Raising a pet pig?

[BubbbleBrains]

Hello Everyone!
I always seem to run into this forum whenever I'm looking up something animal related online, so I decided to finally join!

I can't seem to find any information online about the costs of raising a pig as a pet. I am not sure that I am getting a pig, but I was wondering if anybody had any information on about how much feeding a full sized pig costs. I'm guessing it is not quite the same as feeding a meat pig, because I don't need this pig to get as big as possible. Just a healthy, regular weight.
I understand that the pig would still get pretty big, even without being raised for meat. If I decide to have a pig sometime in the future it would definitely be an outside pet!

If anyone has any information on feeding or caring for a pig I would really appreciate it!
Thanks!
A.

 

[Cornish Heritage]

Well you might not like what I have to say but pigs in my opinion pigs are not pets. They are big animals & unless you want a skeleton, you will need to feed it the same as a regular breeding pig. Pigs are WAY more expensive to keep than dogs - need good fencing & unless you have plenty of money to spare I would not advise it.

A "pet" pig is actually likely to get WAY more fat than a regular pig as it is not doing the job it was created to do - reproduce.

Now I know there are folks out there that raise the mini pigs as pets & yes there are some out there that raise big pigs as pets so they may be able to give you some more advice.

Liz

 

[secuono]

Eh, pet pigs...as in outside on a farm, but loved like a pet, sure.
But livestock indoors like a dog or cat, no way.
My trio of Potbellies live outside and even though one of them might love hanging out with me on cold or wet days in the house, he is by far, much happier outside being a pig.

 

[BubbbleBrains]

Thanks guys!
The pig would definitely live outside, by 'pet' I just meant that I don't plan on ever eating or selling him.

 

[Alice Acres]

We had a pot bellied pig...and she was a great pet. My husband saw her at an auction and felt sorry for her and bought her/brought her home. She was skinny, dirty and looked very neglected.
One of our then-13 year old twin daughters had just had her dog die, and Todd thought a scrawny pig was a good substitute...men...

But - she turned out to be a great pet! Daughter Lisa named her Bailey Ann, and she grew to love her very quickly. (and this is my prissy twin).
We penned her 1st - she was in an old chicken pen that was indoors/outdoors. Then during the day we started letting her out. She was super - the best yard pig! So smart - she learned to stay out of my flowers, away from the road, and even to not root in our yard pond. Soon she had free range yard privileges and we built her her own house (like a big dog house with thick hay for bedding and rooting/burrowing). All of our friends just loved her too. We did herding classes (for dogs) at our farm for several years, and she was so popular, and loved all the attention.

We got her back to good health and she lived for years with us. Not knowing her age (she was adult when we got her), and also that she had poor care in the 1st part of her life, we don't know how old she was, but we loved her

So, if you want a nice pet pig - I would really recommend a pot bellied pig.

 

[drdoolittle]

I love all of my potbellies! They all have different personalities----some can be very pushy---but they are all wonderful!

 

[secuono]

Potbellies root like mad men if it rains and they realize the soil is suddenly 'easy to work with'.
I hardly feed much to my 3 PBs, I'm sure a 'real' hog would eat a lot more. But I would stick with feeding it pig food and ration it, a pig will eat until it pops..
I toss out tomatoes and cukes to them, it would be really easy for you to grow a big section of it to feed your pig.
You'll need good fencing no matter what size pig. Small ones pop through little holes like mice, big ones just lift the fence and go under...
Gotta say that the pigs have been one of the easiest and least stressful animal I've raised so far.

 

[Bossroo]

Hello Everyone!
I always seem to run into this forum whenever I'm looking up something animal related online, so I decided to finally join!

I can't seem to find any information online about the costs of raising a pig as a pet. I am not sure that I am getting a pig, but I was wondering if anybody had any information on about how much feeding a full sized pig costs. I'm guessing it is not quite the same as feeding a meat pig, because I don't need this pig to get as big as possible. Just a healthy, regular weight.
I understand that the pig would still get pretty big, even without being raised for meat. If I decide to have a pig sometime in the future it would definitely be an outside pet!

If anyone has any information on feeding or caring for a pig I would really appreciate it!
Thanks!
A.

You would be wise to read my post in this section ... "Man eaten by his pigs " !!!

 

[PFSfarmer]

Pet pig...I dunno.... I think it would be neat for any animal to be a pet and I have seen and heard wild stories, but I would always be on my guard. Good Luck.

 

[Hillsvale]

normal eating ( ie: bacon) type pig works up to 5 pounds of commercial grower a day fed 2.5 pounds twice a day. 5 pounds is a maintenance amount of a full size pig including my 750 boar.. not sure a proper pig would be the best of pets per se but perhaps the PB pigs that some keep would be more in keeping with what you have in mind.