Mini pigs make exceptional pets and are incredibly small compared to regular stock pigs. Pet pigs are usually described by the terms mini pig, tea cup pig, pocket pig, etc. In truth there is really no such thing as a tea cup pig. A mini pig will reach about the size of cocker spaniel dog. The photos of tiny little pigs on the internet are baby pigs and they will grow. Unfortunately there are a lot of scams out there that you will encounter when looking for a pet pig. In this article I will be talking about different breeds and what to look for in order to avoid scams.

When looking for a pig to buy first ask the breeder or owner, what breed the pig is. If they respond by saying, "It’s a mini pig" or "They are tea cup pigs," then avoid buying from them. Mini pig is not a breed! Juliana or Pot Belly, those are breeds. It is better for the pig to be a mix breed than for them to not know at all what breed it is.

When the breeder says that the pig will stay under 25lb you will know right away that this is a scam. No pig will stay that small. The smallest pig breed will be around 45lb to 60lb. Some breeders do advertise the parents of the pig litter as being around 30lb. Now I don’t consider this lying because in truth these pigs will grow up to the size of a small dog and at a glance they will apparent to be around 30lb. Pigs are made up of some kind of dark matter that weighs so much more than what it looks like! Just kidding, but really pigs do not look as heavy as they really are. I think that if breeders advertised the correct weight of their pigs, people would picture a much, much bigger animal.

The breed I recommend the most for pet pig owners is the Juliana Pig. This is the smallest pig breed and also a very pretty pig. This breed is small, spotted, with a straight back, no hanging stomach and has been bred to live closely with humans. When looking for a Juliana pig to buy it is very important that the pig have spots. If the pig is a solid color you can be almost 100% sure that it is not a true Juliana pig. Fully grown this pig should be between 30 to 50 pounds and under 15 inches tall. Some Juliana pigs do weigh more than this, but they are overweight and should be put on a diet to maintain good health.

For those who have more room and desire a bigger pet pig, there is the Vietnamese Potbellied Pig. These are the most common pigs in the pet trade. They have swayed backs and a big, hanging, belly. They come in a verity of colors, but most are black. These pigs will often be over 100lb.

It’s always a good idea to purchase a pig from reputable breeders who are willing to let you go see their own pigs.

If you have more questions about looking for a pet pig please send me a message!

About Animal Care Expert Meghan Arriola

Meghan Arriola is an animal care consultant from Texas that spends her time promoting holistic wellbeing for humans and animals, while also caring for her many pets including dogs, ferrets, reptiles, goats and much more!

Copyright 2015 – All Rights Reserved MJ Arriola Creations LLC

When talking to people about what they feed their dog, I have often come across those that say they tried the raw diet and that it didn’t work out for them. This is a common issue, because RD is not easy and if you don’t know what you are doing, it won’t work. So lets go over three common issues that arise when mistakes are made when feeding RD.

1) So your dog didn’t like it? He refused to eat what you gave him.

No two people are the same and no two dogs are the same. We all know that one dog that will eat whatever lands in his path, the one that thinks the cookie jar is the cat litter box and that the trash can is a gold mine. But not every dog behaves like that. Some dogs are very picky about what they consider to be food. If this is your dog, he might be a little more hesitant to accept his new food.

There are a couple of things you can try if your dog is refusing to eat his new diet of freshly made food.

First, you should be transitioning him slowly from whatever he was eating before. As I had mentioned in my previous post, you should start by giving half RD and half kibble of whatever brand he was eating before. Slowly reduce the amount of kibble being offered. This should help him get used to the new food.

If that still isn’t working, then try changing the ingredients. You have your favorite foods and foods you absolutely hate. And so do dogs! If he isn’t eating beef, try rabbit, and so on. Dogs can also be very picky about grains and veggies.

Another thing to think about is that there are many options when feeding RD. Raw Diet is non-processed food. This does not need to be fed raw. I cook my dogs’ food, because I am being cautious. But I support feeding the meat raw as well. However this might not go over well with your dog. If you tried raw meat and he didn’t like it, try cooking the meat. If it smells more like your delicious meals that he is always dreaming about, he might be more willing to try it.

2) Allergies. Did your dog have side effects from the food?

