Why pigs make good pets

But what about a pet pig? What should you know before getting a pet pig? Before you get any animal, you must do research to learn the proper care.

Taking care of a pet pig is very different than other pets you may have had, so find out if a pig is a good fit for your home here. The most common kind of pet pigs are typically potbellied pigs. These are curious and intelligent creatures that require lots of attention. Growing attached easily, they can cause destruction when left alone for long amounts of time. They can get into and destroy things easily while seeking for food in your house.

Most people consider the smell worse than cow manure. Pigs are herd animals and will try to dominate the pack — or in this case, your family. Pigs try to assert their dominance, but also love company. This means that they are very social and get along great with other pigs. They love to cuddle with other pigs - and humans. Much like dogs, they can also learn commands and tricks easily. Whether you keep your pigs outdoors or indoors, there are ways that you can make sure that you have the right space for your pig to thrive!

When thinking about outdoor housing, you must keep in mind that pigs are sensitive to extreme weather. They also need this space outdoors to relieve themselves or get exercise. 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. Most people say it smells worse than horse or cow manure. In other words, expect a few complaints from the next door neighbours.

In the end, like so many fad pets before them, it is the pigs who pay the price for their popularity. Well-intentioned but poorly-informed caregivers become overwhelmed and, as a result, many pet pigs are relinquished to shelters, rescues and hobby farms. However, pet pigs can be very hard to re-home, as these groups often have little or no capacity to take in unwanted pigs. About us. Goodheart Farm Animal Sanctuary Vacancies. Pigs as pets.

Pigs are smart enough to be trained like dogs. Which pigs are popular as pets? What do pet pigs eat? Pigs need an outdoor area where they can root for food. So should pigs be kept as pets? Pigs can be very demanding and headstrong.

The importance of a good breeder Although there are no doubt many honest breeders of pigs, the industry is known to have a host of issues which can mislead buyers and compromise the wellbeing of pigs. Pigs often grow much larger than their owners expected. Adopt a rescued animal. Become a Hearts of Gold Member. Keep in touch. Reg Charity No. Privacy Policy Cookie Policy. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits.

Don't believe us? Check out Eleanor Pigby and her best friend Edith the cat. Two pigs are better than one It's been proved pigs do better around other pigs - and while a single pig can make a great companion, two pigs can ensure your pig is happier and is on its best behaviour as it comes into maturity.