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PIGS sivoc asked this question on 6/2/2002: Do pigs make good pets?

beainsc gave this response on 6/2/2002: Vietnamese potbellied pigs were once "darlings of the media," and promoted as the condo pet of the eighties - clean, smart, small and affectionate. Imported into the United States from Canada, the first potbellies sold for up to $25,000! Ten years later, there are sanctuaries for unwanted potbellies that are filled to capacity. Potbellies are often advertised in the "For Free" section of newspapers, the prices have plummeted, and occasionally, the pigs are even abandoned by the roadside. What happened? Of course, with any new, exotic breed of animal, prices will fall as the supply meets the demand. This goes with the territory. But in the case of the potbelly, other factors came into play. Potbellied pigs are very "special" animals. Most owners that understand their personalities and quirks bond to them. Many owners sleep with their pigs, travel with their oinkers, dress them in costumes and share every aspect of their lives with their portly companions. Potbellies love to have their tummies scratched, and to snuggle with their owners. Pigs are like 2-year-old children - intelligent, curious, mischevious and sometimes manipulative. They are sensitive creatures that can be playful, and even almost humorous. In the intelligence scale, they are only two species away from the intelligence of humans! Only the monkey/ape family and the dolphin/whale familes are more intelligent. Unfortunately, that can be detrimental to having a pig as a pet. The porker will quickly learn to open refrigerator doors and cupboards in his eternal quest for food, and outsmart his trainer by taking the shortest route to gratification. Wily pigs learn to scream, to wake their owners for breakfast, beg for food and raid pantries. They can be demanding, overly sensitive or even neurotic. Piggies often pout if challenged by humans! Their personalities are complex. Because of this, pigs need a lot of discipline and monitoring. A bored pig will root, knock over household objects and devour house plants. Pigs take nothing for granted and seem to want to know what is under everything. Pigs are not good pets if left home alone with no mental stimulation or physical challenges. And, because of their intelligence, they can be aggressive with young children. The good news is that pigs are very trainable. First, a pig must be taught that he can trust his owner. Firm, gentle discipline works well. Because of their love for food, positive reinforcement is effective. Negative physical reinforcement is not. Pigs have a great memory and respond well to commands. They are capable of learning to slam dunk a basketball, play a piano, or golf, play soccer, jump through hoops, dance, ride a skateboard and dozens of other feats. Housebreaking comes very easy to pigs. Potbellied pigs average about 125 pounds at 3 years of age. Originally, they were advertised by breeders as being around 50 pounds at maturity. What few people took time to learn was that the pig grows until 4 years of age, and often is too large to ride in a car to go to the veterinarian. This problem can be overcome, if the owner is dedicated, by training a pig to climb a ramp into the car. All pigs must be neutered and spayed to be good pets. Otherewise they are very hormornal, demanding and whiney. Potbellies are herd animals with a strong pecking order. If they are spoiled, they often become territorial, and aggressive towards humans, especially house guests. The pigs have an instinctual urge to be "Top Hog," and defend their turf. Pigs with lots of subtle, daily discipline and boundaries in the home, do not exhibit this phenonoma. The oinkers must be taught the word "NO" and to respect humans. Porkers need time outdoors, in a fenced yard, secure from hostile dogs. This cuts down on household territorialism, and gives the pig something to do. Pigs root, although this can be somewhat curtailed. They rarely get fleas, but do get mange, which is easily treatable. All in all, pigs have the potential to be the BEST pet, or the very WORST pet. It really depends upon the expectations and efforts of the owners. Pigs are not small, or easily transportable, and do not belong in apartments, generally. They can be convoluted, or even aggressive, if their caretaker does not come across as a leader. They get bored easily, and knock over waste paper baskets and household objects. They will also do anything for food - living up to their name. As long as you do not expect a pig to be anything other than a pig, a potbelly can be a marvelous lifetime companion. They are adorable, loving, affectionate creatures with incredible intelligence. They have grunted their way into our hearts and I wouldn't trade mine for anything in the world. Since being introduced to this country from Asia 15 years ago, potbellied pigs, with their easy trainability, alert curiosity and affectionate nature, have won the hearts of people, giving rise to legions of porcinophiles. They’re smarter than the smartest dogs, and just as appreciative of a good belly-scratch. They’re quick to house-train, are quite clean and odor-free animals, they don’t bark, don’t chew and shed very little. Their eyesight is poor but they have a keenly developed sense of smell. Yet depending on how you train your pet, all that brainpower can make a pig either a cherished companion, or turn him into a four-footed, house-wrecking menace. They are not a maintenance-free pet and they’ll figure out how to open cabinet drawers or the refrigerator. Housing: Pigs can live indoors or outdoors, but they need shelter if kept outdoors in cold weather, and they should have a small wading pool during hot weather. They also require a patch of soft dirt or soil in which to root. If housed indoors, make sure your cabinets have baby locks and do not allow your pig unsupervised access to the refrigerator. Confining them to one room of the house when you are not home will prevent serious damage to your home. Unfortunately, many potbellied pigs have been banished to the outdoors after rummaging through the kitchen. Feeding: Commercially-prepared foods for potbellied pigs are available, but they appreciate additional fresh fruits and vegetables. Special Concerns: Do not adopt a pig under 6 weeks old or who was weaned before 5 weeks of age. Pigs can develop behavioral problems if weaned too early. Make sure your pig is spayed or neutered. Intact females have cycles every 21 days and exhibit symptoms of heat cycle. Intact boars are smelly and can be aggressive. Avoid buying pigs at swap meets or pet stores. Adopt from a reputable breeder. Ask your veterinarian to recommend one in your area. Once you locate a breeder, visit the facility. Are the surroundings clean and neat? Are the pigs in large enough pens and free of feces, with shelter, shade and water? Can you meet the parents of the piglet you are considering? Has the piglet been socialized to live in a human house? While potbellied pigs will never