Even if having a pet like pig can be a unique and rewarding experience, like with any pet, they do need a good deal of commitment and effort. Pig is not a maintenance free animal and is not as simple to look after like dog and cat. Pigs such as Vietnamese potbellied have been promoted a lot as house pet. Those considering pigs as their pet must know that pig is expected to live ten to fifteen years and a mature pig frequently weighs more than 130 pounds.
You have to know the pros and cons of pigs as pet prior to making a final decision.
Pros of Pigs as Pets
- Enjoy’s Tough Health – This kind of animal gets yearly vaccinations, hoof trimming, and physical as well. Because of the size and complexity on tripping you need to call an in house veterinary.
- Pig’s Hair is Bristle – Those with allergic reaction to cat and dog fur might have no sensitive reaction to a pig hair.
- Smart – Pigs are smart and in fact considered one of the smartest animals living.
- Sweet Natured – Pig’s that has been spayed or neutered is normally sweet natured as well as responsive animals. As a matter of fact, pig is so responsive which you can harm their feelings.
Cons of Pig as Pets
- Herd Animals – Pig is herd animal and has a pecking order the same to that of chicken. Every herd animals have a specific standing or status in pecking order and pigs will normally compete to be the top pig in herd. Once raised backyard the members of the family becomes the herd of the pig. At approximately eighteen months of age, the battle for “top or best pig” will start. To know the standing or status, pigs battle. They will blame their opponent, swinging and snapping their head. Once the opponent is member of the family, this can be relatively risky. As of now there is no certified vaccine for pig rabies.
- Boring – Because pig is smart, they are kept as permanent house pet which can be boring. Most of the time they are destructive once finding means to amuse them.
- Prone to Illness – Pig is very prone to pneumonia. The major cause of this illness is the weather, on the other hand can also be carried on by pressure or stress. Pig can harass quite easily. Because their lung is very small, pneumonia and bronchitis can take the life of the pig quickly.
- Rooting is a Natural Instinct – Those wanting an ideally manicured lawn must not have pigs. Putting a ring in the nose is unkind because rooting is pig’s natural instinct. Through rooting, they get essential mineral and vitamin from the food and the ground as well. Pig has been recognized to eat grubs, worms and constantly rooting to find truffles and acorns.
Looking a veterinary well-informed in the medical care of pigs can be very hard. Veterinary care could be costly, depending certainly on the specific field and the medical condition or state of the pig, emergency cure and specialized surge.