First introduced in the 1980s, the miniature Vietnamese potbellied pig was not intended as a household pet but as stock for zoological gardens. So popular were these diminutive animals that a pet trade soon sprung up around them. The original breeding stock imported by Keith Connell, a Canadian zoo director was soon complimented by another line of potbellies imported to Texas by Keith Leavitt. Taken separately they represent the Lea and Connell lines but are largely responsible for the available pigs in the US today. Subsequent imports have left prospective owners with a  nice diversity of options listed below.

Vietnamese Potbellied Pigs - These miniature pigs represent probably the most popular breed adopted today. They have an appealing appearance and docile disposition. Their exaggerated potbellies and swayed backs (a sign of overfeeding in other animals) are completely normal and healthy. Their average height is about 14 inches and their average weight about 50 pounds.

Juliani (Painted Miniature) Pig - These little guys are truly diminutive, averaging about 10-16 inches and weighing 15-50 pounds. Like the potbellied pig, they have a gentle disposition. They also love to play with toys.

African Pygmy or Guinea Hog - Truly Lilliputian, these miniature pigs weigh in at an average of 20-40 pounds and reach an average height of 14 to 22 inches. They are active, alert and highly intelligent. In contrast to the potbellied miniature pigs, African Pygmies have straight backs. They bond quickly to their humans and love to be close to their favorite people.

Yucatan (Mexican Hairless) Pig - These mini pigs come in both a small and not so small model. The larger breed can run upwards of 200 pounds while the smaller variety averages between 50 and 100 pounds. They grow to 16-24 inches in height.

Ossabaw Island Pig - Averaging 14-20 inches and 25-90 pounds, Ossabaw’s have a fantastic temperament, bond well with humans and are very bright. These guys live up to 25 years so you’re practically adopting a child and raising him through college as much as buying a pet.

While the Miniature Pigs Guide won’t recommend one breed over another, we do strongly advise that you consider the information above and do additional research on the breed that interests you to ensure you’re getting the best miniature pig for your household.

Update: There has been extensive interest in so called teacup pigs and micro pigs. Enough to actually have me concerned. It is important for those in the market for miniature pigs to realize that the implication the terms teacup and micro put out there is a temporary exageration, at best. While these mini pigs truly are tiny at birth, they do grow up. The resulting 80-120 pound porker can come as a shocking and unexpected surprise. Be sure you know what you are getting into when considering buying a miniature pig of any description. They all grow up eventually.

Worse, adolescent and adult pigs that are particularly diminutive are often the product of nutritional manipulation to keep them small. The end result is a sick miniature pig that will be lucky to live 3-4 years due to poor health resulting from inadequate nutrition.

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To start with, a pet should never be purchased if adoption is a viable option. In the case of mini pigs, the relatively small number of breeders make purchasing vs. rescuing less of a concern than with dogs or cats. That’s not to say that it excuses you from doing some research. Many miniature pig owners find themselves in way over their heads and wind up abandoning their pigs when they grow older (and larger) than the owners expected. A search for a pot belly pig rescue should be your first step before you even consider buying from a breeder.

The “surprise by size” motive for abandonment is still among the more common reason for owners giving up their miniature pigs. This is a particular problem as some breeders push “micro” or “teacup” breeds and don’t educate buyers to make them aware that the animal WILL grow to normal proportions. Alternatively, the breeder may be responsible and try to educate the buyer but the buyer simply doesn’t listen or consider the implications of an eventual 80-120 pounds of pig packed into the comparative body size of a medium dog.

Worse than either of those are those breeders who under-nourish miniature pigs to keep them unreasonably small. Consumers are left with either a sickly animal (which may be abandoned due to associated medical expenses) or a mini pig who suddenly balloons in weight once it is provided adequate feed in the new owner’s home (taking them off guard and unprepared to contend with the animals true and natural size)

To help stave off the irresponsible purchase of pigs marketed as “micro” or “teacup,” let your family and friends know that there really is no such animal. One common example of irresponsibility in this area is the prolific spread of the picture at the beginning of this post showing a “teacup” pig. This began circulating in March of 2008 after a creative breeder took pictures of his “micro” pig by a teacup. An unfortunate trend was born.

What we’re left with is a bunch of uneducated consumers wow’d by the cute factor (which this undeniably is) without the education to realize that these little piglettes will eventually become 80-120 pounds of pure, compact miniature pigs when they grow up. Most animals are adorably small shortly after birth. But while most of us understand that a cute Great Dane puppy is going to grow to monstrous proportions, fad-buyers just can’t conceive of how much animal the mini pig in that picture is going to become.

