Dwarf pigs for home as pets (mini-pigs)

The list of pets has suddenly been expanded to include mini piggies. These are small pigs that can be kept even in an apartment. The origin of animals is associated with targeted selection. As a result, about 30 varieties appeared with colors ranging from solid to tricolor tones. Those who decide to have such a pet should find out in advance about all the shortcomings of small pigs. And how to get rid of them with the help of education and proper care.

History of appearance

The weight of a typical adult pig can reach 350 kg. Initially, scientists decided to use selective breeding to breed pigs with a mass close to that of a human. This was done with the aim of using animal organs for transplantation into humans.

Fans of unusual pets decided to continue breeding work. And achieve greater reduction in weight and size of pigs.

The first successes were achieved in Germany in the 50s of the last century. The basis was taken from the Vietnamese pot-bellied pig.

US breeders used wild boars for selection.

In the USSR, small pigs were bred in the 60s of the last century.

As a result, the maximum weight of an adult boar was 50 kg.

Foreign mini-pigs were first brought to Russia by Ilona Bronevitskaya, a trendsetter for such pets in the CIS countries. She is an honorary member of the minipig club (it’s wrong to write minipig or micropig).

Breeding

For breeding you need to buy a female minipig and a boar. To ensure mating conditions, it is necessary to wait until the female reaches sexual maturity. In decorative pigs, the first estrus usually occurs at about 5 months. Males are ready to breed earlier - at about 3 months.

Pregnancy lasts for 113-119 days. Most often, 5-15 piglets appear in one litter.

A newborn mini pig fits in the palm of your hand.

Childbirth occurs without any difficulties; the pig will be able to give birth on its own. But many owners consider calling a veterinarian a must. Weight and subsequent weight gain will depend on the breed of the mini pig and feeding conditions.

For the first 14 days, babies are fed from the mother's breast. Then it is necessary to produce complementary foods; after about 1.5 months, the female’s milk supply sharply decreases.

Peculiarities

Weight categories

Mini pigs are called pigs whose average weight ranges from 40-80 kg. The maximum value is 120 kg. Micro pigs with an average weight of 25-30 kg have also been bred.

There are dwarfs on sale, for which the stated weight is 9-12 kg. Such advertisements should be treated with caution. Under the guise of a dwarf pig, you can buy a simple mini-pig that will grow larger.

There is a risk of buying a sick piglet. Or a mini pig that was kept on a strict diet. She will not allow the piglet to grow big. But my health will deteriorate.

About the standard and colors

There are no clear breed standards for mini pigs. The pig grows actively until the age of two. After which he stops gaining weight.

Domestic mini pigs come in different colors. Spotted two- and three-colored pigs are more common. Plain colors are considered rare: black, sand, red. Even less common: wild, marbled, silver.

There are about 30 breeds of mini pigs. However, selection continues. Let's look at the most popular ones.

Nicknames for mini pigs

One of the first questions that needs to be decided is what name to choose for the pig. This is important for interaction with the animal. There are many options for naming such a pet. When choosing a nickname for your home mini-pig, you need to consider the following nuances:

1. The baby can grow up to a weight of 40 kg.
2. Character and disposition of a mini-pig.

We invite you to get acquainted with some popular nickname options:

1. For babies who will not grow much: Businka, Millie, Kikki, Babe, Khryusha.
2. For well-fed mini-pigs: Glafira, Lola, Dusya, Zephyr, Cupcake, Pie.
3. Serious options: Isabella, Dusya, Isolde, Abelard, Hamlet, Socrates.
4. Funny names: Zhileyka, Carrot, Paraska, Breather, Hryun, Lace.

Common Breeds

German Wiesenau

Reaches a weight of 25 kg. It has a black and white color. The body is square. There are no folds on the snout.

Bergströsser knirt

These mini-pigs are also called “tots.” The size of an adult pig varies from 9 to 15 kg.

This is a good-natured miniature domestic pig. Mini pigs of this breed are suitable for keeping in an apartment. Loyal to the owner.

Göttingen species

Adult piglets reach a weight of 100 kg. These are gluttonous pigs. They stand out for their large bellies.

Siberian miniature

Minisibs grow up to 50 kg. The breed was bred in the USSR. Due to its size, it is not recommended to keep it in an apartment.

It has long limbs, the stomach does not stand out. Tolerates low temperatures well.

Mini Mayalino

A tiny breed of pigs, also called micro pigs. Dwarf piglets are born weighing about 500 g. They grow up to 12 kg. Color black or black and white.

Many breeders believe that this breed does not exist. Since almost no one saw its representatives.

Who buys minipigs and why?

