How to Care for Orphaned Pot-Bellied Pigs

A pot-bellied pig should be kept with its mother until it is between six and eight weeks old. However, if it has been orphaned, it might need to be looked after by a person instead. It is important to bear in mind that the pig will be confused, feel lost and not be able to feed itself without its mother, so you'll need to act quickly. A pot-bellied pig might develop behavioral problems as it grows if it is not properly cared for.

Things You'll Need

  • Hay or straw
  • Pine bedding
  • Playpen
  • Blankets
  • Electric blanket
  • Dish
  • Goat's milk
  • Spoon
  • Baby rice cereal
  • Pig pellets
  • Liquid supplements
  • Vegetables and fruit
  • Grooming brush
  • Spray bottle with glycerin/water mixture for skin
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare housing for the pig. It needs an indoor shelter, such is a barn or shed, lined with hay or straw. Place a few blankets in a secluded corner as well for sleeping comfort. Also provide a litter box. This consists of a plastic tray with layer of pine bedding. Do not use cedar bedding, as this is toxic for the pig.

    • 2

      Position an electric blanket underneath the blankets, and heat it to approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The pig's mother is not around to keep it warm, so the blanket will provide welcome warmth for the pig. Providing a heat source for the pig is crucial because it cannot keep itself warm until it is two weeks old. Wrap the pig in blankets when you hold it as well.

    • 3

      Put the pig in a playpen to keep it safe and secure. It will not be able to pick up random or dangerous objects in an enclosed area. Plus it will feel more comfortable in familiar surroundings. This reduces how stressed or lost the pig might feel after losing its mother.

    • 4

      Feed the pig. It can feed itself but you will need to encourage it and teach it to drink. Provide a dish of goat's milk. Gently push the nose of the pig into the milk, and dab the milk onto its lips. Rub it into its teeth. It will quickly learn that it can drink from the dish.

    • 5

      Spoon feed the piglet if it does not drink much of the milk. You should feed it as much as is necessary to fill its belly. You can tell this by holding the piglet beneath your arm and feeling when its stomach swells. Feed it regularly to make sure it is getting enough food.

    • 6

      Mix a large handful of baby rice cereal into the dish of goat's milk at least four times a day once it is a week old. The pig will take to this food as it is easy to eat. Throw out any food that is not eaten so the piglet does not get diarrhea from eating old cereal.

    • 7

      Add pig pellets to the dish of milk when the piglet is three weeks old. The harder food is the next step to feeding the pig solid foods. Blend up the pellets with the milk if the pig refuses to eat them at first.

    • 8

      Give the pig liquid vitamins and minerals, provided by a veterinary professional. The pot-bellied pig requires supplements to make sure that it gets all the nutrients necessary to give it the best start in life. The exact amount of vitamins it needs depends on the size, specific breed and requirements of the pig, so it is recommended to seek help from a vet.

    • 9

      Spray the pig with the glycerin/water mixture at least once a day. This is provides moisture to the skin.

    • 10

      Groom the pig regularly. You can do this two or three times a week when you handle it. Use a rubber horse grooming brush. The pig's mother would have taken some part in cleaning it, and you need to take over this duty.

    • 11

      Handle the pig as often as you can. A pot-bellied pig is friendly, sociable and demands a lot of attention. Use squeaky toys, empty bottles or other soft items to entertain the pigs. Take it outside and allow it to graze on grass.

    • 12

      Provide fruits and vegetables when the pig is six weeks old. Hide the items underneath the straw and blankets so it can forage for them.