BRINGING HOME YOUR NEW PET TEACUP PIG OR PIXIE PIG

They are extremely smart and can figure how to open cupboards. Their intelligence will never cease to amaze you. Never underestimate your pets ability and especially when it has anything to do with food.

It is true that some piggies do like television and do get favorite television shows. Some may have little temper tantrums or decide to get mad and ignore you if you shut off their favorite show. In homes that have music more than television your pet may have some music it likes better than others. It is not uncommon for some pig owners to turn their television or radio on for their pet when they plan to be gone all day.

You should supply a bed for your baby along with blankets. Each one of our piggies goes home with his/her special blanket. They love blankets so much sometimes they drag them around or cover themselves up in them to keep warn. When you are not around to supervise your new baby, you should have a small kennel or playpen. In your pen you should have their bed, blanket, food and water dish and litter box. Do not leave your pet alone in your home until you are sure it understands and respects the house rules and is old enough to get to the litter box from one end of the house to the other. Don't expect a new baby to be able to get to the litter box in time if it is way across the other end of the house. Baby pigs normally will go through an initial period of screaming when picked up, this is a normal response. We work a great deal with handling our piggies so that they are used to being held by the time you receive your new little one. Your new pig can learn to walk on leash, so that it can easily be taken with you. We send each of our babies home with a leash/harness combo.

For the first 2 weeks, go ahead and over indulge your baby with treats (raisins, grapes, Cheerios, etc.) in order to bond more easily. Your pet will quickly learn to come to you to receive the treats and learn to roll over to have its tummy scratched. After you have bonded with your pet you can then cut back on the treats. We want to emphasize that when we say treats we do not mean a handful of treats at a time. We mean using something like one Cheerio or one raisin at a time. Your pet should be willing to take this from your hand gently without biting. Should you feel that your pet is grabby or appear to try to nip to get the treat we suggest you take your finger and tap it on the top of the nose and say no, wait a few seconds, then say start again, be gentle. If they follow the direction they will then receive the treat. People are always amazed at how quickly their pet piggy learns what words and phrases mean.

If you have room in your back yard it is nice to provide your pet with a wading pool to lay in when it is hot outside. This also serves as a simple way to ensure you pet does not run out of water or get over heated. Our piggies here love to play in their pools. Since pigs do not sweat they have no way to cool off if they are not provided continuous water to drink. If you do not have room for a kiddie pool we suggest you either secure their water dish or use something like a ceramic one that is heavy enough that your pet can not knock it over.

Since pigs do not have fur (they have hair) people are not allergic to them or their saliva. For people who could never before have a pet due to allergies, these little teacup and pixie pigs may be the solution.

A pig is a commitment. Since, they become very bonded to their owners they do not do well if they must be placed elsewhere. Taking one as a pet is with the understanding that they will be with you hopefully for life.

These little piggies can sleep indoors, outdoors, or both. Ideally they will have an area outside to play in. If they are kept outside you will need to provide them with housing (a doghouse is great) and blankets. Piggies like to be warm.