Miniature Pigs — Complete Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Ever heard of miniature pigs? They’re the most commonly mentioned “breed” of pet pigs. It’s because they are known for their small sizes that can fit into a “teacup” which is why they are also called “teacup pigs”.

Miniature pigs: These mini pigs have become popular over the past few years. More and more people are buying them as pets and fall in love with their big personalities! Some even say they’re easier to handle than dogs.

Years ago, we thought really badly of pigs as they were often used to represent a negative image. Nowadays, we’re finally learning that they’re nothing like what the books or the media told us about them.

But are there really pigs that stay small forever? How big can a miniature pig get? How long does a mini pig live? Miniature pigs are a product of careful and selective breeding.

This means that not only one, but more breeds of pigs were put and paired together in order to continuously produce smaller pigs.

Selective breeding gained a bad reputation, but there are still credible and proper breeders out there and that is why it’s important to be properly guided to avoid unwanted mistakes.

Before you buy one of those adorable, small piggies, you must read everything you need to know about mini pigs.

History and Origins

As mentioned above, miniature pigs or mini pigs are a product of careful and selective breeding. The breed “miniature”, “micro” or “teacup” is not considered a “real breed” as they are a product of unnatural reproduction.

The term “miniature” is just a word used to describe the smaller breed and is still not considered an actual breed by science.

Despite this, mini pigs are being used in medical research as they are truly easier to handle than larger breed of pigs.

Years ago, a man named Keith Connell who was part of the Bowmansville Zoo in Ontario imported breeding pot-bellied pigs to Canada. Pot-bellied pigs originated from the Vietnamese Pot-Bellied pig breed.

The pot-bellied breed is a naturally small breed and was commonly used for crossbreeding. It is said that they were used to produce the “Miniature breed”.

But in a sense, all small breeds of pigs are called “Miniature pigs”. Small breeds such as Kunekune pigs, Juliana pigs, Gottingen mini pigs and more.

These small breeds are often bred together in order to produce an even smaller breed.

Before buying a Miniature Pig

It’s not a surprise if you are charmed by a miniature pig and would want to adopt one for your home. Before you buy, there are some important points to remember.

— Look for a reputable breeder.

— Ask to see the parents and even grandparents to determine the matured size of your chosen pig.

— There is a high chance that your mini pig will grow twice larger than its current size. We urge to set the expectation that way to avoid an increased number of abandoned pet pigs.

— Keep in mind that there are possible health risks when buying miniature pigs. The pigs may be born with complications.

— Caring for a pig comes with great responsibility, genuine love and commitment. Before getting one of any breed, make sure you are prepared.

Be warned that some (not all!) breeders may trick you into buying a piglet (a newborn pig) and make you believe it’s a “teacup pig”! This is why we want you to expect that they might grow larger than expected.

There are also cases when some breeders will allow you to see the parents including grandparents. This is not always reliable as pigs of all breed often become able to reproduce at around 6 months of age.

This means that they can probably show you the parents that are still not fully grown themselves! Looking for a reputable and honest breeder is the key to getting your ideal piggy companion.

What is selective breeding?

Selective breeding can be similar to what is called “Genetic manipulation”. Since breeders are pairing small breed of pigs to another different breed of small pigs, they can possibly create a new and better breed.

There are advantages and disadvantages for selective breeding. If you have heard of teacup puppies or munchkin cats, they are also products of selective breeding.

Those “breeds” or the “results” of selective breeding are often born with medical complications, deformed body parts, weaker bone structures, disabilities or other sicknesses.

This is why many people are against selective breeding. However, there are some breeders that claim their procedures are different from others and that it is safe and healthy for the animal.

Negative cases of selective breeding are underfeeding the animals and force pairing them. Hopefully, those kinds of breeders will no longer be in business as it is not right to mistreat animals just for the sake of money.

This section is very important to shed some light on those who are not aware of the process of selective breeding and what it can possibly do to animals.

The advantage is the possibility of creating a stronger breed by combining two different breeds. Other than that, there are more possible disadvantages rather than advantages as of the moment.

Appearance and anatomy

Most miniature pigs are easily distinguishable from other pigs by defining them through their chubby figure.

They also often have a short snout, short legs and short neck plus a short tail with thick hair at the end. Miniature pigs commonly have small, perked-back ears as well.

Another notable feature is their potbelly, swayed back and round shaped head.

