Teacup dogs are small animals that are raised as small as dogs (or we can say dog-like). Most dogs that are considered teacups weigh no more than 4.5 pounds.
You'll find many already smaller dog breeds in teacup versions, including teacup poodles, teacup pugs, and teacup Yorkers. Other popular teacup breeds include the Maltese, Pomeranian and Xishi.
Dr. Cathy Meeks, board-certified physician and group medical director of Bluepearl Veterinary Partners in Tampa, Florida, said that to raise teacup dogs, breeders pair so-called "nests" into the smallest animals. But sometimes, due to birth defects or other diseases, the number of dogs selected as breeding dogs is small.
The health risks for these small dogs are very large, and this is not the case of natural breeding. This is unnatural for breeders seeking market advantage.
Edge with price. Teacup dogs can cost thousands of dollars.
Having a dog that can fit in your pocket has a potential advantage. You can take them anywhere, they get a lot of attention from friends and family, and – when they're healthy – their diminutive stature means they don't need a lot of food and/or prophylactic medications. This keeps the annual cost low.
Small dogs also appeal to pet owners who live in pet size restriction facilities or can only walk short distances or other forms of exercise.
The breeding history of teacup dogs can make these small dogs more susceptible to certain health problems.
Common health problems in teacup dogs include low blood sugar, heart defects, tracheal atrophy, seizures, respiratory problems, digestive problems, and blindness.
This breeding method may also lead to an increased risk of hepatic shunting. Liver shunting is usually a congenital defect in dogs that affects the liver's ability to remove toxins. The cost of treatment for liver shunting can be as high as tens of thousands of dollars, and some treatments do not respond well, regardless of their cost.
Many puppies are also prone to tooth and gum problems. Their deciduous teeth don't always fall out on their own, and when an animal is sterilized, it's not uncommon for doctors to remove all of their deciduous teeth.
Another size-related health problem is patellar dislocation, or sliding the knee, which affects the ability of a teacup dog to walk. The disease also often makes animals more susceptible to arthritis.
In addition, teacup dogs may also be susceptible to hydrocephalus.
"Health problems arise when you reproduce with the appearance of a dog rather than the healthiest genetic resources."
Dogs miss a meal, and their blood sugar levels can drop to dangerous levels and cause seizures and even death. They also have a hard time keeping their bodies warm in cool weather, which is why you see so many teacup dogs in sweaters.
Dogs' small bones can easily break, which means owners must be vigilant not to step on them or let them jump off an overly high surface.
Traumatic events can be lifelong for these dogs. It is less likely that you will survive a traffic accident, fall off furniture or the owner's arm, or be attacked by a large dog.
Teacup dogs' low blood sugar and body temperature can also cause problems in the operating room. Doctors must ensure that the surgery does not exceed the animal's blood glucose reserves or provide them with the necessary supplements. Due to the drop in body temperature under anesthesia, they must also work to keep the animal warm.
They are more difficult to treat, can you imagine injecting intravenously in a two-pound dog?
No one likes to see pets suffer, no one likes to see owners struggling with health care costs.