...... Information about Mini-Pigs ......

Contact Us

  Home Page

 Mini-Pig Information..............................................................................................     

       Mini-Pigs- live up to 10 - 15 years, they are Clean, Social and very intelligent and they even Outsmart a Dog.

       They will come to their Name, Learn Tricks, go for a walk on a Harness and they are very Loyal.

       They like a clean, dry place to sleep and they will pick one corner of their night pen to go to the toilet, So really they 

       are very clean animals.

 

       The only reason there is the fallacy that pigs are a dirty animal is only due to the way People kept them.

       I tell everyone... that if you were put in a 10x10 pen and you had to Sleep, Eat and go to the Toilet in that small  

       pen.... You would Stink Too....!          

  

      How Big is a Mini Pig ???

Above...... A Normal size Pig

Right.............An Oz-MiniPig

This is Paris (adult mini-pig)

with Krystal (6) & Dylan (4)

 

 

...............................................................................................................................................................Close

 Understanding a Mini-Pig...........................................................................................

       Mini-pigs are a herd animal, meaning that they hang in a group.

       In that group they will always have a lead-pig, even in a litter of piglets there is always one lead-piglet.

       The lead-pig is the Boss so he/she is the Dominate one of the group and the one that warns the other mini-pigs  

       against any impending danger.

       When your mini-pig first comes into your Family group he/she needs to know from the start that you are the Boss.

       Because of their high intelligence they will try to be the dominant one to see what they can get away with.  

       When you become a new mini-piglets owner you will become your mini-piglets mother. So you need to teach 

       him/her how you would like them to behave.

       You will need to say “NO” when they are naughty and not give into them if they squeal.

       Mini-pigs are very much like a 2 year old child, if you give into one of their tantrums they will try it again and again. 

      Also mini-pigs don’t like to get picked up, they hate their hoofs to be off the ground as they feel unsafe and  

      vulnerable.

      The only defence a mini-pig has against predators is to squeal and to run.

      This is why they like to keep all four hoofs on the ground in case they feel threatened they can run away.

      All of our mini-piglets for-adoption are named “piggy piggy” it is easier if they all have one name for training,

      feeding and also when we call them they will come to us to be put in the back yard or to be put to bed.

      They love routine, repetition and rewards.

      When you become a mini-piglets new owner and continue using the training techniques that we use, your mini-pig  

      will learn to trust and adore you.

...............................................................................................................................................................Close

Housing a Mini-Pig.....................................................................................................

       You will need a shelter eg- small garden shed, large dog kennel or a home made shelter with a wooden floor.

 

       Mini-Pigs have a high body temperature (39 degrees) so they feel the cold.

       They need clean mulch hay or blankets for their bedding.

       (Of a day they are let out to graze)

       It is a good idea to have a pen attached to their housing so they can be put to bed if you need to do something and    

       you don't want your Mini-Pigs help.

 

       When mini-pigs are in their outside pen they will only poo in one place, usually at the opposite end to where they

       eat and sleep, so it's easy to keep their pens clean and it makes a great fertilizer in your compost heap.       

Photo of pig in dog kennel

...............................................................................................................................................................Close

 Water for your Mini-Pig..............................................................................................

      A mini-pig needs clean drinking water.

      You will need to secure their Water Bowl or get a heavy one, as they love to play with it and knock it over.

      but this needs to be cleaned everyday. 

 

      The best water bowl I have used is a – Mini Drink-O-Mat. (email us for supplier)

       It is a gravity fed water bowl with a nib inside that only releases water when your mini-pig has

       his/her snout pressed against it.

 

      Or you can purchase pig-nibs; they let out water when the mini-pig presses on it.

      (You can buy  these at your  Produce - Store).


      WARNING !!! If your mini-pig doesn't have sufficient drinking water it will dehydrate and get

      salt-poisoning of the brain it is incurable.

      Symptoms include: walking in small circles, incoherent, won't eat or drink.

...............................................................................................................................................................Close

 Vaccinations & Worming............................................................................................

       Vaccinations

       Mini-pigs are Vaccinated with Lepto-Eryvac at 4 weeks and 6 weeks of age.

       Then Once a year they have a booster.

       Eryvac prevents Leptospirosis and protection against Swine Erysipelas caused by insidiosa infection.

 

      Worming

      We use Panacur 100 to worm our Mini-Pigs

      Piperazine Solution (For Poultry and Pigs) is another type of worming treatment you can get from your local

      Produce Store. Or you can ask your Vet for a suitable wormer.  

