Many of us are under the influence of the need to fulfill a dream of getting an unconventional pet, which the minipig certainly is. This trend has been present in the Czech Republic for about ten years. But don’t be fooled by those cute snouts, taking care of the minipig is hard and has to be thought through.
What breeds of minipigs there are? Gottingen, Royal Dandies, Extreme Dandies, Vietnamese, Kunekune, Choctaw. These are the most popular. You can find a lot about these breeds on the internet, so we won’t list everything here. Let’s get straight to the important questions.
Will the minipig stay small?
Believe it or not, but it won’t stay small. Of all the pigs bred to dwarf form, only the Extreme Dandies, originally from the US, grow to a weight of 4–8 kg. Royal Dandies usually weigh 15 to 20 kg, and other minipigs weigh around 35 kg in adulthood. The Vietnamese minipig may have up to 150 kg, since its genetic dispositions are very diverse. Don’t be fooled by the ‘mini’ prefix in this pet.
Does a pig eat like a pig?
Even though pigs are omnivores, the special breeds should be strictly fed with vegetables, fruits, granulated mixtures, pasta and rice. And while we might treat a kitten with a little bit of cheese or other goodies, the minipig has to strictly follow the selected diet. And that is not only for the well-being of the pet but also for maintaining the right weight. When it comes to ‘dining’, be prepared that feed will be everywhere – from the bowl in the kitchen to carpets next to the TV.
Is the minipig suitable for an apartment?
Although it breaks my heart (it used to be a dream of mine to get a minipig myself), I have to say that it is not. Dogs bark and howl, cats meow, and the pig grunts, squeals and sometimes even screams. The neighbours won’t like you. Aside from the pig making unbearable noises, it is also a bit of a ‘demolition man’. It makes a mess and bites everything that it comes into contact with. And it can’t climb stairs. It is ideal for families with a house and a garden.
What does a dwarf pig need?
Even a minipig needs to dig its nose in the dirt, it’s in its nature. It makes it happy and it needs it for immunity development. Don’t worry, pigs are very docile and will understand where to dig and where not to dig. Set aside a special patch for it where it will be free to indulge its instinct. Pigs also like grazing. Give it the opportunity. But beware, it likes to overeat. So watch how much it grazes.
Is the minipig playful?
Minipigs like to play. Thank god, that’s why we want them. Not just because they’re so cute. You should play with your minipig every day and train it while at it (maybe next time on that). Watch for stubbornness, they’re very clever. And once you make them angry, they will start making your life a pain, and it’s difficult to break any bad habits they may develop. Also, pay attention to the choice of suitable motivational rewards, as minipigs tend to gain weight quickly.
Last but not least, some good news – minipigs are suitable pets for allergy sufferers. And minipig owners claim that minipigs are cleaner than dogs. They can learn easily where to go to the ‘toilet’. Owners say you can even teach them to use litter like cats.
Cuddling and caressing is not everything. Cats also enjoy time spent together playing a game and moreover, this activity leads to strengthening your relationship. Your furry friend will let off some steam and will be definitely grateful that you spent...
Brussels griffons cannot deny their resemblance to Ewoks from Star Wars. And legitimately! This imaginary race was created having these dogs in mind. The director, George Lucas, had a Brussels griffon at home.
You’ll recognize Scottish fold cat at first glance – as the name suggest, its ears are typically fold. It is a laid-back, balanced cat with undemanding nature and which looks cute.
Spring is already coming but if you love mountains as much as I do, there’s still a lot of snow. Therefore, we can remember what you can do with your dog to keep it fit in winter.
The current domestic, bred dogs are no longer the tenacious wolves as they used to be. Even though they are in their best shape, it might not be enough for winter and it is necessary to keep them warm.
What are the newest trends in dog nutrition? And what is the opinion of experts and dog owners themselves? I have made a summary for you about what hot topics have been discussed in pet nutrition recently, both at home and abroad.
Even though animal protection associations try hard, the number of semi-captive animals has been rising in the Czech Republic recently. Cat colonies are to be blamed for that as the cats reproduce there uncontrollably.
Are you planning to get a ferret and don’t know how to take care of this pet? Ferrets love freedom and movement, therefore it needs a lot of space as well as your attention. That’s why I come with 10 tips how to take care of this little beast. :)
If one of your New Year resolutions was to lose some weight you gained during Christmas and get fit, your dog companion may help you with that. Also, dog obesity is one of the issues vets have to deal with the most in recent years. What to do for a...
Dogs trained for the localization of beast excrements in environmental protection projects sometimes identify a wrong species. In 4 to 45 % of cases. A study published in Scientific Reports came up with a possible explanation why this happens. It...
This African feline has an untypical constitution for a cat. Thanks to its long legs it looks more like a dog. Although it is a wild animal, it is often a pet.
While Catnip is a herb with medicinal effect for people, it has different and much stronger effects on cats. Why does this undemanding perennial plant have an intoxicating effect on cats?
