So you just purchased your first Micro Mini pig, Teacup pig, or Pixie Pigs. Learn what to expect when you first bring your new baby home. Your new pig is extremely intelligent. They can learn to do just about anything a dog can do but they learn it much quicker because everything you teach them is done with food motivation (treats). They are extremely smart and can figure how to open cupboards. Their intelligence will never cease to amaze you. Never underestimate your pet's ability and especially when it has anything to do with food.
It is true that some piggies do like television and do get favorite television shows. Some may have little temper tantrums or decide to get mad and ignore you if you shut off their favorite show. In homes that have music more than television your pet may have some music it likes better than others. It is not uncommon for some pig owners to turn their television or radio on for their pet when they plan to be gone all day.
You should supply a bed for your baby along with blankets. Each one of our piggies goes home with his/her special blanket. They love blankets so much sometimes they drag them around or cover themselves up in them to keep warn. When you are not around to supervise your new baby, you should have a small kennel or playpen. In your pen you should have their bed, blanket, food and water dish and litter box. Do not leave your pet alone in your home until you are sure it understands and respects the house rules and is old enough to get to the litter box from one end of the house to the other. Don't expect a new baby to be able to get to the litter box in time if it is way across the other end of the house. Baby pigs normally will go through an initial period of screaming when picked up, this is a normal response. We work a great deal with handling our piggies so that they are used to being held by the time you receive your new little one. Your new pig can learn to walk on leash, so that it can easily be taken with you. We send each of our babies home with a leash/harness combo.
For the first 2 weeks, go ahead and over indulge your baby with treats (raisins, grapes, Cheerios, etc.) in order to bond more easily. Your pet will quickly learn to come to you to receive the treats and learn to roll over to have its tummy scratched. After you have bonded with your pet you can then cut back on the treats. We want to emphasize that when we say treats we do not mean a handful of treats at a time. We mean using something like one Cheerio or one raisin at a time. Your pet should be willing to take this from your hand gently without biting. Should you feel that your pet is grabby or appear to try to nip to get the treat we suggest you take your finger and tap it on the top of the nose and say no, wait a few seconds, then say start again, be gentle. If they follow the direction they will then receive the treat. People are always amazed at how quickly their pet piggy learns what words and phrases mean.
If you have room in your back yard it is nice to provide your pet with a wading pool to lay in when it is hot outside. This also serves as a simple way to ensure you pet does not run out of water or get over heated. Our piggies here love to play in their pools. Since pigs do not sweat they have no way to cool off if they are not provided continuous water to drink. If you do not have room for a kiddie pool we suggest you either secure their water dish or use something like a ceramic one that is heavy enough that your pet can not knock it over.
Since pigs do not have fur (they have hair) people are not allergic to them or their saliva. For people who could never before have a pet due to allergies, these little teacup and pixie pigs may be the solution.
A pig is a commitment. Since, they become very bonded to their owners they do not do well if they must be placed elsewhere. Taking one as a pet is with the understanding that they will be with you hopefully for life.
These little piggies can sleep indoors, outdoors, or both. Ideally they will have an area outside to play in. If they are kept outside you will need to provide them with housing (a doghouse is great) and blankets. Piggies like to be warm.
Pigs can swim, but they can also drowned. If you have a pool it is important to teach your pet how to paddle to the steps so that in the event it falls in it will know where to go to get out.
Pigs normally will get along with other animals. They usually are not the aggressor and to the contrary are usually the ones to run the other direction. The question is, are the other animals willing to get along with the your new pet piggy. If your dog does not like other animals chances are good it will not like a pig either, but if you have a gentle dog they should do great together. Our pigs are raised around kids, dogs and cats.
WHAT DO TEACUP PIGS AND PIXIE PIGS™ REQUIRE?
1. They require a lot of love. You will get out of your pet what you put into it. If you work with it and train it you will have a wonderful friend.
2. They do not require much food. When you first get your pet, if it is a baby, you only need to give it 1/4 cup of pig chow in the morning and 1/4 cup in the evening. In between that you can give them fruits and vegetables while you are working with them or training them. Never feed your piggy Avocado or Chocolate. These are toxic to pigs. Pigs also have salt toxicity issues. Never feed your pig salted items such as potato chips or salted popcorn. Air popped corn is fine as an occasional treat. Fruits should always be given in moderation because of the natural sugars. We give ours watermelon with just a bit of fruit left on the rind. They love this. This is just a guideline. If your pig is less active and has a slower metabolism you'll need to feed less. If your pig is more active and has a faster metabolism you'll need to feed more. You'll also increase the food intake as they mature. Follow the directions on the back of your feed.
Being as smart as they are they can learn to open lower kitchen cabinets if there is food in there. Always ensure that you either keep food and poisons above the pigs reach or you put child locks on your doors. A pig will learn to open your cupboard doors and help themselves if there is food there.
3. They require water at all times. Since their noses are very strong they can easily turn their water dish over. You need to either have a heavy enough dish that they can not tip over or you need to secure it so it can not be tipped over. Since pigs do not sweat, they must always have water.
4. They need blankets. They need an indoor blanket, an outdoor blanket, and a car blanket if you plan to take them with you a lot. Blankets are very important to pigs. They pull them around, they hid under them, and they take them to bed with them. An old blanket will do, you don't need to use good blankets. In fact, if your pet thinks it is too large they may tear it in sections.
5. Your pet pig can be trained to use a litter box, paper trained, or trained to go outside or use a dog door. All our pigs here at Pixie Pigs come litter box trained. We suggest using dog litter boxes and dog litter. The dog litter boxes have an opening so that your little piggy can easily walk in and out. Pigs do not like to climb over the edge of a traditional cat litter box. The litter is a recycled newspaper product and works great.
