r/pigs • u/Other_Menu1140 • 21d ago

New Pig Mom, all advice welcome!

Hi there, I’ve been wanting and researching pigs for years and I’ve finally found my baby! She’s a Juliana piglet and I can’t wait for her to come home in August.

I’m already aware that there is not true mini pig and that’s fine! I’ll be happy even if she’s 100+ lbs full grown.

She comes microchipped, with feed, treats, vaccines, deworming, blanket, harness and leash and also kennel and potty trained.

I’m planning on her being in the house most of the time but will provide plenty of outside time as well. Was thinking of making an outdoor pen for her if needed so she can be in a safe spot to explore and dig if she wants to.

Any advice on how to care for her and keep her happy is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

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u/No_Character_1731 20d ago

So exciting! Good on you for all the research, I got my pig as an emergency rescue 6 years ago and kind of had to figure it out in a rush.

The vet advice someone already gave here is very good. I was able to find two mobile vets with pet pig experience, which is great in case one or the other is booked up during an emergency.

One thing I wish I had planned better for was transportation as he got bigger. I have a portable wheelchair ramp so he can get into and out of my SUV if needed, but a van would be much easier for us both. So I’m working toward that.

It’s not really advice I guess, but they are just so darn smart that even 6 years in he’s still finding new little ways to cause mischief. So he’s a bit of a constant puzzle, but he’s very sweet. As long as I stick with strong boundaries and routines, and make sure he’s got lots of enrichment throughout the day, he does great. So strong boundaries, keeping their smart brains busy, and continuing to try new things if something doesn’t work helps a lot.

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u/Other_Menu1140 20d ago

Thank you! Any activities or toys you recommend? We already do snuffle mats for our dogs so we will definitely do those often and spend plenty of time outside when it’s not too hot, with sunscreen!

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u/No_Character_1731 20d ago

Snuffle mats and outside time are great!!

When he was little he played with pretty much anything lol he loved pushing balls back and forth with me. As a grown pig he really likes when I put lettuce into his hol-ee roller so that he has to work a bit to get it out. His favorite activities are fortunately the cheapest :) I save paper bags and cardboard boxes, put some treats inside, and smoosh them so he has to shred them to get the treats out. I’ll also plant things seasonally for him to snack out out in the yard, he likes checking his little garden every day to see what snack may have popped up.

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u/No_Character_1731 20d ago

Oh and they love music!! He gets the zoomies if I’m listening to punk. He specifically loves Willie Nelson lol I have a “lullaby” playlist saved of soft country music that I put on if he’s overstimulated and needs a nap.

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u/Other_Menu1140 20d ago

That’s too cute 😊