Pigs make amazing pets.  Pigs make horrible pets.  I have heard people make both of these statements.  But which one is true?  If I am being honest, they both are.

There are pros and cons of pig ownership.  After I tell you what those are, it will be up to you to decide if a pig makes a good pet or a horrible pet.

Pros of Pig Ownership

Here are some of the pros of having a pet pig.  First, pigs are super smart.  They are actually considered the 4th most intelligent being on the planet.  That means that they are easy to train.  Pigs will do any thing for food so its easy to teach them to sit, spin, stay and come.

Pigs are also very affectionate if socialized from a young age.  They love to cuddle and be warm and cozy.  This makes them a wonderful companion for those who like to snuggle up with their fur babies.

For people that are allergic to furry animals, a pig can be a good alternative because they are hypoallergenic due to the fact that they don’t have fur or dander.  Their hair is more like a bristle brush and they don’t shed like dogs and cats do.  They actually blow their coat once or twice a year; this means that they lose all their hair at these times.

A pig needs to go to the vet for a checkup once a year.  At this visit, they will get checked out to make sure they are healthy and growing at a good rate.  They will also get their vaccines, be dewormed and get their hooves trimmed.  Its a pretty easy visit.  And it doesn’t break the bank.  My visit costs me less than $100 per pig.

If you are a routine oriented person, a pig might be the animal for you   Pigs are very routine animals.  They thrive on a set schedule.  They also live a very long time.  The average is between 15 and 20 years.

These are some of the most common pros of pig as a pet.  Now on to the cons.

cons for pet pig ownership

The first con is actually the same as the first PRO: pigs are extremely smart – almost too smart.  The are intelligent enough to know that if you open the refrigerator and take a strawberry out and hand it to them, that there is food in that big box.  They will try to figure out a way to get to it.

Many pigs are very active.  Pigs that are bored are very destructive.  Having lots of activities for your pig to keep them busy is key.  I have lots of suggestions on my YouTube Channel to keep them busy.

Rooting is an annoying habit of some pigs.  There is no beautiful yard or garden that is sacred to a pig.  If your worried about this, a fenced in area for your pig will help.  They need a designated place to root if they have that desire.  We provide blankets, pillows and toys for our inside pigs to root on.

Pigs are susceptible to high heat and stress.  They don’t have the ability to sweat so they need an outside source to cool them down.  A small kiddie pool or sprinkler works well at our house.

They are herd animals.  Every pig needs to know where they fit into the herd.  When we bring a pig inside, we become their herd.  It is imperative that you understand the way a pig thinks.  If you don’t, chances are your pig will become agitated and aggressive.  (See my videos on aggression.)  Pigs target kids because they appear the weakest members of the herd.

Dogs and pigs do not mix well.  Dogs are preditors.  Pigs are prey.  A dog with a strong drive for prey or a dog that is not trained to follow you as their leader can be a real problem.  Pigs tend to instigate situations and the dog can’t take anymore and lashes out.  (See my video on Pigs and Dogs.)

Similar to a three year old toddler, a pig needs to be watched.

A good pig vet can be hard to find.

Piglets love to chew on things.  Books, backpacks, shoe laces, blankets, pillows, cords, clothing, etc.  Keep your purses up!!

Pigs need a lot of time and attention in the beginning.  It takes time to bond with your piglet.  Set rules and stick to them.  Training takes a lot of time.  Set boundaries and enforce the rules.

Conclusion

Pigs can be amazing pets.  The key is to being able to make an educated decision when deciding to get one.  If you’re still not sure, talk to someone who has one.  Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for lots more tips and advice.  My YouTube channel has tons more information on pet pigs.