Pigs need a lot of outdoor time, but you should also be ready to protect it from environmental aspects that it could shun away from, like the rain and the sun.
So do pigs like the rain? Pigs may actually enjoy the rain because it can give two things that it loves — water and mud. However, too much of it may leave your pig sick. This is why even if they look like they’re having so much fun under the rain, make sure they are dried off right away.
Pigs are playful and active, so the rain may seem like an amazing opportunity to have some fun. Just remember that too much of something is never really good.
Of course, what pigs really love about the rain is the water coming down from the sky and the muddy puddles that form from it.
The great news is, you can give your pigs the fun that rain can bring without the need to constantly expose them to it.
Why Pigs Love Water and Mud
Before we really go into the water activities that your pig can enjoy, let’s look at whether pigs prefer mud better than water.
Honestly, a pig’s affinity for mud is not just for enjoyment.
Mud has a number of benefits for pigs:
- Keeps them cool
Here’s an interesting piece of trivia about pigs. They have very few sweat glands! And of the very few that they have, most of them are not even working right.
Now, if you understand what sweat glands are for, then it would all suddenly make sense why pigs just love playing in water and mud.
For us humans, our perspiration actually cools off our body and helps regulate our overall body temperature especially during those hot summer days. And because pigs do not have sweat glands, they don’t have the ability to cool themselves off.
That’s where mud is a great help.
Mud is the perfect way for kids to cool off and regulate their body temperature. The advantage of mud over water when it comes to this is that mud doesn’t easily evaporate. This means it stays on the skin longer, and can keep the pig’s skin cooler for longer periods of time.
- Protects their skin from the sun
It’s not just us humans who are at risk when our skin is exposed to the sun too much. Pigs also face the same risks. After all, they don’t have thick fur or anything similar to protect their fair skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
When they have a thick layer of mud over their skin, pigs are automatically more protected from the possible risks coming from the sun’s UV rays.
- Protects them from insects and parasites
Pigs are always around food, so it’s not surprising that a lot of insects come near them often. This can pose a lot of potential health risks because insects often carry viruses, bacteria and parasites that could make your pig sick.
Plus, it’s really annoying to have insects biting on your skin.
You can just imagine what a huge help mud is in protecting the pig from such risks. For sure, insects won’t dare bite into a pig’s muddy crust no matter how hungry they are.
- Makes them happy
Probably the most important reason why you should let your pig wallow in mud is that it makes them extremely happy.
Why would you rather take a dip at the pool or soak in the tub sometimes instead of merely taking a shower? It’s because it makes you feel good overall. It’s relaxing and it can be that calm you need after a busy day.
It’s the same thing for pigs.
Wallowing in mud can be emotionally soothing for pigs. It’s one of the best ways to keep them happy.
Water Activities for Pigs
Wallowing in mud is quite easy. Just provide a mud hole for your pet pig and it’ll know what to do.
Playing with water, however, can open up so many opportunities for learning. It’s one of the ways that pigs can both learn and have fun at the same time.
You don’t know how valuable a kiddie pool is when it comes to pig entertainment. It’s one of the best tools you can ever use when it comes to keeping your pigs mentally active.
Fill your kiddie pool with water at a level that your pig can handle. Nothing too deep, or your pig might end up getting scared more than it has fun.
Once the pool is filled up, you have two different options:
- Use vegetables and toys that float in water. Scatter them all over the pool and let your pig gather them all. It will be interesting for them to figure out how to make the right movements that will allow them to grab their treats without pushing it further away as they wade in the water.
- Use vegetables and toys that sink and let them dive down and retrieve them one at a time. Pigs often enjoy diving around in the water for short periods of time. Just make sure it’s not too deep, or your pig will end up overwhelmed.
Take note that in both cases, inflatable kiddie pools are still your best bet because these offer more traction. If all you have is a hard plastic pool, look for rubber mats with suction cups. These would make your pig more confident to wade across the pool.
Make sure you look for visible signs of fear in your pig as well. Especially if it’s his first time, don’t force it to dive straightaway. Start with a low water level and let it build its confidence first.
You can also make a shower area for your pig if you have the materials and the know-how. This would be perfect after their mud baths.
Some pig owners even find ways to make their own showers for their pigs where the pig can operate it on their own.
If you’re going to use a regular faucet or hose setup and you want to teach your pig how to turn it on or off, make sure you supervise it at all times. Your pig may end up turning on the water and leaving it that way long after it has finished showering. You’ll waste a ton of water.
Related Questions
Do pigs like to swim?
Although pigs are known to love wallowing in mud, what most people don’t know is that pigs actually love swimming in water as well! Their genes have been discovered to be closely related to the genes of hippos, whales, and similar animals. It is then theorized that they may have evolved from being water dwellers to land animals, explaining why they love water as well.
Do pigs like cold weather?
Pigs prefer warmer climates and would rather warm themselves up during the cold months. The great thing about pigs is that they are able to insulate themselves through that thick layer of fat on their skin the same way that wool or fur protects other animals. On the coldest months of the year however, pigs would still require proper heating and shelter to prevent any diseases they can get from the cold.
What do pigs like to do?
Although we all know that pigs just love eating, there are so many other things that pigs love to do. Pigs are intelligent, curious and playful, so they love solving puzzles and playing with mentally-stimulating toys. They also love long dips in mud holes as well as short swims in kiddie pools.
