Currently more than 8,000 miniature potbellied pigs are kept as pets in the United States-and the number is growing. These pigs are descendants of wild boars that were first domesticated in the Pearl River area in China. The most commonly known miniature pig is the Vietnamese potbellied pig; but an additional 16 varieties also exist, including the Yucatan pig (i.e., Mexican hairless) and the African pigmy. Because they can cost up to $5000 and generally live between 12 and 15 years, their intrinsic value and potential as long-term pets are considerable. Here are some basic guidelines to help care for these increasingly popular household pets:
General Information:
Potbellied pigs can live to be 20 to 25 years of age.
They should have a maximum height of 18 inches at the shoulder and a maximum weight of 95 pounds; however, miniature pigs that weigh 150 or more pounds are common.
The normal body temperature for a potbellied pig is 101 to 103 Fo.
Respiration rate ranges between 15 and 40 breaths per minute.
The heart rate varies from 70 to 100 beats per minute.
Nearly, all states (and the federal government) classify potbellied pigs as livestock pigs, which means that they are subject to all rules and regulations governing intrastate and interstate transportation of livestock. Some of the regulations include obtaining a health certificate (insures the animal is free of any potentially infectious diseases) prior to transporting, the individual must be tested for and free of pseudorabies and brucellosis at the time of purchase, and in many areas, livestock is prohibited by zoning regulations (potbellied pigs are considered livestock in all but a few localities). Therefore, before purchasing, check with our local government to insure no laws are being violated.
Terminology:
Nutrition:
Once weaned, piglets may be fed a growth ration; the amount to feed should be limited to 3 to 5 % of their body weight.
When mature size is attained (at seven months), pigs should be switched to a maintenance diet, and to feed should be adjusted to 2 to 2.5 % of their body weight. Commercial feed rations (such as Mazuri, Champion's Choice, or Mini Pet Feed) should contain 16 to 20 % protein and 2.5 to 4 % fat.
Higher levels than these could predispose the pig to obesity, a major problem in potbellied pigs.
Supplement this diet with a mixture of veggies and some fruit once every day.
Mixture: 50% green leafy vegetables (no iceberg lettuce) with 50% of assorted veggies such as:
Also fruits such as apples and bananas to meet requirements for fiber, vitamins A and E, and selenium.
Avoid vegetables such as:
They can give your pet gas!
Acceptable treats to give your pet are:
Never, ever, feed them chocolate !!!
Breeding pigs require special diet considerations.
Boars should be kept on maintenance diet that is fed at a rate of 2 to 3 % of their body weight.
Sows and gilts should be fed the same breeding ration as during gestation - that is 2 to 2.5 % of their body weight for the first 12 weeks of gestation then increasing to 3 % for the remaining four to five weeks.
Reproductive Information:
Pigs reach puberty between three and four months of age. The estrous (reproductive) cycle averages 21 days. A female achieves adequate body size for breeding at the third estrus and should not be breed until this time.
Signs of estrus include:
The female will accept the boar for one to three days during the cycle and will show readiness to breed by standing still when pressure is applied to her back. Female pigs typically ovulate 6 to 20 eggs 24 to 36 hours after the onset of estrus.
Pregnancy is confirmed when the sow does not return to estrus or through hormone assays.
Gestation in the potbellied pig is 112 to 114 days (3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days). Piglets are delivered very rapidly with a maximum interval of 30 minutes between piglets. Four to six piglets is the average litter size.
Some sows may return to estrus as soon as three weeks after farrowing. Most sows will begin cycling three to seven days after weaning.
If you plan on having a breeding herd, please contact your veterinarian's office for a preventative health program of vaccinating and deworming that will help to insure the greatest return on your investment.
Housing:
The ideal environmental temperature for potbellied pigs is 60 to 75 Fo. Pigs do not sweat, therefore, they rely on evaporation to cool down in temperatures above 75 degrees. This is why they tend to make wallows and stay covered in cool, wet mud.
Other guidelines include:
Vaccinations:
As with most pets, routine vaccinations are a necessary part of a health care preventative plan. Piglets should be vaccinated first at 6 weeks then again in 4 weeks, for diseases like atrophic rhinitis and transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE). Leptospirosis and erysipelas vaccines should be administered at six and 10 months.
Yearly rabies vaccination is recommended, although no vaccine has been approved for pigs at the present time
Intestinal parasite deworming should be done every six months.
Sows used for breeding purposes should be vaccinated against Clostridium spp. and E. coli 4-6 weeks before farrowing and again 2 weeks before farrowing.
Common Procedures:
The most common procedures performed on potbellied pigs are:
Health Concerns:
Internal parasites and sarcoptic mange (skin mite infestation) are common health concerns. Sarcoptic mange and round worms can be contagious to people, therefore, pigs should be checked and treated twice yearly.
Respiratory infections are also common in pigs. Contributing factors include stress, overcrowding, poor housing and dampness and transporting.
Common Toxicities:
Toxic plants include:
If housed indoors, houseplants should be kept out of reach.
Things to Remember:
We hope you will find this information useful and that you have many years of enjoyment with your new pet.
We hope that you will find this information helpful in your quest
for better pet care. If you have any questions or comments, please call your
veterinarian's office, or feel free to
e-mail us.
David E. Hammett, DVM
and the Staff of All Creatures Veterinary Clinic, PC