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Tammy, your real problem here is that your pig is eating litter. If it is the clumping type, this could cause very serious digestive issues for your pig. I strongly recommend against commercial litter. Use pine shavings. If you absolutely must use commercial litter, never use the kind that clumps. I’ll go into alternatives to cat litter later in this post.

Believe it or not, even the most litter box friendly pet, the cat, isn’t born knowing how to use a litter box. Cats actually learn to use a litter box from their mothers. Absent that, they must be trained by their humans. The good news is that pigs have some habits that can work in your favor when it comes to litter training. They prefer to do their business in specific locations, for one thing.

Tammy’s problem is that her mini pig would rather eat the litter than use it for its intended purpose. So the first step is to try to break her pig of that habit. The next is to try to teach it what the box is for. We might actually be able to kill two birds with one stone here, Tammy. Again, before we start, never use clumping litter for your mini pigs.

Start by collecting some of your pig’s feces from outside or wherever it did its business and put that in the litter box. The presence of feces in the litter will hopefully dissuade your pig from using the litter box as a buffet while also getting the point across that the litter box is where poop belongs! If your pig eats around the feces, try to put a fairly generous amount of piggy’s poop in the litter so there aren’t any notable bare patches on which he or she can dine.

If piggy still eats from the box, try sprinkling the zest from a lemon (the peel, not actual lemon juice) over the top of the litter. If your pig enjoys the taste of citrus peel, skip that step and try a commercial bitter product such as Bitter Apple spray. Try using a non-clumping litter and spray Bitter Apple over the surface. Mini pigs have sensitive noses and the smell alone may turn your pig off of the idea of eating its litter.

Tammy mentioned that she has also tried various litters without luck. Apparently her pig does not have the most discerning taste in the world. But remember that you aren’t limited to commercial litter. Sand, pine wood shavings, even shredded newspaper can all serve as absorbent substitutes for commercial litter and may be less appetizing to a mini pig. Keep experimenting. Though some options may mean more frequent litter box cleaning, the alternative (cleaning your carpet) makes this a viable solution.

An absolute last resort effort for breaking your pig from its litter eating habits requires some close monitoring by you. A child’s squirt gun with a mix of lemon juice and water may be the only tool you need. Any time piggy goes for a mouthful of litter, spray it in the mouth with the lemon/water mixture. Do NOT spray your pig in the eyes. Also, timing is critical here. You don’t want to spray your pig every time it just gets near the box or it will never use its litter box as intended. Wait until the absolute last second, when your pig has taken a mouthful of litter, and then spray it with a mouthful of the sour water. If your pig simply sniffs the litter box, praise it. If it uses the litter box properly, praise it lavishly! Note: I am not a fan of this method as I prefer positive reinforcement training (PRT), but I understand that busy lives sometimes don’t afford us the time to use PRT properly. If you have the option, always opt for PRT over negative feedback to train an animal.

Tammy, once you’ve broken your pig of eating litter through any of the steps above, getting it to use the litter box properly is really just a matter of patience and consistent training. There’s no point in my reinventing the wheel so I’ll recommend you visit Pigs4Ever.com for an excellent guide on potty training miniature pigs. But the truth is you are just trying to encourage a miniature pig’s natural behavior rather than train. Consider having more than one box available and place the boxes in the areas your pig is already doing its business. Time, love, patience and persistence are the keys here. And remember, even the best trained pig can/will have accidents. Males are notorious markers. Even sows can go “off” their routine during their cycle as they wander around announcing their… um… readiness to potential mates (real or imagined).

Good luck!

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Miniature pigs are adorable creatures, so why not give one as a gift for Christmas? Well, while the sale of cute critters does tend to climb around the holidays, so too does the number of abandoned and unwanted pets shortly after the holidays. For all our good intentions, what seems like a wonderful gift when we’re wrapped up in the Christmas spirit becomes a very real and demanding responsibility once reality sets in.

Owning a pet is work and the preparation and maintenance required for miniature pigs shouldn’t be downplayed no matter how cute that little wet nose may be. It’s a tragedy that so many animals suffer because our hearts are swollen with joy and good intentions during the holidays but our lifestyles simply can’t accommodate the sustained effort of caring and providing for an animal that’s as much a family member as a pet.

The miniature pig you purchase for your daughter may well become entirely your responsibility when the novelty wears off. Are you prepared to care for it absent her assistance? Buy one for a friend and you may well hear, just a few months later, that it was a very thoughtful gift but that it became too much work. Are you prepared for the guilt of knowing that poor animal was potentially denied a good home and wound up who knows where?

To a surprisingly encouraging degree, the reputable pet industry has wised up to the holiday trends and the resulting increased abandonment rate. Many won’t sell miniature pigs around Christmas. It’s not unlike shelters which might suspend efforts to adopt out black cats around Halloween. For all their efforts, though, it is ultimately the consumers who must make wise and informed decisions before they “surprise” their friends or family members with a responsibility they may have to live up to for as long as 25 years!

