Over the years, there are a growing number of micro pig owners that need help through their care for the adorable micro pigs.
Can you keep a micro pig indoors? Micro
It is totally safe to keep them indoors as long as they are healthy pets and was raised with proper behavior.
The rising popularity of micro pigs leads to so many questions from potential new pig owners. Though it may be easy to keep a micro pig as an indoor pet, there are still important factors to be considered.
“Micro pigs” or “Teacup pigs” as well as “miniature pigs” are not considered as a real breed as it is a
Over the years, there is still no “real micro breed” that guarantees a permanent small pet pig.
Keep in mind that there is no guarantee that your micro pig can stay small their entire lives and may even grow twice their current size and this must be anticipated if you plan to keep one as an indoor pet.
Many micro pigs that are now left in sanctuaries or taken in by rescuers were abandoned by owners who did not want them anymore when they grew larger than they’re “supposed to be”.
To avoid this, we make it an important point that our readers are aware
Once someone hears about micro pigs and their birth history, it’s natural to be curious on how or why all of this began.
How Are Micro Pigs Bred?
Micro pigs are a product of what they call “careful and selective breeding“.
What is selective breeding?
Selective breeding is a method used by breeders to produce a new and unique breed by pairing two different breeds together.
For micro pigs, breeders paired the ones with the smallest sizes together to create a smaller offspring.
This caused some ruckus among several animal lovers saying that selective breeding is cruel and may often result in medical problems similar to teacup dogs and munchkin cats.
So far,
It is a very long time compared with wild pigs that only live 4 to 8 years due to predators and hunters.
Recently, several reputable breeders stated that they have a safe and healthy way of selective breeding that doesn’t involve strict diets and harsh living conditions to stunt a pig’s growth.
To learn more about this specific section (selective breeding, how micro pigs are bred) you can check our article about it here
The opposing opinions regarding micro pigs, they are still continuously growing in terms of popularity as pets.
Are Micro Pigs Good Pets?
The next thing to wonder about is if these pigs are good house pets. This part is very important to understand, especially if they are wanted as indoor pets.
Yes, there are many reasons why they can be good pets.
It was mentioned earlier that the house needs to be “pig-proofed“. This is because pigs of any ages, almost any breed, tend to be playful and very curious.
They have the intelligence level of a 2 year old child so you must expect them to want freedom exploring.
Give them access to a room, or at least enough space to run around (for exercise too) and enjoy a spacious walk.
Pigs that are confined to one cramped area can grow distant, irritable, depressed and other negative emotions! They are living beings that want even just a little bit of freedom too.
Even as a pet, considering their happiness should be something an owner prioritizes as long as it’s not bad for their pet!
Another thing to remember is to avoid placing objects than can be tripped over, pushed and cover unused electrical outlets.
Dogs may like sniffing around, but pigs have poor eyesight and they only rely on their good sense of smell to examine objects around them so it’s important to be extra cautious for safety.
Despite this complication, pigs still have a lot to offer.
- Pigs are truly intelligent – you can train them just like dogs!
- Pigs are clean – they’re the opposite of what we believe them to be.
- Pigs are not picky eats – you must avoid feeding them meat, but they can eat almost anything else! From almost any fruit to vegetables.
- Pigs are quiet – prey animals tend to be silent, but there are times where you might hear some grunting or piggy-barks but not very loud
- Pigs can be sweet – not all pigs, but a lot of micro pigs enjoy lap visits and sometimes, even cuddles.
- Pigs can be empathic – like dogs, pigs can sense grief from others and may console them for comfort.
- Pigs are social animals – they can get along with other house pets and befriend trusted people easily.
- Pigs are not dangerous – they are gentle animals that you can feel comfortable leaving them near a child. Still best to be left with supervision in case the child scares the pig!
Sometimes, you may even see your pig wag their tail if they are happy, excited or contented. It’s a sight worth seeing!
It is also studied that they can prove to be a well emotional support animal or a therapy animal that helps reduce depression.
Within that small body of micro pigs lives a surprise of big personality.
Are Micro Pigs Destructive ?
Yes, they CAN be destructive if not given a proper care and attention. Pigs are intelligent creatures so they are capable of feeling emotions. They can get bored, depressed, grumpy, hyper, stubborn and demanding.
Once again, they have almost the same intelligence level as a two year old child. When not given much attention, they have a tendency to get lonely or bored.
Such feelings could lead to destruction of objects within the house if not pig-proofed and if they are mainly kept as house pets. They are known to be capable of making a mess if they feel like it.
Destructive behavior could be a sign of stress or improper caring for the pet.
As long as an owner knows how to properly care for their pet pig, the destructive tendencies won’t be a problem at all.
To avoid this type of behavior, it’s important to know how to care for a pet pig.
How to get your micro pig “house broken”
Some people who owned both micro pigs and dogs claim that micro pigs can be easier to train than most dogs.
Despite being known as a stubborn animal, the intelligence of a pig allows them to pick up things faster than other animals.
Majority of pig owners stated that using the treat reward system is very useful and effective when you give them their favorite treats. Most pigs love cooked broccoli.
You may follow the same procedures of training a cat or a dog. To train them how to use the litter box, be sure to pick a box large enough for them to fit in.
You can follow this link for simple steps or watch a YouTube video on how to house train your pet pig.
Link: https://www.wikihow.com/House-Train-a-Pig
Related Questions
- Is it legal to own a micro pig?
The answer depends on where you live. Laws differ on every country especially regarding animal welfare. It’s highly recommended to check with your local officers to verify first before you adopt a pig.
If it requires a license, please register your pig for its safety and yours too. It might also come with various benefits, so it’s worth the cost.
We have a helpful guide on how to get a license for your pet pig.
- How much does it cost to raise a micro 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.
- Are micro pigs dangerous?
No, in general, domestic pigs are friendly or neutral most of the times to the point you can even allow them near children.
They’re very similar to dogs in behavior.
Though they are capable of biting, it rarely happens and probably only does when they are hurt, mistreated or threatened.
Pigs are prey animals and they would rather prioritize fleeing than facing danger themselves as it is too risky. Their only way of fighting is charging with their tusks if they have one and biting if they can reach.
Their aggression could also depend on the type of breed. Since most breeds are now domesticated, not many of them are dangerous.
Sometimes, it could also depend on their age or how they were raised.
Piglets that grew up lonely without social interaction tend to be unfriendly towards people and even other pigs. Older pigs could also be a bit aggressive when it comes to having an alpha male status.
However, another reason that they could be “dangerous” is if they are sick or carrying a disease.
Which is why, it’s important to have them checked medically and get vaccinated too.
