Still have questions? Here are some frequently asked questions. We make every effort and enjoy educating clients and potential pig parents. Just ask!
Can my mini piglet be housebroken?
Yes. According to Animal Planet pigs are the 6th smartest animal, so housebreaking them is easy. You can teach them to go outside like a dog, or you can have them use a litter box indoors. We promote training your pig much like a dog. We have ours go outside in the yard, and they ring a bell to ask to go out. Litter-box training is definitely an option, but after house breaking many piglets it is obvious that it is much more natural for them to use the yard.
How much will my micro mini teacup pig weigh when it is full grown?
On average your pig will weigh approximately 40-60 pounds when full grown. I recommend you see the parents, because it will give you a good idea of how large your piglet will be full grown. Remember pigs grow until they are 2-3 years old. Be very careful and wary when you find someone who is promising you a pig that will only be 20 pounds full grown.
What do mini pigs eat?
Mini pigs eat mini pig food, fruits and vegetables. DO NOT FEED YOUR PIG DOG FOOD!! Mini pig food can be found at your local tractor supply. Mazuri Mini Pig Food (comes in Youth, Active Adult & Elder Formulas) It is very important that you feed your pig carefully. Pigs will eat until they die. So no matter what and how much you offer them they will eat, so it is very easy to overfed your pig and increase their weight too quickly. They will reach their genetic size as they age, but you don't want them to gain too quickly and too much. An overweight pig will have health issues and problems with arthritis as they age. Use the chart below to gauge your pigs size.
Which makes a better pet: Male or Female?
Both sexes make great pets. As far as I'm concerned, there is no real difference between males and females if they are neutered or spayed. It really depends on the personality of the pig. Some pigs like to snuggle, some like to play, some are loud and bossy, some are quiet, some like to be held, some hate being picked up. The best way to choose your piglet is to meet them all and see which one fits you best.
Did my pig really just bark?
Yes! Don't worry you aren't hearing things. Pigs bark when they are excited or startled.
Will my pig grow tusks?
Yes. All pigs grow tusks. A neutered male will grow tusks at a slower rate than a boar, but you will see them start to stick out past the lip around age 2. A female will also grow tusks, but they will not protrude out past the lip. Your vet can trim your pigs tusks every few years. It's always a good idea to keep your pig's tusks trimmed to prevent any accidents. Tusks should NEVER be pulled. The Tusk is part of the jaw and pulling a tusk can break or weaken the jaw.
Why does my pig foam at the mouth?
Pigs tend to foam at the mouth for a few reasons. You might see foam when they are excited about a meal or a potential snack. Male pigs foam at the mouth if they are intact and are excited about a lady pig. Additionally, pigs can foam at the mouth when they are teething.
At what age do you send your micro mini teacup piglets home?
We send our piglets home at 8-12 weeks of age, so that they are healthy and well socialized. Piglets need to be with their mother and siblings for at least 8 weeks. A piglet that is taken from their mother too early is scared, Some breeders will tell you that the piglet will have a stronger bond with its owner if they get it younger, but this is a myth. We keep piglets for 8 weeks so that you get the healthiest and most social piglet possible. The most stressful time in a piglets life is when they are taken from mom and their siblings, so we try and make it as easy on the piglets as possible.
At what age do you send your micro mini teacup piglets home?
We send our piglets home at 8 weeks of age, so that they are healthy and well socialized. Piglets need to be with their mother and siblings for at least 6-8 weeks. A piglet that is taken from their mother too early is scared, Some breeders will tell you that the piglet will have a stronger bond with its owner if they get it younger, but this is a myth. We keep piglets for 8 weeks so that you get the healthiest and most social piglet possible. The most stressful time in a piglets life is when they are taken from mom and their siblings, so we try and make it as easy on the piglets as possible.
Are your pigs really micro mini pigs?
