| Bringing Home Your Pet Pot Belly Pig | |
| Origins | |
| Miniature Pot-Bellied Pigs originated in the jungles of China and Vietnam and were introduced to the United States as pets around 1985. Since that time, the Miniature Pot-Bellied Pig has achieved an ever growing popularity among pet owners through its general cleanliness, intelligence, and unique appearance. | |
| General Information | |
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Lifespan: 12-18 years |
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| Housing | |
| Can be kept indoors or outdoors. The Ideal temperature for Miniature Pot-Bellied Pigs is about 70 degrees. Provide shelter to protect from cold spells. A small wading pool can be furnished to help the animal keep cool during hot spells. Always provide an area of soft dirt or soil where the Miniature Pot-Bellied Pig can relieve its rooting instincts. | |
| Diet | |
| Commercially prepared foods developed for Miniature Pot-Bellied Pigs are available. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables can be added for variety and added nutrition. Fresh water should be available at all times. | |
| Grooming | |
| Brush with a soft bristle brush daily. Miniature Pot-Bellied Pigs are usually odor-free so frequent bathing is not necessary. Use only mild or hypoallergenic shampoos when bathing. Trim hooves regularly. Male Miniature Pot-Bellied Pigs will require regular tusk trimming. | |
| Training | |
| Miniature Pot-Bellied Pigs are intelligent and can be trained in much the same way as dogs by using simple commands and rewards. They can be litter trained or house-broken (as with dogs, only train the animal to do one of these in order to avoid confusion and mistakes). When litter training, newspaper clippings or wood shaving are preferred rather than clay based products. Miniature Pot-Bellied Pigs can be taught to do simple tricks and to walk on a leash. | |
| Piglet Care | |
| Temperature should be maintained between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid hypothermia. Iron supplements should be given during the first few days after birth to prevent anemia. The piglet’s needle teeth should be trimmed in order to prevent injury to the sow or littermates. Canine teeth can be removed around 4 months of age. | |