Usually wealthy people buy pigs as pets.

Most often, the purchase of a pig is justified by a love for something exotic and outlandish. There are cases when, after visiting friends who have a mini pig, people get the same one.

In the cases described above, they almost always take care of the new family member and create certain necessary conditions for him.

It gets worse when pigs are given for the New Year (especially popular in the Year of the Pig) or on the occasion of another celebration. Decorative pigs become an unwanted gift, which is soon given away to good hands or, even worse, thrown out into the street.

Interesting Facts

• Scientists have proven that the intelligence of a pig, on average, is not inferior to the intelligence of a dog, cat or 4-year-old child.
• The mini pig does not need to be limited in space; it is easiest and best to keep it free-range in an apartment, just like regular pets.
• Dwarf pigs are considered very clean animals, so they easily learn to relieve themselves in a specially designated place.
• Domestic scientists also worked on breeding a small breed of pigs, but not for love or beauty, but for experiments.

Character and behavior

What to expect and what to do

Mini pigs are smart. They can be taught commands. Decorative pigs are devoted to their owner. When separated, they experience severe stress.

Young piglets are energetic and active. Need daily walks outside. Unspent energy leads to destruction in the house.

The behavior of a mini-pig directly depends on how much time the owner devotes to raising it. Just like dogs, little pigs require constant work.

When parenting, you should use the carrot and stick method. If you leave things to chance and don’t engage with the piglet, he will begin to dominate. This will become a problem later.

It is important that the mini pig knows who is boss in the house. Otherwise the animal will become aggressive. Or uncontrollable.

About cleanliness

The decorative pig is clean. Goes to the toilet in a litter tray or outside. It all depends on how to train it.

It's true that ordinary pigs don't mind rolling around in the mud. But this is necessary to protect against overheating and parasites. Since ideal conditions have been created for mini-pigs at home, they do not need any dirt.

Interesting Facts

Mini pigs appeared in Russia relatively recently - only about 15 years ago. According to the head of the club of breeders of dwarf pigs, one of the first Russian owners of a domestic pig was Ilona Bronevitskaya (daughter of Edita Piekha). Members of a famous family named their unusual pet Pumbaa (now, unfortunately, he is no longer there). Pumba lived 16 years.

Mini pigs need to be trained, otherwise they will show their difficult character and may not be able to get along with children and older people. These pigs need the attention of their owners, especially in the first time after finding a new family. Animal psychologists can help correct the behavior of an aggressive or simply ill-mannered piglet.

Each animal smells specifically. But as a member of the mini pig club says, her miniature pigs “exude” the smell of nuts, cinnamon and clean skin.

Becoming a mini pig breeder is a big step. But, if you do buy a dwarf piglet, make sure that he has a happy life: feed him properly, walk him, educate him and love him. After all, as they say, “we are responsible for those we have tamed.”

Possible health problems

Where to expect danger

With good care and a nutritious diet, mini pigs rarely get sick. Since pigs are walked outside, they must be vaccinated. Repeated vaccination is carried out every year.

The ancestors of mini pigs are ordinary pigs and wild boars. Therefore, ornamental pigs are susceptible to the same diseases as their relatives.

Although there are problems that dwarf piglets are more prone to. They are associated with closely related breeding work. In addition to their small size, the animals also inherited the diseases of their parents.

Diseases

Dyspepsia occurs in young animals. Symptoms: diarrhea, cramps, refusal to eat, sudden weight loss. Occurs due to metabolic failure due to malnutrition of the breeding stock.

Ear diseases: occur due to water getting into the ear canal, draft or mycosis. Possible fungal infection. Or an infestation with scabies mites.

Obesity is a common problem for mini pigs. Associated with poor diet and overeating. Leads to malfunctions of the heart, lungs and liver of pigs.

Hooves: Sometimes the problem is due to the fact that they are not ground down in time. The mini-pig's gait is impaired and joints are damaged. Due to dampness, foot rot may occur.

Eyes: Little pigs are susceptible to conjunctivitis and keratitis.

When the first symptoms of illness occur in your pet, you should show it to a doctor. Most diseases can be cured only in the first stages.

Maintenance and care at home

In general, the living conditions for a pig are not much different from the necessary conditions for a cat or dog. The main and most important rule is unlimited space.

Behavior and lifestyle

Traditionally, dwarf pigs are considered highly intelligent animals that can be trained not only to respond to their name and do things in the tray, but also to follow simple commands, and sometimes even engage in full training with them!

At a young age, piglets are smart, nimble and love to run. They can sometimes act too inquisitive. As a rule, this behavior goes away with age and the adult minipig is already calmer and more sedate.