COLORS — Since they are a mix of all small breeds, they may come in various colors. The most common colors are black and white and sometimes they can be spotted or multicolored.

HEAD — Miniature pigs have smaller heads compared to medium to large sized breeds.

EARS — Their ears are normally pricked back or pointed backwards. Some may think this feature is what makes them more adorable.

SNOUT (THE NOSE) — Depending on how they are mixed, the snout is usually small but can be upturned or pointed out.

WEIGHT — Most breeds of mini pigs will remain small in weight, but the common weight among them is between 50 pounds (23 kg) to 200 pounds (91 kg)

HEIGHT — In general, a mini pig could become 14 inches to 20 inches tall at most.

TEETH — All breeds of mini pigs will have normal and non-sharp teeth but can still bite really hard onto food. All pigs usually get their needle sharp teeth clipped moments or hours after birth.

The sharp teeth get replaced by normal teeth afterwards.

TUSKS — all pigs grow tusks including domestic breeds like miniature pigs. Male or female, wild or domestic, there are no exceptions.

Females usually have shorter or smaller tusks that rarely grow long or large enough to stick out of their mouths. Because of this trait, it was one of the easy ways to identify the gender of the pigs in the wild.

The tusks serve as a pig’s offensive and defensive weapon. However, domestic pigs usually have their tusks completely removed as it serves no purpose in captivity.

For those who may not be aware, the tusk is actually part of the jawbones and is considered part of the teeth. This means that if you cut off their tusks, it will not grow back.

However, trimming is a different task and is only done to care for the pig.

NAILS AND HOOVES — Miniature pigs also have hooves and “dewclaws” that may need trimming. On an average, a pig should have trimming at least once a year.

Indoor pigs will require more trimming while outdoor pigs that have a stable, solid footing may only require lesser trimming sessions.

TAIL — Miniature pigs often have short, straight tails. Though they are also capable of curling them. There is no actual explanation why pigs do curl their tails but there are a lot of theories as to why they do.

The only known purpose of a pig’s tail is to drive away insects like flies. It is to reach the areas their legs and mouth cannot reach.

Curious why pigs have curly tails? We have an article about that for you here.

Characteristics and Personality

Like most domesticated pigs, Miniature pigs are known to be friendly, smart, energetic, social, gentle and fun to have around.

Intelligence

Did you know that pigs are so intelligent, they ranked fifth among the most intelligent animals in the world? Miniature pigs are proven to be as smart as their large counterparts.

Within that small body of theirs, awaits a big brain and big personality!

They are also capable of outsmarting chimpanzees, one of the top smartest animals we’ve ever known! Many people also say they can be smarter than dogs.

The intelligence of pigs such as miniature pigs make them popular as pets. This also makes them unique from other regular pets.

Miniature pigs can also really surprise you with their great memory as well as how fast they can learn and pick up hints about certain things.

Aside from ranking fifth in the world ranking, scientific studies and research also stated that an average pig have the same intelligence level as a 2 year old human child.

They discovered that pigs can have better focus and produce a higher success rate when it comes to tests and challenges unlike dogs and chimps.

Not all dogs can learn as fast as a pig can, as some dogs are known to be stubborn or even be full of pride. Although they are usually submissive, many dogs can be stubborn when it comes to training.

Unlike pigs that seem to naturally learn without feeling forced. They tend to learn faster because of their ability to focus better. Dogs can be easily distracted because of their playful nature.

The advantage of being a prey

Another reason why pigs such as miniature pigs have such great intelligence compared to others is because they are prey animals.

Although miniature pigs have never known the wild because they were domesticated from the moment they were born, they still retain their wild and natural traits.

Most pets that we have kept and raised are predator animals like cats and dogs so now we are being surprised by a prey like pigs and their capabilities.

Prey animals need to be on alert more than predators and thus, may develop a more sensitive way of living. They need to be smarter than their swift and strong predators.

Pigs possibly learned to enhance their intelligence by adapting and learning how to outsmart their predators.

Predators do not have to be on guard most of the time, they are usually comfortable anywhere and don’t struggle as hard as a prey when searching for food.

I have a personal saying regarding this aspect in life. The poor may be poor, but they can definitely be wiser than the rich.

It’s because when you are always on edge, you become desperate to cling on for survival. While those who are at the top have it easy and tend to forget the meaning of challenges.