 

      The easiest way to give a mini-pig the worming medicine is to put it onto a slice of bread and then give it before      

      normal feeding.

 

      I also give my mini-pigs half- teaspoon of yellow sulphur sprinkled over there food,

      This helps with he control of worms and any ticks or mites.

      (it sours their blood) I also use it in our Dogs food as well.

 

...............................................................................................................................................................Close

Mini-Pig Health...........................................................................................................

      Miniature Pigs are normally very healthy when they are kept as a domestic pet.

      They don't normally get the normal pig problems as they would in a commercial piggery. Your mini-pig will need to   

      be vaccinated with Eryvac once a year and wormed every 3 months.

      Is my Mini-Pig Sick….?

      The first thing you will notice is that he/she will not be interested in anything and be sullen.

      He/she is not interested eating.

      He/she is not interested drinking.

      He/she is standing still with his/her snout pointing to the ground.

      You must take your mini-pig to the Vet …!

     Mini-Pigs can get a Pig-Mite

     (Pig mites don't live on any other animal or human)

     You will notice your mini-pig is rubbing against a wall or scratching.

     They can also loose hair and get a rash.

     We use Fido's Concentrate Rinse on our mini-pigs as we also get the  

     paralysis tick here, you can purchase it from your Vet or Pet Store.

      Make sure that your mini-pig has access to shade and a wading pool for them to cool off, as they can get sunburn or  

      heat stroke. You can also use sunscreen on his/her ears.

      If your mini-pig is allowed inside, make sure that he can't bite into electrical cords and all chemicals are put out of 

      reach.

 

...............................................................................................................................................................Close

 Nose Rings for Mini-Pigs..............................................................................................

     Mini-pigs normally just graze on grass of a day.

     But they will dig the ground with their snout,

 

     You can teach them not to dig but this does take time.

 

     OR you can get a Nose-Ring for their snout.

 

     Mini-pig nose-rings work if they are put through the Nostril  

     instead of through the tip of the snout.

 

         

 

       We do Sell nose rings for Min-Pigs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Mini-Pigs

Nose Ring opened

 

 

 

 

Mini-Pigs

Nose Ring Closed

 Mini-Pigs

Nose Ring in the Nostril of

a Mini-Pig

...............................................................................................................................................................Close

Toilet Training a Mini-Pig..........................................................................................

           1-    Your Mini-Pig needs to be put into a small area

                  Eg: bathroom, laundry or small pen.

           2-    Put his/her water and food bowl in there.

           3-    Put some newspaper in the corner opposite his/her bed, water and food.

           4-    If your mini-piglet has not gone to the toilet on the newspaper move the    

                     newspaper to where ever he/she has chosen to go to the toilet.

           5-   Once he/she has used this area for a couple of days you can move it to   

                 where you want it.

 

      Put your mini-pig back to this room every half hour for 5 minutes, so they get used to toileting on the paper

      He/she will eventually go back to their area to go to the toilet by them selves.

      Always clean up your mini-piglets urine or poo straight away if he/she has gone to the toilet where he/she is not 

      supposed to.

      Also use a deodoriser to neutralise the area so your mini-pig won’t go back to the same spot again.

      Never put wood shavings or kitty litter in your mini-pigs litter tray

      (They make a huge mess). 

      Mini-piglets are like any other baby animal they don’t have full control over their bladder until they are at least 6 

      months old.

      Teaching a Mini-Pig to Toilet Out-Side

      When your mini-pig knows his/her name and will come when you call.

      You can train your mini-pig to go out-side to go to the toilet.

      Your mini-pig will learn to let you know when they want to go out-side.

      Usually they will stand near the door or they will come up to you and then walk towards the door.

      You can even train them to open and shut the door or how to use a pet door.

        1-   Take your mini-pig out-side every half to one hour and leave him/her out there for 10 to 15 minutes before   

              bringing him/her back inside.

        2-   Always tell your mini-pig what you want them to do.

              Say – “toilet (Piggy’s Name)”.

         If he/she goes to the Toilet give lots of praise. Say – “Good - (Piggy’s Name)

 

       Teaching your mini-pig to go out-side to go to the toilet is a lot easier than cleaning litter trays or picking up paper.

       Mini-pigs enjoy the time out-side as well and they are always very proud when they hear the praise in your Voice.

