YOUR PET
Just like children, pigs need love, food, shelter and education. This requires time and commitment but the rewards in the form of joy and entertainment are definitely there. Mini-pigs are clean, social, loyal, curious, and very intelligent and they outsmart a dog. They will come to their name, learn tricks, walk on a lead, house train and they are very
loving. They love pats and tummy rubs. Toys amuse pigs such as a ball or old sacks. Other pets such as dogs as company are great.

HOUSING
If you are keeping your pig in the house at night, the laundry is a possible bedroom with something to snuggle up in such as an old sleeping bag. If outside they love to bury themselves in straw or hay at night.

Pigs will poo in one spot making house training easy. Make sure he has a litter tray with some shredded paper or just a piece of newspaper on the floor. Put it wherever the pig goes to the toilet and the gradually move it to where you want it. Pigs need bedding under cover and away from damp ground. A garden shed or large dog kennel is ideal.

You will need plenty of space for your pig-ideally a minimum of 1 /2 acre, and it is important to check with your local council to ensure that they are permitted before you purchase your pet. A pig needs good fencing from ground level to about 3 feet. The easiest way to make a pig-proof fence is to run a hot wire about 1 foot off the ground- they learn quickly! Shade is essential as pigs cannot sweat and they love to wallow in a shallow container of water. Ridged plastic children’s pools or feeding troughs from your local rural supplies are ideal.

Mini pigs can be very productive. They will remove weeds, rotary hoe and fertilize a garden bed, with joy, vigor and attention to detail. However if you find that they are over enthusiastic, you can put a ring in their nose to stop them digging holes.

DIET
Access to grass and fruit and veggy scraps is all your pig requires. Hay is a good alternative if grass is in short supply. It is against Australian law to feed your pig meat products or imported dairy. Avoid commercial pig meals as they usually contain growth hormones- and the last thing you want is a mini pig to grow and grow!! The biggest pit fall is overfeeding. Your pig will eat and eat and can become obese very easily. They only require 3% of their body weight per day. If you can see their spine and ribs, they are too thin. If their cheeks and bottom are flabby, you are being over generous. I supplement my piglet’s diet with cracked corn and an occasional teaspoon of molasses to provide extra vitamins. Don’t use porcelain or glass dishes, as they will get broken. Plastic, metal or concrete vessels are best. A firm container tied to a fence is good or you can buy a pig-nib which lets water out when the pig presses it with it’s nose.

HEALTH
If they get lice, a teaspoon of sulphur can be added to their meal, and spray piglet and bedding with Permoxin.

The piglets are vaccinated against Leptospirosis and Erysipilis.The vaccine is called “Lepto-Eryvac” Some vets recommend one booster dose at 12 months.

Clean water must be provided daily. If they are deprived of water they get salt poisoning- they walk around in circles, become incoherent and wont eat or drink.

DISCIPLINE
When disciplining and training your pig, if he is naughty, give him a light tap on the nose and say NO. Be patient. Repetition, kindness, patience and rewards will help you bond and remember bad habits when little may be cute but might be a nightmare when it’s older. If your piglet squeals when you pick it up – DON’T PUT IT DOWN! As it will then know that if it squeals you will put it down. It is just scared and will settle quickly with a cuddle. Reassure him that you are not a threat. Hold him firmly with your arm around its backside and its chest. Hold securely but not tight and only put it down when you want to or sit down and hold it in your lap.

MOST OF ALL- LOVE YOUR PIG AND YOU WILL HAVE GREAT FUN!