Foods you can give to Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs include:
- Unsalted nuts
- Celery
- Zucchini
- Lettuce
- Apples
- Pears
- Cabbage
- Squash
- Grapes
- Pumpkin
- Sweet potato
What to feed a potbellied pig?
What to Feed a Potbellied Pig. Posted in: Potbellied pigs (aka pot belly pigs) are omnivores, so their natural diet in the wild would include roots, veggies, nuts, seeds, berries, worms, insects, raw eggs and other little critters. Of course, you can’t imitate this diet for your pigs, but you can feed them a variety of healthy foods.
What do you need to know about pot bellied pigs?
Furthermore, the pot-bellied pig is an animal with a special charm and each pot-bellied pig has a well defined personality. If you have a pot-bellied pig or want to adopt a pig as a pet it is important to know how to give it proper food to keep it happy and healthy.
How do you get a pot belly pig to eat hay?
If your pig has never eaten hay before, you can encourage consumption by wetting hay with a small amount of apple juice or other fruit juice. Discard any wet, uneaten hay daily to prevent molding. Potbellied pigs and other miniature pigs should be fed a commercial pelleted diet designed specifically for their nutritional needs.
How do you take care of a Vietnamese pot bellied pig?
Adult Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs will need a pen with at least 2 square meters of space. This should be sufficient enough to let them lie down and trun around with a separate area for their litter (if trained). The pig should be kept in the pen for as little time as possible, but may be necessary to keep them overnight.
What do Vietnamese pot bellied pigs eat?
Potbellied pigs (aka pot belly pigs) are omnivores, so their natural diet in the wild would include roots, veggies, nuts, seeds, berries, worms, insects, raw eggs and other little critters.
What is the best thing to feed pot belly pigs?
Bermuda hay and Timothy hay are healthy choices for potbellied pigs. Alfalfa hay is too rich in calories for most pet pigs. If your pig has never eaten hay before, you can encourage consumption by wetting hay with a small amount of apple juice or other fruit juice. Discard any wet, uneaten hay daily to prevent molding.
What kind of vegetables can a potbelly pig eat?
Veggies: (giving veggies from all of the color groups is a good idea) Carrots, zucchini, beets (and their tops), turnips, eggplant, yellow squash, summer squash, celery, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, green beans, yams or sweet potatoes (limited! – they are starchy), bean sprouts, alfalfa sprouts.
How do you take care of a potbelly pig in Vietnamese?
1:047:59Pot Belly Pig Care For Beginners - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd just give it food food food food food. What you have to do is you sparingly. Give it treats. AndMoreAnd just give it food food food food food. What you have to do is you sparingly. Give it treats. And then it's always looking to you for another treat.
What foods are toxic to pigs?
POISONOUS FOODS FOR PIGSCabbage roots and seeds.Broccoli roots and seeds.Mustard root and seeds.Apple seeds.Green/unripe acorns and young oak leaves.Tomato leaves and vine.Avocado skin and pit.Rhubarb leaves.More items...•
What should you not feed pigs?
It's ok to feed pigs uncontaminated fruits, vegetables, bread, grains, dairy, eggs, and vegetable oils. Do not feed pigs meat, fish, or their bones, oils, or juices, or ANY food that has touched these substances.
What are pigs favorite food?
Most pigs love: cooked broccoli, pitted apricots, cucumbers, dark green lettuce, cooked potatoes, beets, grapes, pumpkins, all squashes, zucchini, snow peas, spinach, yams, kale, tomatoes, chard, carrots, pears, apples, berries, oranges, grapefruit, melons, pitted cherries, pitted peaches.
Can potbelly pigs eat banana peels?
Feed the starchy vegetables with discretion. Pigs love banana peels, but do not feed citrus peels. Other fruits and vegetables pigs love are: bananas, peaches, pears, melons, corn (feed sparingly), tomatoes, eggplant, boiled onions, plums, and peeled citrus.
Can pigs eat raw carrots?
Other healthy vegetables snacks for pigs include bean sprouts, beets, broccoli, butternut squash, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, parsnips, peppers, pumpkin, summer squash, turnips, winter squashes and zucchini.
How often should you feed a potbelly pig?
Part of good pot belly pig care is proper diet. Feed your pig at least twice a day. A general guide is piglets should be fed on a free-choice basis (as many times as they want) or about 2 cups of pig chow from 6-8 weeks old (or as soon as pigs will nibble on it) until 1 year old.