Food allergies are common in dogs. Dogs can have allergies to food just the same way that people can. Symptoms are often itching, scratching a lot, ear infections, licking their paws excessively, etc. There is a pretty simple solution for this, just change the ingredients. Your dog may be allergic to grains and will need this completely taken out of his diet.

Also, feeding the same thing every day can cause your dog to become allergic to it. Switch it up every couple of days!

3) Days you were too busy to cook and compensated by giving the dogs commercial pet food or something else.

If you are going to only feed RD, you have to be committed. Even if your dog does not have a problem with eating whatever you put in his bowl, his stomach will. Feeding your dog RD and then occasionally feeding commercial pet food can cause him to have an upset stomach resulting in vomiting and/or diarrhea. He won’t be used to the commercial dog food and that could upset his stomach. The same goes for when you are feeding a commercial pet food, your dog should not be switched drastically between brands.

It is important to plan when feeding RD. Some days you will not have as much time to prepare meals for your dog. It’s important to cook ahead and have the dog’s meal ready to serve. You can even cook for several days or weeks and freeze the food until you are ready to use it.

Hopefully this was helpful for those that have tried RD without success and for those that are planning on feeding RD. I hope it will make your transition to RD a little easier.

Hedgehogs make great pets for someone who is new to taking care of exotic animals. They do not require a lot of attention so they make good pets for someone who is often working. They do not make good pets for young children as they can be difficult to hold, but they would do well for older, responsible children and adults. New pet owners should start off with a baby hedgehog that has not developed bad behaviors due to neglect. The cost of owning a hedgehog is relatively low as they do not eat a lot and the biggest expense is the start up when purchasing. Here are 5 steps to caring for these cute little guys from the pet store to home.

1. If you have decided to adopt or purchase a hedgehog there are a few basic things you will need. First of all, you should only keep one hedgehog per cage. Hedgehogs are solitary animals that spend most of their lives by themselves. They are not looking for friends and do better by themselves. You will need a cage that is about 4 square feet at the smallest. The floor must be solid and not wire. You can use critter keepers or even glass aquariums made for fish or reptiles. You will need to provide bedding inside the cage. Treated wood shavings should not be used. I much prefer soft pet bedding that is absorbent. Cob bedding also works for hedgehogs, but I have noticed they prefer something softer. Your hedgehog will also need a house to sleep in. This can be a small cardboard house, a wood house or igloo. You will also need to provide a low dish for food and a water bottle. I do not suggest using a dish for water because it is very hard to keep clean and will often be split.
   
   
2. There is hedgehog diet on the market that is available in some pet stores or online, but I will always promote feeding fresh foods over processed food. If you decide to go with a processed food diet for your hedgehog you may also consider using cat food. Sometimes you can get a corn free high quality cat food that is much better for the animal than a hedgehog diet formula. Never buy a low quality cat food for your hedgehog. Your hedgehog will always benefit more from fresh foods. Be sure to give him/her lots of protein such as chicken and live bugs. And don’t forget fruits and vegetables. Always feed more veggies than fruits. Only feed items that are safe for hedgehogs. I’ve noticed some of mine’s favorite are peas, cucumbers and apples.
   
   
3. When taming your hedgehog the most important thing to remember is to be patient! Hedgehogs in nature come out around dusk and dawn and spend almost all the rest of time sleeping. If you want to handle your hedgehog let him/her know you are there and then give him/her time to wake up. If you startle your hedgehog too much, he/she will turn into a biter! Hedgehogs have very poor eye sight, but excellent smell! Always give your hedgehog a chance to see who you are and what you are going to do, before taking them out of the cage. Place your hands underneath the hedgehog’s belly to lift him up. Stubborn hedgehogs can be taken out using leather gloves. They will unroll once they are taken out.
   
   
4. Hedgehogs can easily become over weight so it’s important to provide them with an excise wheel. You can also allow your hedgehog to have an area outside the cage to walk around in. This time must be supervised! Whether you provide your hedgehog with an area to play inside the house or outside, always supervise and make sure there is nothing that can harm your hedgehog. Not only should you watch out for cats or other larger animals, but make sure the area is secure and does not have anything that can harm him/her. Hedgehogs love to lick new things they find. It’s very important to make sure your hedgehog is not exposed to chemicals used to clean the house, or fertilizers and/or pesticides used outside. 
   
