Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs

In 1985 a breed of swine now most commonly known as Vietnamese Pot-bellied Pigs were imported to the United States from Vietnam. By the 1990s breeders were popping up all over the U.S. promoting these pigs as house pets; a great alternative to the normal cat or dog. Some of these breeders knew what they were doing and told the truth about how these pigs would act when matured, but most of these breeders sold these miniature pigs to unsuspecting customers telling them that the pig would stay fairly small and only weigh between 40 and 50 pounds. Pot-bellied pigs became a huge craze and many people spent thousands of dollars to buy these "pets" from less-than-knowledgeable breeders. Soon the owners found out that these pigs do not stay very small at all, some can become quite territorial, among other problems.

What are Pot-bellied Pigs?

When pot-bellied pigs were introduced in the United States, the most normal color you would see is that of black hair and maybe a spot of white here and there. But breeders began to experiment and now pot-bellied pigs can be found in a wide variety of colors such as silver, white, tan, or red. The hair on pot-bellied pigs are very different from those found on any other domestic animal. It's not soft, but rather prickly and firm, with a quill-like quality at the tip. If you stepped on a pot-bellied pig hair in bare feet, you would definitely feel it!

Pot-bellied pigs are very smart animals. Pigs are the fourth smartest species on the planet, so one can imagine the trouble these pigs can get themselves into. When properly trained, a pot-bellied pig can be house broken or litter trained, and also taught simple tricks and commands such as "sit". They can also be taught how to walk on a leash, which is good exercise for a pig.

Even though it's hard to imagine, pigs are very clean animals. But since they don't have sweat glands they must find ways to cool themselves off; rolling around in mud or laying in a shallow swimming or baby pool being some of the ways. They also like to root in the dirt because it's instinct and it helps them gain the proper nutrients and minerals they need. A pot-bellied pig can quickly turn a beautiful lawn into an uprooted mess.

Do They Make Good Pets?

In the 1990s most pot-bellied pig owners found out the answer to this question. The short answer is: not really. Pigs need to be outside where they can root and cool themselves off and interact with a herd. Some breeders would even tell people that these pigs would do fine in an apartment! That statement being completely false in all aspects. Pot-bellied pigs require good maintenance, and if maintenance is avoided, or forgotten to be taken care of, it could be harmful to both owner and pig. Male pigs grow tusks which need to be trimmed (but not removed). Their hooves also need to be trimmed about once a year, and this can be a daunting task for an owner, so almost all pot-bellied pigs need it done by a veterinarian while under anesthetics. Pot-bellied pigs also shed at least once or even twice a year, and should be brushed to keep their hair and skin healthy. The lighter-colored pigs can also get sunburned, so sun lotion is necessary when outside in the hot sun.

Sometimes when a pig would reach maturity, it would think of his owner and the owners family, and even strangers, as a herd. In herds there is something like a "pecking order", and these pets would sometimes become aggressive to those in its "herd" or more often to strangers. In normal pig situations, where a pig is living at a farm or in the wild, pigs fight when they first meet to see who is stronger than the other. This could be dangerous in a house especially if young children are around the animal. The pig could also become territorial of it's bed or "nest" and not let anyone come near it.

When those cute little piglets would grow up to be pretty large pigs, owners found themselves at a loss with what to do with their pets. These pigs were just too big and required too much attention for some people and their living situations. Some gave their pot bellies to newfound sanctuaries or shelters, and some would just throw the pig out to the curb. This was because most breeders did not properly inform the owners of how their pig would grow and mature into something far from a domestic house pet.

But, some owners have had positive experiences with their pot-bellied pigs. In general, pigs are caring, sweet natured, highly intelligent creatures, and in some cases people found it delightful to live with such an animal.

What Do They Eat?

In the wild pot-bellied pigs eat plants, insects, roots, or anything they can get a hold of. When they are living as a pet "pig chow", a food made especially for pot-bellied pigs, is an excellent and suggested option to feed them. Healthy treats such as fruit and such can be given to them as a reward, but they should not be overfed.

Pot-bellied pigs should not be given a bad reputation. It is not their fault uninformed owners bought them and brought them into a closed living situation. Since it's been a while since 1985, people are more wise to the fact that pot-bellied pigs need special care and attention as house pets. The pig "fad" has long since died down, and now responsible people, or people who have the space and time for a pig, own these fascinating creatures. But, in general, a pot-bellied pig will be most happy when living in a herd, with room to run around in the outdoors, where they can root, graze, and find companionship.

People looking to adopt or buy a Vietnamese Pot-bellied Pig should be completely informed about everything pertaining to the pig. Finding information in literature, or talking to a knowledgeable breeder or owner is recommended.