Birth to One Year
Potbellied pigs have become a popular pet due to their gentle nature, amazing intelligence and appearance. The general physical characteristics of a potbellied pig are an exaggerated round stomach, short legs, swayed back, and continuously wagging straight tail. On their small heads are short, erect ears and a short to medium length nose. They have from black, to taupe, to blue eyes. The acceptable body colors are black or white or a combination of the two colors, with each pig having different markings.

Piglets Birth to 6 Weeks
Most piglets under the age of 2 months have three things on their minds establishing their position in their herd, survival and eating. Because of this, it is important that your baby pig be given the opportunity to learn all its young pig lessons from its mother and littermates. It is recommended that your piglet be at least 6 weeks of age before it is weaned and should not be taken from its litter until it is at least 7 weeks old. It is important that each piglet be given the opportunity to adjust to life without mother prior to separation from its littermates. There is a definite indication that, through early weaning and/or bottle-feeding, a potbellied pig is extremely likely to become aggressive between the ages of 1 and 2 years.

Piglets are much smarter than one would expect. They are fourth down on the intelligence scale - human, primates, dolphins/whales, pigs. They are born with their eyes open and are running within an hour. They begin their piglet lessons the very first moment they breathe air. It only makes sense that an animal as intelligent as a pig can be psychological scarred through incorrect handling by the inexperienced, well-intentioned pet owner. Many pet owners inadvertently abuse their piglet due to lack of understanding of the baby pig's needs. Early weaning only makes this problem worse.

The breeder is a critical part in the development of a well-adjusted, healthy pet pig. What happens to the piglet from birth, through weaning, to adoption is very important. The experienced breeder has developed personal, proven techniques for providing care and socialization for her piglets. She is always concerned about the health and environment of her whole herd, but she is most especially concerned about her mothers and babies. The reputable breeder has a vaccination, feeding and training program designed especially for their mothers and piglets. The good breeder knows the personality of each of her mother pigs and adjusts her strategy for caring for the new babies based on this knowledge.

It is the breeder's responsibility to have all the pigs neutered and spayed at or before 6 weeks of age. Boars do not make good pets due to their amorous nature and the odor produced by their musk glands, which are active in all intact male pigs. It is highly recommended that all females be spayed prior to adoption. Female pigs go into heat every 21 days. Many of them have PMS during their 6-day cycle and are prone to frequent urination during this period. Spaying by the breeder's Veterinarian prior to weaning can help solve both of these problems. Should you get an unsprayed female, it is important to have the baby pig spayed as young as possible, preferably before it is 3 months old. It should be noted that spaying a female pig is more risky than spaying a cat or dog due to the enormous blood supply to the pig's uterus. Early spaying by an experienced Veterinarian can prevent a tragic result.

Piglet 6 Weeks to 3 Months
This is the age that most pet owners adopt their piglet. There are several interesting issues about the piglet's nature. All piglets that are still with their litter act as a single unit. They play together, they eat all at once and they urinate together. They do everything together. Pigs are prey and herd animals. They look to their herd or litter for protection and security. Piglets are very curious creatures and love to investigate any new addition to their environment. They are very intelligent, have long term memories, can problem solve and can think laterally, by applying the answer of one situation to another situation. Baby pigs learn very quickly and remember everything. At this age, piglets are looking for a replacement for their litter because they need the security and reinforcement that is missing due to being separated from their littermates. They actually adopt their new human family as their herd. During this time, patience, consistency and a loving but firm hand are the watchwords for dealing with a baby pig.

Teens 3 Months to 12 Months
Most pigs are eager to please their owners. They respond well to love and praise just as the young child does. Because of their uniquely high IQ, that of a 5-year-old child, they learn quickly and have very inquiring minds. They want to please, but do not have enough life experience to accomplish this. They remember everything you wish they would forget. Pigs this age are constantly checking out the newest additions to their environment. They are making up games for themselves that you would prefer they would not. At about 3 or 4 months, they begin to test their boundaries. They may challenge the authority of the pet owner for the first time. Pigs are hierarchical in nature and are jockeying for the position of top pig in their herd. And to top it all off, they become more self-centered and want things their own way. Their hearing may become "selective" and they may even ignore your requests. They are testing their position in their new family. This is a typical teenage pig.

