Pot belly and miniature pigs have grown in popularity as pets in the United States since the mid- 1980s.
As the popularity of the pigs has grown, so has some misconceptions about these pets.
About 50% of pot belly and miniature pigs are rehomed before turning a year old.
If you’re thinking about adding a pot belly or miniature pig to your family, it’s important to first consider whether this unique pet is the right fit for your household.
Key Points
- Pot belly and miniature pigs should not be impulsively adopted or bought. They require care.
- The lifespan of these pigs can be 10-15 + years. They are a long – term commitment.
- Pigs are social animals, and it’s typically recommended that you have at least two pet pigs if you want to be a pet parent.
Most of the pot belly and miniature pigs that we see today originated in Canada.
Pot belly and miniature pigs have a pronounced stomach and large jowls, a short snout, and small ears.
If you feel unsure whether to adopt them, you can volunteer at a pig sanctuary. There are located across the United States. Volunteering at a sanctuary can help you get used to being around them and understand the love, care, and attention they need.
They can have different characteristics depending on breeding, but generally they are smaller than other pigs on a farm such as Duroc, Hampshire and Yorkshire breeds.
What to Know before adopting a pot belly or miniature pig
Pot belly and miniature pigs are social and curious animals, but they do require a lot of responsibility and are better suited for experienced owners.
Pet pig owners must meet many specific requirements in terms of their pet’s diet, environment, and even social needs.
It’s also important to consider that the lifespan of these pigs can be 10-15+ years. They are a long-term commitment.
The most important things to know about bringing home a pot belly or miniature pig.
- They Don’t Stay Small Forever
One of the most common misconceptions about pot belly and miniature pigs is that they will always be small.
They will NOT always be small.
While pot belly and miniature pigs are much smaller than some other pigs, they can still grow to be more than 110 pounds.
Pot belly and miniature pigs will continue to grow until they reach full size at about 4-5 years old.
- They Have a Specific Diet
Pot belly and miniature pigs require a specific diet to meet their needs.
They can become obese from overfeeding, or conversely, become malnourished due to human attempts to keep the pig small.
Commercialized diets for hogs are inappropriate for pot belly and miniature pigs, as these diets contain too much protein and fat.
Pot belly and miniature pigs should be fed a diet specifically formulated for miniature pigs and appropriate for their life stage (young, adult, or senior).
You can also add vegetables to your pig’s diet.
Safe veggies include:
- Organic Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Squash
- Pumpkin
- Cooked sweet potatoes
Avoid feeding these vegetables to your pig:
- Canned vegetables, due to high in salt
- Parsnip, celery, parsley can cause an increased risk of sunburn
- Cabbage, turnips, kale, cauliflower, mustard root can cause stomach upset
- Wild mushrooms
- White and red potatoes can cause kidney and liver problems and be fatal
- Rhubarb
- Unripe tomatoes, leaves, and stems
You can feed fruits such as apples and grapes to your pig as an occasional treat or reward
Never feed any moldy food to your pig. This can lead to mycotoxicosis, which can damage organs and sometimes be fatal.
Never feed any pork products to your pig. This can lead to African swine fever which can be fatal and spread to other pigs.
Pigs can be prone to salt toxicosis (salt poisoning) if they don’t have access to water, so make sure your pig always has fresh water available.
- They Need Rooting and Enrichment
Pigs are natural foragers and explorers
In the wild, pigs are used to digging for food using their snout, commonly referred to as “rooting”
It’s important to keep your pig happy and healthy by providing a way for them to express these natural behaviors. Doing so will also help prevent unwanted behaviors, such as destructive chewing and digging.
Instead of feeding your pig from a bowl, scatter their food outside allowing them to forage
Pigs who are bored and do not have enough enrichment can be prone to obesity, aggression, and lack of cleanliness. These can lead to medical issues such as joint injury, arthritis, and foot abnormalities.
Toys such as ball pits, and puzzle feeders are a great way to keep your pot belly or miniature pig entertained.
- Pot belly and Miniature pigs Require Grooming and Care
Like other pets, pot belly and miniature pigs require regular care and grooming.
Pot belly and miniature pigs often deal with overgrown nails and will need their hooves trimmed regularly.
- They Have Certain Behaviors and Personality Traits
Pot belly and miniature pigs can have big personalities and be very active. They are also very curious and like to explore.
When pot belly or miniature pigs are rehomed, it’s usually due to unwanted behaviors resulting from boredom and lack of ability to express natural behaviors. So, it’s important to ensure that the pot belly or miniature pig personality matches your lifestyle.
When pot belly or miniature pigs become fearful, their natural response is to escape, so punishment techniques should always be avoided.
- Pot belly and Miniature Pigs Should be housed with other Pigs
Pigs are social animals, and it’s typically recommended that you have at least two pigs if you want to be a pet pig owner.
Introducing pigs later in life can be more difficult, so it’s best to consider getting a pair of pigs from the start.
Pigs have a strong social hierarchy, and introducing new pigs to the household can be tricky- but it’s not impossible.
Introducing pot belly or miniature pigs of the same sex can help reduce differences that might cause problems between pigs, but on occasion they will accept the opposite sex.
Is a Pot belly or Miniature Pig Right for You?
There are many factors to consider when deciding whether a pot belly or miniature pig is right for you.
Space for your pig is a crucial factor, along with the ability to keep them active.
If you live in a climate with extreme temperatures, you’ll need to be able to protect your pig from the weather and provide alternatives when outdoor access is limited.