Seasonal changes create trying times for miniature potbelly pigs. The extreme temperatures can cause serious issues from multiple perspectives and as such, it’s important that you take appropriate steps to keep your pig safe.
While any time of year can pose threats to your pet, summer and winter are most severe. As an owner, it’s important you understand some general tips and safeguards that will keep you and your pet healthy.
Summer Care Tips
Pigs have a number of concerns when it comes to the summer. The extra heat can put quite a strain on your pet, especially because teacup pigs have no way of dissipating extra heat from the body other than being submerged in water. However, you don’t want to blast a fan at them, either. Instead, they will need a cosy blanket to snuggle in to remain comfortable when you cool the house down.
During the summer, there are several key tips to keep in mind:
- Never Leave Pigs in Vehicles – Just like you would never leave a dog or other pet in your car unattended in the summer heat, you should never leave a pig either. Pigs can suffer from heatstroke within a matter of minutes and can suffer from brain damage or death as a result.
- Fresh Water – Pigs need a lot of fresh water, especially in the summer.
- Go Outside With Caution – In the middle of the day when the sun is at its strongest, you should avoid putting your pet outside. When the day is incredibly hot, you should avoid going outside at all.
- Inspect for Bug Bites – If a pig is bitten or stung, it’s important to monitor them for allergic reactions. Fleas and ticks are also more common in the summer, so check your pet regularly.
- Pool Time – If you have a pool, your pig will likely want to get in to cool off. You should always remain in the water with your pet pig and watch them so that they don’t drown. You should also apply sunscreen to ensure sunburn doesn’t become a problem.
Winter Care Tips
On the other side of the spectrum, winter can be brutal for other reasons. This is because pigs don’t have hair or fur to protect them from the cold. As such, they shouldn’t spend a lot of time outdoors during the winter months.
Here are some simple tips to keep in mind to keep your miniature potbelly pig safe in the winter:
- Keep Your Pig Warm – Your micro pig is going to be cold in the winter. If they spend time outdoors, you’ll need an insulated pig house or if they are kept inside, they’ll still need a warm blanket to snuggle in. You may even want to purchase a coat or sweater for your pig for those extra chilly days.
- Dry Your Pig if Wet – If your pig gets wet from the rain or snow, it’s important that you dry them immediately. You should also dry the hooves because cuts and cracks can easily result from cold weather.
- Fresh Water – It may not seem that water is important in the winter but it is! In fact, pigs can just as easily get dehydrated in the winter as they can in the summer.
- Beware of Heat Sources – Pigs may try to cosy up to fireplaces, portable heaters, and heat lamps, but they can easily get burned! Keep your heaters far away from your pet (or vice versa) to ensure there are no accidents!
- Be Wary of Plants – Holiday plants such as holly, mistletoe, and poinsettia are poisonous and can harm your pig. Needles from live Christmas trees can also cause problems. Keep them well out of reach of your pet if you are going to have them in your house at all.
Taking Proper Precautions Year-Round Will Keep Your Pig Safe and Happy
It’s important that your pet pig is cared for all year-round and with above the season-specific tips in mind, you can do just that. After all, you only want the best for your new miniature pig and with all considerations made, you will be able to no matter the month or weather.