When life is hard, it teaches you to become strong. Even if they are prey animals, if their minds are strong, their chances of survivability will definitely increase.

Miniature pigs can be house trained

Many owners say they can learn even faster than dogs. Miniature pigs or just pigs in general, can be house trained. They may learn how to use the litter box, play fetch and do several other tricks.

It has been proven that the “treat rewarding” method works very well with pigs when training them.

Compassionate

In relation to their intelligence, pigs like miniature pigs are capable of being compassionate. Their smart brains allow them to feel both negative and positive emotions.

This means that they can also feel pain, become depressed, be excited and many more! Because of this, many people are convinced that the cruel treatment towards livestock pigs should come to an end.

Miniature pigs can sense grief

Pigs are capable of sensing grief from other animals, their companions or their human owners. When they do, they have a tendency to console them for comfort.

Miniature pigs are aware when a companion passes away or when they get left behind or abandoned. They can be sad, depressed and lonely to the point of crying real tears when mourning their loss or simply missing something or someone.

Miniature pigs are sensitive

Since they have almost the same mentality or intelligence level as a child, you can expect them to behave similarly to a child. Miniature pigs can grow easily bored when isolated or irritable when kept in an uncomfortable place and more.

They are capable of throwing tantrums, being stubborn, being spoiled, become manipulative or dominant. However, they are rarely violent.

When a pig is mistreated or abused, they WILL remember it. They know how to hold grudges, remember the faces of their abusers but they can also be grateful and remember those who cared for them.

This is part of the reason why they are lovely pets, because they exhibit a behavior where the owners must be emotionally prepared as Miniature pigs can be emotionally sensitive too.

Most people would think pigs are good for first time pet owners, but in reality, it is not. They are not that simple and must be handled with genuine love and care!

Breeding and Life Expectancy

Most pigs become sexually matured at six to seven months of age. This includes miniature pigs. Some pigs can become pregnant at around five months but for miniature pigs, they are normally bred around six months or one year of age.

Offspring

Miniature pigs are commonly expected to have 5 up to 10 piglets when giving birth.

Fully grown pigs can rarely give birth to 25 pigs, but is possible. The average number of piglets that can be born from most breeds starts at 5 piglets up to 10 piglets.

If you’re interested in learning more about breeding, you can check our article about that here.

Life expectancy

The miniature pig’s average life expectancy is 15 years up to 20 years.

This popular breed of miniature pigs which includes every other small breed are said to have shorter lifespan due to their complicated and selective breeding, many pig owners claim their pets lived up to 15 years and more.

This information brings us to the conclusion that there are times that they can live longer than their expected lifespan as long as they are healthy and loved.

Habitat and Environment

Domesticated animals such as Miniature pig breeds often thrive in a better condition compared to their wild or natural counterpart. Still, it’s important to know their natural habitats.

Natural habitat

A miniature pig does not have a known wild habitat as they are a product of multiple crossbreeding.

But in general, the wild habitat for most pigs generally moist forests, swamps and woodlands, especially oak forests and regions where seeds are abundant.

Environment

All pigs especially small breeds like Miniature pigs will prefer to inhabit places with favorable climate. Although they function better under cool temperatures, they can still be sensitive to severe cold or extreme heat.

If you’re looking to keep one as a pet, you must read on to understand their preferred environment when under captivity.

Miniature pigs are prey animals and need to be kept away from possible predators. If they have a wide space to graze outside, there must be fences to keep out animals like wolves, coyotes or even regular stray dogs.

Like every other pig, Miniature pigs have a hard time cooling off because of their inability to sweat. Because of this, they should be placed in an area that can keep them cool.

Again, they are sensitive to harsh weather conditions and thus must be protected from extreme heat and severe cold. They must be shielded from rain and any kind of storms.

Space

Miniature pigs are always under captivity and will need specific space and conditions in order to thrive properly on a daily basis. Since they are smart and can be sensitive, if they are cramped up in one place for too long, they may grow bored which may lead to destructive behavior.

If they do not have enough space or freedom to roam and explore, they may become depressed. Pigs are naturally curious animals and prefer living outdoors as much as possible.

Depending on the number of other pigs that will live with them, a Miniature pig should be able to have a pen of at least 2 meters in size.

If they are being kept as indoor pets, the best solution is to give them access to at least one or two rooms to give them comfort.

