How to Care for your Miniature Pig

 Homecoming

When you bring your pig home you’re going to want to have an area picked out for the pig to live in. You’ll want to use a crate as your pig’s ‘special place’. That will be their little apartment in your home. The crate should be large enough for their bed, a small eating area (one bowl for water and one for food) and a litter tray. The litter tray we use at PigHaven is a small ½ size cookie tray with a tall side and newspaper in it. 

Before you bring your pig home make sure it’s legal to have a pet in your community. Even though miniature pigs have been bred to be pets, broadly defined city and county ordinances sometimes define any type of pig as livestock and forbid their presence in your home. Call you city hall and county seat to double check.

Housebreaking

Pigs love being clean and going to the bathroom is no exception! They’re 20 times easier to housebreak than a new puppy and will, with a little guidance from you, go to the bathroom in the same place every time. This natural behavior make it easy for you to track their well being, have ease of clean up and a sweet atmosphere everywhere you want one.  

Pigs, just like babies, go to the bathroom right after they wake up in the morning, after waking up from napping and after eating. If the pig is left in their crate for an extended period they need to have a place in their crate where they can go to the bathroom for the first few months.

When they use their litter tray replace their paper right after they make a mess.  Pigs love to be clean! Place the urine and poop in your yard where you want the pig to go to the bathroom. Then show the pig that area when it’s potty time.

Pigs instinctively create a latrine area and once you’ve shown your pig where you want him to go just take him there. After they wake up from sleeping or after mealtime put your pig in their harness and take them to their latrine area. Give them some slack on their leash and let them explore and use their bathroom. You’ll be blown away at how easy it is to train your pig to use their bathroom outside as well as inside in their litter tray.

With a puppy you have to ‘housebreak’ them. With a pig you just need to let them know where the bathroom is and they will love going there and keeping clean.  In the beginning accidents can happen so be gentle with your pig. If a mistake is made don’t scold your pig, take the waste and the pig to their bathroom outside.You want your pig to succeed! Positive reinforcement works best so having a treat like a little spelt bread with a tiny tab of butter to give after a successful visit to the bathroom is a great idea. Pigs love using their own bathroom!

Bedtime & Crate Training

Much like dogs pigs need a safe cozy space that’s their own.  Providing a pet crate with a bed in it is a great way to provide a space for naps, sleeping and just plain down time.  

Though your pig will be crate familiar and have slept in their crate for an average of 3 nights after your purchase you will still want a warm snuggly place for your pig to relax in. You may want to lie next to their crate or have their crate next to your bed so that they feel like they have somebody around.  

Pigs love to watch what’s going on around them and explore. In the beginning it’s a good idea to keep them in their crate or in a designated play area like a playpen.  In the beginning you’ll want to enjoy and play with them in a smaller area, like an enclosed room or a playpen area.  Working with your piglet in a smaller area helps avoid an accident. You want your piglet to be successful.  

Having the crate or playpen allows you to place your piglet in the areas of your home where you’re working so they can watch and still be part of the action but you can still accomplish your tasks.  

When it’s bedtime you can then cover their crate with a blanket so they know it’s time for bed. The darkness will help them know it’s bedtime and the blanket will help keep them warm at night.  

Food & Nutrition

Establishing good feeding habits and nutrition is the single most important thing you can do for the long-term health of your pig. Follow these simple guidelines for ease and fun at feeding time!

In the beginning you want to feed your piglet 2-3 times a day with some small snacks. ¼ - ½ cup of pellets with some fresh vegetables is a good daily foundation and some spelt bread with a tiny tab of butter or plain steamed broccoli is a good snack. Chicken, turkey, grains, veggies, greens & root vegetables are all really good ways to add variety and flavor to your pig’s diet. Avoid onions, peppers, garlic and seasonings like salt and pepper. 

Keep your pig’s food secured and out of reach for your pig.  Pigs root and are quite good at getting into cupboards if left to their own devices.

Pigs need good amounts of fiber for their digestion.  You may see pigs eating grass like cats or dogs do.  This is okay but make sure the grass isn’t treated with fertilizer, pesticides or weed killer that could poison your pig.   Substitute leafy vegetables like kale for fiber if need be.

Always wash produce and cook meat thoroughly before giving it to your pig. Organic produce can have parasites in it. Non-organic food can have pesticides and other chemicals on it. Always wash your produce before giving it to your pig, or yourself.

Don’t give your pig fruit until about 6 months old. After 6 months apples and bananas are great and grapes and raisins are always a favorite. All our pigs 6 months and older get their favorite fruit or vegetable every day.  Across the board the most favorite is apples, broccoli, grapes and raisins but each pig is unique.

Feeding Schedules

This is so important we made this it’s own topic. Keep your pig on a regular schedule. We feed our pigs at around 7:00am and 6:00pm. You don’t have to stick to this schedule but you do have to stick to a schedule.  

