Pig 101- Know your pig

Potbellied pigs, piglet, pet pig, whatever you prefer to call them- we all love them and want to keep them healthy, but to keep them healthy is the heart of survival.

Your pig is just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer, therefore be sure and provide them with plenty of fresh water.  Snow is not a satisfactory substitute for water.

1. The Importance of Hydration

Symptoms of dehydration

1. Off feed for 12 to 24 hours
2. Lethargic
3. Lowered energy level
4. Depressed
5. Bloated
6. Shaking (pain)
7. Inability or unwillingness to stand and/or walk
8. Lowered body temperature (98’or lower)
9. Elevated body temperature (101’ or higher)
10. Rapid, shallow breathing
11. Fecal matter is a hard, dry and small pellet instead of clusters of pellets. The pig has produced less volume in the two to three days prior to the episode. Sometimes straining is observed.
12. Urine output has decreased over a two to three day period. Again, sometimes straining is apparent.

Activity level has dropped, the pig has become cranky and unwilling to readily eat or drink

2. What is Biosecurity? Reference: Dr. John Carr

Biosecurity is defined as a set of procedures that are executed to prevent new diseases from entering the premises where a potbellied pig or pigs are kept and/or housed.  There are two basic concepts that affect the safety of pet pigs:

• Proactive measures which keep new diseases from being introduced.
• Reactive measures to take should a disease or suspected disease appear

Create a Biosecurity Plan

Potbellied pig owners should have and maintain a good working relationship with a veterinarian who is willing to provide medical care for their potbellied pig.  A veterinarian can help a pig owner on what precautionary measures should be implemented to keep their potbellied pig healthy and disease-free.  In the event that a pig is faced with an unforeseen medical issue or disease, a veterinarian can help. It’s important to never feed your potbellied pig meat or meat products. 

Pigs cannot tell us when they are sick, so it is important to pay special attention to your pig condition during winter season.

Antifreeze, which often collects on driveways and in garages, is highly poisonous.  Although it may smell and taste good to your pig, it can be lethal.

Rock salt, used to melt ice on sidewalks, may irritate foot pads.  Be sure to rinse and dry your pig’s hooves after a walk.

Pig rescues and sanctuaries across the country have a need for a pet pig foster families willing to temporarily house and care for homeless pigs.  Foster homes are needed for many different reasons, including overcrowded rescues, for special needs (including medical), for pet pigs too young for adoption, and for pigs with little to no socialization.

 Potbellied pigs do better in foster homes.  They are less stressed than in rescues.  Their foster family can more easily evaluate their true behavior.  They often receive help to improve physical, emotional or behavior issues.  They can be socialized to a wide range of home situations involving children.  Potbellied pigs who’ve been abused can learn to trust people again.  What you can expect if you foster a potbellied pig will depend to a great extent on the circumstances the potbellied pig has lived in up to the point they enter your home.  Some require a minimum of time and energy, while others will need a lot of time and attention to help them improve their chances for adoption.

The easiest, fastest way to get connected to a potbellied pig fostering program is to contact your local rescue group. 

If you’re interested in making a real hands on difference in the lives of homeless potbellied pigs, there are many ways to help, depending on your time, resources, and talents. The need for potbellied pig foster parents varies by location.

Rescue organizations also often have extensive networks of foster families willing to temporarily house a potbellied pig awaiting a new forever home.  Fostering sets off a positive domino effect. 

Fostering is better for Potbellied Pigs

Living in a home with a family better prepares pigs for adoption than rescue living.  It’s also much less stressful for the pig.  Fostering pigs are much less to develop anxiety related behavior problems than pigs who spend time in a rescue environment. 

Foster families are better able to asses a pig’s true behavior because they can observe them extensively in a home environment.  Brief visits with an anxious rescue pig are often not adequate to learn the pig’s true nature. 

