Your Pot Belly Pig Information Center

Home > Info and Resources > Info
Housing and Toys

Toys & Recreation

Pigs love toys, especially any toy that has food in or on it.

An early favorite around here was newspapers and magazines. They love to shred them and leave giant spit wads laying around afterwards.

Now Ziggy loves playing with the brown packing paper that you find in packages that are shipped to your home or business. He will take it from one room to another, shred it, shake it and jump around.

Root Box
Example of Flower in her Rooting Box

Pet Pig Busy Balls are another favorite, because they are filled with food. They are balls will holes drilled in them just big enough for the food to fall out. The pig pushes the Busy Ball around the house getting food and exercise at the same time. It keeps them busy and occupied. If your pet pig gets bored, that is when he gets in 'trouble' and you have a problem. Busy Balls keep them busy and satisfied and are virtually indestructable. You can make your own similar Busy Ball with a hollow ball that has a plug or 1 liter bottle. You want just enough holes to keep them busy. Too many and food falls right out.

The Rooting Box is Flowers favorite. It is 2' x 2' square wooden box filled with smooth round river rocks about the size of your fist. You don't want any rocks smaller as they might inhale them while rooting around. I sprinkle pig chow, Cheerios, or air popped pop corn in the rooting boxes here. The rooting box should be made out of plywood that is very smooth or sanded. No splinters in their noses! Ours are 2' X 2' square and 4" deep, which seems to work well.

Other Tips

Just wanted to give you a piggy tip built upon your suggestion of a rooting box for Rommie. I took a heavy duty plastic bus pan and filled it with damp hay (leftovers from the goats) and thoroughly mixed half a bag of natural popcorn in it. He was back there for hours playing in it. Not too messy as the hay is damp and all the flakes are gone, not too noisy and he enjoys eating the hay as well.


The information presented within our information and resources section has been collected from what we consider experts and various reputable persons including vets, sanctuary owners, and private pig owners among others. Information shown is the latest available. Although we have had pet pigs for 20 years and consider ourselves quite knowledgeable, we are by no means veterinarians. Any health related information presented below should be checked out with your personal veterinarian.

 

Pigs are where it's at.
THINKING ABOUT
GETTING A PET PIG?

ALL pet pigs should be spayed or neutered before sold. They should be at least 6-8 weeks of age and weaned from mom.

PLEASE do your homework before getting a pig for a pet. Make sure that you are zoned for pigs as pets. Is there a vet in your area that will see mini pigs?

Please make sure that you're ready to commit to this pet for the next 12-15 plus years. The truth is that the potbellied pig is only a good pet for those who take commitment and responsible pet ownership very seriously.

PLEASE CONSIDER ADOPTING!

"Potbelly pigs are not products you just throw away when you get bored or become overwhelmed. They are intelligent, caring creatures who depend on you for their survival.

PLEASE: Do your homework BEFORE getting one. Don't be stubborn or worse, ignorant. Know the facts before you get into unexpected problems."

Richard Slayton
Proud Pot Belly Pig Dad.
Animal Poison Control

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is your best resource for any poison-related emergency, 24/7, 365. If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call 888.426.4435. A $65 per case fee may apply.