I want to get a miniature pot bellied pig as a pet. Any suggestions!?

Question

I know they are very sensitive animals and I was just wondering if anyone had any personal experience with one.

Answer 1

I have a Vietnamese pot bellied pig named Mia and she is absolutely the best pet. I'm actually going to get another piggy this spring.

She was litter box trained in TWO days!!! She knows how to sit and lay down among other things. It was easy to train her because if you use treats as a motivator, they'll do just about anything. Make sure you use healthy treats though like carrots or Cheerios if you don't have the ones made especially for pots. You just can't use food as a motivator for bathroom breaks.

She is almost a year old now and knows how to open up cabinets, baby gates (we used one so she couldn't hurt herself around the house when she was little), and zippers. Some people say that they have about the same intelligence of a 3-year-old and my piggy definitely shows that every single day.

She has a very sweet temperament and is around people at my boyfriend's shop all the time. The customers just love to see her.

The only problem that I've ran into is that she gets bored very easily, but that can be resolved by making them a rooting box, taking them on walks, and getting them a "busy ball", also called a Buster Cube, which you can get at Petsmart.

If you get a pot bellied pig... make sure that you get your little porker food that's designed for them. I get all of the food and supplements for Mia from http://www.healthypigs.com. Mia is on the Maintenance Diet, she also eats Bulky Lax, Vitamin E and Selenium, and the Hair and Skin Conditioner. I know it seems like a lot, but the Vitamin E and Selenium and Conditioner help with her skin, all pigs have very dry skin. Mia's vet said that pig's skin is about 10 times drier than human skin. The Bulky Lax helps with bathroom time and also keep any aggression at bay. We also use the Green Apple Training Treats. Mia is about 65lbs right now and is kept on a strict diet of pot bellied pig food and veggies.

Make sure that you READ READ READ!!! Books will help you a lot with knowing what to do and how to train your pigger, also the web helps. There’s a lot of information out there if you look for it. It took me 6 months to decided whether or not I really wanted the immense responsibility of a pig. They are as smart as everyone says and they are a handful at times, but she is also a wonderful pet and companion.

Also, make sure that your area is zoned for pot bellies because many people are forced to give up their little porker because of zoning laws.

The really best advice I have is to 1) make sure that you’re ready to handle a pig, 2) keep them on a strict diet, that means no table scraps, 3) read as much as you can about them, 4) train that piggy when he or she little so it’ll listen to you when it gets older, 5) make sure your porker gets enough exercise, and 6) love your little piggy and he or she will love you back.

Hope that helps,
Megan

Answer 2

"Miniature" is a misnomer. There's no such thing as a miniature pig, only a mostly-starved pig. They can get huge. You really need to restrict its food intake for its whole adult life if you want it as a house pet.
This might not be so terrible, though. Google longevity and calorie restriction. Research has shown that feeding a bare-minimum ration makes the rats and monkeys they tested live much longer and healthier than normally fed animals.
I'm by no means a pig expert. Be sure to talk to a veterinarian about the potential effects of a restricted diet on a young pig. Don't rely on the pig breeder alone to tell you what to expect for your pig's adult size.

Answer 3

We had one come into the Shelter and I fostered it until it was adopted.I kept it outside..It rooted up the bottom of one of my Dog runs..I can only imagine what they could do inside if not properly trained! Make sure you see both parents as someone posted because I have heard of many people getting them and they turn out Hog Size!PorkChop(Our piggy)was sensitive but Very smart and a quick learner...It may be worth your while to go talk to your Vet BEFORE you get one to learn What to feed...The cost for care..They require Shots and wormings and are prone to their own special illnesses.Read everything you can, Make sure you have time for this pet..Do your Homework..I know alot get "thrown Away" because people arent prepared for What they are getting....Pigs have no sweat glands which would require certian things...Good Luck

Answer 4

I just know that they're adorable and I've always wanted one. I've played with them at petting zoos and such... SO cute. Just be careful that it doesn't overeat, because it's easy for pigs to get very fat, so bad that they can't walk or anything. I've heard stories where people will feed their pigs people food or dog food and the pig gets so obese that the humane society had to take it away and euthanize it. You'll have to talk all that over with wherever you buy him, because I really don't know what pigs eat.

Answer 5

Of the animals you listed, I believe a few rats could be exceptional. They are mostly underrated and make nice companions. They're extremely sociable and shrewd. I used to work in a pet save and folks would come in with their pet rats sat on their shoulders! They do have various vigour and you are going to ought to allow them to out most nights (if no longer every). You can get certain rat sized excercise balls that stop them from chewing wires or mountain climbing in to holes, but when that you would be able to reliable-defend a room (door shut, no holes in walls, no furnishings to get caught under and wires out of reach) then that's the nice. Due to the fact they're so clever, they quickly be trained their names and might come when called. Some also can learn tricks! They are living for approximately 2-three years and also you must get at the least two (identical sex) or they'll turn out to be depressed. They're additionally inclined to respiratory problems so that you can't keep them on woodshavings like you possibly can with a hamster/gerbil. Wood or paper founded cat litter or Carefresh are just right choices but ask your nearby pet keep if you are not sure. They may be able to be somewhat bit smelly normally, so they will want cleansing out every 5-7 days. Rats will also be very noisy at night time as they play of their cage, so they're not a just right pet for keeping for your bed room. You additionally need to get a large adequate cage for them which can be fairly high-priced - your most cost-effective is around £70 in case your lucky however be all set to spend £eighty-100. There are two forms of fancy (pet) rat: the top-eared or typical rat and the dumbo rat, they usually are available in lots of colors. Some men and women consider that albino ones are scary/evil/bizarre/vicious, in order that they mainly don't get bought but there may be definitely no change in them in any respect. Ferrets are additionally fun however want more room and is usually a LOT smellier! Sugar-gliders are very distinctive, but they are fairly specialist -again they want plenty of house and the meals they want is traditionally tough to search out. Vet bills will potentially be really excessive as they are so professional - you can also even find your self having to journey relatively a ways to discover a vet who has expertise of them. Chinchillas are very cute, but are living for up to (and over) twenty years so are fairly a commitment! Have you proposal about Degus? They're fine enjoyable, rather similar to rats but extra 'detailed' i assume!

Answer 6

They make great pets ...just make sure to give them a proper diet also see if you are able to see the parents...this is very important. Also make sure you don't live with in the city limits they like to fine for those cute little pets.

Answer 7

if you get one you need 2 3 or more to keep it compiny other wise itll be a moper