Mini Pig Indoor Spaces: Ideas & Inspiration (2024)

FAQs

How to keep a mini pig inside? ›

It is recommended that owners keep other pets and provide frequent human interaction. Recommendation on the size and configuration of the pen is 10 square feet per pig.

A plastic sweater box, or cement mixing box work very well for smaller pigs. For that larger pig a kiddy pool works great (one of those inexpensive plastic ones). Just cut an opening in one side to give them easy access. The best thing to use in your litter box is pine shavings, NEVER cedar shavings or kitty litter.

Potbellied

Though there are 14 subspecies of potbellied pigs, most are dwarfs and don't usually get larger than a medium or large sized dog. Potbellied pigs are clean, odorless, and can thrive indoors or outdoors. They're highly trainable, which means you can potty train them!

Much like people, pigs are soothed by music, love playing ball, and even enjoy getting massages.

Pigs generally prefer heavy, durable objects to push around, such as tires, cement blocks, large rocks, bales of hay, large piles of straw, and iron chains. They also like soft, chewy items such as leather and hemp rope. Despite their name, they prefer to play with clean objects over dirty ones.

Mini-pigs may be housed successfully inside if they are given enough space, an area in which to root (dig), and proper environmental enrichment (see handout "Behavior of Mini-Pigs").

They will need some form of bedding to sleep in. Comforters, beach towels, blankets, or sleeping bags are good, soft choices for bedding. Mini-pigs should have daily outdoor time in a fenced-in yard to allow time for foraging, rooting, and playing.

Where should my mini pig sleep? - Quora. Pigs should have a cozy sheltered area away from extreme weather. For indoor pigs, they tend to prefer an area with blankets they can burrow under. Some pig owners have their pig crate trained which becomes their “safe” spot.

Make sure they have adequate, and dry, bedding. We use straw here and it works very well. Just switch it out at least every month during the winter or rainy season to insure the bedding is kept dry. Wet surroundings and/or wet straw will make your pig sick very quickly.

What is the best litter for mini pigs? ›

Breeders most often use horse bedding pellet or pine pellet. Cat litter cannot be used as pigs will eat the kitty litter and it is not good for them.

Initially confine your pig to a small area when not directly supervising him or her. Take the pig outside frequently (every 2 hours), and especially upon waking and after meals. Come up with a command to use when you want your pig to urinate or defecate e.g. 'Do your stuff. '

Wheat straw is the most commonly used straw on pig units. Barley straw is soft and has a higher absorbency than wheat and is not as course or brittle but it is more palatable so pigs may be more inclined to eat it. Oat Straw is very absorbent but it is also highly palatable and is often used as a feed for cattle.

Like cats, pigs can be litter box trained. However, the box must be big enough so that the pig can turn around fully. That way, the pig will be able to use the bathroom comfortably. For smaller pigs, you can use plastic storage boxes or a regular cat litter box with low sides.

Indoor pigs will need their own space, preferably their own room with a pile of blankets to nest in. They will also need an outside run so that they can exercise and have an opportunity to use their natural instinct to forage for roots and fungi.

Pigs are smart enough to be trained like dogs, and can be house trained, walked on a lead and even taught basic tricks. The trend of keeping pigs as pets, however, has led to an influx of pet pigs to rescues, as their well-meaning owners struggle to meet the animal's complex needs.

Pig health and welfare

You'll need to make sure your pigs exercise regularly to avoid obesity and constipation and to stop their feet from becoming overgrown. They'll also need regular checks from a vet to make sure they're in good health. Pet pigs are prone to some specific health problems, including: Dry, scaly skin.