HELPFUL INFO | pmmjulianapigs

Helpful Information

and

Things You Need To Know

IMPORTANT!!

Pigs do not have sweat glands and can not get rid of excess body heat by sweating like other animals and humans. They MUST have a place to cool off when it's hot, such as a kiddy pool or mud bog.

They also do not have fur like most animals, they have hair, so they can not take fridgid temperatures in the winter. They are extremely susceptible to pneumonia and must have a heated environment.not below 60 degrees.

Free Roaming Indoors and Out-Piggies love to be outside but make sure your yard is secure and safe. Indoors, your pig will putter just like the dog or cat, but never leave your pig free roaming your house while you are not there. Pigs need some sort of conntainment ....their own space to nap, and have alone time. If you do not have a 'pig pen' area that they stay in, then they should have a large enough kennel to hold them comfortably with their litter box for a few hours while you're out running errands. Just BE SURE TO GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO DO! A bored pig will get lazy and unresponsive if left bored. Stimulate their minds. They love to play with toys. Put a plastic ball in there and they will play with it. A stuffed animal that is bright will give them something to root and cuddle with. There is no reason for them to stay in the kennel while you are home, they will more than entertain themselves and you clowning around the house.

Do pigs get along with other pets? Yes. Young pigs adjust quickly to other animals. You should never leave other pets and your pigs together unattended. Dogs in particular usually want to play, but pigs do not always play like dogs. Someone could get hurt unintentionally.

What do I feed my pig? We feed a 60/40 mix of Mizuri Miniature Pig Feed and fresh or frozen veggitables. Because the food is condenced, they do not require a large amount. I feed Stella, for instance, 1 cup of pellets and about the same volume of chopped vegitables twice each day. She is actually a little obese at the moment....

Excersize is very important. Just like humans, pigs need to be able to get out and go for walks or have room in the yard to roam and putter. Harness training early will pay off. Never use a regular dog collar on a pig as it can damage their throat.

Does my pig need vaccinations. This seems to be a regional thing. Some vets reccommend it, and others do not. Pigs should definately at least be wormed twice each year.

We use Ivomec 1% which you can buy here.

For a cost of about $50, you will have enough to last years.

One note, you have to search for 'swine' instead of 'pig'.

Life span. Your pig can live up to 20 years with the right diet and care. They are a long term pet. Please do not consider a pig unless you are willing and able to devote their lifetime of love and care.

Why do I want to spay or nueter my pig? Pigs reach sexual maturity at a very young age. Just like a dog or cat, a pigs temperament will begin to change if it is not nipped in the bud, so to speak. Spaying your male will keep him from doing things in your house that you do not want. Spaying your female typically avoids problems with uncontrolled pottying in the house. A pig can go from litterbox trained to starting new bad habbits just by coming into heat. We are devoted to providing you a high quality pet, as such, we want you to fully understand why this is so important. Spayed and nuetered pigs make AWESOME pets, unspayed and unnuetered do not.

Do I have to use a certain litter? Most breeders use pine pellet bedding for litter. If you use the same thing that your breeder did, the piggy will not get confused and knows exactly what it's for.

IMPORTANT! DO NOT USE KITTY LITTER. Your piggy at some point will more than likely try to taste the litter because they're always looking for food. Kitty litter can be fatal to a pig.