How big do Vietnamese potbelly pigs get?
around three feetPhysical Characteristics. An adult Vietnamese pot-bellied pig's body length is around three feet and they weigh from 70 to 175 pounds. Males are larger than females. Their lifespan in the wild is about 10 years, but in human care, they average 15 to 20 years.
Why do potbelly pigs bite?
Form a Positive Relationship Avoid behaviors that could increase fear, like yelling commands or making other loud noises. However, pot-bellied pigs more commonly bite because they haven't been taught the proper household pecking order.
What can pot belly pigs not eat?
What Should You Not Feed Potbellied Pigs?Green potatoes.Cabbage roots and seeds.Chocolate.Too much biscuits.Too much fruits and fruit juices.Apple seeds.Avocado skin and seed.Potato leaves, berries, and stem.More items...•
How many times a day should I feed my potbelly pig?
Part of good pot belly pig care is proper diet. Feed your pig at least twice a day. A general guide is piglets should be fed on a free-choice basis (as many times as they want) or about 2 cups of pig chow from 6-8 weeks old (or as soon as pigs will nibble on it) until 1 year old.
How much food should a pot belly pig eat?
Use this basic guideline of what to feed your adult pot bellied pig: High quality, low protein, low fat, high fiber pot bellied pig pellets — roughly 1/2 cup per 25 lbs. daily (but most adult pigs eat about 2 cups a day)
Can potbelly pigs eat banana peels?
Feed the starchy vegetables with discretion. Pigs love banana peels, but do not feed citrus peels. Other fruits and vegetables pigs love are: bananas, peaches, pears, melons, corn (feed sparingly), tomatoes, eggplant, boiled onions, plums, and peeled citrus.
What do you feed a pot belly pig?
Potbellied pigs (aka pot belly pigs) are omnivores, so their natural diet in the wild would include roots, veggies, nuts, seeds, berries, worms, insects, raw eggs and other little critters. Of course, you can’t imitate this diet for your pigs, but you can feed them a variety of healthy foods.
What to feed a pig to stop bloating?
When feeding your pigs, vary the veggies so the pigs don’t get bored with their meals and also get a variety of nutrients. Safe veggies include broccoli, cauliflower, lima beans, green beans, sweet potatoes, corn, peas, edamame, peppers and zucchini. Don’t feed your pig too much broccoli or cauliflower, however, since they can cause bloating and gas. Two or three times a week, you might want to include eggs in the pigs’ food.
What happens if a pig is obese?
Obesity can cause discomfort, lack of energy, digestive problems and leg complications in pigs. A potbellied pig’s legs were not designed to carry excess weight, so an obese potbellied pig can suffer damage to the tendons, ligaments and joints of the legs. Fractures to the bones can even occur.
Why are teacup pigs so small?
This lack of adequate nutrition can cause health issues, including arthritis, which makes keeping your pigs at a healthy weight even more essential .
What to do if a pig is obese?
The first step in helping an obese pig return to a normal weight is to make vegetable salads for each meal. Romaine is a good lettuce to use because it has more nutrients than iceberg lettuce.
How to help a pig with a disease?
To allow the pig’s body to adjust, start with small amounts of a supplement. Administer the supplement in small doses for two weeks and watch the pig closely for changes of any kind .
Why is my pig blind?
A pig who becomes obese can also suffer from “mechanical blindness,” which is caused by fat surrounding the eye area and obscuring the pig’s vision. There are degrees of mechanical blindness, depending on how obese the pig is. Vision is not a pig’s strongest sense, so even a small reduction in vision is a big issue for the pig. Once the pig has lost weight, excess skin may remain around the eye area and continue to hinder vision to a certain extent.
What is a Vietnamese potbellied pig?
The Vietnamese pot-bellied pig is one of the naturally small breeds of pigs and the most commonly used small breed in crossbreeding to produce an even smaller breed. #N#If not used for crossbreeding, these pigs are also often adopted as pets because of their natural small size and docile temperament.#N#In case you plan to get your hands on one of these adorable miniature pigs, it is important to learn about and understand their breed first.#N#Is the Vietnamese pot-bellied pig your next pet best friend? Find out if you are compatible with this animal by learning everything you need to know about Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs.
Why are Vietnamese potbellied pigs so intelligent?
Another reason why pigs like the Vietnamese potbellied pig have such great intelligence compared to others is because they are prey animals. Although the said breed has never known the wild because they were domesticated from the moment they were born, they still retain their wild and natural traits.
How old are potbelly pigs?
The Vietnamese potbelly pigs can become sexually matured at six to seven months of age like most pigs. They are normally bred around six months or one year of age.
