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OMG!! Who could not love that face? And her smiles...............awww. My avatar is my pot belly girl, her name is Gorgeous and is she ever gorgeous with her sky blue eyes. Gorgeous came into my life, will be 5 yrs this month and what a joy she has been. Lot of good advice in these posts. PLEASE really take heed on the overfeeding, I learned the hard way and could of potentially been fatal for my beloved girl. Gorgie had gotten so fat, you could barely make out her eyes because her face was so full. She began to come down with pnemonia in her joints and could barely walk. The vet advised me only 1/2 cup of pot belly pig pellets daily and an occassional treats, not too much fruits as the sugar contents could lead to diabetes. She needed to lose 75 lbs and quickly and boy, did she not like that, she would squeal and grunt non stop for several days. She has her own little haven and there are two gates on either side and she managed to open the gate and get to the pig grower feed and thats what nearly killed her. (We also raise wild boars and sows for slaughter). I have learned that all edible foods need to be kept out of her reach, she has even climbed up on tables and knocked over barrels, unscrewing the lids to get at the feed when she comes out onto the property to socialize with the other animals. She even grazed down 5 banana trees one day, only to find the stumps in their place! (I had to put wire fencing along the trees!)
Gorgie came into my life at 6 weeks old. The first day, she had learned how to use the kitty litter box, would also sit for her treats. She slept in our bed, along with the two dogs everynight, cuddling up to our male pitbull. Never once had an accident. We use to take her riding in the car everyday, and I was priviledged to be able to take her to work with me. Everywhere I went, Gorgie went. Use to harness her up and walk her through the crowds of people in town, swimming at the beach, (she loves the water). Today, I take her walking through our neighborhood, unleashed, and she walks faithfully beside me for the next peanut treat. Pigs are definitely very social and playful. She enjoys playing in the water, everytime I turn the hose on, there she is, hogging the water! They are very smart, smarter and easier to train than any dog I have ever had. I tell her to go home and she goes running to her little haven, opens the gate and retreats. She moved outside when she learned how to open up the refrigerator and the cupboards.
Vaccines are not necessary. Very important to keep the hoofs trimmed. When she was younger, didnt mind the hoof trimming, so long as she was getting her belly rubbed at the same time, totally detests it now, thats why I walk her on the paved roads to keep the hoofs trimmed.
Someone else mentioned not to hit the pig. Do not stress the pig out by yelling, pushing or hitting them, they can become very aggressive and the stress could lead to a heart attack, pigs do not do well when stressed, low tolerance for it. I have found the best way to get my girl to listen and do as asked is to coherce her with a snack, they will do anything for food.
I have tried on several occassions to get her a companion, and boy did she not want anything to do with it; she is very territorial of her space and not willing to share it. She gets very upset if anyone other than myself enters her haven and I go in there daily to replace her bedding, blankets and pillows, and lay down with her on her bedding for the daily belly rubs. I always sing her to sleep. She does not poop in her area at all, she is very clean.
She smiles on command, and loves to give me kisses. Most of all, she gets along well with all the other animals, is very social and entertaining and has found her niche in the family. Enjoy your new bundle of joy!