Second Pig
Second PigWe are considering getting a second pig. Do you think it is a good idea?
Alice
second pig in the house can be good for the
whole family, and most especially their pet pig.
There are many reasons this is true. First, the
pig is a herd animal that innately seeks the
social companionship and security found within
a group of pigs. The potbellied pig will of
course accept all members of your family as its
new herd, but there is no substitute for one of
its own species. Being intelligent, curious and
prone to boredom when left alone for extended periods of time, the pet pig is
less likely to get into trouble if it has a companion pig. There is also an
indication that a member of its own species around can help prevent your pig
from developing certain bad behavior problems. It seems as if having two pigs
in the house helps your pig to continue to develop socially with less confusion
about its role in life. With the pig’s improved recognition of exactly what it
means to be a pig, it will be less likely to demonstrate aggressive behavior
towards the dog, the children or even the adults of its household.You will find that in most cases both pigs will turn to each other for entertainment and for comfort. They will be sleeping together, eating together, and playing together. In most cases they will tend to follow each other around in their daily activities, or at the very least be close at hand. Remember that each pig is an individual and responds to life in different ways. Even though they are good friends, you should relate to each of them as individuals.
Some people choose to adopt two piglets at the same time. This choice has pros and cons attached. Adopting two piglets from the same litter assures the family that the piglets have already established their position of dominance with each other, they have already spent days playing and eating and sleeping together, they feel completely secure with each other and bring an existing relationship to the new pet home. Since normally both of them learn at different rates, they tend to teach each other the behaviors the new family expects. There are a few disadvantages when you adopt two piglets at the same time. Sometimes it is harder for the piglets to bond as individuals to each human member of its new family. Also, it is easier for you to train the piglets if they are temporarily separated for individual instruction. This need for separate instruction can cause longer training sessions. Even though they are the same age, both piglets need to be treated as separate unique personalities with their own individual needs.
An alternative to adopting two piglets from the same litter at the same time is to spend a couple of weeks to a couple of months with the first piglet helping it to learn exactly how you want it to live in your home. You can adopt the second piglet when you feel that the first piglet has bonded to you and your family properly and when it is far enough along in its training. Some pet owners find their first piglet is then capable of helping to teach their second piglet the rules of the household, which then allows the pet owner to spend the required bonding and training time with their newest addition. Of course by waiting, both of the piglets will have to go through their necessary skirmishes for the dominant position in their herd. Depending on your own situation, the few days it takes for this identification of dominant pig to happen may be well worth the wait before getting the second pig.
Copyright © 2000 by Kathleen Myers
 Kathleen |
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