If you’re planning to raise pigs as pets or as livestock, this article will provide everything you need to know about the costs.
Raising a pig annual costs: Indoor Pet Pigs — around $300 (excluding the price of pig purchase), Outdoor Pet Pigs — around $800 (excluding the price of pig purchase), Farm / Livestock Pigs — around $800 to $1200 (excluding the price of the pig purchase)
To set your expectation, prices may always vary depending on your country, area or your selected brands. We will do the most accurate and close estimated total in order to provide you the best answers!
Aside from the costs, please be reminded that raising almost any animal requires commitment, genuine love and patience. It is the same as having a responsibility you can’t easily abandon.
Pigs are not really high maintenance as long as the owner knows the proper ways of caring for their pet pigs. Aside from guiding you with the costs, this article will also give you some tips to help you save.
The grand total is $800 — read on if you want to know the details.
Points to remember before spending money
There are common mistakes that mostly, new owners do. These mistakes should be avoided in order to prevent wasting money! Take note of these points to remember for a smooth shopping experience.
Important tips
1. Consider the breed of your pet pig
Some pigs may grow larger than you expect them to be. Some of them even grow twice their current size! It is important to anticipate their growth process in order to make a long-term plan.
Some breeds may also have specific needs compared to others.
2. The number of pigs you are going to raise
Usually, owners only adopt one pig at a time but there are people who extremely LOVE their pigs and would want to get more than one. Sometimes, they prefer to adopt two so they will have companions.
For this case, new owners mistakenly spend more or spend less than needed. Don’t worry, as you read on, we will provide tips in order to properly determine how much is needed for your pets.
3. Know the age of your pet pig
Sometimes, pig owners who are unaware of tricky breeders can get tricked into buying newborn piglets and make them believe it’s a “teacup” or “micro pig” breeds.
This is not usually the case and there is no guarantee miniature pigs will stay as small as they are.
Even matured pigs can still continue to grow which is why knowing the age of your pet pig can help as it can be used to determine future costs.
Indoor Pet Pigs and their Needs
First, we will talk about the pigs as indoor pets. They are less expensive and will probably the best option for most owners.
A. Indoor Needs
1. Litter box — make sure it is large enough for your pig. This part can be avoided if you choose to make the litter box yourself as long as you already have the materials on hand.
2. Bedding — it is important to give your piggy friend a bed they can fit in or a bit larger than them to give them the best comfort and relaxation.
3. Cooler / Heater — pigs are sensitive to severe weather conditions and have a hard time adjusting to temperatures. Having a cooler or a heater can help regulate your pig’s health as long as they have the right temperature.
4. Electrical Bills — if you ever need to leave your piggy at home, it might be necessary to leave the cooler / heater on as well as the lights up. They have poor eyesight thus, leaving them in the dark may leave a negative impact on them.
However, if it is bedtime, then it is fine to leave the lights off.
Saving Tip #1: Pig Proofing your Home
Since you plan to keep a pet as an indoor pet, the first thing you must do for their living area is pig proofing your house. This means that there will be lesser costs.
The only important thing to do in pig proofing a home is to cover unused electrical outlets, limit access to sensitive rooms such as the bathroom or kitchen and removing light objects that can be lifted by the pig to prevent broken things.
There are more things to do, but these are the most important in order to prioritize securing your pig’s safety.
B. Feeding Costs
An average pig will need to eat at least two times a day. You may feed them once in the morning and once in the evening. Regular pigs eat feed or pig pellets provided by poultry supply stores or several pet shops.
A rough estimation of total feed costs per pig could reach $115 or more.
Reminder: Prices fluctuate depending on the stock available and the demand. It is not stable and changes depending on your area. The provided rates in this article are the closest possible calculation.
Saving Tip #2: Know what your Pig Eats
To avoid having to buy branded feed, expensive feeds or imported feeds if there are no local feed available… a pig owner can save a lot just by knowing what a pig naturally eats.
So what do pigs eat? Nearly anything! However, just because they can eat anything doesn’t mean we can feed them just anything.
Pigs need a varied diet in order to stay fit and healthy.
Any pig can eat different kinds of fruits and vegetables! They can also graze on grass, dig the ground to eat roots and locate insects as snacks.
If you already have an available stock at home, you can share the fruits and vegetables with your piggy friend.