How many potbelly pigs were there in 1991?
Potbellied pigs population almost reached a million with an estimated count of 675,000 Vietnamese Potbelly pigs during year 1991. But today, the once abundant breed is now facing endangerment and possible extinction.
How smart are pigs?
Did you know that pigs are so intelligent, they ranked fifth among the most intelligent animals in the world? Even the small Vietnamese potbellied pigs are proven to be as smart as their large counterparts.#N#It is also said that the Vietnamese potbelly pig are among the smartest of the miniature breeds!#N#Pigs are also capable of outsmarting chimpanzees, one of the top smartest animals we’ve ever known! Not many people know how smart pigs can be but those who do also say that pigs can be smarter than dogs.#N#The intelligence of pigs such as the Vietnamese potbellied pig makes them popular as pets. This also makes them unique from other regular pets.#N#The Vietnamese potbellied pig can also really surprise you with their great memory as well as how fast they can learn and pick up hints about certain things.#N#Aside from ranking fifth in the world, scientific studies and research also stated that an average pig have the same intelligence level as a 2 year old human child.#N#They discovered that pigs can have better focus and produce a higher success rate when it comes to tests and challenges unlike dogs and chimps.#N#Not all dogs can learn as fast as a pig can, as some dogs are known to be stubborn or even be full of pride. Although they are usually submissive, many dogs can be stubborn when it comes to training.#N#Unlike pigs that seem to naturally learn without feeling forced. They tend to learn faster because of their ability to focus better and they have a natural obedient personality which makes the entire learning process easier.
What is the name of the pig with a short belly?
These pigs have short legs and a low-hanging belly where they got the name “Potbelly” from but the traditional name for the Vietnamese Potbelly pigs is “Lon I” or “ I ” pig (which is basically just the Vietnamese words for “Potbelly Pig”)
How many pigs can a pig have?
Fully grown pigs can rarely give birth to 20 to 25 pigs, but it is possible. The average number of piglets that can be born from most breeds starts at 5 piglets up to 10 piglets. If you’re interested in learning more about breeding, you can check our article about that here.
What to feed a pot belly pig?
Fresh Foods for Pot Bellied Pigs. In addition to the formulated diet, you can feed a good variety of fresh vegetables to make up about 25% of your pot-bellied pig's diet. Foods such as celery, cucumbers, peppers, carrots, potatoes, and some greens are good choices (but try to limit the starchy vegetables like potatoes).
What do potbelly pigs eat?
Pot-bellied pigs generally have voracious appetites and will eat nearly anything that you offer them. Unfortunately, they are also very prone to obesity which can lead to foot and joint problems, as well as other health issues. In addition to the health implications, they can also become very persistent and pesky beggars for foods they shouldn't have and can even learn to open the refrigerator in their search for tasty treats. Thankfully, by learning what a pig should eat, feeding the proper food, limiting treats, and developing a feeding routine, you can help prevent these problems with your own pig .
What do pigs eat?
Most pigs love treats like apples, grapes, and raisins, but these are good to reserve as treats to be used in training (as they are very motivating). Extra fiber can be provided by feeding hay (e.g. alfalfa) and some experts recommend adding bran to whatever your pig eats.
How long should pigs be fed a starter diet?
Young piglets can be fed a commercial pig starter diet, but only until they are about 2 to 3 months of age .
How to keep a pig from begging?
Absolutely avoid feeding chocolate or salty snacks. 1. Ensure plenty of fresh water is always available to your pig. Do not give into begging or your pig is likely to become a pest and beg constantly.
Can you overfeed a pig?
Do not overfeed your pig. Never feed "as much as they will eat in a sitting" since pigs have voracious appetites.
Do Pot Bellied Pigs Graze on Grass?
Pigs should also be allowed the opportunity to root in soil and graze on grass (not treated with chemicals or fertilizer). Pigs are susceptible to selenium deficiency 3 (since many pig owners do not give their pigs adequate grazing time) but in most areas, if they are allowed to graze and root in the soil they will get enough. If you live in an area with soil deficient in selenium you may need a mineral supplement. Check with your local pot-bellied pig veterinarian for advice on this.
What to give a potbelly pig?
You can give your pot-bellied pig rewards during training sessions, as they love to eat and are very sensitive to this type of prize. For this purpose you can use: 1 to 2 grains of corn. 1 to 2 peas. bits of cucumber. bits of apple.
How much should a potbellied pig eat?
