Owning a PIG
Woofe1z
http://www.pigplacementnetwork.com/thehardtruth.htm
Pig Parenting Not for Cowards
Compliments of Pigs As Pets Association
Parenting requires knowledge and commitment. This is true whether the
person is raising children or caring for pets. Being a pig parent is no
different. The successful pig parent is one that understands the unique
characteristics of the pig and is willing to make the effort and
commitment to be a good pig parent.
� Pigs require outside time to be a pig. Pigs root, but can be
trained to use a certain area of the yard, or to use a "rooting box" to
satisfy their urge to root. Pigs are ranked 4th in intelligence of all
animals, and are easily halter and lead trained. Probably the most
important fact to realize is that pigs grow until they are about 3? or 4
years old, and no honest person can guarantee the weight of an adult
pig. Weight averages for adult pigs range from 90-150 pounds (What is a
Micro Mini pig?), and some pigs even top 200 pounds. Adult potbellied
pigs are generally about 18 inches high. When maintained on a proper
diet (grain-based without meat by-products), the pig has no body odor
and the pig's waste is odorless.
�
� It is commonly said that parenting a pet pig is like parenting an
inquisitive two-year old . . . one that will remain so for ten to
fifteen years. Pigs are also inquisitive and need toys, games, and
training to keep them stimulated. The pig parent must "childproof" their
house, installing childproof drawer locks on lower drawers, making sure
that doors are closed and that food and harmful things are kept out of
reach. For example, a pig parent recently forgot to make sure the garage
door was fully closed and discovered that her pig was missing. She found
the pig, and what was left of her five-pound bag of potatoes in the
garage.
�
� The issue of food: Pigs will eat just about anything. That's where
the expression, "eats like a pig," comes from! Unlike cats, which
generally will stop eating when they are full, a pig will eat itself
sick. It will also, if given the opportunity, eat things that are
harmful to the pig, even fatal. The proper pig parent will feed their
pig a potbellied pig food, or, if not available, a hog, rabbit, horse,
or other grain-based feed with no more that 14% protein. Generally,
piglets under 3 months old should get ? to 1 cup of feed a day, and
older pigs 1 ? to 2 cups a day. This amount should be divided into a
morning and evening feeding. Unless the pig spends the day grazing in
the yard, the diet should be supplemented with fruit and leafy
vegetables. (Avoid peas, potatoes, corn, and other starchy vegetables
that are fattening. Also limit fruit because of the natural sugar
content.) Iceberg lettuce is good, as it has almost no calories and
provides bulk.
�
� Frozen grapes and cucumber slices also make good treats for tricks
well done or lessons well learned. Other good treats are air-popped
popcorn (plain, no butter), carrot slices, and individual pieces of dry
cereal like Cheerios and Chex.
�
� The easiest way to be sure that the pig is not overfed is to
measure out the treats for the day. To supplement all of this, the pig
parent should also daily feed the pig a children's complete vitamin
tablet (any brand is fine).
�
� Pigs can be potty trained. The potty box should have low sides, as
pigs do not like to step over things to use the potty, and should be
large enough so the pig can turn around. Beware of slippery bottoms- use
a non-slip rubber mat under the litter if needed. The round "dishes"
used for draining water heaters make ideal and inexpensive potty boxes.
Do not use clay-based kitty litter, as the pig could inhale it or eat
it, both causing life-threatening medical problems. An inexpensive and
absorbent material is pine shavings. Cedar is not recommended.
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"Scott Lifshine is the biggest joke on the Internet" -Desk Rabbit
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