Originally from Vietnam, the Vietnamese pig or pot bellied pig has been an eccentric and popular pet since actor George Clooney decided to go public with the adoption of a pig named Max. Since then, many people in cities, fields and corners of the world adopt pigs without knowing exactly their needs and care. On our site we help you to find out about everything related to the Vietnamese pig.
Consequences of abandoning Vietnamese pigs
Once the Vietnamese pig begins to grow, and especially if it is in a city, its owners begin to worry when they see the cost of their care, their feeding or their own weight increase.
For this reason having a Vietnamese pig is a great responsibility for those who decide to adopt one, who must find out about the ordinance of their country, community and municipality as well as anticipate and learn about the possible growth of your pet.
There are many breeders who do not hesitate to mix a Vietnamese pig with other common farm pigs, pigs that reach very large sizes.
In addition to the pig's own suffering, we must emphasize that Vietnamese pigs share a species with ordinary free-range pigs and wild boars, that is, they are capable of producing offspring among themselves. This has meant that many Vietnamese pigs abandoned in Spain (among other countries) have bred with wild boars, resulting in specimens that had not been seen before in the territory: much stronger, hairier and wilder.
Once the Vietnamese pigs are abandoned and recovered by associations and shelters, they are rarely adopted, even if they are completely hands-on, docile and friendly to people.
Physical description
These are farm and domestic pigs that usually weigh between 43 and 136 kilograms, that is, these are not miniature specimensas we usually believe. They have a long and fat body, showing a prominent belly that is accentuated over time. Its legs, short and thin, are stronger than they appear. The face of the Vietnamese pig is tender and as it ages it fills with furrows and wrinkles that are totally characteristic of the breed.
The males reach sexual maturity at six months of age, even before their full development, at 6 years they are considered to be adult specimens. Currently there is an incredible and varied number of specimens that have arisen by mixing different pigs in captivity and that is because there were already different types of pigs of Vietnamese origin.
Behaviour
The Vietnamese pig is an animal that lives in a herd or community. As with dogs, a strong hierarchy is established between them that they all comply with and respect.
These are very intelligent animals, with their own personality and highly developed instincts. When adopting one you may find yourself with a demanding, sensitive, neurotic or independent dog, and despite education, their personality plays an important factor. He will learn to shout, to get your attention, to wake you up and to ask for food. They may also be jealous of other animals, empty a pantry for you, or get sad when you scold them. Pigs are very sensitive animals contrary to what some people may think. They are curious by nature and will love to follow you as you go about your daily chores, snorting and picking up dust motes with their noses.
By pampering them excessively they can become territorial and aggressive, especially towards friends or relatives who visit us at home, because Vietnamese pigs have a strong instinct to defend their territory. For this, it is very important that we learn about education and obedience, which, as in the case of dogs, is essential for proper coexistence. We must set rules and firm discipline, on a daily and continuous basis, as well as make them understand the meaning of the word "No" and obviously never allow a fault or aggression towards a human.
Positive reinforcement through treats and snacks (grapes or small portions of cheese) works wonderfully because pigs are food lovers. It is not a difficult animal to train since its ability to remember commands allows it to repeat actions over and over again. You'd be surprised what a pig can learn to do.
Care
Before adopting a Vietnamese pig it is important to properly prepare ourselves to welcome the new member of the family. Care will depend on age, weaning time, socialization and type of education received.
Don't be shy, before adopting a specific specimen you should inform yourself of all these questions because it is not an animal that needs simple care like a fish or a bird, it is an animal that will grow, that has feelings and needs attention just like a baby.
The Vietnamese pig must have a personal space not too big in the home, sheltered from the cold, where to sleep and rest. If you decide to keep him indoors, we advise you to prepare a room for him, with a linoleum floor in case he urinates, that is easy to clean and maintain. Outside the residence you can make a shed or corral with a door that does not allow him to escape from the farm. Creating a closed space outside is a good idea in case we decide, in the future, to leave him in a nursery when we go on vacation.
The sleeping area can be similar to a regular pet bed, albeit a bit large in size. Like a dog, it should have its own bag to travel by car if we decide to take it on a trip or on an excursion.
