I would like some first-hand info on Pot-Belly Pigs. I hear they are litter box trainable, but need a lot of water to swim in during the summer. Are they clean? I have 4 dogs, so will they get along? Do the females bleed during their heat cycle? I hear the males smell. Can you walk them, and how much exercise do they need? Do they need bathing, like a dog? Many questions to ask, I know, but I need to be sure I can give it the care it needs!! TY, in advance!!

There is so much to know before you purchase that there isn’t enough room here to post it all. I would like to address some of the really important issues and then refer you to a good web site with some good information. I encourage you to read it thoroughly and make your decision from there.


Of all the breeds of swine, pot bellies are the smallest but please realize that a good majority at physical maturity are around 20 to 26 in height and weigh approximately 165 to 175 pounds. Some are smaller, but nothing under 13 inches. A pig that is 26 inches tall is quite small compared to a breed bred for commercial purposes which weighs 800 pounds or more.

Beware of unscrupulous breeders that advertise teacup or micro. According to breed registries, they do not exist and that such pigs that are smaller than normal are prone to very serious and numerous health problems due to early weaning and stunting practices.

It is very important that before you purchase, that you check with your zoning laws. Many areas regard pot bellied pigs as livestock or exotic pet . Zoning laws vary in what is allowed in the neighborhood or area, size of property and to whether you have them as pets or for other purposes.

Regarding dogs. . . .dogs and pigs for the most part do NOT do well together and 9 times out of 10 pigs are the victims and breeders strongly warn that you should never leave the two unattended even tho there is the accessional duo that gets along. Given any set of circumstances a dog that is quite calm and been the best of buddies for a long time can suddenly lash out and cause serious injury. It is best if you already have dogs NOT to get a pig, but if you do. . .keep your eyes and ears wide open at all times.

Pigs have a strong hierarchal behavior and see a small child as something it can dominate and it is strongly warned that you NEVER leave the two unattended. Pot bellies are the size of a medium to large dog and can serious hurt a small child.

It is highly recommended that you purchase a pig that is at least 8 weeks old and is fully weaned. Males are very amorous and they do indeed have an unpleasant odor. A female makes a better choice in regards to the odor and amorousness. An intact female can begin cycling as early as 3 months. They become quite moody and agitated. Unless you are planning on a breeding program males should be neutered asap and females should be spayed. If at all possible purchase one that is already altered. Veterinarians vary in their opinion of when the appropriate age is to spay or neuter and the procedure can be performed as early as 8 weeks of age and up.

Pigs are very intelligent, have good memory and learn things quickly and it is easy to for them to learn bad habits and behaviors because they are so cute when babies but become unmanageable as they get older. They prefer to have things their way and will test boundaries constantly when they are 4 months old and it is very important that as an owner you establish and insist on good behavior from day one. Always be gentle, but firm. Make your yeses...mean yes and your noes... mean no. Once it learns inappropriate behavior it is very difficult to undo it and even harder if you lose it and hit it. So take care on how you train. Many a pig has been abandoned or ended up at a shelter because of training issues.

for more information on care and training click on the following link

http://www.petpigs.com/nainpage.htm


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Thanks, piggins!! Very good info!! I had no idea on some of that! Glad I asked! Since reading this, I have decided to make a piggy the only pet, so once my dogs leave me (God forbid!!) Then maybe I will consider one. What about the litterbox training? Can this be done? Thanks!
Skye.

Yes you can train a pig to use a litter box, but most breeders recommend that you “outdoor potty train” unless it is a very young pig or the weather is extremely cold . Cat and dog litter boxes will be too small for a full grown pig. Since there is no guarantee on what size your pig will be as an adult it is best to purchase a small kiddie wading pool and cut an opening in one side for easy access. It needs to be big enough that they can turn around in.

Pigs are by nature a clean animal and prefer to defecate in one spot, and preferably outside. Your training must be very consistent. They learn quicky but, like dogs the they do not have complete control of bowels until they are over 6 months old. Do not expect a young pig to be “accident free”. It is also unreasonable to expect any animal to “hold it” for long periods of time.

NEVER use cedar or walnut shavings, or treated wood products. The oils are toxic and contain fumes that even though they occur naturally can wreck havoc with the animals air passages and lungs. The oils can also cause skin irritations when coming in contact. Litters designed for cats and dogs are also a no-no because these litters if ingested can cause sever intestinal blockages. The best product to use is pine shavings, nothing else mixed in.

To begin indoor training, confine the pig to a specif area of the home that is NOT to far from where everyone else is but not too close either. Watch for signs that the pig needs to eliminate and herd it to the spot you want it to use. It will get the idea within a few days and again do not set unrealistic expectations. In the beginning leave one pig “berry” to stimulate and encourage the pig to use the same spot repeatedly. If the pig starts to have an “accident” don’t yell or hit it. Instead usher it quickly to the proper place and praise it by saying “good piggy” when it eliminates in the appropriate location.

If an accident does occur, do not scold the pig....it is too late. Simply clean up the accident real good with an enzyme product or the pig will smell the spot and use it again.

The real keys to perfect training is keeping a very close watch on the animal at all times and consistency. I can’t stress these enough.

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Oh my!!! A lot of info to remember, piggins! I saw a bunch of them up for adoption at the local pound, Oh, so cute with those twirling little tails and the little grunts! These were older piggies, however, they are gone now. My kids, ages 15 and 11 would have a blast having one in their pool!, But, there again, we have the dog issue. Not only my old dogs, but we have a lot of loose Pittbulls here! NOT a good situation waiting to happen! I think it would be best, for me, to wait until kids move out, and dogs cross the Rainbow Bridge, before I attempt having one. Seems to me they take a lot of one and one attention to be brought up, and this is time I just can't spare right now.
The piggies I saw were about 9 mos to a yr old. Not big, but big enuf! They must have been fixed already..there was no odor about them at all. And it was a good point about them and a wading pool for their litter box! I hadn't given a thought to them being able to fit in there to use it! We only use pine bedding here, as we have a guinea pig, too! I will have to sit and think on this... I just want to do right by my piggy. And from your info, I have learned a lot! Nothing would make my day more than a piggie *smooch* in the morning! But I have a lot more thinking to do on this matter!
Thanks so much!!
Skye.