When a little pig has just arrived in a new home, at first you don’t need to demand anything from it, you just need to give it time to adapt and not force things.

When the piglet gets used to the new home a little, they begin to accustom it. This requires a lot of attention, perseverance and patience. If the pet does not want to be held or does not want to communicate with a person at all, there is no need to actively force it.

It is also impossible to carry out hygiene measures or any active activities in the first days.

Care and hygiene

As mentioned above, pigs are very clean animals. They need to have a separate place where they relieve themselves.

Also, when bathing a mini pig, a rubber mat with pimples is placed on the bottom of the bath to prevent the pet from slipping and falling.

Animal size

On average, mini pigs grow from 9 to 120 kg, depending on the breed.

However, this is not so much. A normal pig weighs about 250-300 kg, so ornamental pigs are considered small compared to their wild ancestors. The difference in weight is 1.5-2 times!

The pet gains most of its weight in the first two years of its life. And then everything is simple. If you want your pig to gain weight, just feed her more.

What to feed a mini pig

The most important thing to remember is that the animal is an omnivore, just like humans. Our metabolic processes are very similar, so both pigs and humans require a nutritious breakfast, lunch and dinner.

For breakfast, it is recommended to feed your decorative pig porridge (barley, barley, oatmeal, etc.).

For lunch, it is best to give fruits or vegetables.

And for dinner - something light, for example, cereals, dairy products or fruits.

There are also prohibited foods that should never be given to pigs. These include canned food, smoked meats, seasonings, baked goods, sugar, cabbage, beets, potatoes, onions, corn and nuts.

Attention

Under no circumstances should a mini pig eat leftovers or from the owners’ table!

Water for mini pigs

A dwarf pig must have constant access to water. The water must be filtered or settled, but must be clean.

To prevent water contamination, the bowl should be washed daily and the water in it should be changed several times a day.

Place for a minipig

It is believed that the best option is to give the pig a separate room or closed area.

However, this is practically impossible in modern conditions. But it is necessary to allocate a personal corner for the pig.

It is advisable to place a bed, bowls of food and water, as well as pet toys in this corner. A pile of unnecessary rags would not be out of place - like pigs, piggys have a need to rake everything up with their snout.

Tray training

Pigs are smart animals and litter box training does not take much time.

However, there are nuances.

Firstly, mini pigs are significantly larger than cats, which means they require a large litter box.

And secondly, cat litter is absolutely not suitable for mini pigs! They chew it or scatter it. Instead of a tray, a large rubber mat is often installed, because The sides of the cat litter often interfere with the decorative pig.

Walking a mini pig

By nature, minipigs are very active and inquisitive creatures. Therefore, they are recommended to go for a walk at least once a day.

When walking, the pig wears not only a collar, but also a harness. This caution is associated with the constant threat of attack by stray dogs. The harness will allow you to quickly lift your pet and keep him safe.

You can train a piglet to wear a harness from about 2 months. Then there will be practically no problems with training him to walk and put on a harness.

On the street they not only walk with the pig, but also play outdoor games, for example, throwing a ball or running.

Little pigs are recommended to walk a lot on the asphalt. This helps to wear down the hooves.

Hoof trimming

Most often, hooves wear down on hard surfaces naturally, but when this does not happen, they are trimmed.

This is usually done once every 3 months – six months after bathing. Only the roughened and keratinized parts are removed with sharp scissors and very carefully. It would be a good idea to have a second person hold the pig while the hooves are trimmed.

Reproduction of minipigs

People who want to breed ornamental pigs immediately buy a female and a male and wait until they reach sexual maturity (about six months).

The mating process occurs on days when the female is in heat. The mother pig's pregnancy lasts approximately 4 months, after which 4 to 20 small piglets are born that can fit in the palm of your hand!

Veterinary care is rarely required for minipigs during childbirth; usually everything happens naturally. But you need to know the norms for the weight of born piglets.

Newborn babies have a mini maialino, bergschresser knirt and wiesenau weight of about 150-200 grams.

The Gettingham minipig weighs significantly more at birth - 400 grams.

Until one and a half weeks, the mother feeds her cubs with milk, after this period the piglets eat complementary foods and milk, and at one and a half months, almost all the babies switch to independent feeding.

Diseases and breed defects

Almost all minipig diseases occur due to improper maintenance.

For example, due to high humidity in the room, your pet's hooves can be seriously damaged. They are rotting. It is also impossible to keep a pig in drafty rooms - this leads to lung diseases and colds.

