Pack & Play, large wire dog crate or children's play yard
Litter box, heavy ceramic feeding bowls
Pine litter –Pine horse bedding pellets (Farm Supply store), or feline pine pellets (any store that sells pet supplies) NO CEDAR, NO REGULAR CAT LITTER (causes bowel blockages)
Fleece blankets, stuffies, balls, toys safe for children under 3
Heating pad on low until your baby is 5 or more pounds, or 12-16 weeks old.
Purina Pig & Sow
Manna Pro Potbellied Pig Feed (Rural King, Orschlens or Stockdales)
Other Mini Pig Feeds: read your labels carefully. Our minis do not burn off as much protein as larger mini pigs. Therefore, a lower protein mini pig feed is needed. An appropriate feed would be a ratio of 12-16% protein and 12-16% fiber per bag.
Also good to have on hand is Coconut oil, 100% pumpkin puree & electrolytes (TSC) or pedialyte
**These are only suggestions that have worked for us, what works for us may not work for you and your family, so please feel free to use the many resources available on the web or ask your veterinarian. A great internet source: www.pigs4ever.com
Feeding is based on weight. It may not seem like much, but the mini pig feeds are rich in nutrients and have been formulated specifically for a healthy pig feed. (Follow directions on the back of the pellet bag. Underfeeding your pig will not keep it “small”! And malnutrition or starving your pig is illegal and inhumane!!
Your baby will leave here eating pellets soaked in WARM water. Water needs to be available to pigs at all times. Salt poisoning due to dehydration is lethal in pigs and so is constipation!! *There are numerous healthy snack options found online. Vegetables are great, limit fruit due to high sugar content. Piglets usually show interest in veggies, fruits & snacks at around 4 months old. Your piglet will come home with a packet with a more specific feeding schedule & some healthy food suggestions. NEVER GIVE YOUR PIG DOG OR CAT FOOD, THIS CAN LEAD TO DEATH!! It is very high in salt and can cause seizures and or death due to salt poisoning
Most important thing when you bring home your baby is to keep him/her warm by supplying many blankets for your baby to root up under if cold and feed small meals 3-4 times a day, and keep him/her hydrated.
Where to keep your baby Piglets do not absorb food properly if they are cold. Which can lead to a piglet not gaining weight or he/she could have seizures from their blood sugar being too low or death. It is imperative to provide them heat, either with a heating pad, heating blanket or heat lamp (Make sure the heat lamp is secured, these can easily fall and burn your baby or burn your whole entire house down). They are used to the nursery being around 85 degrees. Since they cannot regulate their body temperature also make sure they can move away from the heat source if they are too warm. We find a pack & play works great for little ones. You can put their litter box at one end, their heat source and blankets & pet bed at the other end and the middle for playing with toys and also moving away from the heat if they get too warm. Place in an area of the house where he/she won’t feel isolated so where you spend most of your time. If you do have to leave your baby alone it’s best to turn on a radio or TV. They are accustomed to having music throughout the day and night. The pack & play should contain, snuggle blankets, toys, stuffed animals, litter box and water bowl.
Your baby has been socialized with us in our home, but that does not mean it will automatically transfer over to you without being scared, you are new, smell different and they are in a new and foreign environment without their siblings. Most of the time, future mini pig parents cannot wait to tote their little piggy around like a puppy. Be forewarned that your pig may have no desire to be cuddled in your arms for the first day, second day, often third day, etc. Each mini pig handles the stress of going to their forever home differently. These are a few things you may experience:
Your pig may not want to eat for a day or two. Continue offering food throughout the day, he will eventually eat. Also make sure there is fresh water available at all times. You can also offer electrolytes or stress ease (farm supply store)
Your pig may either become constipated or have diarrhea for a few days. Please contact me or your vet if your mini pig has had constipation or diarrhea for 3 days. 100% pumpkin puree cures both diarrhea and constipation. Replace a feeding with ¼ cup of pumpkin puree, until either has been resolved. If he has diarrhea, offer electrolytes. Salt poisoning due to dehydration is lethal in pigs. A warm bath most always produces stool immediately.
How do I socialize my mini pig? It is essential that you socialize your piglet from the start. We spend a lot of time with the babies and are picked up and held numerous times a day but the job continues (or rather begins again) when arriving at your home. Be patient. For the first day, let your pig get accustomed to being in his new space. Don’t give him free reign or leave him left alone. Keep him in his small area and go in and sit with him, he will come to you when he’s ready. Or Remember to move slowly with your pig. Quick movement can scare them. And when approaching them with your hands go for under their chin not on top of their head or back. Pigs have poor eye sight. **Pigs are very sensitive creatures. Take your time and be patient with your new pig as he or she adjusts. We recommend that you spend a lot of time on the floor with your new piglet. Feed him or her from your hand. Try not to grab him or her, let your piggy learn to trust you and come at his or her own time.