If you’re thinking about getting a pet but want an alternative to a dog or cat, a micro pig is a solid consideration. Learn more about these adorable animals, how long they live, and how best to care for them.
How long do micro pigs live: Micro pigs can live between 12 and 18 years old, which means they are a great addition to the family. To keep your micro pig healthy, make sure it is fed a balanced diet with plenty of specialty pig pellets and fresh vegetables. You can feed them the odd fruit but not too much as it has a lot of sugar in it. Micro pigs are intelligent, so teach them tricks. Ensure your micro pig has regular check-ups and pay attention to signs of respiratory illnesses and arthritis. With love and care, your micro pig will live to its full potential.
Factors that Affect Micro Pig Lifespan
Respiratory Issues
One of the main health issues that affect micropigs is respiratory illness. The nasal passage is especially prone to infection so you should always be on the lookout for this.
If your pig constantly has a runny nose, you should consult your veterinarian. If left untreated, this can turn into a bloody nose or even nasal deformities that are permanent.
Be sure to keep your micro pig up to date on all its vaccinations as this will prevent many common viruses from spreading.
Diet
Unfortunately, one of the leading reasons for a shorter lifespan is their diet. It can be hard to know when to stop feeding your pig and as pigs don’t often have a lot of self-control, your pig can quickly become overweight.
The best way to go about crafting a diet for your micro pig is to learn what is its ideal size. There are many breeds that fall under the teacup pig category and they can vary greatly in their ideal size.
Once you know their size, you can then plan how much food to give your pig. If you’re in doubt, always consult a veterinarian.
Treats are fun to give your pig and while you can certainly offer them fruit, it should not be the bulk of their diet. Instead, offer a small portion of fruit every few days to cut down on the overall sugar they consume.
Arthritis
Although arthritis won’t affect younger pigs, older animals are susceptible to developing it. The more a pig weighs, the more pressure on its joints, which can add to the severity of arthritis.
Keep your pig on a balanced diet and give it plenty of time for exercise. If your pig looks like it is suffering, there are medications a veterinarian can prescribe to help with movement.
Micro Pig Nurturing and Care
Proper Feeding
Micro pigs need proper nutrition and you should cater this to their ideal size. It can be easy to overfeed your little pig and while you may think this is cute, it will lead to health issues.
Stick to a diet that is made up of 80 percent pig pellets and 20 percent fruit and vegetables. Avoid pig food that has a growth formula as this is meant for large-sized pigs that are growing for butchering.
Hygiene
Micro pigs can develop skin issues so you want to help them prevent this. Depending on your breed, your pig may have skin that is prone to sunburn so always be careful if leaving your pig outside in the hot sun.
In the winter when the air becomes dry, your pig’s skin can become dry and flaky. You can use a special animal moisturizing lotion to help your pig. There’s a good chance your pig will love its little massage sessions.
Cleanliness
Pigs are actually very clean animals. They do not like to be dirty.
To help your micro pig stay clean, you can get it used to a lovely, relaxing bath. While your pig might resist at first, it will quickly fall in love with being pampered.
Start with a large basin or sink. You can place your pig in a bathtub but put down something that will help with the slipperiness of the bottom.
Put tepid water into the tub. It does not need to be as hot as for humans but it shouldn’t be so cold it shocks your pig. Use a natural shampoo made for animals and keep your pig calm by talking in a soothing manner.
After you rinse your pig, dry it off with a fluffy towel afterward so that it doesn’t become chilly.
Training
Despite their micro size, mini pigs are still curious, intelligent animals. They need regular stimulation or else they can grow bored and lethargic.
You should start training your micro pig at an early age as they will be happy to show off their intellectual abilities.
Start with practical matters, such as house training your pig to use a litter box. You can also introduce a crate system so your micro pig knows where it goes to sleep.
Once these tasks are mastered, you can then move on to fun tricks such as sit, stay, and even fetch. If your micro pig is especially active, set up an obstacle course in the backyard to keep it energized and entertained.
What can you do to extend a micro pig’s lifespan?
The best way to keep your micro pig living to its full potential is to create a healthy environment. Keep your micro pig on a diet that will maintain its ideal weight.
Also provide plenty of opportunity for exercise, either by letting it roam a certain area or even by creating your very own pig obstacle course.
Bring your micro pig to its regularly scheduled veterinarian appointments and always keep up to date on the vaccination schedule.
If your micro pig seems as if it is in distress or something changes with its behavior, you should take your pig to be looked at, just in case.
Conclusion
With proper care, your micro pig can live between 12 and 18 years old, which is quite long. Be sure to feed your pig a balanced diet, give it plenty of exercises, and visit your veterinarian regularly.
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