10 Things To Know about Having a Potbellied Pig

Potbellied pigs have grown in popularity as pets in the United States since the mid-1980s.

As the popularity of potbellied pigs has grown, so have some misconceptions about these pets.

About 50% of potbellied pigs are rehomed before turning a year old. 

If you’re thinking about adding a potbellied pig to your family, it’s important to first consider whether this unique pet is the right fit for your household.

What Are Potbellied Pigs?

Potbellied pigs originated in ancient China and have been around as early as 6,000 BCE. However, most of the potbellied pigs that we see today originated in Sweden and Canada.

Potbellied pigs have a pronounced stomach and large jowls, a short snout, and small ears.

They can have different characteristics depending on breeding, but generally they are smaller than other pigs on a farm such as Yorkshire, Duroc, or Hampshire breeds. 

10 Things To Know Before Adopting a Potbellied Pig

Potbellied pigs are social and curious animals, but they do require a lot of responsibility and are better suited for experienced pet parents.

Potbellied pig parents must meet many specific requirements in terms of their pet’s diet, environment, and even social needs.

It’s also important to consider that the lifespan of potbellied pigs can be 10–15 years. They are a long-term commitment.

Let’s look at the 10 most important things to know about adopting a potbellied pig.

1. They Don’t Stay Small Forever

One of the most common misconceptions about potbellied pigs is that they will always be small.

They will not always be small.

While potbellied pigs are much smaller than some other pigs, they can still grow to be more than 120 pounds.

The American Mini Pig Association breed standards for mini pigs say they should be 15–20 inches tall at the top of the shoulders.

Potbellied pigs will continue to grow until they reach full size at about 2–3 years old.

2. They Have a Specific Diet

Potbellied pigs require a specific diet to meet their needs.

They can become obese from overfeeding, or conversely, become malnourished due to human attempts to keep the pig small.

Commercialized diets for hogs are inappropriate for potbellied pigs, as these diets contain too much protein and fat for a smaller pig.

Potbellied pigs should be fed a commercialized diet specifically for miniature pigs and appropriate for their life stage (young, adult, or senior).

You can also add veggies to your pig’s diet.

Safe veggies for potbellied pigs include:

• Cucumbers

• Peppers

• Zucchini

• Carrots

• Squash

• Pumpkin

• Sweet potatoes (cooked)

• Alfalfa  

Avoid feeding these veggies to your pig:

• Canned vegetables, because they are high in salt.

• Parsnip, celery, parsley can cause an increased risk of sunburn

• Cabbage, turnips, broccoli, kale, cauliflower, mustard root can cause stomach upset

• Wild mushrooms

• Green potatoes

• Rhubarb

• Unripe tomatoes, leaves, stems

• Avocados

You can feed fruits such as seedless apples and grapes to your potbellied pig as an occasional treat or reward.

Never feed any moldy food to your pig. This can lead to mycotoxicosis, which can damage organs and sometimes be fatal.

Commercially available treats can make good occasional rewards, too.

Pigs can be prone to salt toxicosis (salt poisoning) if they don’t have access to water, so make sure your piggie always has fresh water available. 

3. They Might Not Be Legal in Your Area

It might not be legal in your area to keep potbellied pigs as pets.

Check your state laws, but often it is left up to the governing county or town, so you might need to check with them.

Depending on your town’s definitions of “livestock” and “pet,” a potbellied pig might be considered livestock and could even require a permit to keep.

Even if it is legal in your area to have a potbellied pig as a pet, there might be a limit to how many you can have. 

4. They Need Rooting and Enrichment

Pigs are natural foragers and explorers.

In the wild, pigs are used to digging for food using their snout, commonly referred to as “rooting.”

It’s important to keep your potbellied pig happy and healthy by providing a way for them to express these natural behaviors. Doing so will also help prevent unwanted behaviors, such as destructive chewing and digging.

Instead of feeding your pig out of a bowl, use a shallow dish or an enrichment item to make them feel like they are foraging.

Pigs who are bored and do not have enough enrichment can be prone to obesity, aggression, and lack of cleanliness. These can lead to medical issues such as joint injury, arthritis, and foot abnormalities.

