Mini pet pigs won't stay small

Miniature and potbellied pigs have become popular as pets in the last few years thanks to pseudo-celebrities such as Paris Hilton who like to tote the little oinkers around in a purse or walk them on leashes.

Let's face it, they are adorable, and they do make great pets for the well-informed and those willing to take on a pet that can live to be 20 years old. Unfortunately, many of the people who order them online or fall in love at the farmers market haven't got a clue what they are getting into, especially when it come to size.

"A reputable breeder will tell you the truth, but others will tell you they don't get bigger than your hand," said Vicke Vickers of Townsend. "That's a lie. They are only 'mini' in the pig world. People don't realize how big they will get and how much care they need."

A potbellied pig can grow to weigh several hundred pounds and cost several hundred dollars. Some of the mini varieties can get up to 60 pounds or larger and cost $2,000. None of the mini varieties stay the size of a tea cup, regardless of the seller's hype. And, the more they are fed, the bigger they get, so experts advise a well-balanced pig-specific diet but not over-feeding, which can lead to back and hoof problems in their teens and 20s.

Vickers and her daughters Cheyenne, 17, and Leigha, 9, just adopted their second potbellied pig from the First State Animal Center-SPCA in Camden. Hamlette, renamed Snow by the Vickers, is 8 months old and weighs more than 100 pounds. She was left at the shelter March 7. Vickers fell in love with her when she went to the shelter to help a friend pick out a cat.

"I saw her and said 'I can't leave her,' I just couldn't do it," she said. So Snow went home to join Henry, a 100-pound, 2-year-old potbelly and the rest of the family, which includes three dogs, two cats, two ducks and a rabbit. Soon they will be joined by three geese and 10 chickens.

Vickers said the scars on Snow's body indicate she was mistreated in her former life.

"It's common; people get them and then don't want them because they aren't little and cute anymore, and they end up in shelters," Vickers said.

The not-so-little piggy was a favorite at the shelter, where Director Kevin Usilton and the rest of the staff rubbed her belly and helped her get over her sadness at having been abandoned.

"They definitely get attached to their people, and they love attention," Usilton said. "They are very affectionate, and they are smarter than a dog. She quickly learned how to open her baby gate so she could get into the dog food in the lobby."

Robyn Kennedy, who lives in New Castle, paid $1,000 for the tea cup pig she bought her fiancé Donald Pruitt off the Internet. Porkchop will soon be 2 and weighs 60 pounds.

"He's loves to cuddle and he's very calm," she said. "He makes different noises to express his emotions. But they are very demanding animals. He will try and get you to do what he wants when he wants it. You can't eat anything in front of him."

Stubbornness isn't an uncommon trait, according to Dr. Tom Wilkerson, an exotic animal veterinary at Windcrest Animal Hospital in Wilmington. He normally allots extra time for visits from pig-owning clients, who can have a hard time herding their pets into the office.

"They don't call it pigheaded for nothing," Wilkerson said.

The first thing Wilkerson recommends to new pig owners is buying a harness and putting it on the pig right away. They can learn to walk on a leash quite well and should be kept on one when out in public.

Female pigs need to be spayed because they come into heat every three weeks and will urinate indiscriminately. Wilkerson advises doing it while they are small because the larger they are, the more expensive it is.

Other things to know about pigs include:

• They like to root around outside and can pick up parasites.

• They usually only need annual well-pet veterinary visits, but their tusks and hooves need to be trimmed regularly.

• Pigs have an odor.

• Light-colored pigs need sunscreen when they are outside to protect their skin, which is similar to humans.

• They can be crated and litter trained in the house when they are small but need to be taught to go outside as they get older and bigger.

• They are smart and need interaction and exercise. Without it they will get bored and can be destructive.

• They get along well with other pets and usually with children.

• They like to be cuddled but don't like being picked up – they are a prey animal and think they are about to be eaten.

• There are no piggy day cares or kennels, so going on vacation can be a challenge.

• Pigs are classified as farm animals/livestock and many community zoning laws prohibit them. Check with your local zoning board before buying a pet pig.

But with all of that, just like any other pet, the people who love them can't imagine life without them.

"I wouldn't trade my pigs for anything, but make sure you understand what you are getting into," Vickers said. "Make sure you understand what they need and that you are willing to do it. They live a long time; it's a lifetime commitment, and it's work. Actually my children don't mind the work. Taking care of our animals is a good family dynamic for us."

Delaware Pets is written by animal-lover Deb Lucas. Send her your news, events and column ideas to dlucas@delawareonline or call her at (302) 324-2852.

PET-RELATED EVENTS

• The Delaware Humane Association will hold a Vaccination Clinic 1-3 p.m. Saturday at Concord Pet Foods and Supplies at the Simon's Corner Shopping Center in Smyrna. An adoption event also will be held noon to 3 p.m. April 26 at Concord Pet Foods and Supplies in Community Plaza in New Castle. (302) 571-0111; info@dehumane.org.

• Camp Bow Wow, 301 Ruthar Drive in Newark, will host an adoption event 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Dogs registered at the camp can play for free while their owners enjoy the event. Other dogs must be on a leash and have had a bordetella vaccination within the past six months. Call (302) 738-2267; campbowwow.com/delawarenorth.

• If you've got a dog that loves to jump into the water, head to the Dover Days Dip dock-diving competition 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 3 and 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 4. It's part of the Dover Days Festival. Contestants will be scored on distance (in the Big Air division); height (Extreme Vertical division); and speed (Speed Retrieve division). Competition is open to all dogs 6 months and older. (302) 734-1736; doverdaysfestival.com.