Feeding Schedule Tips:

• Pigs fed at regular times are much easier to train, more relaxed and trust you more.  
• Pigs that are fed at regular intervals don’t confuse food and attention so the beg less and root less
• Relaxed pigs eat slower and take their time eating.  This is good so they don’t wolf down their food and come begging to you.
• It’s a good idea for you and your pig to eat at the same time.  That way they will be occupied with their own food instead of tempted by yours.  Have a feeding area away from where your family eats to avoid the temptation of begging. 

It’s very important that everyone in the family, especially children know not to feed the pig outside of feeding time.  It can be hard because pigs can be so cute and persistent but don’t give in to poor behavior like begging.

Explain to everyone in the family the importance of boundaries when feeding your pig or giving your pig a treat.  You only treat a pig when they’ve done a behavior you’ve requested, never when they’re begging.  Pigs are smart, they will test your boundaries and it’s important that you are loving and FIRM in managing their nutrition

Each pig has a highly developed sense of taste more so than humans. Similar to human beings however, pigs’ taste buds are unique and specific to each individual. Just like people you’ll learn what flavors your pig likes and dislikes if you become a good friend. It’s really fun to discover these unique qualities of your growing friend. 

The more you discover the unique qualities of your pig, what they like and dislike, the more intimate your relationship becomes. And you’ll also have fun seeing how your pig communicates to you through its eye contact and the raising of its head. Remember your pig’s body is built very differently. It’s a bit like an alien, super smart but not built for your human world. So learning about your pig means learning the subtleties of it’s expression.

Your pig is somewhat similar to you also regarding its digestion. Only they have a more sensitive digestive system than we do. This means that living foods, a good selection of sprouted grains & mini pig pellets, greens, vegetables and fruit (fruits at 6 months or older) and protein such as cooked chicken, turkey or lamb are required for balance and great health. When you’re thinking of the best health of your pig it’s also a great recipe for good health for yourself!

A note on using food rewards in training:

To reward a good behavior or reinforce training you can give your pig a raisin or other bit of food. A grape can be given for especially good rewards.  Notice we didn’t say raisins or grapes in the plural.
 
One good behavior, one raisin or grape for a reward.
 
You can reward them multiple times in a training session but don’t ever give them a handful. Then they’ll want the handful and your training reward becomes less effective.

Food can be a great reward but doesn’t replace affection, praise and paying attention to their subtle communications. 

Taking Your Pig Out in Public

Remember your miniature pig is an animal that has been bred down from 800-1000 lbs ancestors. Human beings have newly created miniature pigs and they don’t have any of their former abilities, like size & weight, to protect themselves.

They can’t raise an arm and put it over their head, they can’t protect their necks if they were to be attacked by a dog. When your pig squeals it naturally triggers prey instincts in another animal like dogs. You really need to take care of being aware of where your pig is and what they are being exposed to.  

Watch your pig in public places. The general rule of thumb is don’t go more than 2 feet from your pig and keep other animals 2 feet away from your pig.  DO NOT allow people with dogs to come up to your pig and let their dog put it’s head over your pig’s body, neck or head. 

 The reason for this is, even though it may be the nicest dog in the world, you don’t want your pig to respond in fear. You want your pig to learn to relax in the world and letting a predator hang it’s head over your pig is not good inter-species manners. Remember in the wild pigs are prey not predators. Having a predator doing dominant behavior could trigger their flight response. This could in turn trigger the dog’s prey instinct.  

What you DO want to do is have a general respect and a radius around your pig until you know the other animal and what their threat level is to your pig.

Remember your pig cannot protect itself. You want to make sure the environment your pig is in while they play or while you are busy doing something else or when you’re walking in public is a safe one.

Temperature

The next really important thing about your piglet is temperature. Just like puppies the greatest killer of miniature pigs is temperature drop and temperature changes. Miniature pigs come from tropical climates. They never live well in cold and can get pneumonia very easily. Like pet birds, pigs don’t show extreme signs of illness when they can be very sick. Be watchful for subtle signs and if in doubt call PigHaven or your vet right away.

Pigs are meant to live in temperatures 70 degrees and up. Babies like it even warmer. If it’s going to be cooler than 70 we request you get your pig clothing to keep them warm. Do not put your pig at risk of pneumonia. Pigs are meant to live 20-25 years. 

We at PigHaven all too often hear horror stories from former miniature pig owners looking for advice as to why their pig died. People don’t give their pigs proper bedding and warmth and have them sleep in unheated barns and garages.  It doesn’t take long for a miniature pig to die from exposure in 45-55 degree weather.

The people they bought their pig from never told them pigs couldn’t get cold. What works for farm pigs doesn’t work for miniature pigs. Websites offer misleading information telling people they can put their pigs outdoors. Being put in the cold for an extended period of time risks their life. Keep your pig warm.
 