 

...............................................................................................................................................................Close

Harness Training a Mini-Pig......................................................................................

     As soon as your mini-pig has bonded with you he/she will naturally

     follow you without having a harness on. 

     But to take your mini-pig for a walk, the same rules apply as a dog and  

     they must be on a harness.

     I find that getting your mini-pig used to getting his/her harness put on  

     while they are eating is a no fuss way to teach your mini-pig that the 

     harness is OK to wear…

     Also tell your mini-pig what is happening at each stage and don’t rush   

     your mini-pig.

     As like all animals they don’t like to be restrained, you have to teach  

     them that it is ok first

 

 

                  

         1-   When your mini-pig is having breakfast, put their harness on the 

               ground  next to their food. Do this for a few days as this will associate  your mini-pig with the harness and

               they will not think of it as an object of danger as they have stood and walked on and over it. Also

               pick up the harness and put it back down while your mini-pig is eating.

          2-  While your mini-pig is having breakfast, pick up the harness and put each leg through and do up the harness.

               Let him/her wear it for 1-2 hours a day until he/she is used to it. (No lead attached)

       

          3-   After a few days, your mini-pig should be used to wearing their harness; you can then put on the lead and let

                him/her walk around with it on. 

                But always supervise your mini-pig when they have their lead attached.

 

          4-   When your mini-pig is used to wearing their harness and lead you can then pick up the lead and with a treat  

                for encouragement, get your mini-pig to walk with you. Do not put any tension on their lead just walk

                with him/her.

     

          5-   When your mini-pig is used to their harness and lead and is happy.You can now walk with your mini-pig

                and give little treats every now and then to get him/her used to going where your want them to go.

...............................................................................................................................................................Close

 Training a Mini-Pig to Sit ...........................................................................................

      If your mini-pig is a Piglet, kneel in front of your mini-pig.

      If your mini-pig is an Adult, Stand in front of your mini-pig.

      Hold a treat just above his/her snout and say - “Sit (Piggy’s -Name)”…

      At the same time slowly move the treat back towards his/her eyes until   

      he/she sits…

     When your mini-pig has sat down…give him/her the treat and say -   

     Good (Piggys Name)”.

      If you are having trouble getting your mini-pig to sit..?

      Try practicing in a corner or in front of a wall, so when your mini-pig  

      touches the corner or wall their bottom automatically goes to the 

      ground…

      When he/she is comfortable doing this trick hide the treat in your hand and get your mini-pig to sit by just saying –

      “Sit (Piggy’s -Name)” and only giving the treat when he/she has sat.

 

      When your mini-pig has mastered this trick, just give a pat on his/her head. And only give a treat at alternate times.

...............................................................................................................................................................Close

 Training a Mini-Pig to Play Ball.................................................................................

      At first it is better to teach this trick to your mini-pig out side.

      Put a smear of cheese spread in different places on a hard plastic child’s ball, show it to your mini-pig and place it

      on the ground and say – “Kick ( Piggy’s Name)”.

 

      Once your mini-pig gets the idea that there is a treat on the ball, kick the ball with your foot softly so it moves about  

      60cm and keep saying “Kick -( Piggy’s name)”.

      continue this and he/she will get some of the cheese spread off the ball and will have heaps of fun.

 

      When your mini-pig is used to performing this trick, don't put any spread on the ball, give a treat instead when  

      he/she has pushed the ball a few times eventually only getting a treat when he/she has pushed the ball at least 7-10  

      times.

 

     This is a fun game to teach you mini-pig, as children love to play ball with their mini-pig.

...............................................................................................................................................................Close

 How to Bath a Mini-Pig...............................................................................................

     Giving your mini-pig a bath is just a personal preference.

     You can just let him/her clean them selves in a small kids shell pool.

     Put some baby oil in the water to keep their skin from getting too dry and 

     flaky.

     The best that I have found to wash your mini-pig with is an

     Anti-dandruff shampoo.

     As mini-pigs have a very dry and sensitive skin.

     When you bath your mini-pig he/she needs to feel secure, so you need

     to put a small hand towel or a bath mat on the bottom of the bath.

     You will also need a sponge.

     Put him/her into the bath, hold his/her front legs together in your left  

     hand and put your right hand on his/her shoulders so he/she is in a sitting 

     position and Say in a gentle voice – Good “Piggys Name”.

