Keeping A Pig As A Pet

Introduction

A pet pig might seem like a fun and unique addition to your family, but it’s important to remember that pigs are a big commitment. If you’re planning on adopting a pig as a companion animal, there are several things you’ll need to consider first. Here’s what you should know about keeping pet pigs in the United States:

Think twice

Before you commit to owning a pig, there are a few things to consider. If you don’t want your home to resemble a mud pit and your children’s toys destroyed, then maybe a pet pig is not the best choice.

Pigs are very intelligent animals who require mental stimulation and care just as much as they do physical exercise. They can be destructive if they don’t receive enough attention or if they’re bored with their environments so make sure that when you’re looking at potential homes for them, they have plenty of space to roam around in.

Pigs are also messy creatures that produce large amounts of waste so it would be wise to check whether or not your local area allows pets in general before purchasing one (since some states only allow certain breeds). Pigs are also very good swimmers which means that extra precautions need to be taken when dealing with pools: no fences around them!

Vaccinate

As with dogs, cats and other animals you may have as pets, it is important to vaccinate your pig against common diseases. If a pig does not receive certain vaccinations, there’s a chance that he or she could contract and spread one of the following illnesses: parvovirus, hepatitis, leptospirosis, coronavirus and pseudorabies. In some cases these can be fatal if they’re not treated quickly enough.

However difficult it may seem at first glance to get your pet pig vaccinated against these six illnesses (and many more), there are several different options available for owners who wish to do so. For example:

Your veterinarian can administer all of these vaccines at once during what’s called an “initial visit” to his or her office; this is recommended for new pigs who haven’t yet been exposed to any potentially harmful viruses. This initial visit should happen within weeks after bringing home your new pet—so don’t wait too long!
You can also bring him/her back later on in order receive individual shots over time instead; this option works well if you’re planning on taking long vacations away from home during which time someone else will need access – such as friends stopping by during holidays or weekends when no veterinarians are open anyways.”

Is It Legal?

The legality of keeping a pig as a pet will depend on where you live. In the UK, for example, it’s only legal to keep a pet pig with the proper license from the government. If you live in another country and are considering getting a pet pig, contact your local authorities to see if there are any regulations that pertain specifically to pigs.

Spay Or Neuter Your Pet Pig

Spaying or neutering your pig is an important part of keeping it healthy and happy. The Humane Society of the United States recommends spaying or neutering all pet pigs, but if you’re going to get a pet pig and let it stay outside in your yard, you may need to make special arrangements for a female pig’s heat cycle. Female pigs will enter heat every 21 days throughout their lives—and boy are they noisy about it! It’s best if you can take care of your female pig during her heat cycle so she doesn’t become pregnant while she’s in heat.

If possible, bring your female pig inside during this time so she doesn’t attract unwanted male attention from other pets or wildlife in the neighborhood. If bringing her indoors isn’t practical (or possible), keep her confined either on your property or behind a fence with at least three feet of height that only she can access by climbing over it (this way no one else will be able to get into their pen).

You should also provide plenty of straw bedding material at least once per week while they’re in heat; some owners even recommend changing out all bedding twice per week during these times because pigs tend toward sloppiness when they’re near ovulation and may foul their own area quickly if not given sufficient space for movement around them!

Consider The Size Of Your Pig Before Adopting

You should consider the size of your pig before adopting. Pigs are large animals and can become quite destructive if they do not receive enough exercise or attention. You will need to provide your pig with a lot of space, as well as plenty of food, in order to keep it happy and healthy. It is also important to note that pigs are not a good pet for children or apartment dwellers because they tend to get underfoot when you’re trying to clean up after them!