Just like the sudden popularity of pooches in designer bags during the 2000s, mini pigs are having that kind of moment too. We often see mini pigs on social media but, contrary to popular belief, pigs are not pink puppies that grunt instead of bark. Pigs are clearly a different kind of animal and come with their own unique needs, behaviors and quirks, which, for many enthusiastic new owners, comes as a big surprise. “I estimate that 90 percent of mini pigs purchased or adopted are abandoned within two years,” says Richard Hoyle, director of The Pig Preserve, a pig rescue sanctuary in the United States. This is a sad reality that should be avoided. When you adopt pets, there is no guarantee that the animal will always fit in with your family until you bring it home. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay If you want a miniature pig to add to your family, there are things you should know before adopting one. An article from Good Housekeeping gives us eight things every aspiring mini pig owner should know to ensure their new pet stays in the family for life. Your "mini" pig won't stay mini forever. Mini, micro, teacup, pixie, as you say, are different names that farmers use to describe their pigs. The problem is that none of them are actually regulated, so it's hard to know exactly how big a mini pig will get. “There are 15 to 20 breeds of mini pigs, and they all weigh 150 to 180 pounds at full size,” Hoyle says. (It may seem huge, but if you compare it to full-size farmed pigs, they weigh about 600 pounds, so they're mini.) "There is no breed of very small pig in nature," he adds. Because pigs can take up to five years to reach full size, it's difficult to know how big your mini pig will eventually become. The way you could estimate and expect their size is to visit the pig's parents in person so you can see how big they are. If the parents are older than you expected, the piglet is probably not the right one for you. A rescued pig is a much better bet than a breeder pig can live for more than 20 years many owners give them up for adoption after only a year or two when they realize they can't continue to have them. “There's no need to spend thousands of dollars at a breeder when shelters and sanctuaries are already asking people to take their pigs,” Hoyle says. There are other benefits to adopting rather than buying from a breeder. Shelters only adopt out healthy, well-socialized pigs, so you're less likely to have problems with huge vet bills or behavioral problems. Additionally, because pigs tend to be older, they are more likely to have reached their full size. And because shelters invest in finding forever homes for their adoptees, they will take the time to educate you about your pet's needs. "They want to see this training. But if he doesn't, unlike a farmer, they will normally take the pig back," Hoyle says. Your pig may not like you at first. Do you dream of your little pig curling up on the couch with you? The process of pigs and their human parents is actually slow. It's not like bringing a dog home. Some of them are scared and don't want to be touched, so it will take some time for them to get used to you. They might even try to push you around. Pigs are hierarchical, so they can become.