Bad News, Pet Lovers: Teacup Pigs Are a Hoax

[vellavu]

Bad News, Pet Lovers: Teacup Pigs Are a Hoax | Smart News | Smithsonian

It’s a descriptor, not the term for a breed of pig, and it’s hurting animals.

It looks tiny now, but no matter what you've been told, it'll get bigger. A lot bigger.

Some time in the past few decades, owning a pig as a pet stopped being completely out-of-the-ordinary.

You might not own a pig or know anyone who does, but you’ve probably heard of people doing it. And the kinds of pigs that are associated with pet ownership come with specific kinds of names: mini-pig, micropig, apartment pig and teacup pig are just a few. Then there are the horror stories that circulate about people getting a pet pig only to have it grow into a full-sized farm animal.

Here’s the thing: they’re all full-sized farm animals. The idea of a manageably sized pig goes back a few decades, writes Jake Swearingen for Modern Farmer, but it is and always was a marketing scam.

 

[Taake]

Lalalallalalalalala *fingers in ears* I can't hear you!

Nah, seriously though, I knew this already because I love pigs and have read about it before. Unless I have room for an Esther (Esther the Wonder Pig) I won't be getting a tea cup pig anytime soon. Which is a shame because they are adorable and intelligent animals.* 🙂


*also the perfect way to get rid of a body if you ever plan to kill anyone.

**I'm not planning that.

 

[November]

Haha yes I have seen many learn this the hard way. Would have been a great way to make some cash around here about 7 years back.

I do know of pigs that are smaller than full size farm pigs, but they dont look exactly as 'pretty'. There are a breed of wild looking pigs that are smaller in size and make really really great pets for hobby farms. They are so smart and cuddly!! Tummy rubs and treaties, really sweet in nature. But even these ones, if fed wrong as a young one, will grow very large. The one I know never ever looked underweight or underfed but never grew larger than a medium size dog (not taller than knee height).

One other little known fact, is that pigs need nose rings, unless you like your paddocks torn up. Easy done and works really well.

I saw a full size pig on Bondi Vet who's owner couldnt bare to part with, but he was ripping up the park on walks and the council wanted him banned, so Dr Chris gave him a piercing.

 

[ILLYRIAN]

I wonder if they are what is known in Scotland as Haggis?

 

[brinkster130]

I knew a family that fell for this. Now they have a huge pig.

 

[Nix]

Pigs are great 😀

Seriously I love pigs!! They are so cute.

 

[vellavu]

Pigs are great 😀

Seriously I love pigs!! They are so cute.

Do they know how to use the toilet like dogs do?

 

[Nix]

Do they know how to use the toilet like dogs do?

Yes they do. It's just a secret! 😛

 

[vellavu]

Yes they do. It's just a secret! 😛

I'm still not quitting bacon.🙁

 

[Nix]

I'm still not quitting bacon.🙁

😱

LOL

Me too 🙄

 

[ChaseRules]

So are you saying they better than dogs ?

And no one ever said they had too much bacon 🙂

 

[Athena]

I thought everyone knew this? Seriously, it's been featured so many times on local news and consumer shows here. Or maybe I just live in Pig Country? 😀

I mean honestly, animals getting bigger when they grow up..... who'd have thunk it?! 😛

Also, this seems like the perfect time to bring up a Buffy Boards holiday to Pig Beach.... who's with me?! 😉

 

[vellavu]

So are you saying they better than dogs ?

Seriously, anything is better than Sineyan dogs. You guys should consider using other animals as your slaves.

 

[ChaseRules]

We don't have slaves . 🙄 We leave things like that to Black Thorn 😀

 

[Nix]

I thought everyone knew this? Seriously, it's been featured so many times on local news and consumer shows here. Or maybe I just live in Pig Country? 😀

I mean honestly, animals getting bigger when they grow up..... who'd have thunk it?! 😛

Also, this seems like the perfect time to bring up a Buffy Boards holiday to Pig Beach.... who's with me?! 😉

OMG I'm SO there 😀 😀 😀

 

[Athena]

@ChaseRules It's in the Bahamas, and it is a real place 😀

 

[ChaseRules]

😱 I never would have thought that .

Thanks.

 

[November]

@Athena is that the same place the pigs are dying cos of human stupidity?

I really should find that pic of the pig dressed as Castiel... @nightshade would it still be on imgur?

Pigs are smarter than your average puppy. Toilet training etc is easy done, its the size and amount of feed they need that causes issues.


When I was a kid, we had a pet farm pig (living on a farm) who was too small to 'send to market' with the rest of the babies we had reared. We called her 'Bacon' and she caught up in size... Such a character. We lived in a house made of haybales (sealed in plastic) the pig broke down a wall to make a nest in my fathers bed. Another time she broke into the shed and got into the milk, a truckload delivery of milk...

That image of a very happy, very fat pig, passed out in a pool if milk with destruction of boxes all round,will never stop making me smile.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I really should find that pic of the pig dressed as Castiel... @nightshade would it still be on imgur?

Yes, you really should find it. Find it now.

 

[ChaseRules]

Closing the beach off 😕