Raising a pig as a pet could prove to be a unique experience for anyone. It’s important to know several things first before raising a pig.
Is it legal to raise a pig? The answer depends on your local policies. In the USA, many states prohibit raising pigs in backyards. Miniatures may also be prohibited, but there are certain reputable breeders that managed to get their miniatures licensed and can be bought legally.
It is highly suggested to check with your local offices regarding animal welfare laws as it can be different for every area.
If it is legal for your area, you are required to purchase the pig from a reputable breeder. It may be already licensed or you might be the one who needs to register your pig, depending on your breeder’s deal.
There are various reasons why it can be illegal or prohibited.
One thing that must be greatly considered is because of health purposes.
A lot of virus outbreak happened in the past that originated from pigs and your local officials may want to prevent this by banning the rights of owning a pig.
Another reason is it could be due to the stigma or bad reputation pigs have and they are judged to be filthy and represents a negative symbol.
There are a few more things you need to know about pigs and we’re here to explain them further for you.
WHY IS IT ILLEGAL TO RAISE PIGS IN CERTAIN AREAS?
As already stated above, the main reason is probably because of health issues.
Which makes us all wonder… how did these pigs get sick in the first place? How can we avoid those diseases so we can still raise our pigs?
PIGS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO EAT MEAT.
Many places do not allow people to care for pigs because they probably do not know this information.
Even if they do know, they might STILL feed the pigs with meat.
It’s prohibited to feed pigs with meat as it is the easiest way for them to be affected with diseases that could be transmitted to humans and cause another outbreak.
Those virus outbreaks made it to the global news and were the cause of death for many innocent lives.
The source of the disease may come from a very small action that we do not think will turn into a disaster. That’s why some local areas would rather not risk the possibility of another outbreak.
There are a lot of diseases from pigs that are tragically memorable.
- Swine Influenza (H1N1 virus)
This virus is deadly to all ages. It may be similar to a typical fever, but once it gets bad, it can be fatal to the point of death.
- Foot-and-mouth disease
Causes severe fever, inflammation, appetite loss, sore throat, depression, and pain in the tongue or gums, red rashes on palms and soles and irritability in infants or toddlers.
These two diseases are notoriously known due to their terrible symptoms.
RISKY AND DEADLY
Now, it should be clear why certain areas do not let people raise pigs that easily. It’s full of risk, especially if the person is new to proper caring of pigs.
There is still a possibility that certain people feed meat to pigs on purpose for “fun”.
That’s why if it requires a license to raise a pig in your area, it’s important to follow the rules not just for other people, but for your own health and safety too.
Even when not fed with meat, there are certain pig feed that became prohibited in Australia as some of it contain products that has meat or had contact with meat.
This is how sensitive pig healthcare can be when it comes to food.
They are not picky, but anything involving meat eating could be dangerous for them and for people too.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR PIG HEALTHY
It sounds like raising a pig is scary, but not if you know the proper way of caring for them. As long as your pig is healthy, you won’t have problems.
After licensing your pig, it’s important to learn about their needs next.
- What to feed my pig?
Since they should not eat meat, there are legal and correct pig feeds that you can purchase from poultry supply stores.
Aside from pig pellets, they can eat many kinds of fruits and vegetables.
They would need to have a healthy and balanced diet in order to avoid obesity that could lead to certain illnesses.
You may also feed them grass or let them graze for grass outside. They will occasionally dig the ground up for roots and insects which is safe for them to eat too.
2. Hygiene and Environment
Pigs are one of the cleanest farm animals. They are the opposite of what they are popularly known for.
The only reason a pig would roll down in mud is to keep them cool and keep away parasites like flies.
They have trouble cooling off because they are unable to sweat.
Pigs do have sweat glands, but it’s not very helpful to them when adjusting to temperatures.
They might not like baths at first, but if you get them used to it, they will eventually enjoy it which will be crucial to their health too.
When kept as house pets, the room temperature must be taken into consideration. Most pigs cannot handle extreme cold or extreme heat and it’s advisable to keep them in a dry, averagely warm or cool place.
A lot of pigs became sick due to the heat or the cold. Some even passed away because of heatstroke and pneumonia.
3. Mental healthcare and Physical exercises
Already mentioned above, obesity is a common problem among pet pigs.
It’s important to give them enough space to walk around and run or enough room to explore. They are known to like roaming around.
Pigs are very intelligent and curious animals.
They are capable of having negative and positive emotions too. If they are cramped up in one area, caged up, chained or isolated, they can be depressed or aggressive.
It is studied that animals that have freedom are happier and healthier compared to the ones that are usually caged or locked up.
They are living creatures too and have the right to be free. Even as a pet, please consider their happiness too.
Physical activities such as taking them out on walks will not only give them sunlight that they need and exercise, but also mental stimulation.
Some pigs may enjoy playing fetch or swimming.
A stressed or depressed pig may let itself get sick on purpose.
There are also times when pigs will starve itself to death.
If you go out for work and they are left alone, they might grow sad and destructive too. There’s a possibility for you to come home to a mess.
Studies suggest that giving them companions would be a great boost for their mental health as long as they get along with that companion.
Pigs can get along with other house pets like cats. For dogs, it can be situational. Pigs are prey animals and tend to be frightened by large predator animals like dogs.
Give your pets enough time to bond together and observe them carefully.
Please give your pig vaccinations and visit the veterinarian for annual medical checkups for safety precautions.
Spaying and neutering is also recommended.
RELATED QUESTIONS
- Are pigs good pets?
Yes, pigs can be good pets! Despite their bad image, people are now being surprised by how pigs can be sweet, gentle and trainable.
Many owners state that domestic pigs behave in a way similar to dogs.
However, pigs do have their own unique traits. They have the intelligence level of a 2 year old child.
Given with proper care, love and attention, they are one of the sweetest pets you can come across with. Raising a pig is also unique in its entire way.
They like lap visits and cuddling too!
Pigs also wag their tiny tails like dogs when they are happy, excited and contented.
Since they are so smart, you can house train them the same way you train a dog. Treat rewards prove to be effective as studies say.
It is also studied that they can prove to be a well emotional support animal or a therapy animal that helps reduce depression.
- What is the average lifespan of a pig?
The life expectancy of an average pig is 15 to 20 years. This is long compared to their wild counterpart that only lives 4 years up to 8 years.
Although the popular pet breed “mini pigs” are said to have shorter lifespan due to their complicated and selective breeding, many pig owners claim their pets lived up to 15 years and more.
This information brings us to the conclusion that there are times that they can live longer than their expected lifespan as long as they are healthy and loved.
- How much does it cost to raise a pig?
An estimated total could take up to $600 and more. It’s natural to wonder about the total costs after finding out about their needs, so here’s a helpful page that can explain all the costs in full detail for you.
Link: https://lovelivegrow.com/cost-to-raise-a-pig/
To explain further with more detail, the feed alone could get expensive. You must also consider the amount of water supply for drinking.
Housing or bedding if they are indoor pets is necessary for comfort too. Medications and treatments should be added to your calculations and lastly, if it’s required, licensing may cost some money as well.
Please be reminded that prices may differ depending on your country or area therefore we can only provide an estimated amount.
