OK, so you’re driving home with your pot-bellied pig in the car and shouldn’t really be using your phone, but needs must and we’re a team here. The seatbelt is wrapped around that cute lil’ rump and you’ve opened the window a smidge, because he/she/they – pig pronouns are next week’s class – will probably have to smell their new home, right?
So you know nothing about pot-bellied pigs and need to find out all you can in order to convince your S/O that this really is a good idea. Pigs are smarter than cats, you know. Or was it Dolphins?
Let’s get serious for a moment. Any pet – pig, pelican or polar bear – is a huge undertaking of responsibility and a decision on keeping a furry/scaly companion should not be taken lightly. Pot-bellied pigs, for example, live a long time, so let’s get into our top-10 need-to-know things before you take one home.
They can live for up to 15 years
Pot-bellied pigs can, as the title clearly says, be a long-term companion. In fact, this is probably the biggest thing people fail to take into account when buying a pet, no matter what the species. A pet is a long-term commitment that brings with it a huge level of responsibility. The animal will depend on you to have a happy and fulfilling life for a long time. Make sure you’re prepared for that before making the decision.
Little piglets don’t stay little piglets forever.
This is not Winnie-the-pooh. OK, the baby in that was a kangaroo, but you get the idea. Peppa’s dad was huge in that other show, and you must remember that while pot-bellied pigs are some of the smallest pig cousins, they can still grow to be more than 120 pounds.
It’s a complicated diet
They don’t just eat mud and grass. Pot-bellied pigs have different dietary needs depending on their age and size, with specialist plans mapped out by experts in the business. Overfeeding is as common as underfeeding in pot-bellied pig pets, so make sure to keep to the rigid rules when it comes to, ahem, pigging out. Cucumbers, peppers, zucchini, carrots, squash and pumpkin are all good, for both you and your pig.
Legislation is a long process
Pot-bellied pigs are a curious one in the world of pet legislation. Yes, somebody finds the PowerPoints and spreadsheets interesting when dissecting what’s good and not-so-good to have on our mean streets. Pot-bellied pigs are a recent phenomenon as far as pet-keeping goes, so keep an eye out on whether you’re actually allowed by law, not just your parents.
Making a suitably entertaining environment can be tricky
They’re not a budgie that is content to sit on a perch and sing about past lives. Pigs are complicated ground-dwelling animals that need to feel like they’re nuzzling their way around the world like a monkey carrying heavy shopping bags. If they don’t have the necessary environmental stimuli, destructive behaviour can occur, including RPG assaults and knife wielding. Seriously, joint injury, arthritis, and foot abnormalities can occur, meaning things like ball pits, tubes, and puzzle feeders are essential for their cute snouts.
Certified vet care is a must
Vet care from an expert is, clearly, a must-do on your list of things to keep you busy while housing a piggie. They can suffer various illnesses and must have yearly checkups, as well as the odd nail-clipping once they get too long. Obesity, kidney disease and even sunburn are all dangers to pot-bellies and the latter is one that normally passes people by, make sure to keep in regular contact with your vet to give your pet all they deserve.
Each pig is different
While you may have seen the cutest piggie on the net who loves cuddles, the LA Lakers and crosswords, not every animal is the same. Take into account that a pig may be re-homed due to bad behaviour which could take time to change, and punishment for a pig should be avoided, with positive reinforcement instead the way to go.
They are highly social animals
Just like you, on most days at least, pot-bellied pigs are very social animals and should be housed with others of their kind. Keeping a pig on their own can lead to loneliness and nobody wants a depressed pig on their hands who refuses to snuffle into the ground and dig for fun things. It’s typically recommended to bring in two at once if you’re starting out with younger animals as introducing them later in life can be tricker. You never see a 50-year-old on Tinder.
The noise. Oh, the noise.
A picture is silent. And if it’s not silent, it’s a video. And the videos you’ve seen of cute pigs normally have a nice tune playing over the real noise of pigs. They snort, grunt, squeal and even scream (terrifying, I know) at all hours, and are notorious for being averse to curfews. Please keep in mind that pigs can keep you awake at night and you don’t want to be ‘that’ neighbour.
Get the environment right, please
We kind of touched on this earlier with a few points, but it’s essential. Making sure your pig has enough space to roam and feel free is critical for their well-being.
A spacious environment with protection both from the sun and from cold temperatures is key in order to give them the best care possible, both physically and mentally. Separate spaces for feeding, playing, and eliminating waste should all be included in the makeup of their world.
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