So lay off the ham this Christmas or, at the very least, make every possible effort to ensure that the piggy you purchase will find itself in a loving and lasting home rather than a transitory lay-over on its way to a sad life of abandonment.

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It’s a common lament that can lead to considerable frustration especially when the owner is a little thing like Karen and the pig has grown to a compact 50+ pounds. I nodded sagely and then, without cracking a smile, told her to install a water slide.

After letting her stare at me as if I were an alien for a few seconds, I laughed, swore I was just kidding and let her know that the two solutions to her problem are to 1) cater to a miniature pig’s greatest love and 2) exercise patience.

I went on to ask if her pig had a favorite treat (turns out Val loves celery) and suggested she train her by setting her at the top of the stairs and placing bits of celery leading down the stairs in a follow-the-bread-crumbs approach. Step two is to leave her alone, be patient and let Val’s passion for crunchy veggies do the rest. I recommended this process should be repeated several times a day for as long as it takes while gradually reducing the amount of celery used until Val happily trots down the stairs on her own without the incentive of food.

Once Val is comfortable heading down the stairs, train her to go up them as well using the same technique.

I warned Karen that it may be some time before Val’s comfort level makes a fear of stair climbing a thing of the past, but that catering to her love of celery and exercising patience while she learns is a proven method to help get past hurdles such as this.

It’s important to note that Valentine is big enough to navigate the risers of Karen’s stairs. If your own miniature pig has this problem but is particularly young and small, a jaunt to the hardware store may be in order. Build yourself a small set of stairs. The stairs should have a shorter than usual rise (the part that goes up) and a wider than usual run (the platform part you stand on). Place your custom mini-stairs against a platform, put your mini pig on the platform and then follow the bread-crumb technique above with your pig’s favorite treat.

For those wondering why miniature pigs balk at traveling up and down stairs, it likely has to do with poor flexibility and no real natural or instinctive climbing incentives. Without the agility and flexibility enjoyed by cats and dogs, stairs can be a real challenge. With that in mind, be prepared for your piggy to slip or take a tumble and be on standby to help catch her fall. I’d suggest keeping her harnessed and on a leash until she gets the hang of things but she may simply ignore the food and wait for you to carry her if you remain nearby. You’ll have to decide for yourself how to safely teach this lesson but a short set of stairs (if available) baited with food and you out of sight will probably be most effective without representing too much of a risk.

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If miniature pigs are the pet for you there are some things you need to do to prepare your home to ensure it is pig-friendly. As mentioned in Deciding if Miniature Pigs are the Right Pet for You, careful introduction to the other members (pets) of your family is a definite must. Introductions are best handled by a partition which allows your pets to become familiar with the sight and smell of your new addition but without allowing actual contact.

It is also essential that you have a nursery ready for your miniature pigs. Pigs aren’t big fans of change so it’s best to have this ready in advance. The nursery should include a bed, blankets and towels in which your pig can burrow, a water bowl, toys and a play-pen. Yep, I said toys. Miniature pigs love toys.

The outdoor areas in which you pig will roam and graze should be fenced to prevent your pet from wandering off. Grass on which it may feed should be chemical-free. You would also do well to have a small area sectioned off as a pig pen where miniature pigs can be held particularly if you have a large yard.

No, you don’t need mud. Pigs aren’t dirty creatures. This is a myth created by us because we tend to keep our pigs outdoors in less sanitary conditions. They are actually very clean animals. That said, they do eat like pigs. Miniature pigs are utterly passionate about food. Speaking of food…

Be sure you’ve purchased high-quality feed for your miniature pigs and have some raw vegetables (they love them) on hand as a treat. Pigs require roughage in their diets. Never feed your pigs table scraps as they will learn to beg and those sharp, hard piggy hooves will really hurt when he starts jumping up every time you sit down for a meal. Also, don’t let piggy become familiar with your primary food storage area (the refrigerator) as they are bright enough to open the door and self-feed. Feed your miniature pigs on a set schedule to prevent overeating.

Finally, your new pet(s) can be housebroken. Until they are, though, do not leave them unattended. Housebreaking miniature pigs to use a litter box or to do their business outside will require patience and effort on your part just as it would with any other animal.

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One thing that’s sure to get you into trouble is failure to consider the more, um, romantic nature of miniature pigs. As with most things in nature, procreation is an imperative for these animals and you’ll be setting yourself up for some unpleasant experiences if you don’t take this into consideration.

A good rule of thumb with any large household pet is that spaying and neutering makes for a better household companion. Unless you are purchasing miniature pigs with breeding in mind (and have the facilities outside your home to accommodate the effort) you’ll want to spay or neuter your mini pig sooner rather than later.

