Pet pigs have been growing in popularity for years. If you're considering getting a miniature pig as a companion, here are some things you can do to ensure it lives high on the hog.
According to veterinarians, the care required for pet pigs is not more complicated than for a dog or cat, though a pig's combination of strength and intelligence can be harder to handle. Behaviors such as rooting - when a pig digs into the ground using its snout - also need to be kept in mind.
But the most important consideration is how big that little pig will become. The umbrella term "miniature pig" applies to any pig smaller than the massive ones commercially bred for pork, which can weigh more than a quarter-ton. Many people looking for a "mini pig" assume their cute piglet will only grow to about 70 pounds, but they typically reach 200 pounds, said Steve Jenkins, a pig rescue advocate and owner of the Instagram-famous Esther the Wonder Pig.
“This is a huge problem, it goes all the way back to the use of the term 'mini pig,' because it’s a very deceiving word," Jenkins told USA TODAY, noting a high number of pet pigs are abandoned and end up in shelters.
Common pig breeds that fall under the miniature pig umbrella include potbellied pigs, Juliana pigs and Kune Kune pigs. It's important potential owners research ahead of time to learn the full-grown size of a potential pet pig, Jenkins said. That can be challenging, he warned, because there is no overarching regulatory organization for pig breeders, like the American Kennel Club for dog breeds.
Jenkins' late pet pig Esther, who passed away in 2023, was purchased as a piglet, and the Jenkins family was told she was a mini pig. But she was actually a mislabeled commercial hog and quickly grew to be 600 pounds, Jenkins said.
Despite the shock, Esther became a central and beloved part of the Jenkins family. He thinks more people should get pet pigs − but only if they're informed.
“Esther was the most amazing and incredible experience of my life," Jenkins said.
Pigs have a natural love of digging and being outdoors − and space should be available to them just like many pet dogs. In backyards or in pig pens, pigs root through grass and dirt for food, or just out of curiosity.
If a pig isn't given the opportunity to root around outside, they will do so inside and soon tear through carpet and damage floorboards and tile, said Dana Varble, a veterinarian at Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital.
“A bored pig can be disruptive," she told USA TODAY.
Because they are so intelligent − smart enough to open refrigerators and push door handles − pigs need to be kept occupied with toys and other appropriate items.
A baby pool filled with plastic balls (like those found in a ball pit) with a few edible treats mixed in is a common indoor rooting set-up, Jenkins said. Soon the pig learns to go to its kiddie pool and root around in its balls to entertain itself, Jenkins said.
Outside time is important, but owners be warned: pigs will tear up grass and flowers. The ridge on top of their nose is a rock-hard, natural shovel strong enough to dig into hard layers of dirt, Jenkins said.
Before getting a pet pig, it's also important to ensure they are permitted in your town or neighborhood, as many communities ban certain exotic pets.
"Zoning is a huge issue," Jenkins said. “There are still tons of municipalities that do not allow pet pigs or any animal with hooves."
Pigs are large, strong animals and do not respond well to any kind of aggression from an owner and will match it.
Pig owners must be brave and always stay in control, reminding the pig who is boss through non-physical behavior, Jenkins said. If a pig is in an area of the home it shouldn't be, a large, thick board can be used to gently herd the animal away.
Otherwise, preventative measures are the only way to go, Jenkins said. In many cases that means changing home fixtures, like replacing door handles with round knobs and raising surfaces above pig level.
Normal child locks or gates don't cut it, Jenkins said, because pigs are incredibly strong.
"We had to pig-proof our home, which is basically child-proofing on steroids because of their strength," he said. "There's not a child lock in the world that will hold a cupboard closed if a pig wants to get in there for your cereal."
Mixing dogs and cats can be difficult enough without bringing a pig into the mix. In some cases, dogs and cats get along wonderfully with their family's pig, but there's never a guarantee, Varble said.
Some large dogs may view a pig as a prey animal, and chase and attack it, she said. Cats may be afraid of a 200-pound pig, and become stressed out. A "chill" cat may just leave the pig alone, she added.
Unlike more common furry pets, pigs' skin is exposed and easily gets sunburned, said Varble. When outside, pigs need to be provided with shade, especially once temperatures creep past 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
If a pig's skin gets sun damage there are lotions and ointments that can help, she said.
Pigs' hooves and tusks also require special care, and owners often need a veterinarian's assistance to trim them. But general care is not overly complicated.
Pigs eat pig feed, which can be purchased at most farm feed stores where items for animals like horses and chickens are sold.
And despite the stereotype, pigs are meticulously clean animals, Varble said. They can easily be housetrained, just like a dog; the smallest miniature pigs, known as teacup pigs, which weigh as little as 30 pounds, can even be litterbox trained.
The surprisingly polite and easily trainable bathroom behavior of most pet pigs is one of the reasons they are so popular, said Varble. In recent years, she's seen an increase in vets seeking pig care guidance at the annual Veterinary Meeting & Expo conference, where she is the chief veterinary officer.
"As people get to know pigs and interact with them more, people are learning a lot more about them and how amazing they really are," said Jenkins. "Esther made me laugh and made me smile on a daily basis."