Do mini pigs make good pets?: Let us know that in the turn of Do mini pigs make good pets. Miniature pigs are experiencing a dramatic increase in popularity. Everyone loves their cute little snouts and their cute personalities. However, is owning a mini pig everything that looks like it’s torn?
In this article, we talk about the pros and cons of mini pigs as pets and things you need to know before adopting your own. (1)
1. Mini pigs don’t stay small.
Let us know that in the turn of Do mini pigs make good pets. The first and perhaps most important aspect of owning a mini pig is that they will not remain “mini” and it is not a good thing if they do. Whenever we see pictures of little creatures on Instagram, they melt our hearts. However, (2) this is quite an unfortunate trend for pigs.
A teacup pig is not a specific breed or name of a pig. Instead, breeders call a pig the size of a “teach” when potbellied pigs have stopped growing, so they will only get smaller. (3) This is usually done by starving them when they are young, so they will be very small when they grow up. The primary issue with this is that their internal organs often enlarge to their adult size and become deformed as pigs age.
Obviously, this type of shape manipulation is terrible for their health. It is also done by breeding pigs to obtain shorter and shorter stature. As anyone in the pet world knows, this reduces their gene pool and can cause a number of health problems to each progressive generation. (4)
The last option is pure cheating when it comes to adopting a mini pig. People who market and sell teacups often do so by selling pigs and telling you they are adults. They can also show you the basic pigs, which will also be relatively small.
The issue with this is that pigs can only be bred from the age of 3 months when they are not even fully developed, which gives you a deceptively little parent for the genetics that actually exist.
Potbellied pigs are among the smallest pigs you will find on a farm. However, they will still weigh 100 to 200 pounds, even though other pig breeds usually weigh 1,000 or more. It’s still far from the little pig that you can expect to fit in a cup of tea for years to come. (5)
The saddest part of all this is that when people learn that their pig is not what they thought, they quickly give up on the little animal. Most people give up on a pet pig within the first two years of ownership.
2. Mini pigs can be a long-term commitment.
If you decide to adopt a miniature pig anyway, there are several other considerations to keep in mind. Many people adopt a miniature pig because of its “O” factor. They are adorable when they are so young, and the impulse to adopt one of them can be intense.
You have to keep in mind that pigs are a much longer commitment than many other pets. A cat can live an average of 10 years and a dog about 10 to 13 years. Pigs live an average of 12 to 18 years.
Although exceptions to this may be miniature pigs. If they were starved when they were young or when they were part of inbreeding for a long time, they often have so many health issues that they will die young, if they are subjected to this treatment they usually live about 5 years.
If they haven’t experienced any of this, you likely have a big pig on your hands as they age. They are also likely to live much longer.
3. Pigs are not dogs.
Adopting a pig as a pet is not like adopting any other animal. When you adopt a cat, you don’t expect them to behave like dogs and vice versa. Pigs have their own characteristics and personalities.
Pigs have not been bred to make good pets like cats and dogs. They are not accustomed to being handled, and they do not have the underlying genetics telling them that for the most part, humans are their friends.
Instead, when you adopt a pig, be prepared to put in a lot of work into bonding with it. They will often hide from you for the first few days and will not want to be taken away immediately. Give them alone time and private space, give them an area to themselves from which they can start to consider their home.
Pigs are also hierarchical animals. Because of this they can often be aggressive, pushing you around if they don’t feel like you’re the pack leader. Establishing hierarchy in your household is essential, or they will end up biting, pinching, or beheading you to push you to do what you want.
4. Pigs like to eat.
“You eat like a pig” is a saying for a reason. They love to eat and will do almost anything to get their little hooves on something.
They are similar to other animals that quickly become accustomed to a routine. If they believe it is time to eat or they are hungry, they will be quite vocal about it, standing near their food bowl until you put something inside it.
This food-centered way of thinking comes in handy in training. They will do anything to get treatment. You can train them to walk with you without a leash, and even if they start to wander, you can keep extra goodies in your pocket, and they will run to you.
5. Mini pigs need lots of outdoor space and social time.
You might think that getting a miniature pig means you can keep them in less space. However, it goes against their nature. Pigs are natural forest dwellers, even though domesticated breeds may not have had to resort to pasture to survive for many years. They want time to sniff and explore, and a lot of this time should be outside. It is not negotiable and should be taken into account when you adopt it.
The second important factor for their health is the timing of being just a pig. After some time they will get used to being around humans. They enjoy their bonding time with tummy massages and treats, but they will never believe that they are human unlike other pets. They require piggy time, and many successful pig owners know at least two pig friends to visit their pig frequently.
6. Pigs are fantastic (and bizarre) animals.
Many people think that pigs are dirty and dumb. However, the reason he loves mud is his inability to sweat. They cannot rid themselves of extreme heat and must seek shade and mudbath to protect their skin from the harsh sun.
They are also one of the few animals that will make room for their own bathroom, both wild and domesticated. Many farmers who keep pigs or have pet pigs find that it is very easy to train them in the bathroom because they have a natural tendency to pick one spot and stick to it. They like to be sloppy but not disgusting.
Aside from these natural inclinations, pigs are known to be the smartest of any other pet. Animal experts also consider them to be more trainable than both cats and dogs.
This intelligence can be a great thing when it comes to their training, but it can also be quite a nuisance when they turn it against you. Pigs are quite mischievous when they want something and will happily set their mind on how to get it until they have it.
7. Owning a mini pig isn’t always legal.
Another essential aspect to consider is whether it is legal in your municipality to own a mini pig.
Pigs of any type are still considered farm animals in most areas. There are many cities in which you cannot keep a farm animal on your property if you live within city limits. These restrictions and owners did not test them, resulting in many miniature pigs being turned over to adoption centers soon after they were taken from the breeder.
In fact, zoning restrictions are one of the primary reasons mini pigs are released to save shelters.
8. Pigs do not always get along with other pets in the household.
Although pigs are so social, they are not always well suited to a household that already has other animals. They are hierarchical animals, and they have to settle this with the other animals in the household.
The other downside is that they may be considered prey animals by other pets, such as dogs, leading to dangerous situations or bullying of the pet pig.
In general, cats and pigs will live peacefully together. However, dogs and pigs can form unexpected combinations and should always be observed when interacting.
9. It is better to find them as rescue pigs than to get them from a breeder.
Finally, if you decide that a cute but somewhat stubborn pig is the pet for you, opt to get them from a rescue shelter. There are plenty of shelters full of unwanted pigs, especially in large cities where trends are increasingly taking hold and where pigs are not allowed.
Breeders may also be less honest than rescue shelters about their known history and past care. Shelters can tell you how long they have a pig, their estimated age and their estimated size, as they will often have a vet on call.
Rescuing a pig also gives you a chance to give a home to an unwanted animal. It is more satisfying and often cheaper as many breeders charge thousands of dollars to adopt a mini pig. Plus, you are now more educated about their care and what to expect as they continue to move past their “mini” stage or what health problems they may have.
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