Yes they are micro mini pigs. The classification of micro mini pig means it will weigh less than 60 pounds. The classification of micro mini pigs, nano pigs, teacup pigs, etc are all made up names. There are only two breeds of small pigs that are commonly found and those are: mini Vietnamese pot belly pigs and Juliana pigs. Anyone who tells you they can guarantee the size of your piglet is lying. It would be like the doctor guaranteeing you the size of your child. Based on the genetics of the parents, you can have good gauge of how large your piglet will grow. Also, make sure you know the size of the parents before you buy a piglet and know their age. Often people will show you juvenile parents, but they fail to mention how large their full grown pigs are. A full sized Vietnamese Potbellied Pig can weight up to 250 pounds, but their babies are born the same size as a micro mini piglet.
Why does my pig grind his teeth?
Some pigs find grinding their teeth calming and they tend to do it before they fall asleep. However, most pigs tend to grind their teeth when they are teething. Pigs teeth twice: between 5-7 months and again between 12-18 months. To help sooth their gums while they are teething you can feed frozen fruit, frozen vegetables or ice chips.
My pig makes tons of different noises. What does it all mean?
Pigs make 20+ different sounds and each means something different. The communicate using jaw chomping, teeth clacking, grunts, roars, squeals, snarls, and snorts. A few of the more popular sounds:
a huffing airy ha ha ha sound. It's how a pig greets and says let's be friends.
When a pig makes a smacking sound and has their mouth wide open they are tasting the air or a new food. Pigs have almost twice as many taste buds as humans.
Pigs greet each other and their human friends with a loud rawr rawr rawr.
Most oinking is a pig just chattering as they wander about.
Barking is common when a pig is either excited or startled.
A squealing pig is complaining and demanding something.
An abnormally high pitched squeal normally means something is wrong or the pig is in pain.
Do I need to get my micro mini pig neutered or spayed?
Yes, you will want to get your piglet neutered or spayed. The males will begin to smell terrible and the scent will spread around your house. Males also begin to get aggressive if they are not neutered. Females that are not spayed will come into heat approximately every 21 days. When a female is in heat; she will become territorial, tend to forget her potty training, become aggressive and very moody. Additionally, spaying and neutering reduces the risk of cancer, tumors and cysts. The best pet pigs are neutered or spayed. ***All of our piglets leave spayed or neutered, so you don't have to worry about finding an experienced surgeon.
Where can I find a vet for my mini pet pig?
Most veterinarians do not treat pot belly pigs, so you will need to look for a large animal vet. Your best bet is to Google search online for large animal veterinarians in your area. Also, calling around and asking for pricing is important, because vets tend to vary a lot on their fees.
Our veterinarians are wonderful and always highly recommended:
Lisbon Veterinary Clinic Dr. Fred Bennett Dr. Susan K. Narbey 330-424-3512 8100 Race Road Lisbon, OH 44432 http://www.lisbonvetclinic.com/
Cottonwood Vet Clinic Dr. Kevin Terra 530-347-3728 3917 Main Street Cottonwood, CA 96022 http://cottonwoodvetclinic.com/
What can you train your micro mini pig to do?
Pigs can be easily trained to perform many tricks and basic obedience. We train ours to wear a harness and walk on a leash, to come, to sit, to spin, to lay down, to play the piano, to push items with their nose, and much more. A quiet corner works best for training where there are no distraction for the initial introduction to new tricks. After a few sessions you will see how compliant a pig is if there is food involved as a reward. When you buy a pig from us we provide you lifetime assistance in caring for your pig and answer any training issues that may come up as your raise your pig.
How much should my pig drink?
You should never limit your pigs water intake. They should always have access to fresh water. Water is the most important part of a pig's diet. Pig's bodies are made up of almost 2/3 water. Pigs are prone to urinary tract infections and digestive issues. Limiting drinking water can lead to constipation and blockages.
My pigs ears are always dirty. How do I clean them?
The waxy buildup in your pigs ears is a natural way their body protects their ears. You can clean them, but do not use Q-tips. Just take a damp rag or paper towel and use your finger to clean their ears out. You don't want to dig into their ears. So if your finger doesn't fit, don't go there.