However, there is one thing you must avoid feeding your pig at all costs and that is MEAT.
Pigs are strictly prohibited from consuming meat! It can easily make them sick. A sick pig will cost you additional medical bills!
So to help you further, we have an article about what to feed your pig and why they cannot eat meat.
Read: “What do Pigs Eat?” and “Can Pigs Eat Meat?“
C. Water Bills
Just like people, pigs need to stay hydrated too. Once again, they have a hard time adjusting to temperatures which is why giving them enough fresh and drinkable water is important.
A regular pig could drink 5 up to 10 liters of water on a daily basis! This may vary, so observe how much they actually consume every day.
Depending on your area, the actual price may be different.
Water is also needed to properly bathe your pigs. They only resort to mud when they are in the wild or kept as livestock that do not have access to proper water.
Saving Tip #3: Prevent spilling water
Pigs are capable of being playful and clumsy. It’s important to ensure that the food and water bowls cannot be tipped over. There are also cases when they intentionally play with food and water.
To avoid wasting food and water, make sure you give them the right amount! Overfeeding can also result in diseases for your pig so maintain a balanced diet.
You may also teach your pig how to swim! If there are any areas nearby where you can let them take a dip, use that opportunity to save some water occasionally.
Swimming can also be a fun activity for your pet pig.
D. Medical Care
In order to prevent a sick pig which leads to further expenses, it’s necessary to give them their medical needs and other important treatments.
Vaccinations — Estimated cost starts at $20 minimum to $150 and above. This is important as many pigs can be sensitive with their health.
Spaying and Neutering — Minimum estimated cost starts at $50 to $200 and higher depending on your chosen clinics.
Annual medical checkups — Vet visits could only cost around $50 at minimum to $400 on an average.
Other medical costs may include: Teeth clipping, tusk and hoof trimming
Teeth clipping — Usually done moments after birth. Applicable to indoor pet pigs if your pet pig has given birth and you need assistance to clip the needle sharp teeth. Price may vary depending on your veterinarian.
Tusk trimming — All breed of pigs of all genders have and grow tusks. If necessary, a veterinarian can assist in removing tusks or trimming. Tusk trimming is part of dental care. Price may vary depending on your veterinarian.
Hoof trimming — Indoor pet pigs would require more trimming than outdoor pigs. Price may vary depending on your veterinarian.
Saving Tip #4: How to Care for your Pig
To save you from the medical expenses, learning the proper ways of caring for your pig could help a lot.
Here is a list of what you need to know to care for your pig.
- Feed them with proper food and a healthy, balanced diet
- Give your pig exercises to avoid obesity
- Provide the right shelter with balanced room temperature
- Keep their surroundings clean
- Avoid feeding them with meat at all costs
- Stay away from animals that may potentially harm them
- Let them have some morning sunlight for vitamins
- Try not to stress your pig as much as possible
- Learn how to trim and maintain their tusk and hooves
- Prioritize their comfort to boost their mental health
If you’d like to know how to properly care for your pig, we also have an article about that. You may read it here.
E. Registration Fees
Regardless if you are keeping a pig as a pet or as livestock, a pig owner is usually required to be legalized and have their information recorded first.
In many areas in the UK and US, registration may be necessary. To verify if your state requires a registration, visit or call your local Animal Health Office to assist you.
There is no known specific amount, but prepare some extra cash just in case you are asked to pay small fees.
Saving Tip #5: Know your local laws
If you keep a pig without being registered and it’s not legal in your area, there is a possibility that your pig will be taken away for the sake of disease prevention and pig control.
This will result in additional expenses or loss of profit.
You may be asked to pay a fine for not knowing or following the policies and also pay to retrieve your pet.
All of these unwanted costs can be avoided just by checking with your local Animal Health Office first regarding the animal welfare laws in your area before you get yourself your own pig!
Outdoor Pet Pigs and their Needs
Pet pigs usually prefer living outdoors than indoors. This is because they are more comfortable living in an open space rather than staying under a roof all the time.
They will feel free and happier than pet pigs that are rarely let outside. If your pet pig wants to come indoors, that’s the only time you will let them come inside.
There will be no need to force them in or force them out.
Outdoor Needs
1. Shelter — Building a shelter for your pig may be a bit expensive, but is definitely a one-time cost only. Negotiate with carpenters to get a good deal for a good housing design.
