Mini | pot belly pigs as pets and care

This is one thing that can't be stressed enough. Please do not confuse a pigs size with his weight. Potbellied pigs are very dense. Thus, there is a lot of weight in those little bodies.

The average size of our pet pigs should be that of a medium sized dog. However, the average weight is around 120 - 150 pounds, with some weighing less and some weighing more. Just because some of our pigs weigh 200+ pounds does not mean that they are fat or overweight. Some are just bigger.

There are breeders out there telling people that if they don't feed their pig very much it will stay small. All this does is make for an unhealthy pig.  The same goes for over feeding your pig. And now we have come across a few vets that want a skinny pig and are telling people not to feed them what we would consider a normal feeding. Pigs are not skinny animals they are pigs and should be plump or that pot belly, hence their name.

Pot bellied pigs generally have voracious appetites and will eat nearly anything that you offer them. Unfortunately they are also very prone to obesity which can lead to foot and joint problems as well as other health problems. In addition to the health implications they can also become very persistent and pesky beggars and can even learn to open the refrigerator in their search for tasty treats. Feeding the proper diet, limiting treats and developing a feeding routine can help prevent problems.

Pot bellied pigs need a good quality diet that is high in fiber and low in calories. Ideally, a food formulated specifically for pot bellied pigs or mini pigs should be fed, and these can now be found at some feed stores and pet stores. If your local store doesn't carry these diets they may be able to order them in for you, or you could also check to see if your veterinarian can order them. Here are some examples of pot bellied pig diets:

• Mazuri (whose parent company is Purina)
• Ross Mill Farms
• Heartland Pet Pig Products

If you feed a commercial food meant for farmed pigs make sure you choose a maintenance ration - especially avoid the grower and finisher type foods which are meant for optimum growth and are too rich for pot bellied pigs. The young piglets can be fed a commercial pig starter diet, but only up to about 2-3 months of age.

Pigs love to explore and forage and get bored very easily as they are very intelligent. They need something to do to pass the time and occupy themselves with. If their owners don't provide something acceptable for them to do, they will make their own fun and that usually means getting into mischief.

If you give your pet too much freedom, he will turn your home into a play pen. You must teach your pig which objects he can play with and which he can't while you're at home. When you assume the role of the lead pig, you must reprimand your pig strongly if he plays with forbidden items while you're in the house. Tell him, in a strong voice, "NO, Leave it" and lead him away from the item quickly. Give him a favorite toy as a replacement and praise him when he accepts it.