Is a Mini Pig the Right Pet for You?
There are many reasons why mini pigs make great pets and it is no wonder that so many people want one. I mean, I for one cannot resist their adorable little snouts or their silly noises. They are incredibly smart, loyal, funny, and surprisingly clean. They are also a huge commitment, require special care for their hooves and tusks (yes, they grow tusks!), and can display behaviors that many people are not prepared to deal with. I would never try to talk anyone out of adopting a mini pig, but I would highly suggest doing a lot of research and preparation before deciding to bring one of these amazing animals into your family. Why am I so passionate about this? Because the North American Potbellied Pig Association has estimated that 90% of pigs adopted in the U.S. are rehomed within the first few years of their life. The amount of minis I see being rehomed every single day on social media is truly heartbreaking and overwhelming.
They myth of the tea-cup or micro-pig has unfortunately tricked many people into thinking that the cute little piglet they bring home will not grow any larger than the size of a small dog. It’s important to accept that will likely not be the case and you can expect your mini pig to continue growing until they are 4 or 5 years old! Any breed of pig that weighs less than 350 pounds is considered a “miniature pig” and they really do range in size. Our smallest, who was the runt of her litter, weighs under 100 pounds, but our largest who was purchased by his first owner from a mini pig breeder is 180 pounds.
Which brings me to the next big thing to consider before bringing a pig into your home — how will you provide the necessary healthcare? Depending on your location, it can be extremely difficult to find a veterinarian who can and will treat a mini pig. Once you do find a veterinarian that can see your pig, you will need to figure out how to transport. Many people have successfully trained their pigs to use car ramps but as with any training, it is a process and since pigs are smarter than most of us, it can be a long one! It is also critical to have a trusted and skilled farrier that can routinely trim your pig’s hooves and tusks. Hoof care is very important as overgrown, cracked, or misaligned hooves can cause pain and pressure on joints and ligaments. Tusk trims are important because, well, you don’t want to end up with 7 stitches in your arm like me! We use Hold Onto Your Hooves as our farriers and absolutely love them. They travel all of California and use the flip-the-pig method which is a sedation-free way to trim hooves and tusks.
Lastly, pigs are very emotional animals and they experience all the emotions — happy, sad, mad, bored, excited — you get the idea. They can also be territorial over food, space, and their people and they have a difficult time with change. Pigs that are not spayed and neutered can become aggressive so it is very important that pigs are altered as soon as possible. Unwanted behavior (that is not part of just them being a pig) can likely be corrected, but it takes dedication on the part of the owner and good problem-solving skills.
Here are some additional considerations to help you decide if a mini-pig is the right fit for you and your family:
Does your town or city allow you to keep a pig?
Pigs like to root. They may destroy your landscaping.
Do you have someone that could pig-sit when you go out of town?
Pigs and dogs can be a dangerous mix. They should always be supervised together.
If properly cared for, they can live 15-20 years!
Pigs can become bored easily so consider if you have enough time to spend with them — or if you’d be able to adopt 2! They are herd animals after-all.
Of course this is not an exhaustive list, but it’s a good place to start. I cannot imagine my life without my 4 mini pigs but I do wish I had thought about some of these things before I adopted my first. I think we have done a great job figuring things out and providing them with the best care possible, but having a veterinarian and ferrier identified earlier on would have saved me a lot of stress. If you do decide to adopt a pig, get ready for a bond that is almost unexplainable. Your days are about to get a lot more interesting! :)