Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do mini pigs make good indoor pets?
YES! Many people are realizing just how intelligent mini pigs really are. Mini pigs become very attached to their families therefore, keeping them indoors where they are able to be close to you is beneficial for your pig. An indoor pig is more easily trained than a pig kept outdoors. You are able to build a faster and stronger bond with your pig by being with him more often throughout the day. Mini pigs are able to learn tricks, respond to their name, use litter boxes, and walk on a leash.
Just like dogs, mini pigs need training. And, just like dogs, this training will continue throughout the life of the pig. And like children, they may become stubborn at times and try to see what they can get away with. Therefore, it is important to stay on top of the training! With guidance and structure, your mini pig will have a long, happy, and fulfilled life indoors with you.
See our training page to learn more about training your mini pig!
Just like dogs, mini pigs need training. And, just like dogs, this training will continue throughout the life of the pig. And like children, they may become stubborn at times and try to see what they can get away with. Therefore, it is important to stay on top of the training! With guidance and structure, your mini pig will have a long, happy, and fulfilled life indoors with you.
See our training page to learn more about training your mini pig!
Q: What do mini pigs eat?
A mini pig's diet should consist of mini pig pellets and a variety of vegetables.
Mini pig pellets are designed to maintain proper weight in mini pigs. Regular stock pig food is designed to put weight on a pig quickly which is not healthy for mini pigs. Always follow the directions on the bag to ensure you are feeding a maintained ration of pellets. This will also help to ensure your mini pig is receiving the proper amount of vitamins, minerals, and protein that the food offers. Some mini pig pellets have a high sodium content that may make your pig drink a large amount of water. It is important to read and compare the ingredients panel of any mini pig diets you have access to. A variety of fresh vegetables is essential to your pig's diet. Broccoli, carrots, romaine lettuce, kale, cucumbers, cauliflower and zucchini are some great choices when looking for fresh vegetables.
Our feeding schedule is as follows;
Fresh fruits such as strawberries, blackberries, cut up grapes, and apple pieces are a great snack for your mini pig. These fruits should be given in moderation, as they are high in sugars. Dried cereals, such as Cherrios, and nuts, such as almonds, work great for training treats.
Always give your mini pig easy access to water; they require a large amount of fresh water to help with the digestion of their food.
Foods to avoid feeding your Mini Pig are:
Mini pig pellets are designed to maintain proper weight in mini pigs. Regular stock pig food is designed to put weight on a pig quickly which is not healthy for mini pigs. Always follow the directions on the bag to ensure you are feeding a maintained ration of pellets. This will also help to ensure your mini pig is receiving the proper amount of vitamins, minerals, and protein that the food offers. Some mini pig pellets have a high sodium content that may make your pig drink a large amount of water. It is important to read and compare the ingredients panel of any mini pig diets you have access to. A variety of fresh vegetables is essential to your pig's diet. Broccoli, carrots, romaine lettuce, kale, cucumbers, cauliflower and zucchini are some great choices when looking for fresh vegetables.
Our feeding schedule is as follows;
- Breakfast: 1/2 of the manufacturer's recommended daily amount of mini pig pellets and vegetables
- Lunch: Vegetables
- Dinner: 1/2 of the manufacturer's recommended daily amount of mini pig pellets and vegetables
- Bedtime Snack: Vegetables
- Snacks are given throughout the day - Cheerios or nuts or a small amount of fruit
Fresh fruits such as strawberries, blackberries, cut up grapes, and apple pieces are a great snack for your mini pig. These fruits should be given in moderation, as they are high in sugars. Dried cereals, such as Cherrios, and nuts, such as almonds, work great for training treats.
Always give your mini pig easy access to water; they require a large amount of fresh water to help with the digestion of their food.
Foods to avoid feeding your Mini Pig are:
- Cat and dog foods: Mini pigs receive no value intake from these foods. The protein levels in cat and dog foods are too high for pigs. These types of foods may also cause your mini Ppg to become bloated and be very uncomfortable.
- Chocolate and caffeine: These foods are toxic to pigs. Keep a safe eye on your mini pig to ensure they are not getting into foods they shouldn't. Often keeping child locks on your cupboard doors will help keep your pig out of unwanted foods (and household cleaners).
- High sugar and salty foods: These types of foods should be excluded from your Mini Pig's diet. These foods will cause your pig to drink a large amount of water and in turn will bloat your pig. Mini Pigs should not have a diet that is high in glucose. High sugared foods are not healthy for your Mini Pig.
- Meat products: Mini pigs are omnivores, but should NOT consume any meat products. Omnivore means they will eat a variety of materials, both plants, and protein matter. They should receive their protein through foods such as almonds, unsalted peanuts and other unsalted nuts.
Q: How big will a mini pig get?
About the size of a bulldog. Over the last 20 years, Mini Pigs have been bred to be smaller than stock pigs and potbellied pigs, which will both reach well over 100 lbs. Mini Pigs are bred to be on average 12" to 17" high at the shoulder. There is no record of mini pigs weighing 40 pounds or less at full maturity. By the time a mini pig is one year old, it may have reached approximately 75% of their growth in height. This growth will then start to slow down. However, a mini pig is not fully mature until they are 4 years old.
Please do not be fooled there is NO Micro Mini Pig, Teacup Pig, Nano Pig, Dwarf Pig, etc. that will remain under 40lbs at full maturity. Full maturity for ALL mini pigs is when at 4 years old.
For more information, please see our page on sizing and see our page on weight.
Please do not be fooled there is NO Micro Mini Pig, Teacup Pig, Nano Pig, Dwarf Pig, etc. that will remain under 40lbs at full maturity. Full maturity for ALL mini pigs is when at 4 years old.
For more information, please see our page on sizing and see our page on weight.
Q: Is a "mini" pig the same a "teacup" pig or a "micro" pig?
YES! The mini pig has been refered to by many different names and some of these names/terms are Micro, Micro Mini, Nano, Pocket, Dwarf and, the most popular, the Teacup. The name "Teacup" Pig was first used by breeders to describe one-day-old piglets. At the time of birth, the piglets are approximately 8 oz and therefore, are small enough to fit into a teacup. However, once fully mature, mini pigs will be 12" to 17" tall.
Please read through the rest of our website to learn more about mini pet pigs. If you still have any questions, please feel free to contact us!
