What is the lifespan of a mini pig? Pigs may live for up to 15 years. During that time you will need to plan for vet visits just like you would with other pets. Pigs require vaccinations and are susceptible to a number of illnesses that humans also get, such as the flu. It is very unlikely a pet clinic will accept pigs. Tusk trims may also be required. Because they are prey animals, sometimes pigs try to hide the fact that they are sick or injured.
Do you have the knowledge or skills necessary to recognize common symptoms of disease, injury or infection in your pet pig? Mature, intact boars i. Therefore, male pigs should be neutered castrated as early as possible while they are young. The procedure should only be done by an experienced veterinarian using pain medication.
Spaying female pigs is not very common, so you may find it difficult to locate a vet who is willing to perform the procedure.
Depending on the breed, pigs may become sexually mature as early as three to four months of age. If you adopt a male and female together, you will need to neuter your male. Pigs can have litters of up to 14 piglets at a time. While 14 piglets sounds like cuteness overload at first, you will quickly be overwhelmed. Do you know how to humanely catch a pig and get it into a vehicle?
Pigs, like humans, are susceptible to motion sickness and may become nauseous in a moving vehicle. Do you have a vehicle big enough to safely transport your pig, keeping in mind it might get dirty during the trip? Transporting a pig in the trunk of a car or the back of a pickup truck would be unsafe, as would allowing the pig to move about freely inside a moving vehicle. Pigs can be taught like any other animal, in things such as house training, using positive reinforcement.
Food rewards go a long way with pigs! However, unlike puppy classes for dogs , there are not a lot of options for pig training classes. This means you will need to be comfortable training your pig on your own.
If your pig hoovers around your house, he's not necessarily looking for food but checking out his environment. This behavior can turn destructive if your pig isn't provided with appropriate distractions.
Give him items that he can tear up, such as cardboard boxes or newspapers, or indestructible kids' toys to play with. Since they're so smart, pigs can learn basic commands fairly easily. You can also teach him tricks, such as "roll over. Pigs root. It's part of their nature, a favorite activity and not a habit you can break them from doing. Provide your pig with a place outside to root, or put together a special dirt-filled box for him to root in.
Because he'll make a mess, change the dirt regularly. You can also place large, smooth rocks in a box and scatter his pelleted food inside it. Some possibilities include an infection or a gastrointestinal blockage.
If this occurs, consult a vet as soon as possible. Pigs that are overheated may be depressed, inactive, and recumbent and show open-mouth breathing or panting with an initial fever followed by a subnormal and decreasing temperature. If you notice this, make sure the pig has access to a shady, cool spot. Moreover, pigs with light skin are prone to sunburn and skin cancer. In addition to shade, it's ideal to use sunscreen on them whenever they go outside. Furthermore, one of the most common ailments in potbellied pigs is mange, a skin condition caused by mites.
Pigs get dry, scaly, and itchy skin when afflicted with mange. So if you notice this, have a veterinarian see your pig. An annual wellness check by a veterinarian who specializes in potbellied pigs is recommended. Potbellied pigs are legal in many areas, though some places classify them as livestock and require certain types of enclosures and permits.
Other places allow pigs up to a certain size to be kept as pets, as long as they are kept on a leash or in an enclosed area outdoors. Because state laws generally treat pigs as legal livestock, it's your local laws that you'll need to pay attention to. Always obtain a pig from a reputable breeder or rescue organization.
In fact, there are many pigs in rescue groups from owners who didn't understand their care requirements, and a rescue can help you find a suitable pig for your lifestyle. Avoid purchasing a pig over the internet or through any channel where you're not able to visit with the animal before committing. Also, aim to speak with other people who have gotten an animal from the breeder or rescue to learn about their experience. The seller should be able to provide you with detailed information about the pig's history, health, and temperament.
Look for a pig that is friendly, bright, and alert. Some red flags include a lethargic pig or one that doesn't want to take food from you. One key factor to be aware of before getting a pet pig is how large it will grow. While potbellied pigs are classified by size, there are disagreements about the names, weights, and heights of the different classifications. Here are the most common sizes:.
It is possible to be misled by unscrupulous breeders who breed pigs before they are fully mature and at full size and claim the offspring will be the parents' size at maturity. If you're interested in similar pets, check out:.
Otherwise, check out these other exotic animals to find your next pet. Behavior of Mini-Pigs. VCA Hospitals. In most cases, after several minutes one of the pigs will give in and walk away in an act of submission.
Allowing dogs and pigs to interact can be especially risky, because dogs are predators and pigs are prey animals. To be absolutely safe and prevent injury or attacks, pigs and dogs should never be together without human supervision. All Rights Reserved. Privacy bestfriends. Share Tweet Email Print. Pig relationships with other pigs Because they are prey animals, pigs need each other to feel safe, but they also need each other as companions with whom to play, eat, sleep and sort out herd dynamics.
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