivores, so their natural diet in the wild would include roots, veggies, nuts, seeds, berries, worms, insects and raw eggs. Of course, you can’t imitate this diet for your pigs, but you can feed them a variety of healthy foods. It’s a good idea to feed pigs larger meals twice a day (breakfast and dinner) and healthy snacks throughout the day.
There are sanctuaries all over the country, like Best Friends, with potbellies looking for homes. To find adoptable pigs, visit bestfriends.org or do an online search for a pig sanctuary in your area.
About Best Friends Animal Society
Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters by 2025. Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a pioneer in the no-kill movement and has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters from an estimated 17 million per year to around 355,000. Best Friends runs lifesaving programs across the country, as well as the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary. Working collaboratively with a network of more than 4,000 animal welfare and shelter partners, and community members nationwide, Best Friends is working to Save Them All®. For more information, visit bestfriends.org.
