Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Pigs are wonderful, intelligent, sociable animals, but it is important that you seriously con-
sider your ability to live up to the responsibilities that proper care for them entails. Although
the decision to keep an animal should never be taken lightly, this is particularly true of pigs,
which have very special requirements — although this is counterbalanced by the rewarding
experience you can have with them. To begin with, if you are thinking of keeping a pig as a
pet, you should be aware that the average lifespan of a domestic pig is ten to 15 years, and
some breeds can live substantially longer.
The next important consideration is the size of animal you are able to handle. In the 1990s, it
became trendy to own a “yuppy puppy,” or miniature pig, but many people did not realize that
“miniature” is a relative term when applied to pigs. When the full-sized animal can be 900
pounds, or even bigger, “miniature” can mean 200 pounds. As a result, many pigs ended up in
animal shelters waiting their turn to be euthanized. The problem persists today, though numer-
ous pig rescue organizations have formed in response. By working to educate others about
pigs, and by working hard to ensure that your pigs are properly cared for, you can make your-
self a part of the solution.
In terms of intelligence and curiosity, a pet pig is much like a toddler. If there is some trouble
it can get into, it will. If there is something it should not eat within its reach, it will eat it. You
can train your pet pig in the same way that you train a puppy, but if your pig is bored or left
alone too much, it will eat makeup that is lying around, medicine, or just about anything else
that smells remotely appetizing to it. Just as you would need to childproof your home when a
toddler starts to walk, you need to pig-proof if you plan to have an indoor pig. If there is a
way your cupboards can be opened, or if there is a weakness in the fence, your pig will find it.
Depending on the size and type of pig, you may need to provide only a pet bed or a nest of
blankets and a pet door in your house, or you may need to establish an entire indoor/outdoor
area for its use. The amount of space at your disposal for your pig's use largely determines the
type of pig ownership that will be possible for you.
Another point you will find stressed throughout this topic is that pigs are social animals with
emotional needs. It would be cruel to raise a pig in isolation. Make certain that your pig has
plenty of companionship, whether it is other pigs, different animals, or yourself. Just as a pig
is comparable to a toddler in other respects, you will probably need to devote a similar
amount of time to caring for your pig as you would a child. Few pet boarding facilities are set
up to handle pigs; if you intend to travel, you should check to see if a boarding facility in your
