So you’re thinking about getting a new pet, but what? A dog? A cat? Maybe even a snake? But how about a pig? No, not a guinea pig, but a snuffling, curly tailed, wet snouted pig.

Pigs were first domesticated around 8500 years ago and for the majority of that time, have lived on farms. However, more recently, a trend has emerged for owning pigs as pets rather than as a commercial business. But how easy is it to have a pig as a pet, and what do you need to consider beforehand? 

Am I allowed to keep a pig as a pet?

In short, yes, it’s not illegal to own a pet pig. But there are strict laws that must be followed.

Firstly, you need to apply for what’s known as a CPH or County Parish Holding number. This must be done before you buy any livestock. Then within 30 days of your pig arriving on your land, you will also need to contact the APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) to let them know you’re keeping pigs.

If you wish to walk your pig (yes, as in on a lead), then you’ll have to apply for a license to do so, again, from the APHA, by specifying the route you intend to walk. However there is no guarantee a license will be granted, especially if that route would take you past other farms or even fast-food restaurants.

The license, once granted, must be carried with you whenever you walk your pig and be renewed annually. Lastly, any pig that is taken off its home premises, must also have a mark such as a tattoo or tag. If travelling anywhere other than the licensed walking route, for example, to an agricultural show, the journey must be officially recorded.

Letting a pig be a pig

When owning any animal, you must be able to keep them according to the rules set out in the Animal Welfare Act 2006. This encompasses five needs of the animal that must be met:

  1. The need for a suitable environment – including shelter and a comfortable resting area
  2. The need for a suitable diet – with access to fresh water at all times
  3. The need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns – through provision of sufficient space and facilities
  4. The need to be housed with or apart from other animals – whichever suits that species
  5. The need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury or disease – by providing prompt veterinary care when needed

So if we take these requirements one by one and relate them to pig ownership…

Environment

Pigs should always be housed outside. We’ve all seen the pictures of cute little ‘micro-pigs’ cuddled up on the sofa with the dog and the cat; however endearing this is, it’s not a natural environment for a pig. They are much better off in a field or outside pen, with a covered area or ark for shelter and comfortable clean bedding. And don’t forget – a lot of so-called ‘micro-pigs’ will grow up to be rather large, sometimes in excess of 100kg!

Diet

Pigs eat scraps, right? NO! The truth is it’s actually illegal to feed a pig any kitchen waste or even any food that has ever been in a kitchen, including your own. It is thought that the Foot and Mouth disease outbreak in 2001 stemmed from the feeding of waste products to pigs. So although strict, the rules are in place to help prevent any future disease outbreaks.

Pigs should instead be fed a commercially prepared ration with plenty of protein and fibre. They are notoriously greedy and can easily become overweight, so it is important to ensure they stay slim and trim. 

Behaviour

There is nothing happier than a pig in mud. Most pigs naturally love to root and dig. Searching for food, creating wallows to cool off in hot weather and using the mud as a natural sunscreen. A neatly manicured lawn is no match for a pig. So you will need to provide a suitably large space in which they can display this natural behaviour. They are also very inquisitive animals and require a lot of mental stimulation. Toys, such as hard plastic balls or tyres, can be used to help prevent boredom. 

Social interaction

As inherently sociable animals, pigs should not be kept on their own. So you need to ensure you are able to keep at least two pigs together. It is preferable to get a pair from the outset to avoid any territory or hierarchy problems. This is a potential issue when introducing a new pig to a resident one. 

Health

Before selecting a new porcine friend, it is worth doing a bit of research to find out if there are any ‘pig vets’ in the area. Pig veterinary health is quite a specialist subject. So it pays to find a vet that would be happy to see your pig if they became ill.

Common conditions they can suffer from include arthritis and lameness (particularly in older or overweight pigs), dry skin and inverted eyelids. Like many other pets, preventative healthcare is also important and you should consider prophylactic treatments for parasites and vaccination for diseases like erysipelas, clostridial infections and E.coli. 

So is it as easy as it sounds?

Pigs are wonderful animals – intelligent, fun and great company. But they have specific needs and considering they can live for upwards of twenty years, they’re not a small undertaking. If you do decide to go ahead, always find a reputable breeder who can help you and your pigs settle in. As well as provide you with all the information and advice you’ll need to ensure they can live long, happy, muddy lives.

If you want to learn more about owning pigs, here are some useful resources;