challenge their larger farm-pig cousins for size, they can grow to a substantial size averaging 50 to 150 pounds. Pigs need daily brushing and regular hoof trimming. Males will require occasional tusk-trimming. Once considered a trendy exotic pet, thousands of the animals were adopted in the past decade, only to be abandoned or turned over to shelters when the trend became passe –and the little piglets got big. Potbellieds live 12 to 30 years, but since they’ve only been in this country since 1985, at this point it’s difficult to determine their average lifespan. The key to living happily with a pet pig is training – and establishing yourself at the top of the pecking order. As “top pig,” you’ll set the rules your pig will willingly live by. This is offered as a brief outline of what your pet pig needs for the first year of its life. There are several good books and manuals available to you that expand these recommendations and insights. Please seek outadvice from your breeder and other sources of information as you continue to live with your pig. Piglets Birth to 6 Weeks: Most piglets under the age of 2 months have two things on their minds -- survival and eating. Because of this, it is important that your baby pig be given the opportunity to learn all its young pig lessons from its Mom and littermates. It is recommended that your piglet be at least 5 weeks old before it is weaned and should not be taken from its litter until at least 6 weeks of age. It is the breeders responsibility to have all the pigs neutered at or before 6 weeks of age. Boars do not make good pets due it their amorous nature and the order produced by their musk glands, which are active in all intact male pigs. It is highly recommended that all females be spayed. Veterinarians vary as to the mostappropriate time to spay a female pig. But, it is important to have your pig spay as young as possible, preferably between 6 weeks and 3 months. Piglet 6 Weeks to 3 Months: There are several issues to consider when a piglet comes home with you. Your baby will be frightened because it is away from its home and littermates for the first time. Security is the primary concern for your baby; therefore follow these steps: Put your baby in his new 'Home', a confined space that you control (i.e. kitchen,laundry room large bathroom). By using a baby gate, do not to shut your pig out with a solid door. His 'Home' should have his bed, blanket or sheet, litter box with pine shavings or newspaper, two large heavy bowls, and any toys you would choose for a child under the age of 18 months. Sit on the floor and allow him to warm up to you. Do not move quickly, be patient.You can use food as bait. Gradually move your hand with the food to your lap. Allow the baby to smell you and feel safe with you. Do not push him. Remember that in the beginning, your baby pig believes when you reach down from above or pet him on his head or neck you are a predator and want to eat him; therefore pet him from the side and work up to the head and neck. Pick up your pig when he is totally comfortable with being touched all over. When you pick your baby up for the first time, do it from a sitting position. Reach for him from below, not from over his head. If he squeals do not put him down until he is quiet for at least 30 seconds. If he should get away from you, herd him into a confined space. Remember your baby is looking for security and love. He is actually bonding with his new family. His preference is to be with you. Provide him with the love and security he needs, and he will be asleep in your lap in no time at all. Teens 3 Months to 12 Months: Most pigs are eager to please their owners. They respond well to love and praise just as young child does. Due totheir unusually high IQs, they learn quickly and have very inquiring minds. They remember everything you wish they would forget. They are constantly checking out the newest additions to their environment. They are making up games for themselves that you would prefer they wouldnt. At about 3 or 4 months, they begin to test their boundaries. And to top it all off, they become more self-centered and want things their own way. Their hearing may become selective and they may even ignore your requests. They are testing their position in their new family. This is a typical teenage pig. Because of the problems pig parents experience during this period, adolescent pigs run a high risk of being abandoned or taken to a shelter. Some pig parents are taken by surprise with the normal maturation and behavior and needs of the young pig. Others are so wrapped up in how cute and adorable their new piglet is that they let her get away with anything their heart desires. Although adolescence can be a trying time for the pig parent, there are a few steps to help you through the next few months. Play and Exercise: Make sure your pigs get amply time outside to graze and play. This is an excellent time to teach your pig tricks. When your pig is at home alone, provide him with appropriate activities to occupy her time. Also consider such activities as nursing home visits, trips to the park, and other public and family social events. Neuter Your Pig: All males should be neutered prior to 3 months. All females should be neutered prior to a year of age. By doing this you ensure your pet freedom from the hormonal problems of an intact pig. Be Consistent: Your entire household needs to treat the pig the same way. He will become confused if one family member punished while another tolerates a particular action. Decide exactly how you want your pig tolive in your house and be consistent how you teach your expectations. Be a Leader: Your pig is hierarchical in nature. He views the entire household as members of her herd. She will test for her position in her herd. Unless your pig sees you and other humans as higher up the herd ladder, she will think twice about doing what you ask. He may even challenge other humans who enter his herd. You control his food, his environment and his exercise. Nothing is free. Make your pig earns what he wants.Teach him tricks and ask him to perform before he gets what he wants. Take control and dont spoil your pig. Be Accepting: It is unfair to punish your pig for his curiosity or 'pig headiness', when this is in a young pigs nature. Remind yourself that eventually your pig will learn what is acceptable in your family and what is not. Try to be patient and consistent in your approach. Use positive reenforcement for good behavior, and reasonable, loving, and consistent direction when your pig does something incorrectly. Remind yourself that eventually your pig will mature from their teenage period and more on to adulthood. The time you spend training your pig during this period will provide you pleasure for years to come. Have a sense of humor and enjoy your young pig's personality and behavior. • beainsc recommends buying a book with the title, author, or subject: The Complete Guide for the Care and Training of Pet Potbellied Pigs - by Kathleen Myers

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