2. Cooler / Heater — If you plan to give their outdoor shelter a conditioning system, this can be added to your expenses.
3. Bedding — Outdoor pigs can use straws, grass, or other soft materials they can use to make their own “nest”. However, since they are considered as a “pet”, giving them a proper bed should be important too.
4. Fencing — If you have an open yard, fencing is important to keep predators out and to keep your pet pig in.
5. Feeders — This should be included in the costs of building the shelter as feeders are usually placed within the shelter.
6. Enough space — Building a wide-spaced shelter can add up to the expenses too. Depending on your pig’s size, they may need larger areas. Make sure there is enough space for their designated “comfort area”
7. Medical care — This is important for any animal. Let your pig get vaccinations. Spaying and neutering is also encouraged if you’re not planning to breed your pigs
8. Registration fees — There is no known amount of specific cost, but it’s important to register your pig. Check if it is legal or not in your area by calling your local offices regarding animal welfare laws.
You can see several options for outdoor pens and sheds on our resources page.
Saving Tip #6: Avoiding Mistakes
Building a house for your outdoor pet can really get costly, that is why it’s important to build the right type of house for your pig so you don’t need to do some renovations later on which will add to further costs.
A pig’s ideal shelter is having enough room to sleep in and room they can use as a comfort zone. It’s important that the flooring is not too rough and have enough roof to shield from the heat, rain and harsh winds.
There should be a drainage system that will keep their area dry and an open area where they can get enough sunlight when they want. The house should be sturdy as pigs can be strong!
If you also have an unused garden shed or storage rooms, it can be converted into pig shelters or pen with the right redesigning. This will help you save a lot if you want to keep your pig as an outdoor pet.
Livestock / Farm Pigs and their Needs
Although this page is solely dedicated to pet pigs, we want to answer everything related to the topic as much as possible.
The needs are pretty much similar to outdoor pet pigs but more expensive. Farms often raise more than two pigs which mean you would have to prepare a bigger living area for them.
Getting started with raising livestock following a farm style can cost you more at the beginning. However, as soon as everything has been properly set up, the only problems will be the continuous costs.
Here, we will provide a specific estimated amount based on researching all over the internet. Once again, it’s possible that the prices are different for your area.
The Farm Set-up
Similar to the earlier sections, the points to remember are definitely applicable for livestock pigs too. Consider the breed, how many pigs will be raised and the age of the pig.
For the age, a starting farm either buys a piglet or a matured sow (female pig) paired with a matured boar (male pig).
How much is a pig/piglet?
On an average, prices may start at $60 for minimum up to $100 which may also depend on the breed and age. However, for “heritage” breeds, rare breeds and popular ones, prices may start from $300 to $1000 or even higher.
Housing costs
Based on what we’ve concluded after thorough research, the minimum price of a pig pen could start at $120 to $300. A pen that costs that amount is sufficient for a few young pigs.
Remember the tips in order to make the ideal pen for your pigs.
Bedding costs
Outdoor pigs can use straws and grass hay to build their own nest. The most commonly suggested “bedding” from other owners is straw or grass hay which could cost between $6 and $10 which can already amount to a few bale.
Piglets will only need at least a quarter of one bale.
Feeding costs
Feeding costs will be a continuous expense. For one piglet, they will need an annual total of 362 kilos worth of feed and could amount between $300 and $400 at most but can still be higher, depending on your choice of brand.
Fencing costs
Depending on the fencing material used, the price may change. The common estimated cost amounted to $500 at minimum and can range higher.
Medical fees
Even though they are livestock pigs, they will still need proper healthcare in order to avoid sickness and grow up big and strong.
Vaccinations — Estimated cost starts at $20 minimum to $150 and above. This is important as many pigs can be sensitive with their health.
Spaying and Neutering — Minimum estimated cost starts at $50 to $200 and higher depending on your chosen clinics. Applicable if you do not want to breed your pigs.
Annual medical checkups — Vet visits could only cost around $50 at minimum to $400 on an average.
Other medical costs may include: Teeth clipping, tusk and hoof trimming
Teeth clipping — Usually done moments after birth. Most farm owners know how to clip a newborn pig’s teeth because it’s required for the pigs to suck on their mother’s breasts for milk. If you need assistance, this may be added to your costs.
