Birthday Gifts for Pets

Potbellied Pigs As Pets – Basic Care Information

10 July 2016

Madison Adams

Pigs make excellent pets for the right people. If you are considering a pet pig, you should gather as much information as possible so you can make an informed decision as to if this is the right pet for you.

Potbellied pigs are the most common pet pigs. These pigs are relatively easy to come by and are smaller than your average farm pigs. They are sometimes referred to as "mini pigs" but don't let that name fool you as they aren't going to be lap size for long.  Potbellied pigs continue to grow until they are two to three years old. Most range from 60 to 175 pounds when full grown. Be prepared for your baby piglet to grow and lose its baby charm. He or she is going to love your more and more over time and expect you to continue to do the same. The sad truth is that many pigs find themselves homeless when they grow up and aren't as cute and cuddly as they were.

Living Area

The first thing you should do is check with the city you live in to make sure you can have a pet pig. It used to be that pigs were considered farm animals and only rural areas were zoned for them. As they have become more popular as pets, many areas have changed their rules.

Pigs can live outside in most temperatures if you provide the proper environment. Pigs can't sweat so it is necessary to give them a way to cool off in the heat of the summer months. A mud puddle is how pigs naturally cool off. If your pig doesn't have access to mud, a small wading pool will work just fine.

A shelter is necessary no matter what time of year. A large dog house will work for most potbellied pigs. You can provide them with hay or blankets to keep warm. Pigs love to cover themselves up in bedding.

Make sure your pig's outside area is fenced. This not only keeps your pig in but will keep stray animals out.

You may choose to keep your pig inside. They are neat and clean pets that can easily be trained to use a litter box. Many pigs are easily house trained and can be taken out on a harness and leash to use the bathroom.

If you are going to keep your pig inside, you will want to provide them with a place of their own to sleep. If you have children or other pets in the house, a small room or an extra large dog crate will give them a nice quiet place to sleep.

Pigs need exercise, so those that are mostly indoors should still have a place to go outside and play.

Food

Pigs are food motivated, and this can make it difficult to keep them on a balanced diet. It's easy to want to over feed or treat your pig, but it's more important to keep them on a healthy diet.

There are specially formulated potbellied pig pellets on the market. They provide a good amount of their daily nutritional needs. Pellets fed twice a day with one salad is usually an excellent diet. Salads can consist of greens, vegetables, and occasionally fruit.

Vet Care

Do yourself a favor and find a veterinarian that cares for pigs before you get your pet. Depending on where you live, this may prove to be a bit of a challenge. A vet that will come to your house is a bonus.

If your pig stays healthy, you should only need vet care once a year. This would be for an exam, shots and to trim their hooves.

If you aren't going to be breeding your pig, you may want to seriously consider having it spayed or neutered. Ask your vet about the benefits of spaying and neutering. Female pigs that are spayed early have a reduced chance of developing ovarian cysts and uterine tumors.

 Dogs, Cats, and Pigs

Pigs and cats generally get along just fine. Some pig owners have cats that like to snuggle with their pigs while others say they rarely acknowledge each other.

Pigs and dogs are another story. Chances are a pet pig and dog living in the same household will ignore each other. However, no matter how long they seem to get along, they should never be left alone together. The reason for this is that dogs are predators and pigs are prey. No matter how domesticated your pets are, they still have these natural tendencies and should they act on them; you may come home to a very badly injured or even dead pig. Leaving them alone together isn't worth the risk.   

These basics will help you get started on making your decision as to whether or not a potbellied pig is the right pet for you. If you decide to move forward, continue researching and take your time making sure you find the best pig for you and your home. Contact a breeder, like Mini Pocket Pigs, for more help.

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