If I wanted a pig (a small, house-trainable one) as a pet, would that be possible? If so, how would I go about finding one? I imagine they’d be really expensive.
They are generally pot-bellied pigs but you have to be careful because they often get too big if they don’t come from a reputable source even if they look cute as piglets. My parents had one that I loved to play with when I came home from college. They are very smart; definitely smarter than a cat and probably smarter than most dogs. They can be potty trained like a dog without that much effort. My parents pig, “fluffy” used to play tag and chase in extraordinary ways. He would sneak up on you, chase you, and even leap over furniture in the name of the game. One bad quality they have is rooting with their nose. Their nose smells a bit and they will often try to be affectionate and rub it up and down hard on your leg. They also dig in yards by instinct. They make good pets and companions for certain people if you can get over those traits. They are easily leash trained as well.
For once, the Google ads may be useful. There’s one down there for potbelly-pigs.net, and one for pigstoreonline.com. The first advertises pigs for $250.00. I’d do one hell of a lot of research before I bought a pet online, though.
Im in the same boat as you. After spending time with a friends Pot Belly Pig (Rasputin) I fell in love with the idea. First check your local laws carefully. Here in Montgomery County MD you have to get a permit for the pig and there are weight and tusk requirements that have to be met. (ie the tusks can not show when the mouth is closed.) Some jurisdictions just will not allow any non-commonly domesticated pets at all. Also be aware that even if you can have the pig in your area some areas around you may have restrictions regarding you even bringing it there so check the laws of any area neer you that you might bring the pig to. Such as a local park or a friends house in another county.
I did much internet searching and found the most informative of the websites (and best maintained) was http://www.pigs4ever.com/
I highly recommend going through the site in full before making any decisions. Pigs are smart, really smart, they will and can do and learn things most dogs just cant. So be ready for a pet you have to really train actively.
Just so you know after a great deal of research Im going to adopt a Pot that was abandoned. Im in the process of getting my local approvals now. But the price range for pigs varies wildly, expect to pay about as much for a good pig as you would for a pedigreed dog. And please stay away from any breeder who claims you can keep your pig smaller by not feeding him much. This is unhealthy for the pig and can cause them to have many medical difficulties and die very young.
Be very careful where you get a pig. I have a friend who got what she was told was a “pot-bellied pig”. Well, he was pot-bellied, but he was not a vietnamese pot belly pig and he got really huge. He also got mean to anyone other than her.
Also make sure you have a vet in your area who does large-animal practice, a lot of small animal vets are not equipped to care for pigs and may not even have the tools required for tusk clipping.
You just think you do.
David Simmons has a point. Pigs are not like dogs and cats. They will require substantially more effort on your part to bring up and care for properly. And remember a “small” Pot Bellied Pig is about 100 to 150 lbs and about the height of a knee high dog. You cant easily pick one of these guys up and carry him up the stairs or load him in the family mini van.
The rate of abandoned pigs is very high simply because people dont realize what they are getting into before buying one. Thats the reason Im adopting. Do a lot of research first. A pig may look cute when small and young but at 135 lbs and knocking over your fence the cutness wears off. Unfortunately the pig is then the one who suffers if you decide its not really for you.
They are super cute when small. But they don’t stay small. Not good as pets.
There are lots of restrictions about where you can take them as they are just as susceptable to some highly contagious diseases as farm pig, viral infections especially, so you will not want to take it for a walk anywhere near farmland, as the owners will definately not want you in the area with an unknown pig which, as far as they are concerned, could be carrying anything.
I agree that they don’t stay small, it won’t be a indoor house pet for long. A friend had one, got it very young. It was cute and very intelligent, also territorial and protective.
Probably not smart to get one if you don’t have a big yard and can provide a suitable living space for it. They were popular back in the 80’s and lot’s of them wound up being given to farmers, via the local shelter, and eventually ended up in the slaughter house. The babies sell well, adults, not so much.
Thanks for all of your concern, everyone. As I’m still living at home, the pig idea is more of a “when I get my own house…” sort of thing. Naturally, I would research the issue very thoroughly, but I’m glad to have found some resources, at least.
Having a pig as a pet would be a great comfort in times of trouble. Or starvation.
That is why it is important to find a good veterinarian that has knowledge of pigs. They know how to euthanize without spoiling the meat.
Smith and Wesson?
You wouldn’t want to kill a pig that saved your life, but it just wouldn’t have been Easter without ham.
I will second those words of advice. In my area, no large animal vets will treat pet pigs. I treat them, however only if they are tractable and can be placed on an exam table. When given injections, they tend to bleed like stuck pigs.
Also, pig feces are rank. IMHO they are the worst smelling feces of the commonly kept pet animals. And in general, a “housebroken” pot belly pig is one who usually defecates outside.
My friend got one, and it was huge and grossening. You might want to re-think the pet thing.
Remember to check that you’re zoned for it. Most town have ordinances banning livestock. It’s a livestock animal even though some people keep them as pets. The worst smell you can incure in the country is pig shit. I rate it worse than a dog sprayed by a skunk.
I have several friends who keep pigs as pets. They are awesome, smart and a lot of fun. They always kept them outside, though (and yes, we have eaten several of them, sorry). I can’t imagine wanting to have one inside the house, though (you may remember me from a different thread saying that dogs shouldn’t be inside either). They take a lot of room and are not particularly nimble and agile animals. Your furnishing and decoration will have to revolve around the pig. Make sure you can live with that.
People will be correct when they point out your house is a pig sty. 