How to Raise a Healthy Potbellied Pig

Cute and Cuddly or Fat with a Face Only a Mother Could Love?

First and foremost, you have begun in the right direction if you have been smart enough to begin research before getting your piggy. Personally, I am completely against people breeding and selling potbellied pigs, when there are so many out there without homes. Pigs are not easy to take care of. People will take in a potbellied pig when they are young, tiny, and cute. Then the pig grows to be old, huge, and ugly, and they don't want him anymore. Be aware when you get your pig that he will grow old and will not have the same 'cuteness' that he did when he was a piglet. As you grow to love your pig, you will always think he is cute, no matter how far his belly sags to the ground.

Because people get pigs and are not aware of how to take care of them or that they will not maintain the appeal they first saw in them, a lot of pigs end up at animal sanctuaries, such as Lil' Orphan Hammies in Solvang, CA (http://lilorphanhammies.com/). Caring rescues and sanctuaries take in unwanted potbellied pigs and try to find them good, loving, caring homes. If you are interested-after you do your research, of course-in getting a potbellied pig as a pet, please contact a rescue or sanctuary to give a home to one of many piggies who desperately need one.

Pigs are Not Dogs!

Secondly, pigs are not dogs. Period. You cannot feed them dog food, and expect them to be healthy. Personally, I have a local feed store order my pig's food specially. We feed Lucy Manna Pro Adult Potbellied Pig Food. (Yes, there is a different food for young potbellied pigs.) We purchase a 20 pound bag for around ten dollars. Check out their web site at http://www.mannapro.com/. They also have a great fly spray to keep flies and insects off of your piggy in the summer.

We also feed Lucy vegetable and fruit scraps, but we never, never feed her any type of meat. Pigs are vegetarians. Despite popular belief, pigs are not supposed to be overly fat. Pigs, too, have a certain weight that is considered their ideal weight, depending on their height, girth, and age. Your veterinarian can help you determine the best weight for your piggy, which brings me to my next point.

Find a Good Veterinarian.

Yes, there are plenty of vets all over the place, but how many of them really know about potbellied pigs? That is what you need to find out before you get your piggy. You need to find a vet that is knowledgeable about potbellied pigs and, please, find one that is experienced! I take Lucy to Hanover Veterinarian Clinic near Richmond, VA. It's about a two hour drive, but it's worth it to know that the vets there are experienced with potbellied pigs and will take care of my baby the same way I would. Ask them how many potbellied pigs they have taken care of in their career. This is not a rude question; it is respectable to ask a vet questions before letting them take your pets life into their hands. (Which reminds me...)

How Many Potbellied Pigs Do You Want?

If you only want one, which is plenty to take care of, then get your potbellied pig spayed or neutered. You have to find a veterinarian who has done this procedure on a pig before, or you may have complications. It just isn't the same as getting a dog spayed or neutered. I know, you're thinking, "How many other pigs could there be? My pig isn't going to get pregnant, or make another pig pregnant." Not true. Not true at all. Recently, I personally heard of a lady in my area that has a female potbellied pig. She didn't get her piggy spayed, thinking that no other pigs are in the area. To her surprise, she looked outside one day, and there was a male pig walking around her yard. Yep, her piggy had a litter of piglets just a short while later, and she is now trying to find homes for all of them. In addition to cutting down on the potbellied pig population, spaying or neutering your pig will make him or her more calm and agreeable, easier to get along with, and happier in general.

Keeping Your Pig Happy

You can keep your pig happy the same way you keep yourself or your kids happy: food, clothing, shelter, and some lovin'. Well, not necessarily the clothing part, although I do know some people who knit sweaters for their pigs. Keep your pig healthy by feeding him what he should be eating, not what you think he wants to eat. Pigs do not have that internal mechanism that tells them they are full like humans have. We have to be responsible and regular how much food our pigs eat.

Shelter for your pig may consist of an entire bedroom in your house devoted solely to your pig to a nicely sized house outside with plenty of room to take cover from sun, rain, snow, etc. Your pig needs somewhere to be safe from the elements of nature, as well as other animals. Lucy first started out in a bedroom all her own (litter box and all) and slowly decided that she'd rather be outside. Pigs can make these decisions on their own-they are the fourth smartest animals in the world.

Always make sure your piggy knows you love him. Play with him, give him baths, and talk to him. Treat him the same way you would treat your child. That's how much attention potbellied pigs need!

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I personally recommend the following web sites. They are Wonderful Resources!

Please visit them and learn more about potbellied pigs.

http://www.potbelliedpig.com/

http://www.pigs4ever.com/

http://www.petpigs.com/

http://www.potbellypigofmyheart.com/

This article and the resources listed within are in no way exhaustive of all the resources and information for potbellied pigs. I encourage anyone seriously considering a potbellied pig as a pet to do further research. There are plenty of other great web sites out there...too many to list! Good luck!