Toys such as ball pits, tubes, and puzzle feeders are a great way to keep your potbellied pig entertained!

5. Potbellied Pigs Require Grooming and Care

Like other pets, potbellied pigs require regular care and grooming.

Potbellied pigs often deal with overgrown nails and will need their hooves trimmed regularly. Some pet parents can train their pigs for nail trimming, but some will require a vet to trim them—some pigs might even need to be sedated.

Some potbellied pigs have tusks that will continuously grow throughout their life and require trimming by their vet every six to 12 months. 

6. They Need Annual Care From a Certified Vet

Potbellied pigs require vet care at least once a year, more often if they become sick.

Annual wellness exams ensure that your potbellied pig is up to date on vaccines, checked for parasites, and monitored for underlying illnesses that otherwise might not be detected.

Not all veterinarians see potbellied pigs, so it is important to research your area and find one who is familiar with them.

Potbellied pigs commonly deal with obesity, which can lead to health issues such as kidney disease.

Also, some potbellied pigs might require emergency care due to ingesting foreign bodies or even getting a sunburn.

To prevent sunburn, apply pig-safe sunscreen to your pig’s ears and skin, provide shade such as trees or canopies, and limit outdoor time during peak sunlight hours when the UV index is high.

7. They Have Certain Behaviors and Personality Traits

Potbellied pigs can have big personalities and be very active. They are also very curious and like to explore.

When potbellied pigs are rehomed, it’s usually due to unwanted behaviors resulting from boredom and a lack of ability to express natural behaviors. So, it’s important to ensure that the potbellied pig personality matches your lifestyle.

When potbellied pigs become fearful, their natural response is to escape, so punishment techniques should always be avoided. 

Never punish your pig. Using positive reinforcement with your piggie is a much safer, kinder strategy.

8. Potbellied Pigs Should Be Housed With Other Pigs

Pigs are social animals, and it’s typically recommended that you have at least two potbellied pigs if you want to be a pig parent.

Introducing pigs later in life can be more difficult, so it’s best to consider getting a pair of pigs from the start.

Pigs have a strong social hierarchy, and introducing new pigs to the household can be tricky—but it’s not impossible.

Introducing potbellied pigs of the same sex can help reduce differences that might cause problems between pigs.

9. Potbellied Pigs Can Be Loud

Pigs are very vocal animals and have different calls for different emotions.

Pigs squeal, grunt, and even scream to communicate with other pigs, animals, and humans.

Vocalizations might keep your family or even your neighbors awake at night. Depending on noise ordinances in your area, this can even cause legal issues.

10. They Need a Clean, Spacious Environment

Potbellied pigs need a clean and spacious environment with protection both from the sun and from cold temperatures.

Potbellied pigs are prone to sunburn and need plenty of shade when outside. They are sensitive to hot temperatures but also to cold temperatures, so make sure they have a temperate place to be when outside.

Having a large space for pigs to explore their rooting instincts is important and will help prevent destructive behaviors in the house. The ideal environment for your pig will have separate spaces for feeding, playing, and eliminating waste. 

Is a Potbellied Pig Right for You?

There are many factors to consider when deciding whether a potbellied pig is right for you.

Space for your pig is a crucial factor, along with the ability to keep them active.

If you live in a climate with extreme temperatures, you’ll need to be able to protect your pig from the elements and provide alternatives when outdoor access is limited.

Should I Adopt or Buy a Potbellied Pig?

Research shows that about half of potbellied pigs are rehomed by the time they are one year of age. Many rescues are devoted to helping potbellied pigs find new homes, but unfortunately, many go unadopted.

If you opt to buy a potbellied pig from a breeder, be sure to check the breeder’s credentials, such as whether they are registered with the American Mini Pig Association.

It’s also important to ask the breeder questions about how they choose breeding pairs, what genetic testing is provided, the past medical history of their pigs, the origin of the parents, and the size their previous piglets grew to be. 

If you feel unsure whether to adopt a potbellied pig, you can volunteer at a pig sanctuary. There are several across the United States.

Volunteering at a sanctuary can help you get used to being around potbellied pigs and understand the love, care, and attention they need.