Know more about how much space most pigs need by reading our article about it here.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Every animal including humans have its own imperfections. All pets will have its own pros and cons. Miniature pigs have more pros than cons, but of course, it’s important to learn what they are to fully understand their breed.

This pros and cons may be applicable to almost any breed of pig as they have a general shared behavior which highlights their personalities.

PROS	CONS
Not a picky eater	Prone to diseases if not careful!
Good as pets	Can potentially be destructive
Social animals	Can be sensitive
Clean animals	Needs enough space

PROS

1. Not a picky eater

Pigs of any breed including Miniature pigs have an opportunistic mentality when it comes to feeding. As long as it looks edible, they will accept and eat it.

They have what we call a “stomach of steel” which means they can eat almost anything without getting sick from it.

However, just because they can eat anything including junk, doesn’t mean we should feed them with just anything. Certain food can still be harmful to their health and will weaken their immune system.

2. Good as pets

Regardless of gender, Miniature pigs make good pets as they do not have different behaviors unlike other breeds where certain male pigs could develop territorial behavior.

Though they may not be a good pair with kids as they will try to “dominate” kids or compete with them, they will never be violent or aggressive towards other animal or people.

They are very patient and capable of being really sweet!

3. Social animals

Aside from being generally kind, miniature pigs are also capable of getting along well with other pets like cats. They can get along with dogs too, but it’s safer to leave them with animals that are close to them in size.

Dogs may be as large as a pig, but they are clearly more powerful than pigs and can cause unwanted injuries or accidents when put together.

As long as you trust your dog won’t hurt your miniature pig, then they can definitely be great friends too. Sometimes, the best friendships start off rough and unstable!

Who knows? Maybe your dog and pig can be best friends… just properly guide them until they are comfortable with each other.

Miniature pigs are great companions or playmates for your kids and other house pets or animals too. They are definitely a great animal to raise.

4. Clean animals

Unlike what we originally thought of them, Miniature pigs are clean and prefer to keep their living area clean too.

As much as possible, they will assign a corner to become their toilet area in order to avoid soiling their living space.

They will enjoy baths and prefer water more than mud. Most pigs only rolled around in mud to keep cool because it’s the only thing they can do when there is no pond of water around them.

CONS

1. Prone to diseases if not careful

The disadvantage of being a non-picky eater is the risk of eating a harmful food that can infect their systems.

Miniature pigs can eat nearly anything including scrap food, junk, rotten food, spoiled food, decomposing food and decaying carcasses.

This is why it’s important to supervise your pig during feeding time or letting them outside in order to prevent them from eating unwanted food.

They are also strictly prohibited from eating meat (including any other meat products and food that has had contact with meat) as it is the easiest way for them to be infected by a disease that may be transmitted to humans.

See our article about what to feed your pig here.

2. Can potentially be destructive

Since Miniature pigs have a wide range of emotions, they also have bad sides too. They can be stubborn and destructive as mentioned earlier.

Destructive pigs are a sign of playfulness, stress, depression or a way to establish dominance in their selected territory.

If you think your pig is behaving deeply negative, it’s important to get them checked as it could be their only way of expressing internal pain that we usually do not notice until it gets worse!

It is also a sign of mistreatment and abuse. This behavior can easily be corrected with proper training and discipline.

3. Can be sensitive

Did you know that raising your voice can also leave a bad impact on your pigs? Miniature pigs are no exception to this. For some, they might perceive it as a hostile behavior.

Little actions such as slight hitting will also be remembered by your miniature pig. They remember a lot of things, be it good or negative.

Leaving them alone for long hours can also be unhealthy when your miniature pig doesn’t have enough space to explore or companions to interact with.

To some, it may be similar to leaving a child alone.

This is why, people who plan to own miniature pigs or just pigs in general should be aware of their emotional sensitivity. Remember, your piggy friend remembers!

4. Needs enough space

This has been mentioned many times in this thread. But yes, many first time owners are not aware that pigs need space! Other animals may tolerate being kept in one spot, but not miniature pigs.

They might try to make several escapes or even attempt to break through obstacles just to get to freedom. If they do not try to be free, they will become lonely and depressed.

This is why it’s frequently mentioned in order to remind potential owners that they need to be ready for adjusting their homes and make it “pig-proof”!