Fostering in a home in which there are children can provide a potbellied pig the chance to be socialized to a wider range of family configurations.  This opens up their possibilities for adoption to a greater number of families. 

If a potbellied pig has been rescued from an abusive situation, the foster family can build a bridge from the past where humans were scary, to a hopeful future full of people who are caring and loving. 

What to expect if you decide to foster

This will depend a great deal on the circumstances of the potbellied pig’s life up to the point they enter your home.  General rules apply, of course.  Piglets need more attention than most adult pigs.  Adult potbellied pigs require more time and energy.  A healthy potbellied pig will need appropriate nutrition, a few toys, lots of gentle hands on training.   Both situations will be rewarding for the foster families who help these pet pigs.  But if you have the time and resources to turn a homeless potbellied pig into a balanced, most socialized potbellied pig, not only will you feel tremendous gratification you will also likely save the life of that pet pig by dramatically improving the likelihood that will be adopted into a loving forever home. 

Most expenses you are expected to cover can be deducted.

Winter’s cold air brings lots of concerns for responsible potbellied pig owners.

REMEMBER

Wind chill makes days colder than actual temperature reading.  A potbellied pig is not protected by fur, whether your pet lives exclusively outdoors or spends little time outside, adequate shelter is a necessity. An insulated pig house , perhaps with a heat source on the coldest days, is a must for any pig outside.  Be sure and keep your pig warm.  This time of year your pig will snuggle up in a warm, dry blanket and rug, whether she lives inside or outside.

To prevent frostbite on your pig’s ears, tail and hooves, do not leave your indoor pig outside for too long.  Be extra careful when walking your pig near frozen areas.  Potbellies can slip and be seriously injured.

Since your pig does not have much hair for protection against winter’s cold, a coat or sweater can provide the warmth your pig needs.  It takes more energy in the winter to keep body temperature regulated, so you might need to provide your pig additional calories if she spends a lot of time outdoors.

Towel or blow dry your pig if he gets wet from rain or snow.  To avoid tiny cuts and cracked pads, it is important to clean and dry his hooves, too.

Do not leave your pig alone in a car.  It gets too cold and carbon monoxide from running engine is very dangerous.

HEALTH TIPS

Pigs cannot tell us when they are sick, so it is important to pay special attention to your pig’s condition during winter season.

Antifreeze, which often collects on driveways and in garages, is highly poisonous.  Although it may smell and taste good to your pig, it can be lethal.

Rock salt, used to melt ice on sidewalks, may irritate foot pads.  Be sure to rinse and dry your pig’s hooves after a walk.

Your pig is just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer, therefore be sure and provide him plenty of fresh water.  Snow is not satisfactory substitute for water.

To prevent frostbite on your pig’s ears, tail, and hooves, do not leave your pig outdoors for too long.

Be careful of supplemental heat source.  Fireplaces, portable heaters, and heat lamps can severely burn your pig.  Make sure all fireplaces have screens and keep all heaters and lamps away from bedding and from your pig.

Like all of us, pigs seem more susceptible to illness in the winter.  Do make sure to take your pig to a veterinarian if you see any suspicious symptoms.

Be sure and consult your veterinarian before administrating any over-the-counter medications.

HOLIDAY SAFEGUARDS

The winter season brings lots of fun holiday activities, but households with pigs must take special precautions.

The holidays are not ideal for introducing a pet into your family.  A new pig requires extra attention and a stable environment, which the holiday season doesn’t permit.  Also, a pet pig is not a toy or gift that can be returned. 

Instead, NAPPA suggests giving a wrapped picture of the pet to come. 

Holly, mistletoe and poinsettia plants are among several poisonous plants that might tempt your pig.  You should make sure they are kept in places your pig cannot reach. 

Review holiday gifts for your pig to make sure they are safe.

Protect your pig from an unattended tree.  Holiday lights may burn, frayed electrical cords may shock or electrocute, glass ornaments may break and cut, and edible ornaments and inedible tinsel may be too much of a temptation for your pig.

