BEFORE YOU GET A PIG – Peewee Piglet (2024)

FAQs

What do you need to know before getting a pig? ›

Pigs need to be able to graze, get exercise, root, lay in grass, snort and sniff the air, investigate, and do piggy things. You must have a yard with lawn (grass and dirt) where they are confined and protected from predators. Pigs need access to the outdoors to stimulate their senses and to avoid boredom.

Generally, pigs do not like to be held or picked up. When a pig feels threatened, it will squeal, loudly. Usually very loudly. Obviously, when you are trying to pick up a baby pig you want to cuddle you are not a threat, but you have to remember that squealing is a natural response to something the piglet doesn't like.

If you need to keep your pig home alone for more than 4 hours a day I will not sell an only pig to you. They will get too lonely, bored, destructive, and depressed. They are going to need a friend. If you have 2 pet Kunekunes you'll need some land so they can graze.

The typical questions is “How do I stop my pig from screaming?”. The easy answer is: take away the trigger. Restraint often triggers a fear response in these animals. Lifting them off the ground feels life threatening to them.

Look for healthy pigs. Alert, active pigs are usually healthy. Avoid pigs with rough hair coats and wrinkled skins. Avoid pigs with skin lesions which may be caused by lice, mange, or pig pox.

You should provide your swine with a pen that has a shade from the sun and protection from rain, wind and snow. Allowing pigs to become too hot can result in heat stroke. It is important to realize that swine can develop “salt toxicity” if they run out of water. Always provide fresh, clean water.

Pigs are affectionate animals and they do seek out human attention. However, they don't want to be held or “thumped.” They do want to snuggle up with you after a long day and take a snooze while you watch TV. They want to flop over for belly rubs and will run up to you if you've been gone for a while.

They might nip or lunge at them, give them a head swipe, or forcefully nudge them for attention. These behaviors are usually dominance games that pigs would be playing with each other. If a pig nudges you and you move away, the pig might assume they've won the dominance game and are now your boss.

The more holding and bonding time, the faster your pig will learn to trust and bond with you. Picking up or lifting your pig can be a challenge for new pig owners. Pigs do not like to be grabbed at or held initially.

While some pigs and dogs have gotten along well, this is not always the case, and a dog could seriously injure a pig, especially a smaller individual. Pigs are prey animals and housing them with a dog could result in undue stress and potentially dangerous situations.

Can you potty a pig? ›

Known for their cheerful personalities and high intelligence, it is no secret that mini pigs make incredible companions. With a little patience, consistent training and perseverance, you can train a mini pig to use a litter box or go to the bathroom outside, just like a cat or dog.

Bathing: Pigs are so naturally clean that baths are required only occasionally. That's not to say your pig cannot enjoy more frequent bathing.

To calm your pig with medicine, two products to consider are melatonin or show pig paste. Both are over the counter and should be in your swine medicine cabinet. They should not cause any legal problems at the show or problems with the meat.

Aggressive acts from a pig may include head swiping, biting, nipping, teeth chomping, humping, jumping, charging, nudging, head butting, or grabbing the human's clothes. To determine the source of aggression, pay close attention to body language.

If the bite creates a deep puncture or the skin is badly torn and bleeding, apply direct pressure to stop the bleeding and get medical attention right away. If you develop a fever or other signs of infection — swelling, redness, pain, a bad smell or fluid draining from the area — see a physician immediately.

They root and can become destructive if not given the proper stimuli to entertain themselves or others. No pet is maintenance free and all will from time to time require a specialized veterinarian to treat them. Below is a prime example of someone purchasing a pet potbellied/miniature pig without doing their homework.

Welcome your piglet home with his own designated living space. This first area is usually temporary for small piglets and can be a play pen, crate or any small space where the pig can be confined like a bath room or laundry room. Select an area where the walls and floors (like tile or linoleum) will be easy to clean.

You'll need to make sure your pigs exercise regularly to avoid obesity and constipation and to stop their feet from becoming overgrown. They'll also need regular checks from a vet to make sure they're in good health. Pet pigs are prone to some specific health problems, including: Dry, scaly skin.

can get messy and require constant cleaning as most pigs will not potty in a messy pan. Pig maintenance such as hoof care, worming, grooming can be done at home. It can be very difficult to find a vet that will treat a pig if there should be a health concern or emergency.