Pigs also have diseases specific to their species:

• Salmonellosis
• Rickets
• Anemia
• Streptococcal infection
• Dyspepsia of newborns
• Intestinal colicobacteriosis

When strange abnormalities become noticeable in an animal’s behavior, it is not recommended to try to make a diagnosis yourself.

Only a qualified doctor can do this and prescribe the correct treatment. It is worth remembering that not all veterinarians can treat mini pigs, but only those who specialize in exotic animals.

Do mini pigs cause allergies?

Many breeders express the opinion that mini pigs are hypoallergenic. This means that they can be given to allergy sufferers. This is wrong.

Let's start with the fact that dwarf pigs are not covered with hair. However, stubble grows on their body. Micro pigs, like other animals, shed. This means that once or twice a year there will be bristles flying around the apartment.

In addition, allergies can be caused by:

• skin particles;
• saliva;
• discharge;
• smells.

That is why, before getting a mini-pig, you should take a test for allergen E83 - the pig epithelium. This way you can avoid health problems. And the animal will not have to be urgently placed in good hands due to an allergic reaction.

Hairless guinea pigs: care

Caring for hairless guinea pigs is in many ways similar to regular ones. However, the lack of hair makes hairless guinea pigs more sensitive to temperature fluctuations, so when keeping them, low temperatures should be avoided as well as direct sunlight. The optimal temperature for keeping them is 20-22 degrees Celsius. Hairless guinea pigs tend to eat more to maintain their metabolism and body heat. The food must be of high quality (which, in general, applies to any breed of guinea pig). Guinea pigs should have enough space in their cage to run around. Sometimes entire pens are made for them: from boards, metal parts of the cage, etc., where there are houses, compartments for food with bowls and drinking bowls, and a compartment for hay.

For hairless guinea pigs, any scratchy fillers on the bottom of the cage are not suitable: hard hay, sawdust. Also not suitable are rugs and towels that pigs can get caught on with their claws. Soft, smooth towels, blankets, and cellulose fillers are ideal. Litter pads should be changed/washed frequently as hairless guinea pigs drink and eat more often than normal. It is best to change the litter daily.

What problems may the owner encounter?

Shyness and noise

Like any animal, a mini pig needs the right approach. Do not forget that each pet has a unique character that you will have to adapt to.

The owner will not be faced with the most pleasant features characteristic of mini pigs.

The domestic pig is shy. As soon as the pig hears a sharp noise, a wild squeal will immediately begin. Attempts to break free and run away. Such a panic attack can greatly frighten the owner. In addition, it is difficult to gain trust from a timid pet.

Micro pigs grunt and squeal not only from fear. These are quite noisy animals. In addition, the pigs' hard hooves click very loudly on the parquet. Decorative piglets are not suitable for those who love peace and quiet.

Activism and Undermining

Dwarf piglets are devoted to their owners. They follow a person literally everywhere. And sometimes they don’t allow passage. For some this will be a serious problem. At the same time, mini pigs do not like children and the elderly.

The young are so active that they can be exhausting. Not knowing where to put their energy, the mini-pigs begin to destroy the house. Like dogs, they need constant walking outside. Walks should take place in any weather.

All pigs have an instinctive need to dig. This is how animals find food. Small piggies also tend to dig. A pig can open the floor with its hooves and ruin the renovation.

Puberty

Mini pigs are sociable and friendly. But everything changes when the sexual hunt begins. Hormones rush into the pig's head. And the previously good-natured pet becomes aggressive.

It may get to the point that the piglet begins to attack the owner. In this case, only timely castration can help.

In addition, miniature pigs have large teeth. Particularly dangerous are males, who grow sharp fangs by the age of 3 years. During sexual hunting, they become weapons capable of inflicting lacerations.

Most often, mini-pig fangs are filed down. To avoid this problem, it is better to initially get a female.

Unpleasant smell

As we said above, the dwarf domestic pig is clean. And he goes to the toilet in a specially designated place. An unpleasant odor may appear if you rarely clean your pet's litter box.

However, mini pigs have special glands that secrete an odorous secretion. If you rarely bathe your pet, the smell will be strong.

Females also smell strongly during estrus. Frequent water procedures and sterilization will help solve problems.

Breeding

If there is no desire to get offspring from an animal, it is worth sterilizing. Otherwise, when reaching puberty, the mini-pig will begin to mark its territory and behave aggressively.

Pregnancy

Small pigs mature early - by 4 months of age. Heat is determined by the characteristic swelling of the reproductive loop and changes in the behavior of the sow. Experienced breeders prefer to keep breeders in pairs. This is rational: you don’t have to catch a good moment to cover, look for a partner - everything goes naturally.

A newborn piglet weighs from 100 to 700 grams.