The rule of thumb is never go below 60 degrees. That is COLD for your pig. You can withstand much colder temperature than your pigs. You can also put on jackets, sweaters and scarves. Your pig needs the same care.   

Pigs genetically evolved certain behaviors that are unique to help them regulate their body temperature. One of the reasons pigs are the champion snugglers is this is their primary means of staying warm. Pigs naturally snuggle together for warmth. Snuggle your pig!

Also it’s equally important to note that pigs in hot climates need access to shade and water. Putting your pig outdoors in the summer without adequate shade and an unlimited supply of water also risks their lives. Pigs need shade. They can get sunburns rather easily. This is both painful and very hard on your pig’s delicate skin.  Pigs can also get sunstroke and overheat easily.  

Remember pigs can’t sweat. In the wild they swim and stay in the shade to keep cool. Pigs also wallow in mud to stay cool and as use as sunscreen. Make sure they have a way to cool off when outdoors. Sprinklers can be a lot of fun for your pig to play in.  

    
Pigs and Relationships

Your pig is another species. The way it responds in relationship is different than a human being, whale, dolphin or chimpanzee would. Pigs are as intelligent as all of these species. You are going to learn how to speak pig. 

Pig’s eyes are astoundingly informative. If they raise their head and make eye contact with you they are communicating with you. They may want to get in bed and snuggle with you or go somewhere or play with you. Pigs may make eye contact with you to get your attention and walk away to show you something. Be aware of subtle cues.

Pigs are highly relational and social creatures that will expect to participate in family events or rituals with you! Do you sit down with your partner and watch the news or a favorite TV show every night? Most likely your pig will want to be in the middle of you two, especially if there’s popcorn involved! Do you have a morning or bedtime routine? Frequently your pig will want to be close by observing you or directly involved with you.

Pigs have friends too! Pigs make friends with humans and these relationships are very important to the pig. When our friend Sachi would come for a visit she had a friendship with one of our pigs named Strawberry. When Strawberry heard Sachi enter the house she would make noises from her living area calling Sachi to her!

Don’t get after your pig for making noise, getting excited or for pushing on something with its nose. They may be trying to get to someone or get someone’s attention. It might be telling you that they are in love with that person and want to visit or that they want to join in an activity with the family. 

Sometimes miniature pigs form special bonds with the children in your life. You may find yourself with a four-legged fairy godmother. These can be especially precious relationships for all involved. Enjoy them!

Think broadly about the means that the pig has to communicate with you and learn the language of your pig. It’s really important to have that understanding between the two of you. You’ll really enjoy the long relationship you’ll have with the smartest little friend you’ve ever known.  

Hygiene and Your Pig

Your pig requires good hygiene for its health. Pigs as they’ve been bred down have suffered a trait in the skin that requires good hygiene and skin care. This care, like a manicure with friends or a hot shave with buddies can be a really fun time together. 

Periodically rub your pig down with hypoallergenic lotion or oil. Avocado oil and emu oils are particularly wonderful as pig’s skin can easily absorb these oils.  While emu oil isn’t edible it won’t harm your pig when absorbed through their skin. Regular baby oil can also be used.

Pig skin care can also be an inside job.  Fish or salmon oils are great sources of omega oils and can be added to their food. This can also help with their skin and is a good nutritional supplement   

PigHaven highly recommends using a pump bottle of fish oil rather than gel caps with fish oil in them. The gel cap can get stuck in their throat and they can choke on them. One pump of fish oil per serving of food is great. Make sure you’re using fish oil marked ‘mercury free’. 

To bathe your pig, gently wipe them with a warm, damp cloth and organic soap. Baby wipes are also good things to have on hand for a quick cleaning or in your piggy travel bag when you’re on the go.  

Also be aware that if you have sweaters and jackets for your pig their skin can be sensitive to harsh laundry detergents. Use detergents designed for sensitive skin

It’s really important owners understand that pigs ENJOY cleanliness. People who haven’t owned miniature pigs don’t realize they naturally have a really sweet smell to them. Some people say it’s like a lavender scent or a little bit like sandalwood other people say it’s almost like a maple syrup. It’s really wonderful aroma and the ‘piggy perfume’ will totally make you want to snuggle in with your pig. 

Pigs and Veterinarians

Until recently pigs were only seen as sources of food and miscellaneous products. They were only cared for by large animal vets who didn’t necessarily understand their value as companions.  A lot of the kinds of care associated with pets weren’t given to pigs. Therefore the remedies, protocols and procedures miniature pigs might require haven’t been developed well in the mass market.

If your vet doesn’t know how to care for miniature pigs call PigHaven! We will hook your vet up with information and resources so they can learn how to care for your miniature pig. This is something we want to do to help veterinarians across the US and world learn how to care for this species.

