Pots and Young Children

Dear Kathleen,

I have just recently started to research the possibility of adopting a potbellied baby into our home. I have some concerns. I have both a dog and a cat. I also have a four year old daughter. Should I be concerned? I would appreciate any information you can give me to help me make my decision.

Thank you

Lesli

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Dear Lesli,

How Do Potbellies Do With Children?

Excerpt from The Complete Guide for the Care and Training of Pet Potbellied Pigs

Potbellies can do very well with children if the child and the pig are properly trained. We are all aware that a young child needs instruction on how to care for and handle his pet pig. This would be true for all animals brought into the home. An important factor to remember is pigs are hierarchical in nature. From the very beginning, it is absolutely necessary that the piglet be trained to understand that all humans in all circumstances are ahead of it. Piglets consider its human family members and all other people with whom it comes in contact a "Human Pig". If a child is young, at some point the pig may challenge the child for a dominant position in the "herd". Therefore, a pig needs to be taught from the beginning that ALL humans are ahead of it, no matter what the circumstances, no matter what the age. Also, it is a good idea to place the pig in different situations so that it will receive a broad life experience with humans. The cloistered, inactive, lonely pig is much more likely to show aggression. Teaching the piglet about its position in it “Herd” is not difficult, if the whole family is aware of the nature of pigs. The pet owner must be willing to work with the young pig and with his young child to help them understand each other. There are currently pigs living in many schools and even in children's hospices. Pet pigs and children do quite well with proper training.

Another factor to consider is the age of the piglet you will be getting. It is recommended that if you have a very young child consider adopting an older piglet. The older piglet does much better with young children. The piglet over the age of three months is more stable and more secure than a younger one. This older piglet has had more time to learn its pig lessons from its mother, its littermates, and its breeder. It is more likely to adapt to the new family and to a young child in a shorter period of time. At this age, the baby pig will more clearly understand the lessons being taught by its new family.

It is no more a problem adopting a pig into the family with children as it is adopting a cat or a dog. The key to having a loving, healthy, well-adjusted pet of any kind is the background of the pet, as well as the training and the environment in which the pet has been reared. Of course, the pet owner’s personal commitment to continue to learn so that he can properly train the new family member is key to a successful relationship with any pet, including a potbellied pig.

Copyright © 2000 by Kathleen Myers

Kathleen

Ponderosa Mini Farm

Ponderosa Mini Farm

Breeder Kathleen Myers

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