What You Need to Know About Owning a Potbellied Pig

Usually, when people think of pets, they think of cats or dogs. After all, books and movies are littered with stories about these kinds of pets. All you have to do is remember titles such as Old Yeller, Where The Red Fern Grows, or the books by Rita Mae Brown featuring cats that help solve mysteries to see that dogs and cats are popular as pets. However, recently, there is a new type of pet that some families are considering, and that is the potbellied pig.

Many families are choosing the potbellied pig over other pets because of their keen intelligence and dynamic personalities. But whether it is for these reasons, or because they saw a cute little piglet and decided they just had to have one, lots of people are taking potbellied pigs to heart and taking them home with them.

One problem with just up and adopting a potbellied pig is that most families don't realize that while potbellied pigs are cute when they're babies, they don't stay cute. One minute they are holding a cute little baby piglet and before they know it, they are looking at a short legged pig with drooping jowls and stiff hair. Suddenly their pet isn't so cute anymore. This can come as quite a shock to many families if they've never had a potbellied pig before.

Another problem that comes up when families bring a potbellied pig home for the first time is that they don't realize that their pet is not going to stay miniature sized. While potbellied pigs are considerably smaller than their barnyard relatives, families need to know that they are not going to stay small forever, potbellied pigs can weigh up to 125 pounds when fully grown.

Another thing that new owners of a potbellied pig may not realize is that that keen intelligence they are known for can become a problem if they are not properly mentally stimulated. In other words if the pig is bored, the pig can become destructive doing things like overturning smaller pieces of furniture and even wrecking property. So, unless a family is willing to take the time and energy needed to keep their potbellied pig properly mentally stimulated, they should probably pick another pet.

We've all seen pigs rooting in the dirt, and this is a natural and normal behavior for pigs, the potbellied pig notwithstanding. So, you should provide a small dirt area in your backyard for your potbellied pig to root in, so he or she doesn't root in places you'd rather he didn't, like the trashcan for example.

Pigs love to eat and will do just about anything for food. Because they are so intelligent, they can actually figure out how to open refrigerator and cupboard doors. This is something that owners need to be aware of and account for. Another issue related to food that can become a problem is your potbellied pig begging for food when you are eating at the table, and even becoming agressive with your children when they have food and the pig wants it. Because pigs are territorial they have a need to be dominant, and can become aggressive, and not just about food. It's important to establish ground rules from the get go. Pot belly pigs do not do well with physical discipline and it is better to use positive reinforcement and treats to train your potbellied pig about the right way to behave than to physically punish him. Correcting and redirecting your potbellied pig when his behavior is unacceptable is the best way to handle bad behavior. Over time with repetition, your potbellied pig will learn how he his to behave with your family.

Like any other pet, potbellied pigs have heath issues that need to be monitored and taken care of. Just like with your dog or cat, potbellied pigs should be spayed or neutered. They also need to have their feet, and long tusks trimmed on a regular basis by someone that has been properly in doing so. Finally they have yearly vaccinations that you will need to make sure they get to stay healthy.

Because their health care can become expensive, you might want to consider purchasing some health insurance for your potbellied pig. If you can't find an insurance company that has health insurance that will cover your potbellied pig, you could consider getting a deal with an insurance compnay that insures farmer's valulable livestock.

In addition to health insurance for your potbellied pig, you may want to consider liability insurance. While most potbellied pigs are good around people, and are quite amiable, because they do sometimes become aggressive, or occasionally there will be one that just doesn't like people, it's possible that they could harm someone. Remember they are strong and even a nudge from their snout can knock a grown man over. Having liability insurance is just one way to cover yourself in the event your potbellied pig takes a dislike to someone.

Pot belly pigs make wonderful family pets, but it is important to educate yourself about them before owning one. Knowing how to care for your potbellied pig will ensure that you and your potbellied pig have a long and happy life together.