Whether your tree is live or artificial, both kinds of needles are sharp and indigestible.  Never leave your pig unattended with your tree.

Your pig can smell right through those brightly wrapped packages.  Be sure to screen them for something that smells good or is edible.

Keep all seasonal goodies out of reach. 

The holiday season is a stressful time for pigs.  Try to keep a normal schedule during all the excitement.

                                     NEVER GIVE MEAT OR MEAT PRODUCTS TO A POTBELLIED PIG

Which foods and plants are poisonous to potbellied pigs?  We are often asked which plants are poisonous to potbellied pigs and pigs in general.  There are many plant genera that contain poisonous plants not only for pet pigs, but for other animals and humans as well.  Identifying the most common poisonous plants is important in order to protect your pets.

Pigs are intelligent animals and it seems that they instinctively know what is good for them and what is not good for them. Most potbellied pigs in our experience will avoid eating toxic plants or parts of the plants. However, it is always best to remove poisonous plants from where the pet pigs will be outside to exercise and accidentally eating them.

We have compiled a short list of common poisonous plants which your potbellied pigs are most likely to come across in your gardens.  The list is by no means exhausted as there are more. 

• Ivy
• Laurel (not Bay Laurel)
• Lilly of the Valley
• Buttercup
• Green acorns
• Oleander
• Sego Palm

Poisonous Foods for Potbellied Pigs

It’s important to never give meat or meat products to a pig as this may contain viruses that can cause severe diseases in pigs.  Potbellied Pigs love a variety of vegetables, fruits, and seeds.  Fresh foods are an important addition to the potbellied pig’s diet as they contain a number of important elements and nutrients not found in processed pelleted feeds. “It’s important to never give meat to your potbellied pig” However, not all vegetables and fruits are good for them and some can actually cause poisoning. Below is a list of some of these foods common in the United States.  The list is not exhausted.

• Cabbage roots & seeds
• Broccoli roots & seeds
• Apple seeds
• Green acorns
• Tomato leaves & vine
• Avocado skin & pit
• Potato leaves & stems
• Leaves of cherry trees, apples, plums & apricots
• Parsnip
• Green potatoes
• Rhubarb leaves

Further educational materials from NAPPA if you are looking to expand your knowledge about pet pigs’ lifestyle, feeding and much more, why not take a look at our Educational Resources?  We hope you find the information contained helpful.  https://petpigs.com/education/diet-feeding/feeding-tips-for-your-pet-pig/  

We have added a list of cities with ordinances that allow pigs within city limits. You can find it in the Education menu under Pot Bellied Pig Services, or you can click here.

 

Keeping pigs stimulated makes for a happier, less destructive pig. I am very lucky to have a
pretty non destructive pig, but during the day she naps a lot. I would prefer for her to be more
engaged during the day than sleep. Unfortunately, with working, I cannot keep her entertained
throughout the day, and a treat ball only lasts for so long. Toys are tough with pigs, or at least
Snacks does not seem to care about them. And I will be honest, the more expensive the toy or
bed I buy for Snacks, the less she seems to care about it. We won’t even discuss the “taco
bed” that she acts like is it is Venus trap that is about toe eat her….sigh…. So when I saw
Varram on Amazon, I thought it would be either perfect of an expensive mistake. What is
Varram you ask…..Varram is a Pet Fitness Robot: Interactive Treat Dispenser and Companion
Robot for Dogs & Cats…….it’s like a Roomba that dances and spits out treats. You can make a
schedule of when Varram wakes up, dances, and how many treats he shoots out. At first, will
admit, this adorable little robot kept me more entertained than it did Snacks. It would spin
around the room, shake, dance, and really get around. Snacks just did not seem to care. Then
she would find random treats around the house…where did they come from? The best was
when she figured it out…..it was like a light bulb went off! Now as soon as she hears Varram,
or as we call him “Little V” start singing and moving around….she it following him, waiting for
treats. Little V is durable too…..let us just say Snacks is not always the most patient pig and
tries to push Little V around…..nope….he just spins around and starts dancing again. Is
Varram on the pricer side….yes…..but does he engage Snacks and is durable enough to take
her shoving her him around….yup…..I would recommend Varram to keep your pig engaged.