If you do not give it food before going to bed it will likely get hungry and will not let you sleep. In total the pot-bellied pig should eat 1.5-2% of its weight, including treats we may give it.
Why do we feed potbelly pigs alfalfa?
We accompany this with cut hay or alfalfa to bring it even more fibre and prevent selenium deficiencies. It is important that our pot-bellied pig always has water available and that it is clean and fresh.
What should a pig eat?
Ideally its diet should have approximately the following composition: Dry feed: this should represent 1 to 2% of our pig's weight, we are going to explain below the type of feed to use. Vegetables and fruit: this should represent 1 to 2% of its weight, with 2/3 vegetables and 1/3 fruit.
Why should onions be banned from pigs?
Chocolate, garlic and onions should also be banned from its diet due to their toxicity for the pot-bellied pig.
Is a potbellied pig a pet?
The pot-bellied pig has become an increasingly present pet in our homes: both for its likeable and loving personality and for its intelligence that makes it very receptive to training. Furthermore, the pot-bellied pig is an animal with a special charm and each pot-bellied pig has a well defined personality.
Can you adopt a potbellied pig?
If you have a pot-bellied pig or want to adopt a pig as a pet it is important to know how to give it proper food to keep it happy and healthy.
What is a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig?
As with dogs and cats, domestic pigs ( Sus domesticus) have various breeds which can be found in variously-sized populations across the world. Although they are becoming more popular as pets, their initial reason for domestication was as a food source.
Housing for a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig
As with any other pet, they will need their own area in which they can live, sleep and eat. This personal space must be their own and allow them to build security. Ideally, they should have a pasture to walk around in outdoors.
Pig mobility in the home
When the Vietnamese pot-bellied pig is younger, they will be more mobile. They may be able to walk upstairs and navigate various environments. As they mature, their weight increases to an extent their mobility is restricted. This means you will have to have elements which can facilitate their movements indoors and outdoors when needed.
What to feed a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig
Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs are omnivores, meaning they can get their nutrition from a range of foods. However, this does not mean they can survive on substituting dog food or cat food. As with these animals, they will need to be given a feed formulated especially for their porcine needs.
Litter training Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs
As we have mentioned above, it is possible to train a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig to use a litter box. While this litter b ox will need to be bigger than that of a cat, the process is similar. You can take them outside to go by leashing them in a harness and using command words. Repeat these steps and they should be able to learn how to go outside.
Exercise and fun
Although pigs are often unfairly labelled as lazy, they require exercise to stay healthy and prevent obesity. As stated above, this means they will need to have enough space to move around. You will also need ways to encourage exercise. One good idea is to fill a paddling pool with water and allow the pig to splash around in it.
Vietnamese pot-bellied pig education
For the Vietnamese pot-bellied pig to live happily as a pet, they will need to understand some basic rules. As their caregiver, it is up to you to ensure they understand these rules through proper training. As with dogs, pigs have a pack social structure. They are orientated toward a leader figure which must be you in the domestic environment.
How many meals should a swine eat a day?
The recommended amount per body weight should be fed divided into at least two meals/day. Rations for commercial domestic swine, available in meal, crumble, or pellets, may also be used with professional veterinary guidance.
How to convert a diet to solid feed?
The diet can be converted to solid feed by mixing a small amount with milk to make a gruel and gradually increasing the ratio of feed to milk (conversion to all feed in ~14 days). Increasing amounts of fresh water should be provided as the diet is converted.
What to feed pigs to keep them healthy?
Forages such as grass or grass hay should be available to pet pigs at all times. Eating grass and hay promotes healthy digestion in pigs, from helping to wear their teeth down properly to preventing gastric ulcers. Bermuda hay and Timothy hay are healthy choices for potbellied pigs. Alfalfa hay is too rich in calories for most pet pigs. If your pig has never eaten hay before, you can encourage consumption by wetting hay with a small amount of apple juice or other fruit juice. Discard any wet, uneaten hay daily to prevent molding.
Do pigs need clean water?
All pigs should have access to fresh, clean water at all times.
Can pigs eat sweet food?
Pet pigs should not be fed sweet feed or other grains, or feeds designed for “show pigs” or hogs. Potbellied pig feeds should be fed according to label recommendations, based on the ideal healthy weight of the pig. The daily serving of pellets should be divided up into at least 2 meals per day.
Can pigs eat pretzels?
Fruits and fruit juices should be fed less frequently due to their high sugar contents. On special occasions, pigs can enjoy dog biscuits, pretzels, unbuttered popcorn or a dry cereal low in sugar.
Do pigs eat garbage disposals?