Unfixed males (boars) will eventually reach sexual maturity. Two concerns come immediately to mind. The first is that boars produce an odor through glands that is utterly repulsive to anything but a lady pig. The smell is on their breath and body and will eventually be on everything you own including furniture and clothing. Early neutering by a qualified vet with pig experience is essential unless you plan to breed your pig. If you plan to breed Wilbur, you’ll want him to be an out-of-house pet. Trust me on this. The other concern with unfixed males is that they will rub against, mark and become amorous with animate objects - your dog, cat, children or legs - and inanimate objects - shoes, blankets, pillows, furniture, the kitchen sink - with insane frequency.

If choosing a female, the same rule applies. You’ll want to get the little lady spayed as unfixed gilts (a female pig that has not had a litter) and sows (female pigs which have had one or more litters) come with their own set of undesirable habits. Female miniature pigs, despite recognizing there are no boars around, will begin to mark everything they can find in an effort to lure a willing fellah into their midst. This isn’t something you want done to your furniture or favorite shoes.

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Your pig of choice should be active and energetic, not too fat, have clean, straight teeth, clear eyes and his or her hooves should be trimmed and free of damage. But there’s more to picking the right pet than just its general health considerations

Be sure to spend time with miniature pigs you’re considering as pets. Temperament is a very important consideration. Like dogs, pigs that have not been socialized can bring a host of problems to the household. If the pig you are considering is aggressive or skittish, consider a different pig. Caught young enough, these social concerns can be readily overcome.

Also, never make an impulse purchase when it comes to pets (miniature pigs or otherwise). Gifts, or adoptions/purchases made solely on the basis of cuteness are likely to result in later regrets. A pig will want to become part of your family, eager to greet you with squeals of delight when you come home and anxious to sleep with its head on your lap just like a dog. If you aren’t sure you can commit to the adoption of a new family member (not just a pet) then a miniature pig is not the right pet for you.

Remember that there is more to picking a pig than you might originally think. Miniature pigs come with a host of special considerations unique to them. Just because you know everything there is to know about the care and feeding of dogs or cats does not qualify you to be a good piggy parent. It’s worth repeating - do your research in advance and do it thoroughly.

Decide if you want a male or female pig and then decide how soon you can get it fixed - more on that in a future post on Bringing Piggy Home. Also decide what types of miniature pigs best fit your lifestyle. We’ll cover the different “models” in our next post - Types of Miniature Pigs but for now, recognize that pigs come in different sizes and some can live as long as 25 years! That’s a serious commitment so make sure be you know what you’re getting in advance.

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If you aren’t up to researching miniature pigs before making a purchase it’s probably best that you move on an consider a less demanding pet. There are a great number of not-so-common-sense considerations to have in mind. Miniature pigs aren’t just oinky versions of dogs. We’ll give you some of the essentials to help you make the right decision but don’t let your piggy education stop here! Here are just a few considerations to keep in mind.

Not the least among your research considerations are county and city ordinances. Just because pet pigs are becoming more mainstream does not mean your city council has embraced them. Many places still consider them livestock and it would be as illegal to have one running around your house in such places as it would be to have a pet cow or horse.

You’ll also want to consider your miniature pig’s medical needs. Miniature pigs bring some special considerations such as the virtual necessity of early spaying and neutering (more on that later). Your city vet might not have much experience with livestock and, in particular, with pig anatomy. Make sure you find one who has such experience and then make sure you’d be willing to make the drive every time Wilbur is under the weather.

Also consider the rest of your family and pets. A pre-purchase introduction might be in order. While miniature pigs have little problem with other species such as dogs and cats, your average domesticated pet might not feel the same way. Give them time to get to know each other to see if a communal living arrangement will be agreeable. Skip a pig purchase entirely if you have an aggressive dog.

As with dogs, providing more than just a roof to shelter from the rain is important. Pigs graze! If you don’t have an yard or lawn adequate to provide your newest family member some grazing time then miniature pigs probably aren’t the ideal pet for you.

People often make purchase decisions and bring home dogs or cats with no idea of what they’re getting into. The cuteness factor takes over. The same happens with miniature pigs so, again, do your research and know what you’re getting into in advance.

Owning a mini pig is a significant deviation from owning a dog. Both require patience, commitment, affection and the willingness to invest time to train and bond but pigs represent an unfamiliar animal with unique demands and needs. If you feel you are lacking in patience or your time is simply too limited to invest in a miniature pig’s healthy incorporation into your life, please do both you and the pig a favor and consider a less demanding pet or maybe some plants! It’s not a negative reflection on you to have a lifestyle unsuited for a pig and you’ll have made a wise and right decision should you choose to go another route because of the limits your life or job impose on you.

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