Teacup pigs can be described as cute animals with their fluffy exterior, which makes them nearly therapeutic to hold. Hence, you can keep them as homely pets, and their size makes them suitable for small spaces. Humans widely accept teacup pigs, and the reason is not far-fetched. Apart from being lovable, affectionate, and playful, they are also highly intelligent and social mammals. In this article, you will find out if their ultimate size can be affected by what they eat. You”ll also learn about other factors that can enhance their growth and get helpful information on how big they can get.
How Big Do Teacup Pigs Get?
Teacup pigs can grow 14-20 inches in height and weigh between 50 to 200 pounds. However, it is essential to know that their height is not a necessary cadent for how big they are. They attain adulthood between 14 to 24 months. This is achievable when you give them the right food to eat and take care of them properly. Their spurt into adulthood can not be pre-determined adequately. This is because their parents are piglets (as young as three months) themselves. Moreover, some breeders have asserted that the pig parent sizes do not determine how big or small their offspring will be, and they also stated that teacup pigs share a near similar size with Guinea pigs. Teacup pigs grow rapidly within their first 6 to 8 weeks. They can grow between 6 to 9 inches long, and afterward, there would be a pause in their growth, making their spurt development a bit slow. At this milestone of their growth, most pet owners might assume that their teacup pigs have attained their ultimate size. However, after their growth pause stage elapses, they will continue to grow until they are between 14 to 20 inches in height.
What Factors Determine the Growth Rate of Teacup Pigs?
The rate at which teacup pigs attain their full size depends on breed, gender, age, and diet.
Breed
Teacup pigs are bred from two young purebred piglets. The several combinations of the genes from both parents lead to the formation of new genotype materials that are shared appropriately in their offspring. It’s pretty fascinating to know that each of their offspring has different combinations of genes, which often control a diversity of visible characteristics such as size, color, and more.
Gender
There is a visible difference between female (sow) and male (boar) teacup pigs. The boar often weighs more than they sow.
Diet
The type of food your pet animal eats and how it’s often fed will go a long way in determining how big your teacup pig will get. They are herbivores and should be given food that is consistent with their digestive system so as not to harm them. Ensure that they are given food such as fruits, pellets, vegetables, and grasses.
What Hinders Teacup Pigs From Getting Big?
There are several factors that prevent teacup pigs from reaching their full size. We’ll be considering some below.
Terrible Living Conditions
Avoid keeping teacup pigs in a teensy-tiny space. There should be a proper space arrangement for them in your home because they are highly vulnerable to heat prostration and can die if kept in such conditions for a long time. One of the many ways to make your pig happy is to create a safe and secure outdoor area.
Severe Handling
Teacup pigs are quite fragile and should be handled with utmost care because they can’t bear the consequences of being stressed as they might end up dying.
Diseases
Teacup pigs are highly susceptible to diseases. This is as a result of their mini sizes. They have many health problems, such as scurvy, constipation, and lack of appetite. This factor can affect the ultimate size of your mini pet. Hence, you should always ensure to take your pet to a vet for a regular checkup to determine its health status.
Hunger and Improper Diet
Ensure that your mini pet companion is properly fed with the appropriate food to attain its full size. They require a certain amount of energy to keep them active most of the day; that is probably why they always need to eat well. Try as much as possible not to feed them with animal matter or spoiled food as it can make them more prone to infections and diseases.
Can Teacup Pigs Be Kept As Pets?
Yes, teacup pigs can be lovely pets. They are not only great to be kept as home pets but can also be used as therapeutic pets. The other reason you can keep them as pets is because they are cute, docile, intelligent, and very portable. In other words, they do not require so much to be carried around. Extra care should be taken by pet owners, particularly those who have both sow and boar. They should not be kept in the same place to avert the birth of lots of pups, especially if the pet owner is not yet ready for such an occurrence. Try as much as possible to clean and groom their unit properly. Always examine your pet to know if it is underweight or overweight to understand when and how to help them.