Pregnancy in mini pigs lasts 114 - 118 days. During this time, the sow needs to organize a separate room: a warm enclosure or room. The air temperature there should be about 30⁰С

It is important to equip a nest covered with a thick layer of straw or hay. When the expectant mother begins to often come up to him and stir up a nickel, it’s time to prepare for farrowing

Farrow

Pigs almost always require assistance during birth. At the time of farrowing, prepare warm boiled water, iodine, sterile wipes, a diaper, and sharp sterile scissors.

If the owner does not have experience in receiving piglets, it is better not to risk it and invite a specialist. If mini-pigs are bred in urban conditions, any veterinarian from a regular clinic will be able to help.

Newborn piglets are immediately applied to the nipples and then weighed.

Weight standards for newborn mini pigs:

In the first days of life, piglets are given the necessary preventive vaccinations. The schedule and scheme are determined by the veterinarian.

How to choose a pig

Where to buy

When purchasing a mini-pig, give preference to renowned nurseries. Experienced breeders make sure that pigs are reproduced correctly. And only promising individuals participated in breeding.

In nurseries, juveniles eat high-quality feed. And kept in good conditions. This has a positive effect on the formation of immunity. There, pigs are vaccinated on time.

If you buy a mini-pig secondhand, you may end up in a situation where the seller passes off one breed of pig as another. As a result, the dwarf pig, which, according to assurances, should weigh no more than 25 kg, grows to 50 or even 100 kg.

In addition, it is possible to sell piglets that were deliberately starved. So that they do not reach large sizes.

What to look for

Some owners are afraid that instead of a small mini-pig they will be given an ordinary newborn piglet. In practice this is unlikely.

Even newborn piglets differ in size and proportions from their dwarf counterparts. They have a larger head and longer legs. However, sellers often sell larger mini-pigs instead of micro pigs.

When buying a pig, pay attention to the following aspects:

1. The pig is not too thin or fat.
2. Vaccinations according to age.
3. The mini-pig is energetic and curious.
4. Clean smooth skin without scabs, scratches, wounds.
5. The eyes are clear and the ears are clean.
6. The breeder must provide documents for the pig.

Price

The price for mini pigs in Moscow starts from 20,000 rubles.

The cost directly depends on the breed of pig. And what size the piglet will reach in the future. Micro pigs are sold at the highest price.

How to avoid being scammed when purchasing

First of all, do not buy an animal from someone other than a breeder.

When purchasing an animal on the market, there is a high risk that, under the guise of a decorative pig, they will slip you a pig from an ordinary pig, which, when mature, will weigh 350 kilos! In addition, you should pay attention to the cost. The smaller the pig, the more expensive it will be

You definitely need to “get to know” the parents. If the piglets do not look like them, then you should be wary. In addition, the disposition of parents is inherited. Consider whether you want your pig to behave the same way.

Good breeders keep contacts of their former buyers and take an interest in the life of their piglets. Therefore, chat with other happy piggy owners to see the babies from another litter. Don't buy from advertisements. If you want to save money, you risk raising a hefty boar instead of a cute grunting baby.

Authors of the articles: Belanta Clinic team

Content Features

How long do they live?

The lifespan of a little pig depends on proper care. And a balanced diet.

This topic is discussed in detail in the article “How long does a mini-pig live?”

Nutrition

It is important for your pig's health to follow the correct feeding schedule. Mini pigs should not be fed scraps. It is dangerous to overfeed him. And too strict a diet leads to bad consequences.

Babies need to be fed in small portions, 4 times a day. For adults, food intake is reduced to 2 times a day. Mini pigs can be fed cereals, vegetables, fruits (except citrus fruits), boiled meat, and fish.

Rules of care

It is better to keep micro pigs in an apartment. Due to their size, mini pigs get along better in private homes.

There must be a tray in the room where the pig lives. It is better to fill it with sawdust. If the pig does not wear down its hooves, they are trimmed. The procedure must be carried out by a specialist. Sometimes the animal is given an anesthetic.

You need to take your mini-pig for walks outside. To do this, use a regular harness and leash.

Find out more in the article “Care and maintenance of mini pigs.”

Walks

In the warm season, small domestic pigs will enjoy walking in the fresh air with great pleasure. If it is possible to organize an enclosure on the territory of a summer house or a plot of a country house, the piglets will feel great in it. For city residents, the only way out will be walking through the streets and parks.

The mini pig is brought out on a harness. This type of leash is convenient for both the owner and the animal. Regular walks allow you to get enough sunlight for normal development and well-being. In addition, it is an excellent prevention of obesity. While walking, the minipig price can also exercise its innate reflex to dig.