Dana aka Snacks’ Mom

***WE DID IT!***
Many thanks to each of you who donated to NAPPA’s matching fund effort to help Houston Mini Pig Rescue & Network. We just received a contribution of $20, making our total received $1500. Doubled that will give HMPRN $3,000 to use for food or other needs as they work to recover. We wish to extend special thanks to Joyce Aleckna of Happy Hill Farm and Animal Refuge for sending $700. We are equally grateful to Sharyn Meryl (Sammy the Hammy’s mom) for raising $600 from her raffle. Last ,but not least, we very much appreciate those smaller donors who made up the remainder, giving us a total of $3,000 to send to Texas!

North American Pet Pig Association

Joyce Murdoch Aleckna Thank you for making the match so the money will make a difference for Houston

Patty Hunter Amazing! You all are such a blessing to us down here in Houston! ❤

Thank you all!

Upon the advise of our respective attorneys, the Board of Directors from the Pig Advocates League and from The North American Pet Pig Association have reached a legally signed settlement. All funds have been returned to NAPPA, and PAL has signed the following statement.

 
To the Pig Community:

Thank you for your continued support and interest in preserving and protecting pet pigs. Over the past several months, you may have become aware of a disagreement that arose regarding the governance of North American Pet Pig Association (NAPPA), which caused some of NAPPA’s directors to separate from NAPPA and form Pig Advocates League (PAL). Regrettably, the disagreement became public and many hurtful and disparaging comments were made regarding NAPPA and its officers and directors. We regret such comments and any harm they caused. While we cannot undo what has been done, we can learn from our mistakes and move forward in a positive and constructive manner.

After much discussion and thoughtful consideration, we have decided to resolve our disagreement and completely part ways with NAPPA. Both NAPPA and PAL will continue their efforts in support of pet pigs. We ask that you respect our decision and continue to support pet pigs and the organizations that support them.

Sincerely,

Dianna Ciampaglione
Anna Key
Heather Knox
Brittany Sawyer

Entering it’s 29th year in existence, NAPPA continues to grow. Recently NAPPA has gone through some growing pains and has made some internal changes. We wish to welcome the new board members and thank all those for stepping up to ensure NAPPA can carry on it’s mission and goals, while best serving it’s members.
Moving Forward: The North American Potbellied Pig Association was established in 1989 to preserve and protect “Potbellied Pigs”. We are now expanding our mission to include all pet pigs”.
NAPPA’s new name is: North American Pet Pig Association”. It is still “NAPPA” and the website is the same:”petpigs.com”. We will always keep our original logo out of respect for and in honor of potbellied pigs because after all they started the pet pig movement thirty years ago.

NAPPA as a service organization continues to move forward.
NAPPA will continue to “preserve and protect” all pet pigs.
NAPPA will continue to provide educational information and assistance while concentrating it’s efforts toward the betterment of all pet pigs.

The North American Potbellied Pig Association was established in 1989 to preserve and protect “Potbellied Pigs”. We are now expanding our mission to include all pet pigs”.

NAPPA’s new name is: “North American Pet Pig Association“.   It is still “NAPPA” and the website is the same: “petpigs.com”.  We will always keep our original logo out of respect for and in honor of potbellied pigs because, after all, they started the pet pig movement thirty years ago.

• NAPPA as a service organization continues to move forward.
• NAPPA will continue to “preserve and protect” all pet pigs.
• NAPPA will continue to provide educational information and assistance while concentrating it’s efforts toward the betterment of all pet pigs.