The Potbellied Pig: A Surprising Pet

By Leslie Brown

Whether you call them potbellied pigs, pot belly pigs, or miniature pigs, you are sure to be surprised by how rewarding it is to have one as a pet.

Owning a pig is similar to having a child or a pet dog. Pigs are very affectionate animals, and they love companionship and closeness, as well as a considerable amount of patience and love. Many pig owners actually let their pig share their bed!

There are many misconceptions about a pig. "Sweat like a hog." (Pigs are incapable of sweating.) "Dirty as a pig." (Pigs are very clean, and if given the opportunity, will only use one corner of their pen as a toilet.) "Stink like a pig." (Pigs have absolutely no odor.) "Eat like a pig." This is true. Pigs really do smack their lips and chew with their mouths open--they are totally food obsessed.

Pigs are social animals. In their natural habitat, they live in a group and a pecking order is established and maintained by body and verbal pig language. This behavior is similar to the pack mentality of dogs. In fact, having a pet pig is somewhat similar to having a dog. You need to establish yourself at the top of the social hierarchy, or your pig will determine that she is "top pig" and dictate the rules. There is nothing worse than a pushy pig!

As with a dog, it is important to consider the social nature of pigs and provide them with distractions. If left alone without either human or other animal interactions, they can become bored and restless. You might even decide to adopt a pair of pigs to make sure that you never have a bored or lonely pet.

The weight of a pig is deceiving because they are so hard-bodied. Most adult potbellied pigs are about the size of a medium breed of dog. A pig that measures 14-inches tall by 24-inches long and weighs about 60 pounds can be a manageable size for a house pet. Compare this size pig to a 100-pound German shepherd!

The potbellied pig is a breed of domesticated pig originating in Vietnam. Considerably smaller than standard American or European farm pigs, potbellied pigs can be easily distinguished from other pig breeds by their size, upright ears, and straight tail.

A sturdy animal with short legs, the potbellied pig has a slightly swayed back, a pendulous belly, short, erect ears, and a snout that varies from short and stubby to long and elegant. A potbellied pig continues to grow for at least two to three years. The average purebred, healthy, mature, three-year-old potbellied pig can weigh from 60 to 175 pounds. Because the potbellied pig has only been in the United States since 1986, it is difficult to determine an average life span. Estimates are between 15 and 30 years.

Pigs are curious by nature. They can spend hours burrowing in the ground or sniffing around the house with their nose to the carpet or floor looking for any stray bits of food. Their inquisitive nature can be helpful when it comes to training, as pigs will maintain a high level of attention when stimulated with new ideas and, and of course, food!

The potbellied pig has a good sense of smell. They are even used to sniff out drugs for law enforcement purposes.

The advantages of having a potbellied pig are that it is highly intelligent (more so than a dog), has a long life span, is clean and odor fee, is non-allergenic, does not have fleas, does not shed, can be quickly trained to use a litter box, does not bark or destroy things like a puppy, and is communicative and affectionate.

The disadvantages are that you might not be zoned to have a pig. In addition, pigs can be spoiled and manipulative, and they require a lot of time and energy. Also, you might not have a veterinarian available who knows how to treat a potbellied pig. The advantages certainly outweigh the disadvantages.

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