   
5. Hedgehogs are not difficult to clean up after. You can spot clean the cage daily and replace bedding on a regular occasion. Every so often you can use mild soap and water to wash the cage down. Remove the hedgehog when cleaning and do not put the hedgehog back into the cage until it is completely dry. Hedgehogs do need to be bathed every so often. Do not bath your hedgehog more than every two weeks, as this can cause his skin to become irregular. You can use a tear free baby shampoo to wash the hedgehog. I use a tooth brush to clean the quills.
   
    
   
   

About Animal Care Expert Meghan Arriola

Meghan Arriola is an animal care consultant from Texas that spends her time promoting holistic wellbeing for humans and animals, while also caring for her many pets including dogs, ferrets, reptiles, goats and much more!

Copyright 2015 – All Rights Reserved MJ Arriola Creations LLC

Deciding to get a mini pig as a family pet is not a decision to be taken lightly. Yes, they are cute, but they are also a hand full! This blog will help you decide if a mini pig is the right pet for your family.

Commitment…

A mini pig’s life span is around 15 years. Many people can’t see their life 5 years from now, and if you don’t know for sure if you can keep an animal its entire life then no pet is right for you. Pigs become extremely attached to their human families and it is not a good idea to rehome them later in life. This can cause severe depression in pigs. My pig gives me a cold shoulder when I go out of town, which brings me to the next thing…

Who will take care of your pig if you are out of town or get sick? Most pet boarding places will not take pigs. You can check if one is willing and will also provide a safe place for your pig away from dogs. Will a family member be able to care of the pig? It’s important to know where the pig will stay if you are away.

A Family Member…

This pig will be a family member once you bring him/her home. If you don’t feel this way then don’t get a pig, because trust me the pig will feel like you are their family. Will all the other family members accept the pig? Will a child or spouse be afraid of the pig? How will your dogs or other pets react to the new pig? A large dog can easily kill a small pig.

Care requirements…

Do you have enough space to have a pig? Pigs need to excise and have a safe and secure outdoor area to roam around. Although some people do successfully keep pet pigs in apartments, this is not something I recommend. Pigs can be trained to use a litter box, but this is messy, smelly and a not fun to clean. I find it much easier to give the pig access to an area outside to go to the restroom. Pigs also love to sit in water and would benefit from having a small pool to cool off and play in.

Do you have time for the pig? Pigs need to be fed twice a day and have water at all times. However a pig is not a pet you can just provide food to and leave to their devices. They require constant attention and can have behavioral problems when not given that attention.

Regulations…

Don’t forget to also think about your neighbors and how they will react. Some neighborhoods and cities have regulations on what type of animal you can own. If you own a pig your neighbors will know! Unless you live several acres away from your nearest neighbor, they will hear your pig scream! When upset a pig can squeal remarkably loud. The way I like to describe it is, you won’t even be able to hear yourself think.

You can find out what regulations your city has on pigs by calling your local animal control services.

Medical care…

Most people are under the impression that pigs are like other exotic pets that do not require medical care regularly but instead only well illnesses or accidents occur.  However this is untrue. Pigs are domesticated animals that require yearly veterinarian exams and vaccinations in order to maintain good health and a long life span. Your pig will also more than likely require his/her hooves to be trimmed every couple of months. Pigs’ hooves continuously grow like our own finger nails. Unless you know how to properly trim hooves, please have a professional do this for you.

In conclusion…

So in the end do pigs make good pets? Yes they do! But they are not for everyone. If you decide after reading this article that a mini pig is the right pet for you, I can tell you that it will take no time at all for you to fall in love with your new pet. Pigs are very smart and very affectionate. A bond made with your pet pig is a bond that will last a life time.

Look for my next article, Mini Pig Breeds and Avoiding Scams.

About Animal Care Expert Meghan Arriola

Meghan Arriola is an animal care consultant from Texas that spends her time promoting holistic wellbeing for humans and animals, while also caring for her many pets including dogs, ferrets, reptiles, goats and much more!

Copyright 2015 – All Rights Reserved MJ Arriola Creations LLC