Tusk trimming — All breed of pigs of all genders have and grow tusks. If necessary, a veterinarian can assist in removing tusks or trimming. Most farms either let their pigs grow the tusks out or opt to completely remove the tusk. This process may be a bit costly. Consult your local vet.
Hoof trimming — An outdoor pig or livestock pig that often walk on rough textured ground would only require trimming at least once a year. If you do not know how to trim, you will need to visit your vet clinic.
Tail docking — many livestock pigs have their tails docked in order to avoid tail biting from other pigs. This process is usually done by farmers on their own, but if you are not experienced, it’s highly recommended to seek help from a professional which may cost you some fees.
Registration fees
Once again, depending on your area, keeping a pig may or may not be legal. For most areas, it is required to be registered as a pig keeper regardless if you are raising the pig as a pet or a livestock.
There is not specific amount that we have found as it could be different for every area. However, it is expected to be not be very expensive. Just in case, prepare sufficient money to pay for fees.
Total estimate
Now, for the grand total…
Indoor Pet Pigs — around $300 (excluding the price of pig purchase)
Outdoor Pet Pigs — around $800 (excluding the price of pig purchase)
Farm / Livestock Pigs — around $800 to $1200 (excluding the price of the pig purchase)
Conclusion
Apparently, it seems that starting your own pig farm could really be expensive. However, beginnings are usually challenging but once everything is properly set up, it should be smooth sailing ahead.
Pigs are not high maintenance pets as long as their owners know what to avoid for their pigs.
Following the tips, further costs can definitely be avoided. Make sure you keep them in mind.
Pigs are life-long companions
The average lifespan of a domesticated pig is 15 years to 20 years. This means that owners who plan to keep them as pets should expect them to live that long.
It means that the owners will be committed for years and should be prepared not only for the costs, but also for their amazingly fun personalities too!
There are several cases of abandoned pet pigs because of owners that decided they could not handle the costs of raising a pig anymore.
This is why reading an essential guide about the costs can be very helpful as it helps owners have a proper expectation.
If you are wondering if pigs are worth all the trouble, the answer is YES. They are amazing pets and have a lot of good things to offer.
RELATED QUESTIONS
- Can pigs get along with other pets?
Yes. Pigs can get along with other pets like cats and even dogs. A pig can pretty much get along with almost any other animal, but the problem is usually if the other pet likes them back.
They are similar to that of an “annoying new dog” which may be a turn off for other pets. More owners claim that pigs get along well most with cats.
This is because they are social animals and have no problem coexisting with other pets in the house. However, they may tend to develop a “dominant” and “territorial” behavior at times.
Despite this “dominant” and “territorial” behavior, they are rarely violent or aggressive at all.
It is best recommended to pair pigs with fellow pigs or other pets that are smaller than them.
Even though dogs and pigs can be great friends and playmates, a dog is known to snap and lose their patience during playtime. If a dog loses its cool with a pig, the pig often ends up being the more injured side.
As much as possible, do not leave pigs alone with dogs especially ones that are larger than them.
- What is the oldest breed of pig?
The oldest known domestic breed of pig is the Berkshire pig. They are one of the largest breeds of domestic pigs in the world. They also have short legs and that is why they are large, yet short.
Berkshire pigs are considered a rare breed of pigs that originated from the English county of Berkshire which is now known as Oxfordshire. They are bred and raised in different parts of the world.
Berkshire pigs are known as “Kurobuta” in Japan — “Kuro” meaning “Black” and “Buta” meaning “Pig“.
This breed is considered as one of the oldest breeds of pig in England and was the first breed to record pedigrees in herd books.
Since the Berkshire breed was declared “vulnerable” or “threatened” during the recent years, the herds of Berkshire pigs are being maintained by different conservation groups or centers.
Berkshire pigs made a comeback in terms of popularity because of the Japanese’s demand for Berkshire pigs and resulted into an increased rate of population for the pigs after being bred for marketing.
These pigs were also used for literature in the past. One example is a novel by Helen Beatrix Potter who wrote “The Tale of Pigling Band” where the main characters are Berkshire pigs.
In some novels, Berkshire pigs were used to represent a negative symbol because of their large bodies and dark coloration. This is also part of the reason why there is such a dark stigma surrounding pigs.
We must all remember that appearance does not always tell us if someone or something has a pure heart or not. Pigs are gentle by nature and we should work together to clear their bad image that we painted for them.