You must not locate their residence and food in the same space because it is a totally unhygienic measure, in addition to not liking them. In this way, you will place their bowls in an area enabled for it.
If you have decided to adopt a young it is important that you offer them something warm to snuggle with, such as a hot water bottle wrapped in a cloth.
We can teach our pig to defecate and urinate in a litter box, if we start education from an early age we will have no problems in the future. Of course, the box must be somewhat larger and have a low height. Do not use cat litter as it can eat it, use another type of sand or pine chips (elements dedicated to rabbits or chinchillas). It should also be away from the sleeping area, preferably outdoors, where they feel most comfortable.
It is important that you have toys for them that encourage their intelligence and fun, just as you would with another pet. Look for toys that they can't eat or break.
Finally we add that pigs do not sweat through their bodies, they eliminate sweat through the upper end of their nose. For this reason and in high temperatures it will be beneficial for him to provide a small pool for children or a mud hole, irresistible! Then you will clean him with clear water.
Feeding
For his feeding, provide him with a large bowl, made of plastic for example, which cannot be broken and which he can access without difficulty. You should never give him food for dogs or cats In the market you will find specific feed to give your Vietnamese pig, food that contains fiber and little fat. Even so, you must remember that the pig is an omnivorous animal, for this reason it is essential that you offer it green protein together with, for example, worms.
The daily food rations will be divided into two servings, something important for proper digestion. You should always have abundant fresh water available If you have your pig in the field grazing, you should reduce its daily dose of food. Do not offer human food either, as the result will be a pig that is too fatty, sickly and unhe althy. A false myth is that you can get a smaller pig if you feed it less. That is totally absurd and false, and is considered full-fledged abuse.
Foods that we can offer you in addition to feed: lettuce, cabbage, celery, carrots, or green grasses.
Some foods that we should limit: fruits, corn, potatoes and the like, tomatoes, spinach.
Foods that we should never give: chocolate, sugar in general, alcohol or foods that you think a pet should not receive.
He alth
Neutering of Vietnamese pigs is recommended if the owner intends to adopt them as a pet. In this way, and as long as it is done in youth, we can prevent diseases such as cancer, mastitis, heat and dominant or territorial attitudes. We will also prevent them from reproducing if they escape from the home together with wild boars for example.
We'll have to find a vet to trim his hooves when he needs it.
Vietnamese pigs tend to dig up and scavenge the garden for earthworms for example. In extreme cases, it is recommended to go to a specialist to have a ring placed in the nose, in this way we will avoid this behavior.
The following are some of the most common diseases of Vietnamese pigs:
- Gastrointestinal problems: Prevent your Vietnamese pig from pulling up roots or ingesting any type of object. You will be able to identify a problem of this type if he vomits.
- Colibacillosis: This is diarrhea that usually appears in malnourished young specimens.
- Salmonella: Affects specimens of all ages, generally after weaning. It can occur after eating garbage food or fecal matter from other species.
- Constipation: May occur if you are not getting enough water or due to kidney disease. Encouraging exercise can be beneficial for evacuation.
- Rectal prolapse: This is due to irritation of the intestine after prolonged diarrhea.
- Lymphosarcoma, lymphoma and carcinoma: As our Vietnamese pig ages, these types of small tumors appear with it, which in case of lodging in the intestines can be very serious.
- Dry, scaly skin: This is common and is eliminated by regularly wiping the skin with damp towels.
- Sarcoptic mange: It can happen to them just like other pets.
- Melanoma: This is a skin tumor that needs to be removed.
- Sunburn: It happens if we frequently expose them to the sun without protection, water or mud.
- Lameness: Due to the shape of the back Vietnamese pigs can suffer muscle pulls, ligament damage, fractures etc.
- Infectious arthritis: Affects pigs of all ages. Needs veterinary treatment.
- Cracked hooves: Due to exercise on abrasive surfaces such as concrete.
- Tetanus: Happens after a dog bite or skin abrasion, among others.
Home Security
As you may have imagined, pigs love to browse and rummage, especially in kitchens and bathrooms that must be kept securely closed, just as you would with a child, you must prevent them from reaching products that may be harmful to him.
