Pet pig, a new term in recent years. As pigs, in our country, they used to be raised for food. However, in recent years, more and more people are keeping pets, and the types are becoming more diverse and exotic. Pigs have naturally become pets for people. Mini pigs are currently popular in the UK. These pigs have small hooves, large ears, and many wrinkles on their noses, making them very cute. However, although these mini pigs are very small, their prices are very high. To own a mini pig that weighs only 9 ounces (255 grams) at birth, about the size of a teacup, you need to pay 700 pounds.
Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pigs were initially bred in 1980 not as family pets but as breeding pigs for zoos. However, with the popularity of mini pigs, a pet trade revolving around these mini pigs soon emerged. Later, a Canadian zoo personnel named Keith Connell introduced the mini pigs, and then Keith Leavitt brought the mini pigs to Texas. Although their efforts were separate, they laid the foundation for the prevalence of mini pigs in the United States today and provided more options for those who are considering mini pigs as pets.
For pet lovers, it is recommended that pet pigs have high intelligence, are easy to train, and can accompany themselves like cats and dogs, and they will not hurt people. However, pet pigs are prone to odor and need to be bathed regularly, and the environment needs to be cleaned. Moreover, after pet pigs grow up, they have a large body size and may not have enough space to be kept indoors.
Pigs cough and have sticky secretions from their eyes and noses, with a body temperature as high as 40-42°C, and symptoms of rapid breathing. The owner should promptly take the pig to see a doctor, who will first measure the pig's body temperature and listen to its respiratory system to assess the severity of the illness, and then treat the pig with injections or medication to control its condition. After bringing the pig home for care, it should be observed for another 2-3 days. If the pig's condition does not improve, it should be taken to a doctor as soon as possible. If the pig's stool has abnormal color or is in a liquid state, clean food and water should be provided. If the pig's stool continues to be liquid, please take the pig to receive medical treatment as soon as possible to prevent other complications.
0-4 week old piglets can be fed with full cream milk powder. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of milk powder with 100cc of water to make milk for each feeding. You can add 1 teaspoon of cream or 1 egg yolk to enhance the nutrition. Some sellers of piglets say that piglets should not be fed with cow's milk, as the nutritional composition is different from that of pig milk. However, many pig owners feed their piglets with cow's milk and have not observed any adverse reactions, so you can let your pet pig consume it with peace of mind.[1]
After 4 weeks, you can start feeding the piglets with dry whole milk powder. Feed them with 2 tablespoons of milk powder each time and reduce the amount of liquid milk. This action is called "weaning" and its purpose is to train the piglet's digestive ability for solid food.
After 6 weeks, you can start feeding the piglet with a small amount of solid food or food soaked in water. You can also introduce fruits and vegetables. When feeding the piglet with new food, it may experience nutritional diarrhea. If you notice that the piglet's stool is incomplete in shape and more watery, please take it to the vet as soon as possible.
After 1 month, the piglet can consume solid food completely. As pigs are omnivorous animals, their food should include vegetables, fruits, and animal protein, such as chicken, beef, and cucumber, to ensure balanced nutrition and healthy growth.
1. Brush the hair diligently. Choose a small pet-specific comb for brushing pigs. Before brushing pets, gently stroke them to relieve their nervousness. When combing, be gentle and careful to avoid hurting the pets.
2. Take a bath. Actually, pet pigs are very clean small pets and usually take care of their own cleanliness. However, there are limitations, so as a parent, you should give regular baths to pet pigs to remove dirt and dust from their bodies. After bathing, use a hairdryer to thoroughly dry their hair to prevent them from catching a cold or getting sick.
Pet Encyclopedia
