Miniature or teacup pigs have become fashionable pets, but most grow far larger than advertised and face welfare challenges when owners are unprepared.
Companion pig welfare is undermined at the point of sale: animals advertised as miniature or teacup grow far beyond expectations, and owners unprepared for a 50-100 pound intelligent, rooting animal often surrender them. Pigs that cannot root on appropriate substrates redirect this behavior destructively. Their intelligence means they understand routines, recognize individuals, and experience boredom with the same sophistication as dogs, demanding proportional enrichment.