A Pig Makes A Wonderful Pet

Pot-Bellied Pigs are easily trainable and extremely intelligent. They require just about the same amount of training a dog would. (Untrained potbelly pigs are much like having a 2 year old around all the time. They will be very demanding and scream for what they want, at all hours of the night no less.) The good news is that they can be taught almost anything if you're willing to spend the time necessary to work with them, in fact, they enjoy the challenge of learning new things. They can be potty trained and litter box trained in much quicker time than teaching a puppy the same thing. Pot-Bellied Pigs have been known to play the piano, ride a scooter, drive a golf cart, ride in the car as a passenger, slam dunk a basketball and more.

In addition to being highly intelligent, they are known to be creative, playful, sensitive (you may even see your pig cry when it is sad) and very curious. They love affection and human contact and will enjoy sitting in your lap when you watch T.V. to get a belly rub.


Potbelly pigs can be territorial, much like a dog when it is protecting its bone and they may be aggressive when defending their space. This aggression can be toned down with time and training and the use of the word NO, which they understand.

Potbelly pigs live 12-18 years on average and many of today's pigs live to be the ripe old age of 20. By the age of three, Pot-Bellied Pigs reach a peak weight of 125 pounds. The snout of miniatures is significantly longer than most domestic pigs and their ears stand erect, their eyesight is poor but their sense of smell is very well developed.

The ideal living temperature for a pot bellied pig is around 70 degrees. If you live in a colder climate, then you will need to make space indoors for the pig. Otherwise, the pig can live outdoors or both indoors and outdoors. No matter what, the pig will need to have a space to play and walk around outside. A fenced in area like what you would have for a dog is ideal. An area where they can root around outside will prevent rooting behaviors inside.

Pot-Bellied Pigs love to eat and will root around for food endlessly in search of food. They can be fed commercially prepared pig food and also enjoy fruits and vegetables. You will want to keep anything such as medications drain cleaners other pet food etc out of reach of your pig, just as you would for a small child.

The newest and most popular pig out there at the moment is called a miniature pig or - "teacup" pig. Their genetic makeup is actually a mixture of several breeds: the miniature potbellied pig, Tamworth, Kune Kune and Gloucester Old Spot.

They start out small-- a fraction of a pound -- but they are not, by any means the size of a teacup. An adult miniature pig will reach the size of a medium-sized dog in adulthood, measuring 12-16 inches tall and weighing 40-65 pounds. Like potbellied pigs, they can live for up to 18 years, are highly intelligent, low maintenance, quiet and surprisingly clean.

The demand for these little guys is soaring and many celebrities, including Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley have recently acquired one.

From what I have been able to gather, they are not only in high demand everywhere, but only sold and bred outside of the United States and at a very high price. Some breeders such as Jane Croft of the Little Pig farm in Brittian, require that the pigs be registered and only will only sell piglets in pairs to insure the health and ethical treatment of the animals.

First be sure that your area is zoned to allow potbelliy pigs as pets.

Be sure you have a reliable and responsible veterinarian that understands the needs and care of pigs.

Know what you will be feeding your new pet, where it will sleep, how and when it will have access to the outdoors, and how you plan to 'childproof' your house.

Pigs love toys and love to play. Remember, a bored pig spells trouble! They love to shred paper and magazines so thats an easy thing you can leave laying around the house for them. Any toy that has food in it will be a great favorite so be sure to stoack up. Pet pig busy balls (see photo) are a good thing to have around.

Be sure you have an area for your pig to root or a rooting box inside the house.

If you also have a dog, never leave the dog and the pig unattended, even if they seem to be fast friends. Pigs are natural prey for dogs and may start a fight (usually over food or toys) injuring the dog.

When it comes to teaching your pig, keep in mind that patience and FOOD are what will win out, if you ever hit a pig they will remember it forever and never do what it is you want them to do. This approach to training does not work. Be sure you are prepared to give your pig the love, care, time and training it needs.

photo on this page from: http://www.pigs4ever.com/index.htm

photo sources this page:
http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/071106/071106_pigAbuse_hmed4p.hmedium.jpg feeding pig
http://img2.allposters.com/images/NPLPOD/1130873.jpg baby pig
http://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/uploads/image/Potbellied%20Pig.JPG adult pig
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00154/clooney_pig_154001a.jpg pig on leash
http://philthepill.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/090506_pig_1.jpg bay pig 2
http://10.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kr6oe9JRw61qzw5dpo1_500.jpg tea cup