The first thing you need to do before getting your pot belly is
check to see if you are zoned to have a potbellied pig as a
pet. Once you are ABSOLUTELY SURE of this, then you can start
preparing a place for him or her in your house. You will want your
pig to have a safe, quiet and warm place while he gets settled.
Most people prefer the bathroom or laundry room.
Buy a toddler gate so that your pig will be able to see out and
see what is going on. Assuming you have a small, young pig you can
use th carrier that you brought him home in as his bed. Some nice
blankets from the thrift store will be just fine for bedding. If
you have adopted a full grown pig just use the blankets without
the carrier.
Place his litter box in one corner and food and water bowl in
another corner of whatever room they will be staying in. If the
floors are slippery, like tile or linoleum, put a few towels or
old rugs down for your pig to walk on. Get down on the floor at
piggy's level and see if there are any drafts. Also note that it
is a bit cooler at floor level. I keep a digital thermometer on
the wall at piggy level where my pigs sleep.
As time goes on your pig is allowed to explore a small part of
your house.Then a bit more each day. Before doing this don't
forget to 'piggy proof your house. This is about the same as
child proofing for a toddler. Anything within their reach is fair
game to them.
Do not yell at them for something you forgot to put
away.
Things of interest to your pig will be electrical cords (they
like to chew on them) and paper of any kind (so make sure you are
done reading before setting that magazine down on the coffee
table). Most pigs love to scratch against something hard (like
furniture and walls) so make sure your furniture cannot be knocked
over. They are very strong when scratching and are much stronger
than they look.
Don't leave your purse on the floor - pick it up and put it on
the table out of reach. They will eat or try to eat just about
anything at this young age. Don't leave cleaners or toxins where
your pig might get on it.We had to put child safety locks on some
of our kitchen cabinets (pet pigs are notorious for getting into
cabinets and refrigerators). Piggy used to like going into the
bathroom and would chew on those rubber things that cover the
toilet screws to the ground and the rubber covering of our
scale.
Many pigs figure out how to open cabinets, drawers and
refrigerators. You do NOT want this happening, especially if
food or cleaners are stored there. You will need to 'piggy proof'
these things. Many stores like Home Depot will have hardware that
keeps drawers, cabinets and refrigerators closed.
Do Not Underestimate Your Pig!
They are highly intelligent and quite inquisitive at this young
age. If they can get into it, THEY WILL. It is
your responsibility to provide them with a safe living
environment. Remember, anything within reach is fair game.
Bringing Your Potbellied Pig Home
Your pig should be brought home in a pet carrier or sky kennel.
This is safest for him and you. Please don't carry the pig in your
lap. Should he get scared or you are in an accident it could prove
to be deadly for both of you.
Put some newspaper or towels on the bottom of the carrier so it
isn't so slippery. And expect there to be a few pig berries (poop)
in the the carrier by the time you reach home. LOL! Pigs are known
for pooping once inside a moving vehicle. Hopefully the person you
are getting the pig from has worked with the pig and he won't be
scared when put in the carrier and has been socialized. A pig
should feel safe in their carrier.
Once you are home put the carrier in the piggy motel that you
have made. There you can open it up and let your pig out to
explore his new home. Remember your pig is in a state of shock. He
didn't ask to be uprooted from the only home he has ever known and
moved to a new place. Since pigs don't have decent eyesight he
will check out his new digs by rooting around.A few soft toys
along with the blankets is a good idea.
check to see if you are zoned to have a potbellied pig as a
pet. Once you are ABSOLUTELY SURE of this, then you can start
preparing a place for him or her in your house. You will want your
pig to have a safe, quiet and warm place while he gets settled.
Most people prefer the bathroom or laundry room.
Buy a toddler gate so that your pig will be able to see out and
see what is going on. Assuming you have a small, young pig you can
use th carrier that you brought him home in as his bed. Some nice
blankets from the thrift store will be just fine for bedding. If
you have adopted a full grown pig just use the blankets without
the carrier.
Place his litter box in one corner and food and water bowl in
another corner of whatever room they will be staying in. If the
floors are slippery, like tile or linoleum, put a few towels or
old rugs down for your pig to walk on. Get down on the floor at
piggy's level and see if there are any drafts. Also note that it
is a bit cooler at floor level. I keep a digital thermometer on
the wall at piggy level where my pigs sleep.
As time goes on your pig is allowed to explore a small part of
your house.Then a bit more each day. Before doing this don't
forget to 'piggy proof your house. This is about the same as
child proofing for a toddler. Anything within their reach is fair
game to them.
Do not yell at them for something you forgot to put
away.
Things of interest to your pig will be electrical cords (they
like to chew on them) and paper of any kind (so make sure you are
done reading before setting that magazine down on the coffee
table). Most pigs love to scratch against something hard (like
furniture and walls) so make sure your furniture cannot be knocked
over. They are very strong when scratching and are much stronger
than they look.
Don't leave your purse on the floor - pick it up and put it on
the table out of reach. They will eat or try to eat just about
anything at this young age. Don't leave cleaners or toxins where
your pig might get on it.We had to put child safety locks on some
of our kitchen cabinets (pet pigs are notorious for getting into
cabinets and refrigerators). Piggy used to like going into the
bathroom and would chew on those rubber things that cover the
toilet screws to the ground and the rubber covering of our
scale.
Many pigs figure out how to open cabinets, drawers and
refrigerators. You do NOT want this happening, especially if
food or cleaners are stored there. You will need to 'piggy proof'
these things. Many stores like Home Depot will have hardware that
keeps drawers, cabinets and refrigerators closed.
Do Not Underestimate Your Pig!
They are highly intelligent and quite inquisitive at this young
age. If they can get into it, THEY WILL. It is
your responsibility to provide them with a safe living
environment. Remember, anything within reach is fair game.
Bringing Your Potbellied Pig Home
Your pig should be brought home in a pet carrier or sky kennel.
This is safest for him and you. Please don't carry the pig in your
lap. Should he get scared or you are in an accident it could prove
to be deadly for both of you.
Put some newspaper or towels on the bottom of the carrier so it
isn't so slippery. And expect there to be a few pig berries (poop)
in the the carrier by the time you reach home. LOL! Pigs are known
for pooping once inside a moving vehicle. Hopefully the person you
are getting the pig from has worked with the pig and he won't be
scared when put in the carrier and has been socialized. A pig
should feel safe in their carrier.
Once you are home put the carrier in the piggy motel that you
have made. There you can open it up and let your pig out to
explore his new home. Remember your pig is in a state of shock. He
didn't ask to be uprooted from the only home he has ever known and
moved to a new place. Since pigs don't have decent eyesight he
will check out his new digs by rooting around.A few soft toys
along with the blankets is a good idea.