It might take some effort which is why it is considered as a disadvantage when owning Miniature pigs or any other pigs.

Proper care and needs

Miniature pigs will have a lot of needs and buying one as a pet comes with great responsibility, patience and commitment.

Aside from being mentally prepared, one must be financially prepared too when it comes to the costs and physically ready to care for them.

Caring

1. Proper Feeding

An average pig should eat at least two times a day. Pigs are not picky eaters and you can feed them almost anything!

However, pigs are strictly NOT ALLOWED TO CONSUME MEAT.

The reason behind this is to prevent pigs from getting sick. The easiest way for them to get infected with a disease is by eating meat.

This can turn into a virus that may be transmitted to humans and cause yet another outbreak.

Instead, you may feed your pig with various fruits and vegetables. Real pig pellets are the best choice for your pet pig as it provides a balanced diet for them.

Pigs can also eat grass, so if you have a yard or lawn that has grass, you may let them graze on it. They may occasionally dig the ground up to eat roots and certain insects. (Safe for them to consume)

You may learn more about what to feed your pet pig by checking one of our helpful articles about it. Read “What Do Pigs Eat”

2. How much water they need

On a daily basis, an average pig can drink 5 to 10 liters a day. A pregnant or mothering pig might need twice the regular amount in order to produce enough milk.

Pigs are unable to sweat which is why they have a hard time cooling off. Drinking lots of water will help them keep their body temperature cool.

Make sure that their water tanks or drinking bowls cannot be tipped over as they have a tendency to play with food or water. Sometimes, they can be careless or clumsy.

It’s important to ensure they always have enough water to drink as dehydration can make them sick or if it’s too hot and they can’t cool off, pigs are easily prone to heat stroke.

Know more about what pigs need by reading our article about it here.

3. Living Area

As mentioned above, your pig has a hard time cooling off due to their dysfunctional sweat glands.

Studies say that they function better under cool temperatures but harsh weather conditions could easily affect them or make them sick.

Severe cold or extreme heat could give pneumonia or heat stroke. There have been cases where pigs passed away due to extreme temperatures.

To properly care for your pig, it’s important to pay attention to the temperature. The room must be averagely cool or warm. They must also be able to remain dry and protected from parasites such as flies.

Despite being kept indoors, pigs will also need sufficient amount of sunshine. You can take them out or let them outside to bask under the sunlight in the morning.

Doing this will also be a soothing activity for your pet pig as they enjoy the outdoor life, they like the morning sun and have the opportunity to graze on grass.

If you don’t have an area where they can stay out, an optional solution is taking your pet pig out for a walk. This could also serve as an adequate exercise for your pet pig.

Most pigs will enjoy a walk in the morning as they are adventurous animals that appreciate exploring their surrounding areas.

Note: Walking your pig may require legal permissions.
Read our article about legalizing your pet and getting a pig license.
“How to get a License for your Pig”

As a pig owner, you will also need to buy a proper bed for your pet. If they are still growing, it’s safe to go for the long term product as they might grow twice their current size!

Miniature pigs can grow larger than expected, so to help you save, it’s advisable to anticipate growth for your pet pig. With a good bed that they can fit in, they will be comfortable to stay in your home.

4. Healthcare

Since pigs can be sensitive when it comes to health, it’s highly recommended to let your pet pig have annual medical checkups. Vaccination is necessary while spaying and neutering is also deeply encouraged.

Another reason why owning a pet pig will require frequent visits to the veterinary clinic is because you might need help with trimming. Hooves, nails and tusks trimming are important and crucial to your pig’s health.

Overgrown and unmaintained hooves, nails and tusks could cause soreness and severe pain when it starts injuring the body structure. It may also cause infection, appetite loss, locomotive issues and more.

Trimming can be a challenging task for a new owner which is why we advise to seek professional help or assistance from a veterinarian.

If you are curious on how to do the entire process of trimming and caring for their hooves, nails and tusks, you may read our article about it here.

5. Registration for Legal Documents

Raising pig especially small ones like miniature pigs may be illegal or restricted depending on where you live. Laws differ on every country especially regarding animal welfare. It’s highly recommended to check with your local officers to verify first before you adopt a pig.

If it requires a license, please register your pig for its safety and yours too. It might also come with various benefits, so it’s worth the cost. This step is very important and must be done if required.

Read our guide on how to get a license here.