I’ve lived in Summerfield, North Carolina, for my entire life, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved animals. Since I was about 8 years old, I’ve ridden horses and spent numerous hours with every type of farm animal imaginable, from goats to pigs to donkeys. In more recent years, my family has started taking in animals in need of fostering and rescue. So, I now live on a lovely farm and on that farm, we have a couple of spunky, rescued pigs.
Pigs, in my opinion, are the most wonderfully, smart, amazing animals on this planet. They are so perfectly adorable, and I can’t get enough of them. Apparently, a lot of other people think this, too, which is great until they decide they want the contemporary "mini pig." Mini Pigs, or teacup pigs, are those that people assume will only grow to be about 10 to15 pounds, and are said to be great house pets in an apartment or such. Funny story is, that is not the always the case.
Sure, there are real mini pigs in the world, but they cost a fortune; I’m talking a couple thousand dollars. To make sure your mini pig is for sure a mini pig, you would need to ask to see the mother and father pigs, because like most animals, pigs are genetically similar to their parents. Sadly, most people try to cheat this system and believe Craigslist or so-called breeders to get a better deal. About six months after purchasing your great new mini pig, you might realize you actually have a lovely potbelly piglet on your hands that will end up weighing anywhere from 100 to 250 pounds. Yup, I said pounds! The term "mini pig" can also be interchangeable with potbelly pigs to some people when they are writing their description of their baby piglets online. This isn’t always the case, but it is a bunch of the time.
So, what’s the big deal? Here’s the big deal -- potbelly pigs are not mini pigs or anything close to them. Too many times, the owners realize that their mini pigs are actually potbelly pigs and guess where they end up? Yup, at rescue facilities and places just like my house! A lot of these pigs also end up abandoned on the streets or sometimes, they are taken to a slaughter house.
Now, I know everyone dreams of having their very own Prissy and Pop, the Instagram-famous pair of piglets, but it takes a lot of research and money to make sure you are getting the real deal. Mini pigs are also a lot of work, similar to a puppy or baby. But all pigs in general are very smart and lovable. So, if you’re thinking about investing in your own mini pig, make sure you do your research before purchasing. Even if your so-called mini pig ends up being a potbelly piglet, it’s okay because you can still love it just as much -- it's just a couple pounds heavier!
