POT BELLY PIG CARE
DIET:
- “Mazuri Pot Belly Pig Diet”- available at G&E Pharmacy
– Elder formula should be fed after spay/neuter or 6 months
- Fresh vegetables are good
- Keep fruits to a minimum due to high sugar content
SPAY AND NEUTERING:
- Prevents unwanted heat cycles and male behaviours
- Best time to spay/neuter is 6-12 weeks old
- Needle teeth are clipped at this time if already not done
HOOF TRIMMING:
- Hooves should be trimmed regularly. If possible, at home when ever they start to get long
- If home trimming is not an option, once or twice a year under sedation at the clinic is recommended
VACCINES:
- None required
DEWORMING:
- Should be done as a piglet. Most piglets have skin mites.
- Once or twice a year as an adult
- Ask the clinic about products and dosing
MAJOR HEALTH CONCERNS:
- OBESITY!! Pigs are not meant to get obese. We start seeing fat rolls and wrinkles where there shouldn’t be. This leads to skin infections in the fold. Also their eyes become compromised as fat rolls over the eyes. Its also harder for the pig to get around when they are too heavy.
FUN FACTS:
- Easily litter or house trained
- Very smart, they learn tricks fast
- Very food motivated
- Squeal a lot! Practice as much handling as possible when they are piglets
- Lose baby teeth up to 2yrs old
- Live to 15-25 years old
