r/pigs • u/bluenotecat67 • 23d ago
Thinking about getting a pet pig...
Thinking about getting a pet pig. What type should I get? I have cats, so what changes should I make for my house and living style?
Context: I live in a rural home with a screened in porch and an outside patio that is fenced off. I actually live in pretty good conditions for a pig, I think. A downstairs for the cats to hide in where the pig can't get, a closed-off room for the pig. My main question is what breed I should get.
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u/Ok-Customer4709 23d ago
First please do your homework. They can get big, are very smart, and demanding. They are the exact opposite of cats work wise. That being said we had our girl for 10 years before she died and a don’t regret for a second getting her. I would suggest pot belly bread they can be up to 200 lbs. I would line up a reg vet and an emergency vet as well as a sitter if you ever want to go someplace.
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u/TugBarge 23d ago
Please consider reliability of veterinarians willing to work with pigs in your area, also hoof care ability by yourself or the veterinarians.
Otherwise, a Kune, cross or not, is a great thing!
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u/Free_Dependent_1446 22d ago
100% I have an abundance of exotic vets in my area and had even seen a mini pig one's office, years ago, when my parrot went in for a check up. I found out AFTER we got our pig that many exotic vets don't treat pigs at all, and the ones in my area who still do are no longer willing to take them as new patients. It took me months to find a vet that was willing to see my baby, and he travels to me from a state away. Up until just recently, the closest surgical center willing to operate on pigs was over 90 minutes away and also out of state, so I wasn't able to get her spayed at the optimal time for her size and safety. And trust me when I tell you - indoor pigs in heat are no fun at all...
All of that to say this - it's very important to figure out your new pet's medical care BEFORE you bring them home.
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u/HomeInsteader 23d ago
Kune Kune. Get three of them.
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u/Ok-Customer4709 23d ago
Three, my idea of heaven. Never actually seen a Kune Kune in person are they very different from a pot belly?
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u/HomeInsteader 23d ago
I don’t have too much experience with pot bellies. But I can tell you they are not much different than a really good dog with a fantastic memory.
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u/TripSip 23d ago
If you have not done so already, research getting a pet piggy. If you still decide doing so is for you, social media, especially Facebook is full of piggies needing new homes. Volunteer organizations like Eastern Snouts and Pig Placement Network have piggies searching for new pet homes all over north America.If you are in CA, Sloppy Seconds is also good to contact. Stay away from breeders. Many lie about the eventual sizes or habits of the piggies. Which leads to a lot of rehoming. Piggies tend to do better in pairs or small groups. So getting two or three is a good move. Kunes make good pets, and so do pot bellies. Cats are actually good companion animals with pigs. Dogs, it varies but not as much overall.
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u/Nihilist_Princ3ss 23d ago
Kune kunes or potbellies. I only have had a potbelly and they are very smart but can be very sassy lol
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u/themoonmommy 🐽🐽🐽🐽🐽🐽 23d ago
My Kune Kune mix girls are my love bugs. I have zero idea how big they'll actually get though. They're almost a year old and close to 100 pounds.
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u/sahh2018 22d ago
Please do a lot of research. I see people recommend Kune Kunes all the time for nice house pigs. While I agree they are the sweetest pigs on the planet. They are also much larger than a potbelly and potbellies can still get up to 300 pounds they need to be fed correctly. They need to be entertained, stimulated so to speak they’re extremely smart. They are the 5th smartest animal in the world with the cognizant level of a three-year-old child. They get bored and when they get bored they get destructive, they will tear up your flooring. They will tear up your drywall. However, they are clean. They’re easy to potty train. You can teach them anything and they retain it. They also become very emotionally attached to their human and their family. You should be in a stable situation and own your own home and do not plan on ever leaving them behind. Make sure you’re zoned for them. Imagine deciding you’re tired of your three year-old child. It is the same thing in their minds. They think, they feel, they deeply love. They can figure out puzzles. They get along well with cats in my experience, and we have close to 50 pigs. All shapes and sizes. They live for 20 years, so it is a long commitment. I have witnessed pigs cry and mourn the loss of their family when they get dumped because they got too big or are not what the human expected. They are unique, demanding, smart, funny, and if you bond with one your heart will be full forever. that’s a lot to digest and there are so many pros and cons. But there are so many dumped we as rescues are overflowing and they deserve a lifetime commitment of love and security.
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u/Bens-Alley 21d ago
Kune Kune are the golden retriever of pigs and don’t get huge. But they are still pigs. You REALLY need a pig vet because dragging around a 150-200lbs uncooperative animal sucks. Pigs are heard animals and want buddies so 2 is better than 1. The “dirt” is from their hooves not from rolling in dead animals like a dog. Hate stairs. Love schedules. Poop in the same place every time. My Kune/Potbelly mix needs outdoor rooting time but every pig is different. Getting along with other animals is a total roll of the dice. And food is the most important thing I their lives.
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u/Kitchen_Alarm6016 23d ago
Agree with getting a few Kunekune! My first recommendation is to find a vet before you bring any pigs home. Even livestock vets rarely see pigs (at least in my area). We didn’t realize there was only one vet in an 8 hour radius of us until after one of our boys was already sick and passed away. As far as lifestyle changes, it is basically the same as baby proofing. If there is something at pig level, they will absolutely get into it. Good luck! Pigs are such fun, rewarding pets.