Due to the challenges pig owners experience during this period, adolescent pigs run a high risk of being abandoned or taken to a shelter. Some pig owners are taken by surprise with the normal maturation, behavior and needs of the young pig. Others are so wrapped up in how cute and adorable their new piglet is that they let it get away with anything its heart desires. Adolescence can be a trying time for the pet pig owner. Eventually the adolescent pig will mature from its teenage period and move on to adulthood. The time you spend training your pig during this period will provide you pleasure for years to come. Have a sense of humor and enjoy your young pig's unique personality and behavior.

One To Five Years
As the pet pig moves from a teenager to an adult, many pet owners say that somewhere between one and two years their pig "gets the hang of what is expected" by their family. The need for the continuous monitoring and training, which has been required for the younger pig, is greatly reduced. The older pig seems to more clearly understand the expectations of their human caregivers. The early training necessary to have a well-adjusted house pig begins to really pay off. They move into a full, cooperative member of the family.

The following suggestions can help you maintain this cooperation and broaden your pig's prospective. Potbellied pigs, just like children, are much more comfortable with the same routine every day. It is important to try and maintain this routine as your pig ages. Along with the normal feedings, time outside, and quality family time, a time regularly scheduled for pig trick training can be fun for you, your family and your pig. Whenever you teach your pig a new trick or a new way of "being" with your family, remember patience is a virtue. Your pig will respond much more positively if it learns in increments and under as little stress as possible. Teaching instead of punishing always works best.

Since pigs are so intelligent, they can be manipulative in nature. They can want things their own way. It is important for you to be consistent in your requirements. As your pig ages make sure it continues to live up to the level of performance you and your family expect.

When pigs grow older and their environment always stays the same, they get bored. To ward off trouble due to boredom and to simulate the pig's wonderful mind, offer a variety of life experiences and play things. Make sure the pet pig gets ample time outside to graze and play and root. This is an excellent time to teach pet pig tricks. Potbellies learn very quickly and teaching tricks can be great fun and a source entertainment for the whole family. When your pig is home alone, provide it with appropriate activities and games to occupy its time. Change its toys frequently. Adding new simulation on a regular basis will help prevent pig boredom. A bored pig can and will make up its own games. Also, consider taking your pig to nursing homes and schools, to the park and games, and to other public and family events. A pig with a broad life experience is a much better pet.

Somewhere between one and two years old some potbellies can become aggressive to their family members or family friends. It is commonly believed that this can be attributed to weaning prior to 6 weeks, piglet bottle-feeding, genetics of the pig's parents, spoiling the pig during the first year by allowing them to set their own rules, or mishandling/abuse while the pig is maturing.

Should your adult pig show any signs of aggression to any family member or friend, it is imperative that you begin retraining immediately. In most cases this aggressive trait can be overcome with proper training. Without proper retraining this aggression will only escalate. Note: Refer to Chapter Five.

Over Five Years
As potbellies age new concerns are presented to the pet owner. The days of their active youth begin to fade away and they tend to lead a more sedimentary life style. The potbellied pig's nutritional needs also change as they age. In middle age they may not need the same amount of food as they once did when they were younger. As the pet pig ages watch its diet closely so that it does not become obese. To help prevent obesity a change in the type/level of their food should be considered; as well as, a change in the amount of food the pig actually eats. Monitoring the pet pig as it moves into old age is very important to help it stay healthy.

When the aging pig begins to slow down its activity, it is wise to think of new ways to motivate the potbelly to exercise. If the pet owner establishes an exercise routine, such as walks or trick learning, it will be easy to keep the older pet pig motivated. What training is started early can just be continued through these years. Alternating toys helps to stimulate the mind of the pig, thus keeping it more active. Another trick is to sprinkle the pig's morning meal over a broad area like the backyard. This provides the aging pig with a longer period of moderate exercise as it searches for each piece of pig food.

When the pig is about ten years it will move into old age. New strategies must be utilized to help and stimulate the aging pig. The elder pig may not be able to jump up as it use to. It will be sleeping more and exercising less. Old age diseases such as arthritis and other joint or tendon problems may arise. Watching for changes in the pig's eating habits and activities can help you determine the start of a potential health problem. Annual check ups, vaccinations and worming are important through out the life of your pet pig and should not be stopped as your pet pig ages. It can be expected that with good nutrition and proper care the potbellied pig can live for ten to fifteen years.