     If your mini-pig starts to jump around, push down on his/her shoulders    

     with your right hand and say in a gentle voice…

      Good “Piggys Name” until he/she calms down.

      Sit your mini-pig in this position till he/she is used to the water and keep saying to him/her…Good “Piggys Name”.

      Always hang onto your mini-pigs front legs so they stay in a sitting position and then they feel secure and with your   

      right hand pick up the sponge and gently put water on his/her back.

      When he/she is used to this you can then put some shampoo on and wash him/her.

      When your mini-pig is used to having a bath you will no longer have to hold onto his/her legs as he/she will be used

      to having a bath and will just sit while you give him/her their shampoo bath.

...............................................................................................................................................................Close

 What to Feed a Mini-Pig and When............................................................................

      Your mini-pig should be fed in the morning and in the afternoon and allowed to graze on grass of a day.

      We feed our mini-pigs Natural Grain in the morning and in the afternoon for dinner they get Fruit & Veg or Grain .

      We also give them treats once a day when we are training our mini-pigs.

 

      Never... feed your pet pig Meat.

      It is illegal in Australia to feed any pig, meat or meat product.

      As it can cause Foot and Mouth Disease..

 

      Put your mini-pigs food into a bowl, if it is put onto the ground he/she will continually go back to this area looking for

      their food and if there is no food there they will start to dig around in that area causing a mess…

 

      The only one who has control of the food is You, so Don’t let your mini-pig become demanding for food.

       Never give food to your mini-pig if he/she gets impatient and starts to squeal.

      They only try this to see if they can get away with it and to get you to hurry up and feed them.

      The best thing to do is to walk away from getting their food ready and tell them that you won't get dinner by   

      squealing.

      Then try again in 5 minutes....

                                          - if there is no squealing give them their dinner.

                                          -if they squeal again, walk away and wait another 5 minutes.

 

      They only try this as piglets.... their natural mother won't tolerate it, so neither should you.

      Their natural mother will lay down on her belly so they can't get to her teats

      and only when they stop squealing will she roll over so they can feed.

 

        If you do feed a squealing piglet he/she will soon work out that the squealing gets them food…. Real Quick….

      And when this happens…? Congratulations…!

      Your Mini-Pig has just Trained You to feed him/her as Quick as Possible…  So Don’t give in….!

 

      They are very smart and if they think they can get you to give them more food they will....!

      Food is their main passion as piglets.. so it is up to you to take over from their mother and teach them when

      breakfast and dinner is...

 

      Mini-pigs Do Not get the… “I’m Full Feeling.”

      This is why the meat industry loves pigs; they will eat huge amounts of food and grow very quickly. 

 

      This gives the meat industry or the farmer a quick mass meat turnover in less time than any other meat animal.

      They are slaughtered before they are 1 year old so no long term health issues from over feeding are a concern.

 

      This is why you have to measure your mini-pigs food and only feed him/her once in the morning and of an afternoon.

      In between, they graze on grass and have some fruit when training.

      Remember that he/she is not really hungry but for hundreds of years they have been fed huge amounts of food and   

      now as pets they need to be retrained to be fed correctly.

      Other wise you will be shortening you mini-pigs life by Years…!

 

      Mini-pigs are very much like humans and can get the same health problems we get from over eating. If we let 

      ourselves gorge on food just for the sake of eating our lives are threatened and shortened by heart disease from too   

      much fat around the heart, clogged arteries, liver and kidney problems plus obesity.

      So please Do Not over feed your Mini-pig! 

      It’s ok to give your mini-pig treats when you are training them but once he/she has learned one particular trick you  

      lessen the treats and just continue with voice commands and just giving a treat every now and then.

 

      Mini-pigs also love to forage for food it is a natural instinct for them to find treats in the ground. If you don’t want   

      your mini-pig to dig in your garden or the lawn, you can make them a sand pit Or use a nose ring.

      If you live in Residential I do recommend a nose ring for your miniature pig.

 

    Make a Sand Pit for your Mini-Pig...

      Either out of timber or using a child's shell pool.

      Fill it with sand and hide some river rocks in the sand and then once a day put some carrots or other

      treat hidden in the sand and under the rocks.

      This will teach your mini-pig to dig in this spot and it will keep him/her amused for hours, so then when they 

      get out of their sand pit they just want to graze on the grass.

...............................................................................................................................................................Close

 

...USE THIS INFORMATION AS A GUIDE ONLY...

©DFDeJong2003-2008