There is a huge misconception when it comes to Miniature Pigs. Some people have the idea that a miniature pig is one of the smallest pets out there on the market. Wrong wrong wrong.
When we are talking about a mini pig, the animal is miniature compared to a regular pig. Not compared to a dog. Mini pigs are bred to be small pigs, small compared to a pig that is raised to be butchered.
Mini pig owners get tired of hearing the same thing over and over, “Oh, I thought it was supposed to be small? That’s the biggest pig I have ever seen! Wasn’t it a tiny baby pig?” So to clear up this misconception, let’s all understand what a Pig is. Since the majority of the public doesn’t seem to know anything about this animal.
The most common pig is the “Domestic Pig” which is used primarily for the consumption of meat. These pigs are usually pink and are the image that usually comes to mind when people talk about pigs. Most people have never seen one of these pigs in real life so they have no idea how wrong they are when comparing them to miniature pigs.
The average domestic pig can weigh over 700lb and be over 5 feet long when full gown. Below is a picture of what that looks like next to a person.
When we are talking about a mini pig, the animal is miniature compared to a regular pig. Not compared to a dog. Mini pigs are bred to be small pigs, small compared to a pig that is raised to be butchered.
Mini pig owners get tired of hearing the same thing over and over, “Oh, I thought it was supposed to be small? That’s the biggest pig I have ever seen! Wasn’t it a tiny baby pig?” So to clear up this misconception, let’s all understand what a Pig is. Since the majority of the public doesn’t seem to know anything about this animal.
The most common pig is the “Domestic Pig” which is used primarily for the consumption of meat. These pigs are usually pink and are the image that usually comes to mind when people talk about pigs. Most people have never seen one of these pigs in real life so they have no idea how wrong they are when comparing them to miniature pigs.
The average domestic pig can weigh over 700lb and be over 5 feet long when full gown. Below is a picture of what that looks like next to a person.
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These are photos of Esther the Wonder Pig who you can follow on facebook at this link https://www.facebook.com/estherthewonderpig/info/?tab=page_info.
Esther was adopted under the impression that she was a mini pig, but clearly Esther is a domestic pig. This is what typical pigs look like. They are huge! Hopefully this gives you a better understanding of how big an actual pig is. So it’s silly then to compare a mini pig to a standard pig.
And I have also heard, “I thought she was a tiny baby pig?!” Well we all start off that way don’t we? What pet out there can you buy as a baby that won’t grow as it ages? …. …. Hmm? Hmm? Got nothing? Babies grow! Animals get big as they mature, just like humans! Some don’t grow fast, some do grow fast, some get huge, some stay relatively small. But all of them grow!
So its ridiculous to see a tiny baby pig that’s 4 weeks old and think that it is going to stay that size for the rest of its life! But then again, that is the reason why so many dogs are in shelters right? “Oh I got it as a puppy and it grew. It was just so unexpected!”
So if you want a pet that will be tiny forever, the size of the pig in the photo below, then don’t get a pig! Get a teacup Chihuahua or a guinea pig instead.
Esther was adopted under the impression that she was a mini pig, but clearly Esther is a domestic pig. This is what typical pigs look like. They are huge! Hopefully this gives you a better understanding of how big an actual pig is. So it’s silly then to compare a mini pig to a standard pig.
And I have also heard, “I thought she was a tiny baby pig?!” Well we all start off that way don’t we? What pet out there can you buy as a baby that won’t grow as it ages? …. …. Hmm? Hmm? Got nothing? Babies grow! Animals get big as they mature, just like humans! Some don’t grow fast, some do grow fast, some get huge, some stay relatively small. But all of them grow!
So its ridiculous to see a tiny baby pig that’s 4 weeks old and think that it is going to stay that size for the rest of its life! But then again, that is the reason why so many dogs are in shelters right? “Oh I got it as a puppy and it grew. It was just so unexpected!”
So if you want a pet that will be tiny forever, the size of the pig in the photo below, then don’t get a pig! Get a teacup Chihuahua or a guinea pig instead.
So in regards to the size of a mini pig, they are not tiny pets. Teacup pig/mini pig is not in reference to a dog. As I keep saying, it is in comparison to a pig. Mini pigs will grow to be the size of medium to large dogs.
They can make great pets, but if a big dog is too much for you, then you have no business buying a pig! But if you are someone with space and means to enjoy the company of large dogs, then by all means a mini pig could be a great pet for you!
The photo below has a diagram of different size pigs. The real pig next to the woman is a mini pig. The other pigs are the standard size for different pig breeds, the pink one being a domestic pig and the very large pig is the one that holds the world record for size.
They can make great pets, but if a big dog is too much for you, then you have no business buying a pig! But if you are someone with space and means to enjoy the company of large dogs, then by all means a mini pig could be a great pet for you!
The photo below has a diagram of different size pigs. The real pig next to the woman is a mini pig. The other pigs are the standard size for different pig breeds, the pink one being a domestic pig and the very large pig is the one that holds the world record for size.
There is a lot of bad publicity of the supposed “Mini Pig Craze.” There are a lot of people that get these pigs and cannot handle them. But it’s not because “mini pig” is a made up lie to scam people out of money. The majority of cases that have gone bad are because of ignorance, people’s lack of understanding of what a mini pig really is. Either they don’t know what type of breed to buy or they buy the right one not understanding that a pig not a Chihuahua.
As always, research before you buy. For your own sake and the sake of the animal.
As always, research before you buy. For your own sake and the sake of the animal.
Photo credit above: Mary Efflandt
About Animal Care Expert Meghan Arriola
Meghan Arriola is an animal care consultant from Texas that spends her time promoting holistic wellbeing for humans and animals, while also caring for her many pets including dogs, ferrets, reptiles, goats and much more!
Copyright 2015 – All Rights Reserved MJ Arriola Creations LLC
About Animal Care Expert Meghan Arriola
Meghan Arriola is an animal care consultant from Texas that spends her time promoting holistic wellbeing for humans and animals, while also caring for her many pets including dogs, ferrets, reptiles, goats and much more!
Copyright 2015 – All Rights Reserved MJ Arriola Creations LLC
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