It’s important to locate a vet that serves miniature pigs in your area before bringing home your pig.  Locating a vet can be a challenge as miniature pigs have only been being as pets for about 30 years.  Many small animal vets aren’t familiar with pigs and you may need to contact a large animal vet.  Doing your homework ahead of time can save your pig’s life in an emergency!

Pigs require that their hooves be trimmed much in the same way horses require their hooves to be trimmed. Schedule regular appointments with your vet to have their feet cared for.
 
Additionally hooves can easily slide on hardwood tile and linoleum floors, it’s like wearing tap shoes all the time. Put carpet runners down on hard, smooth floors to allow them to move easily through the house. It’s important to know that pigs have a tendon in their legs that can be easily and severely injured in slipping on hard floors. Keep your pig safe from slipping with carpet runners. 

Vaccinations are important. Contact your vet to set up a vaccination schedule.  

Pigs require preventative de-worming medication twice a year to maintain their health. There are many available de-worming medications. At PigHaven we use Ivomec wormer to care for our pigs.

Signs of Stress in Pigs
 

Pigs can have subtle signs of illness of not show symptoms of being severely ill.
 

Take notice of these signs of stress and if you have any, feel free to phone us with questions regarding your pig’s health. When piglets are very young over exposure to places and various people handling piglets, including their human families, can make them sick. If you see any of these signs, simplify their activity level and allow your piglet an uninterrupted routine and time to recover. If these signs do not subside, or the piglet is obviously distressed call PigHaven or your veterinarian for advice. When in doubt take them to the veterinarian. 

• Excessive panting
• Shaking or stiffness, refusing to move
• Lethargy
• Not eating or drinking
• Skin discoloration, looking red or blotchy
• High body temperature
• Rapid, frantic breathing, not squealing but making choking like sounds

Additionally excessive panting could be a sign of overheating.  Pigs are very sensitive to temperature and as important as it is to keep them warm in the winter it’s also important to provide for a pig to keep cool in the summertime.

A Special Note on Miniature Pigs & PigHaven's Breeding Practices

Miniature pigs have been bred down in size from enormous ancestors. It’s important for people to know when you breed a species of large animals down in size mixing 2 small animals can still sometimes resu

lt in large offspring. Sometimes certain genes are expressed and a mother pig will have a very large baby, too large for her to birth on her own.  
 

We want you to be aware that at PigHaven we do not let mother pigs die when they have a piglet that is too large for them to birth naturally. Sadly this does happen too frequently in this business. Many breeders are unable to connect with a veterinarian and get their mother pigs a caesarian in time, resulting in the death of the mother and piglets.

Here at PigHaven we give our pigs full veterinarian care. Our mothers get caesarians when they need them and they get the special care required to have healthy farrows. We do not loose babies or mothers.

A new farrow arriving at Pig Haven is one of the most joyous and exciting events we have on the farm. When one of our mothers is near her due date the PigHaven team goes on watch. While waiting for the new piglets to arrive members of our team check the mothers for signs of labor and overall health every 2-3 hours around the clock.
 

When the time has come to give birth Gabe The Pig Guy, goes and stays by the mother’s side, ready to lend a hand if needed and silently cheering her on. Gabe cares for mommas and new babies, gets to know them and finds out what their names are.
 

It’s always a joyous day when beautiful new friends arrive in the PigHaven community!

Traveling with Your Pig 

It amazing how easy traveling with your pigs can be. As astounding as pigs are in their ability to find cozy spots and jump up on hotel beds you’ll still want to prepare for them a travel kit to make traveling easy and cozy for everyone.

Make sure you bring a small bag with: 

• Water
• Treats
• Poop bags
• Baby wipes & their skin lotion
• Something for your pig to lay on, dog beds are good but bulky so a simple pad can work wonders
• A rubber ball or small toy to play with
• Anything else that would be relevant for your pig’s care
• Leash & harness 

Remember, pigs love being clean! If you're out in public like a movie theater or are training your pig as a service animal, it's good to have a pad they can lay on instead of a dirty floor.

Also be aware of your pig’s needs and timing in going to the bathroom. If they nap through a movie or meal you’ll want to take them outside after the show is over so they can relieve themselves. 

When using a harness and leash it’s important make sure it’s comfortable for the pig. Harnesses go under their armpits like a backpack does on humans. Pigs’ armpits have very sensitive skin without much hair to protect it. It’s a great idea to get cushioning material for the straps of your harness for your pig’s comfort.    

Also don’t forget the two-foot rule with other animals and new people. It’s important for your pig to learn to trust that you will care for their needs when in public. Thinking ahead and being aware of what’s happening in your environment will allow both of you to relax and enjoy many amazing adventures together out in the world.