.jpg)
Over a year ago I looked at the teacup pig as a rare pet. But what if you want to adopt a potbellied pig as a pet? What do you need to know before bringing one into your home?
First: check your zoning laws. For some reason potbelly pigs are sometimes not allowed in certain areas, so be absolutely sure that your local zoning laws allow you to keep a potbellied pig as a pet.
Potbellies live for 10-15 years, so be sure you can make that commitment. Be careful from whom you buy or adopt your pig. You want an animal that’s been taken care of and properly socialized. Look online for well-reviewed breeders and/or rescues (preferably rescues).
Don’t assume that a pig is in a rescue because it had problems; perhaps more than other common animals like dogs or cats pigs are often given up because owners didn’t check their zoning laws, or didn’t know what to expect from the pig.
A pig will need an area in your house in which it can create a burrow. Pigs don’t have good eyesight and they tend to explore by rooting around, so fill the area with soft blankets and toys.
When introducing them to their new house, first give them some time alone in their space, preferably with a baby gate in the doorway so they can still see what’s going on. Give your potbelly some time to get used to your presence.
Enter its space and allow it to come to you first. Don’t touch it without making a noise or altering it first; because of their poor eyesight potbellies can become startled if they first feel your touch without seeing it coming. They don’t like being carried so make sure not to do so unless necessary.
Pigs have a hierarchy system just like dogs. Teach your pig that you’re dominant by not allowing negative behavior. This means that if you have small children it might not be the right time to get a potbelly, as it might be harder for the children to establish their dominance. Potbellies tend to get along with cats but can sometimes fight with dogs, so if you have a dog make sure you never leave your dog and your potbelly alone together.
Pigs are intelligent, quizzical animals that will get into everything. Child proof your cabinets and don’t leave anything on the floor that you don’t want your pig to root through. Because pigs are so intelligent be careful to never use negative reinforcement when training them: they’ll never forget the negative and they’ll never do what you were trying to train them to do when it happened. Just use rewards and plenty of patience.
Potbellies start off around 30 pounds as babies and continue to grow for 2-3 years. Adults weigh anywhere from 75 to over 100 pounds. They need regular exercise and can get it by moving around a fenced-in yard, or they’ll consent to be led on a leash. Potbellies will use litter boxes inside, or go outside if you let them out/install a piggy door.
Potbellies eat a special mix made for them that you can purchase online or at specialty stores. Don’t buy commercial pig feed, that’s meant to make pigs gain a lot of weight in a short period of time. You can supplement their diet with fruits and veggies, but be sure never to give them chocolate or salt, which are bad for them.
For even more details on raising a potbelly pig, check out enthusiast websites such as Pigs 4 Ever.
Related Articles:
What to Consider When Getting a Bird
A Really Odd Couple: Dog and Capybara
Heartwarming Tales from Across the Web
*(This image by stevendepolo is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.)
