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 the 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 that dogs. They can learn easily where to go to the ‘toilet’. Owners say you can even teach them to use litter like cats.
Arthritis ranks among the most frequent diseases of the joints in dogs. It is accompanied by pain and limitations for physical activity. And because it cannot be cured I’ll give you some tips how to make the life of your buddy with arthritis easier.
It is nowadays completely normal to have dog restaurants, saloons and spas. People try to indulge their pets with all the luxurious things. Some procedures are more helpful than others. But thalassotherapy is one of those that can have a positive...
Nowadays even our pets are subject to diseases of civilization. Obesity is no good for them as well as for people. Do you know how to tell if your cat is obese and what are its causes and consequences?
The season of ticks is back again and so it is the right time to start protecting our pets. These parasites also bring anaplasmosis except from borreliosis. And the fact that this disease is not generally know does not undermine its serious impacts on...
You, as cat keepers, will probably be frightened when hearing “cat plague”. But precisely this phrase is sometimes used for panleukopenia which is a very dangerous cat disease. You may not only prevent it thanks to information obtained but to identify...
The whiskers on cats’ face are probably too noticeable to ignore them. But do you know all the places where cat’s whiskers with sense of touch are? And do you know how this comprehensive tactile body functions?
As you might know, the assistance dogs help people with various physical or mental disabilities nowadays. But there is a program in the US and in other countries which helps children to improve their reading and communication skills.
We are all try to give our dog companions the best, from health care to the leisure activities. Nutrition is no exception to that and it is prone to modern trends similar to those of regular human food. Reducing or opting out the grain from the diet is...
Whether it has undergone castration or any other surgery, your dog needs to rest more after it. But this can sometimes seem almost impossible. To “force” your beloved pet to rest is not easy, indeed. A few tips how to handle this situation follow.
The last time, I shared with you my opinions on castrations in general and I’ve named the advantages and disadvantages of this procedure in bitches. Now, let’s take a look, how it is with dogs.
Castration is still quite a tricky and discussed topic. Today, I will introduce you to the facts about this procedure and about its consequences and I will also share my opinion.
If you have one of the furry furring balls at home, maybe you know, in what kind of devil some of them are capable of turning into, if you need to give them a pill. If your cat belongs precisely among those, in which it’s almost a superhuman task, I...
