Miniature Pigs: Bringing piggy home
Congratulations! You’ve picked your piggy and are ready to bring her home! Or are you? There’s more to just opening your front door, setting your new pet down and letting her have free run of the place. Do so at your peril. Keep reading for just a handful of considerations.
If miniature pigs are the pet for you there are some things you need to do to prepare your home to ensure it is pig-friendly. As mentioned in Deciding if Miniature Pigs are the Right Pet for You, careful introduction to the other members (pets) of your family is a definite must. Introductions are best handled by a partition which allows your pets to become familiar with the sight and smell of your new addition but without allowing actual contact.
It is also essential that you have a nursery ready for your miniature pigs. Pigs aren’t big fans of change so it’s best to have this ready in advance. The nursery should include a bed, blankets and towels in which your pig can burrow, a water bowl, toys and a play-pen. Yep, I said toys. Miniature pigs love toys.
The outdoor areas in which you pig will roam and graze should be fenced to prevent your pet from wandering off. Grass on which it may feed should be chemical-free. You would also do well to have a small area sectioned off as a pig pen where miniature pigs can be held particularly if you have a large yard.
No, you don’t need mud. Pigs aren’t dirty creatures. This is a myth created by us because we tend to keep our pigs outdoors in less sanitary conditions. They are actually very clean animals. That said, they do eat like pigs. Miniature pigs are utterly passionate about food. Speaking of food…
Be sure you’ve purchased high-quality feed for your miniature pigs and have some raw vegetables (they love them) on hand as a treat. Pigs require roughage in their diets. Never feed your pigs table scraps as they will learn to beg and those sharp, hard piggy hooves will really hurt when he starts jumping up every time you sit down for a meal. Also, don’t let piggy become familiar with your primary food storage area (the refrigerator) as they are bright enough to open the door and self-feed. Feed your miniature pigs on a set schedule to prevent overeating.
Finally, your new pet(s) can be housebroken. Until they are, though, do not leave them unattended. Housebreaking miniature pigs to use a litter box or to do their business outside will require patience and effort on your part just as it would with any other animal.
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Miniature Pigs: Spaying and neutering
In our previous post on Types of Miniature Pigs we talked about different breeds, their temperament and average sizes. While that’s certainly an important consideration, there’s more to picking miniature pigs than breed alone.
One thing that’s sure to get you into trouble is failure to consider the more, um, romantic nature of miniature pigs. As with most things in nature, procreation is an imperative for these animals and you’ll be setting yourself up for some unpleasant experiences if you don’t take this into consideration.
A good rule of thumb with any large household pet is that spaying and neutering makes for a better household companion. Unless you are purchasing miniature pigs with breeding in mind (and have the facilities outside your home to accommodate the effort) you’ll want to spay or neuter your mini pig sooner rather than later.
Unfixed males (boars) will eventually reach sexual maturity. Two concerns come immediately to mind. The first is that boars produce an odor through glands that is utterly repulsive to anything but a lady pig. The smell is on their breath and body and will eventually be on everything you own including furniture and clothing. Early neutering by a qualified vet with pig experience is essential unless you plan to breed your pig. If you plan to breed Wilbur, you’ll want him to be an out-of-house pet. Trust me on this. The other concern with unfixed males is that they will rub against, mark and become amorous with animate objects - your dog, cat, children or legs - and inanimate objects - shoes, blankets, pillows, furniture, the kitchen sink - with insane frequency.
If choosing a female, the same rule applies. You’ll want to get the little lady spayed as unfixed gilts (a female pig that has not had a litter) and sows (female pigs which have had one or more litters) come with their own set of undesirable habits. Female miniature pigs, despite recognizing there are no boars around, will begin to mark everything they can find in an effort to lure a willing fellah into their midst. This isn’t something you want done to your furniture or favorite shoes.
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Types of Miniature Pigs
Despite their intelligence and socially gregarious nature, your average farm pig makes a terrible pet. For one thing, they’re huge, easily reaching hundreds of pounds and often topping out over 1,000 pounds when fully grown. For another, they have appetites to match their gargantuan sizes. Enter miniature pigs as a family friendly solution.
First introduced in the 1980s, the miniature Vietnamese potbellied pig was not intended as a household pet but as stock for zoological gardens. So popular were these diminutive animals that a pet trade soon sprung up around them. The original breeding stock imported by Keith Connell, a Canadian zoo director was soon complimented by another line of potbellies imported to Texas by Keith Leavitt. Taken separately they represent the Lea and Connell lines but are largely responsible for the available pigs in the US today. Subsequent imports have left prospective owners with a nice diversity of options listed below.
Vietnamese Potbellied Pigs - These miniature pigs represent probably the most popular breed adopted today. They have an appealing appearance and docile disposition. Their exaggerated potbellies and swayed backs (a sign of overfeeding in other animals) are completely normal and healthy. Their average height is about 14 inches and their average weight about 50 pounds.
Juliani (Painted Miniature) Pig - These little guys are truly diminutive, averaging about 10-16 inches and weighing 15-50 pounds. Like the potbellied pig, they have a gentle disposition. They also love to play with toys.
African Pygmy or Guinea Hog - Truly Lilliputian, these miniature pigs weigh in at an average of 20-40 pounds and reach an average height of 14 to 22 inches. They are active, alert and highly intelligent. In contrast to the potbellied miniature pigs, African Pygmies have straight backs. They bond quickly to their humans and love to be close to their favorite people.
Yucatan (Mexican Hairless) Pig - These miniature pigs come in both a small and not so small model. The larger breed can run upwards of 200 pounds while the smaller variety averages between 50 and 100 pounds. They grow to 16-24 inches in height.
Ossabaw Island Pig - Averaging 14-20 inches and 25-90 pounds, Ossabaw’s have a fantastic temperament, bond well with humans and are very bright. These guys live up to 25 years so you’re practically adopting a child and raising him through college as much as buying a pet.
While the Miniature Pigs Guide won’t recommend one breed over another, we do strongly advise that you consider the information above and do additional research on the breed that interests you to ensure you’re getting the best miniature pig for your household.
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