Keeping pigs for pets might seem crazy to some, especially in American culture. There is the perception that pigs are dirty farm animals who are not smart or loving enough to be kept as pets. However, in reality the opposite is true. Pet pigs are intelligent, lovable and very easy to train. In addition, pet pigs are often more hygienic than dogs, as they can be trained to use a litter box. Even still, caring for pigs is a big responsibility. Potential owners must decide if they’re up to the task before making a final decision. The sections below can help with this endeavor, as they will explain the ins and outs of keeping pigs for pets.
Pigs for Pets – Domestic and Legal Concerns
Before purchasing a pet pig, potential owners must investigate whether or not such an act is allowed in their jurisdiction. According to Chris Christensen, author of “ Are Potbellied Pigs Legal Pets in My Area,” potential owners must get a copy of their city’s ordinance before determining if pet pigs are legal. To get these ordinances, Christensen suggests visiting a City Hall or a local zoning office; both should bring about the same result.
As his article continues, Christensen explains that even if pet pigs are legal, there might be additional restrictions potential owners must consider. He explains that sometimes owners might have to get a permit; other times there are restrictions regarding the pig’s size. In any case, it is important to read these ordinances carefully. All of their instructions must be followed to avoid any legal problems down the road.
Once the legal concerns are taken care of, potential owners need to assess their domestic environment. When keeping pigs for pets, it is not always necessary to live on a farm. If potential owners purchase miniature pigs as pets, they can house the animals in a normal dwelling. This is because miniature pigs do not get as large as their potbelly counterparts. True, the majority will still outweigh the average dog, but even at their larger sizes, they can be handled like normal pets. The issue becomes more complex for traditional potbelly pigs, as they are simply too large to be kept as pets. On a farm they thrive wonderfully, but in a domestic environment potbelly pigs spell disaster.
With that being said, if potential owners buy miniature pigs, they need to prepare a housing area before the animal arrives home. The article, “Care of Miniature Pot-Bellied Pigs,” explains this in greater detail. It says that the basic housing requirements are similar to what one would do for a dog; there should be bedding, water and a section for bathroom activities. Most owners of pet pigs use standard litter boxes, but this article suggests getting something “grassed.” For pig owners that want to follow this line of thinking, there are grass-like litter boxes they can consider purchasing. Most of these are designed for dogs, but they can also be used for pet pigs.
The Controversy over Miniature Teacup Pigs
As potential owners research miniature pigs for sale, they should be careful of the “teacup” variety. Supposedly miniature teacup pigs are so small, they can fit into a tea or coffee cup. However, Sharon L. Peters, author of the article, “This Little Piggie May not Always be Teacup Size,” explains the real truth. She says that the “forty, fifty or sixty pound” pigs being advertised are non-existent. She continues by saying that miniature teacup pigs that are this size tend to be abnormal and/or malnourished. For this reason, potential owners should think about the possibility that their pet pig could grow beyond the 60-pound “teacup” size. Many do, which results in an unpleasant situation. As Sharon L. Peters continues her article, she explains how pigs often get discarded because they exceeded 150 pounds. When this happens, their fate becomes uncertain.
To avoid such tragedy, potential owners need to envision a large breed of dog. Rottweilers, Great Dane and Dobermans are some examples. If an individual cannot handle the thought of taking care of these animals, he or she should not get miniature teacup pigs, as they are capable of reaching that same size. The same is also true with the “regular” miniature pig, though they are often advertised more realistically.
How to Find Miniature Pigs for Sale
To find miniature pigs for sale, potential owners should consider perusing various online listings. Traditional pet classifieds often yield good results, especially if one browses the “Exotic Pets,” section. Another option could entail finding breeders who periodically have miniature pigs for sale. Many of these breeders host their own websites; others might advertise in a pet classified. In any case, potential owners should not limit their search within their own country. By also considering foreign ads, they increase their chances of finding miniature pigs for sale. This is especially the case in the United Kingdom, where miniature pigs are becoming more popular.
Pigs for Pets – Everyday Care
When a pet pig is brought home, it is surprisingly easy to take care of. The biggest challenge will involve potty-training the animal. However, if an owner has ever potty-trained a dog or a cat, the strategy becomes much easier. Immediately after the animal eats or drinks something, he or she should be placed into its designated area. The litter box must be in plain view, and it needs to contain materials that the pig can burrow in. Nancy Shepherd, author of “ Providing The Perfect Premise for Your Potbellied Pride & Joy,” suggests using newspapers, as pet pigs tend to eat kitty litter. She further adds that newspapers are easier to work with than wood chips, which are difficult to clean. Either way, after these materials are laid down, the animal will eventually understand what they are for. Pet pigs will naturally gravitate to the artificial burrow, as they do not want to soil their main living space.
As far as meals, this issue is somewhat controversial. There is commercial pig food for average-sized potbellies, but many breeders advise against using that for miniature pigs. Instead, breeders usually provide their own dietary suggestions. Now should pig owners follow these guidelines? Not necessarily. Going back to the article, “Care of Miniature Pot-Bellied Pigs,” what matters is the amount given to the animal. It claims that miniature pigs can eat commercial pig food, provided that they are consuming “2 to 2.5% of |their| body weight.”
Again, many breeders may not agree with this assessment, but there is one fact that cannot be argued. Commercial pig food is scientifically designed according to a pig’s nutritional needs; human food is not. And while a little bit of human food will not harm a pet pig, too much could cause it to grow beyond a controllable weight. So, in this way, pig owners are making the right decision by sticking to commercial feed. However, to be completely sure, pig owners should discuss their pet’s diet with a veterinarian. This is the only way owners will know if their pet pig is getting enough to eat.
Sources:
“Care of Miniature Pot-Bellied Pigs,” HilltopAnimalHospital.com
Chris Christensen, “ Are Potbellied Pigs Legal Pets in My Area,” CPPA4Pigs.org.
Sharon L. Peters, “This Little Piggie May not Always be Teacup Size,” USAToday.com.
Nancy Shepherd, “ Providing The Perfect Premise for Your Potbellied Pride & Joy,” PotBellyPigs.com.
Kristina Choi - Kristina is a stay-at-home mom who writes Internet articles for a living. She has created over 7,000 pieces of content throughout the ...
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