Treats should be fed sparingly and should make up less than 5-10% of the diet. Pet pigs are not garbage disposals- do no feed them your leftovers! However, treats are very helpful in training and socializing pet pigs, so it is important to have healthy options available.
Can pigs eat hay?
Alfalfa hay is too rich in calories for most pet pigs. If your pig has never eaten hay before, you can encourage consumption by wetting hay with a small amount of apple juice or other fruit juice. Discard any wet, uneaten hay daily to prevent molding.
What Do Potbellied Pigs Eat?
A pet pig diet is one of the most misunderstood parts of pig parenting, Illescas says, and it’s the most important aspect of owning a pig (or any pet) to understand.
What should a pet parent do for a potbellied pig?
One of the most important things a pet parent can do is ensure their potbellied pig is spayed or neutered. Not only does this avoid unwanted pregnancies, but it also ensures the health of the female pigs in particular.
What is rooting a pig?
Rooting is the act of a potbellied pig digging and searching with its snout. Rooting is not only an important and innate part of a potbellied pig’s behavior, it’s also incredibly beneficial for its overall health and well-being.
How long do potbellied pigs live?
The Health of a Potbellied Pig. Potbellied pigs have an average life expectancy of around 15 years, and are generally very healthy animals. They do face some health issues, however, especially if they aren’t fed a proper diet or spayed or neutered.
Why do pigs smell?
Shepherd attributes the stereotype of pigs being smelly to them being left in poorly-managed conditions. A pig likes to go to the bathroom in the same spot everyday, but if that is not cleaned up and there’s nowhere else for them to go, that’s what can cause a smell.
How big do potbelly pigs get?
However, Gray says that potbellied pigs typically range anywhere from 90 to 150 pounds and stand between 16 and 30 inches tall. Dan Illescas, who runs the Central Texas Pig Rescue, adds that a pig typically hits its full size around three to five years of age, so don’t expect the young pig you get to stay the same size.
What happens if a pig is weaned from its mother?
If pigs are weaned too early from their mother, they can engage in charging or butting behavior, like they did when they were nursing from their mother. Shepherd says if a pig does do that, put a barrier like a pillow between you and the pet.
Why are potbelly diets bad for pigs?
A low energy diet will have a greater consumption/pig/day than higher energy content feeds. One of the most common problems we see in adult pigs is obesity (being overweight), and this is why the potbelly diets are usually lower in calories.
How long do potbellied pigs live?
The adult pigs can weigh up to 60-110 pounds, 12-20 inches in height, and can live 15-20 years. Acquiring such a pet is similar to having a dog. Pot-bellied pigs can be house broken and/or trained to go in a litter box;
What are the different types of arthritis in pigs?
The infectious types of arthritis in pigs are mycoplasma (M. hyosynoviae), Erysipelothrix (E. rhusiopathiae), Haemophilus (H. parasuis), Aracanobacterium (A. pyogenes), PRRS, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and many other infections which can be found in the body.
What to do with a pig outside?
While outside you should provide your pig with a pen that has a shade from the sun, and protection from rain, wind and snow. Pigs like to lie on a bed in a dog house, relax in a shallow pool of water and dig in the dirt. Allowing pigs to become too hot can result in heat stroke.
How much space do pigs need?
When the pigs are growing, calculate a minimum space of 3 square foot per piglet. From 40-100# body weight, increase the space to 4 sq. foot. For adults, estimate 6-8 square feet per pig. This is only a minimum space needed and you should add another 15% of space in hot weather.
What is the dominant pig?
The dominant pig allows the submissive pigs to groom and scratch them. Male pigs should be castrated at an early age. The female animal is the dominant figure with some herd-type animals, including pigs. With any herd or flock there is a constant conflict of establishing the hierarchy.
Why do pigs have arthritis?
The environmental causes of arthritis in pigs can be due to concrete flooring. Some pot belly pigs do develop elbow type of calluses due to laying on a hard surface, and if this occurs then a bed is recommended. Expect that pigs like to root and thus anything that you lay down will be disturbed.
History and Origins
Anatomy and Physical Appearance
Characteristics and Personality
Compassionate
Breeding and Life Expectancy
Habitat and Environment
- The Vietnamese potbelly pigs are compatible with a wide variety of environments because of their flexibility when it comes to adapting and their plantigrade feet. However, just like most pigs they would prefer areas with rich pastures, sufficient food sources, fresh and clean water to drink and access to ponds or a muddy area to keep cool. They sho...
Advantages and Disadvantages