Pot belly pigs can make great pets, but before buying one it is important to learn how to care for a pot belly pig. Pot belly pigs are highly intelligent and clean pets. They do require somewhat different treatments and approaches in training and caring then other exotic pets and common pets, such as cats and dogs. It is because of this that knowing how to take care of a pig is very important before getting one. Many pot belly pigs are abandoned each year, because their owners did not have the correct information and facts about pet pigs. If, after learning about these creatures, the person still wants to obtain one for a pet, think about adopting one from a shelter.http://www.pigs4ever.com/PotBelliedPigInfo/FAQs.htm

Pot belly pigs are often classified as either miniature or standard sizes. This is a misconception as both are the same breed of pig. Part of caring for these pigs is knowing how to give them a healthy and filling diet. Pot belly pigs cannot be kept small just by feeding them less. This will only harm the pet. The care and activity of a pet pig will slightly change as it ages and pot belly pigs can life for a long time. Read on for more information and fun facts about pet pot belly pigs.

There is an abundance of incorrect information about the size of a mature pot belly pig. Some breeders will tell clients that their pigs are mini or micro pigs that will only reach around 30 lbs. This is a very wrong statement. Compared to commercial hogs that can reach a thousand pounds than a hundred pound pig may be considered a mini or micro. There is a large range in modern pot belly pigs.

A birth a pot belly pig will be two to three inches tall and weigh six to eight ounces. Piglets can be born larger or smaller, but they do grow very fast. By a year a healthy pot belly pig will be around 12 inches tall and weigh around 60 to 70 pounds. By two years of age the pig is skeletally fully grown and over the next year will beef up. At three years a pot belly pig should be between 14 and 16 inches tall. Their weight should be between 80 and 125 pounds.

If a breeder claims the pigs will be significantly out of these sizes the buys should ask for references of other people who bought their pigs. Call and ask these pet owners the size of their pigs. The best way to guarantee a smaller pot belly pig is to pick one from two well few genetically small parents and even this is not a promise.http://www.potbellypigpets.com/importantinformation.html

A good quality diet high in fiber and low in calories is very important for a pot belly pig’s health. The ideal food for these pigs is one that is formulated for a pot belly pig. These can be found at some feed stores or online. A commercial food meant for farmed pigs can be used, but make sure to use a maintenance ration. Avoid the grower and finisher foods as these are meant for optimum growth. A commercial starter diet can be fed to piglets only until they are two to three months old.

For non breeding adult pigs feed ½ cup of maintenance food for every 25 pounds of pig. An example is a 100 pound pig would get two cups of food a day. This amount should be split into two meals a day. This feeding can be adjusted based on the pig’s body. An obese pig will have rolls of fat around the face and the hip bones will be hard to feel. An obese pig should be fed less and one that feels skinny should be fed more.

A variety of fresh vegetables can make up 25% of a pig’s diet. Many pigs love fruits, but these should be fed in moderation or as treats only due to their high amounts of sugar.http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/potbelliedpigs/a/aa052103.htm

Pot belly pigs have different needs that pet owners should know and understand before buying or adopting one. Pigs are the forth most intelligent creatures on the planet and can be mentally harmed by someone who cannot care for them properly.

Birth to 6 Weeks: Piglets have three things on their minds up until about two months. These things are survival, establishing themselves in their herd and eating. For this reason a piglet should learn all its young lessons from its mother and littermates. The piglet should be at least six weeks old before being weaned and at least seven weeks before being removed from any littermates.

6 Weeks to 3 Months: Most owners get their piglets at this age. The pot belly pig is looking to replace the herd or littermates it lost and should bond to the owner at this stage. The pig will adopt the new human or humans as their herd. At this age the pig has great memory and learns very quickly.

3 Months to 1 Year: Still learning quickly, the pig will constantly check out anything new and at this stage may challenge the authority of the owner. This is the teenage stage of their lives.

1 to 5 Years: The earlier training of the pig will begin to pay off around this time. The pot belly pig is coming into adulthood and has a better understanding of what is expected of them.

Over 5 Years: As the pig grows older their active youth will fade and its diet may need to be changed. To help motivate exercise try changing toys or by establishing an exercise routine. A handy trick is to sprinkle one of the pig’s meals around the yard so that it will have to move around to find and eat the food.http://www.potbellypigpets.com/characteristics.html