How to House-Train a Pig

Despite their reputation as sloppy eaters, pigs are naturally clean animals. In a traditional farm-style enclosure, pigs usually use one area for their toilet without any training. People keeping pet pigs indoors can easily train their animals to use a litter tray. In fact, house-training a piglet is usually easier than house-training a puppy; it takes only a few days. Of course, while the training is in process, you should confine your pig to a small area with easily cleaned floors. Piglets under the age of about six months may still have accidents even when house-trained, so keep an eye on the piglet when loose and keep it away from your best carpets.

Things You'll Need

  • Large plastic tray
  • Newspapers
  • Shovel
  • Cleaning cloths
  • Detergent
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare a suitable litter tray for the pig. A large plastic tray, such as a cement mixing tray, is perfect. Line the tray with old newspapers.

    • 2

      Place the tray in one corner of the pig's room. Keep the tray in the same place throughout the training process.

    • 3

      Clean the room, putting a couple of the pig's droppings in the litter tray and removing all other messes. The droppings provide a scent cue telling the pig that the litter tray is the toilet.

    • 4

      Walk the pig over to the tray every two hours. It is best to do this on a schedule starting first thing in the morning and immediately after meals.

    • 5

      Clean any accidents outside the litter tray immediately, using a mild detergent. Don't scold the pig, but remove any traces of the mess, which might encourage the pig to defecate or urinate in the same place.

    • 6

      Move the litter tray toward the door and eventually into the yard before dispensing of it, if you prefer that your pig does its business outside.