Over the years, pig celebrities graced movies, shows and magazines. From models to celebrities, it has become a trend especially for high profile celebrities like Paris Hilton and Victoria Beckham who have their own teacup pig. And for those who want to have their own mini pig, you need to know how much does a teacup pig really costs to have one along with the other pertinent information prior to having your own teacup pig.
How Much Does a Teacup Pig Cost?
Teacup pigs also known as mini pigs are much smaller compared to full-sized pigs. They usually weigh about 45 to 200 pounds when they are fully grown. Teacup pigs can last for about 20 years. Teacup pig price may vary. So, what is the average teacup pig costs?
When you search for pig breeders, you find yourself with different choices as there are various pig breeders. If you go for a miniature pig breeder, the teacup pig price may vary ranging from $700 to $1000. Breeders would also require you to make an initial deposit between $100 to $250.
For highly reputable pig breeders, you can expect the price of miniature pig to range from $600 to $800. What is nice in going for established pig breeders is that pigs come with registration, spay and vaccination records. They also spend time with the pigs to train them which makes it easier for the owner once he purchases the pig.
If you want to save money, there are pig sanctuaries and other nonprofit organizations where you can have piglets at $150. They charge you relatively low nominal adoption fees compared to the situation when you get a teacup pig from the breeders.
Apart from the cost of buying a teacup pig, you also have to factor in the additional cost you have to pay like for instance you need to make sure that the miniature pig is neutered. This is important to avoid bad odor and the usual behavioral problems that unneutered teacup pigs have. Neutering may cost about $300 to $500.
Additional Average Teacup Pig Costs
How about caring and maintain your teacup pig? Many of those who are interested to own a potbellied pig are not truly aware of the responsibilities of being a miniature pig owner. Just as how other pet owners take care of their pet,
the same applies if you have a teacup pig. You need to take care of them and usually, the cost of feeding this type of pic ranges from $20 to $60. You also have to take your pet pig to regular medical checkups and have yearly vaccinations. The costs may range from $100 to $300.
To help you to know how much does a teacup pig cost, you may want to avail the voucher program offered by the North American Potbellied Pig Association. This can help you reduce price in neutering/spaying your pet pig. The voucher can pay up to about $50 of your total teacup pig estimate.
Potential Problems
In owning a teacup pig, you need to be fully aware that it is not just about owning a cute, adorable and trendy pet. There are potential concerns and problems that might arise. For instance, teacup pigs are very social creatures. You need to constantly entertain them as they may exhibit depressions. If you are the type of pet owner who is often outside, you may have to consider this problem as it could result to depression which can negatively affect your teacup pig.
Prior to finally buying a teacup pig, make sure that you are purchasing from a reliable breeder. There have been a lot of people who were made to believe that they’re buying teacup pigs. But what they did not know was that they were actually sold with piglets that eventually grew into full-grown pigs.
Tips For Owning a Teacup Pig
The average cost of teacup pig is just one side of the picture. As a pet owner, you are responsible for a lot of things. Here are some tips for owning a teacup pig.
- Can you legally own a teacup pig?
Before anything else, the very first thing you need to know is whether it is even legal in the place where you live to own a teacup pig. Take the time to research the laws, so you know if it is legal especially since there are some local zoning laws that prohibit taking care of a teacup pig.
- You have to be fully aware of their size.
Just because they look tiny and cute does not mean that they will look like that years from now. Many pet owners are
not aware of the size of teacup pigs when they are full grown since many breeders mislead buyers. Although teacup pigs are smaller than regular pigs, you have to be aware that they can weigh about 5o to 60 pounds which is almost the size of a dog. If you have limited space, this is something that you should know.
- Training a Teacup Pig
As with other pets, you can also train your teacup pig. One of the things people like about pigs is that they are very intelligent. In fact, they are as intelligent as dogs. This only means that you can train them. You can use positive-reinforcement in training your teacup pig. Use treats to reward them. There are various online resources that teach and guide you in training your teacup pig.
The average cost of owning a teacup pig goes beyond just the amount that you have to pay to the breeder. From care and maintenance to other related costs, it is can be costly not to mention that since it is not your usual pet. You need to be able to provide them with the right living environment and veterinary care which can be really expensive. Knowing all of these details can help you have better understanding and see if owning a teacup pig really suits you.