Petite Porkers Need Committed Pig Parents

Pigs as pets? Well, yes!

Oliver was living in a small pen in his own filth with soured food and open wounds from a dog attack until he was rescued by Noah’s Ark Potbellied Pig Sanctuary. Oliver is now a happy, healthy and sociable “oinker”.

Pot-bellied pigs, miniature pigs, Vietnamese pigs…. Whatever you call them, these porcine pets are lovable, loyal, intelligent and just darn cute. They are also long-lived (up to 20 years), can sometimes grow to 200 lbs and will eat just about anything, which is not necessarily a good thing. Salt and chocolate can kill them, acorns can cause a severe toxic reaction and unrestrained rooting in the trash can cause anything from obesity to intestinal blockage.

The point being, that while pot-bellied pigs can make great pets under the right circumstances, you need to give careful consideration to the pig’s needs and your own willingness to commit the time, effort, love and, need I say it, money, required for porcine health and happiness. Don’t be responsible for another Oliver!

What pigs need

-Zoning. Don’t even think about getting a pig until you check the zoning laws for your area. The most important thing a pig needs, is a home! Don’t get a piggy and then find out it’s illegal to keep swine in your neighborhood.

-Commitment. There, I used that word again. But it can’t be stressed enough that you must be prepared to share 15 – 20 years of your life with your pet.

-A healthy pig is a happy pig. Well, duh!!!! The good news is that pigs do tend to be hardy. However, there are a number of problems that can smite your swine such as mange, ticks, mammary tumors, cancers, fleas on piglets. Tusks and hooves may need trimming. You will need to decide if vaccinations are in order. So, it’s imperative that you find the right vet. Look for someone who has experience with pigs and don’t be afraid to ask questions. In fact, I strongly urge you to discuss your pet’s health before you even bring him or her home.

-Feeding. I keep saying it – pigs will eat anything. Fact is, you shouldn’t let them. Feed a quality pig chow that is specially designed for pot-bellied pigs. Never feed dog or cat food; it’s too high in protein and can cause them to get fat. This is no joke! Petite pigs who become real porkers can get too fat to walk on those short little legs and fat deposits can form over their eyes that can actually lead to blindness.

-Spaying and neutering. This is where a lot of misconception (get the pun?) comes from regarding pigs being dirty and difficult. Un-neutered males can be quite aggressive and will mount everything in sight. They also exude a decidedly less-than-attractive odor, unless you’re a female pig, of course. The Miss Piggy’s of the world, in an effort to entice the right mister, will spread their scent by peeing everywhere. Both are doing only what nature intended. So, particularly if you intend for your pig to be a house pet, it is essential that you discuss spaying or neutering with your vet.

-Creating a hog haven. Assuming your pig is to be a house pig, start by creating his own space with his litter box, bedding, food and water. Give him a couple of soft toys and respect the fact that this is his space, his haven.

-Outside space. Piggy will require an area in which to root and forage outside. However, potbellies are not creatures that can just fend for themselves. They need to be given warmth in winter and shade in the summer. So, if you don’t want your pet in the house (why bother even getting one?) you will need to provide shelter with adequate heating and cooling.

-Piggy-proofing. Pigs are remarkably intelligent animals with strong reasoning ability. Piggy-proof your home just as you would child-proof it. And don’t forget, they will chew anything in sight. That includes electrical wires, your shoes, the remote control…..

-Training. Those piggy smarts mean you can teach your porcine pal to use a litter box, sit, come and to walk with a harness. Be gentle when training, though, especially if your piggy is a rescue. Here are some tips.

Adopt a pig

OK. You’ve done your research, talked to a vet, thought long and hard and you’re convinced a pot-belly is right for you. Don’t go to a breeder!

Of course, there are very reputable breeders. But the purpose of this blog is to promote  rescue and adoption. And it’s true to say, there are also less-than-reputable breeders who have encouraged irresponsible ownership in much the same way as puppy mill breeders and too many of those mall-type pet stores.

So, give a break to a pig in need. Here are some resources to get you started, or search your local area.

http://noahsarkpbprescue.tripod.com/index.htm

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/OK117.html

http://www.mappar.org/

http://www.cppa4pigs.org/

http://www.pigpals.com/

http://9sites.com/Pig~placements.htm

“Always remember, a cat looks down on man, a dog looks up to man, but a pig will look man right in the eye and see his equal.” ~ Winston Churchill