How Much Does a Pot Belly Pig Cost?


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

When one thinks of a pot-bellied pig, many often think of the farm animal rolling around in the mud, sprawled out on a hot, sunny day.

Far more than a farm animal today, some have resorted to adopting a pot-bellied pig as a household pet due to their interesting personality and intelligence.

Known as a demanding and overwhelming pet to most owners, shelters, today, are overwhelmed with pot-bellied pigs up for adoption.

Pot Belly Pig Cost
Pot-Bellied Pig” (CC BY 2.0) by AndWat

How much does a pot belly pig cost?

A pot belly pig, just like the adoption of any other animal, will depend on the pig’s age, quality, your geographical location and where you adopt it from.  With most pot belly pigs often coming from local farmers or even adoption centers, the adoption fees tend to be in the $50 to $300 range based on these factors, but the prices could be as high as $650 if you wanted to adopt a piglet (often referred to as a miniature, toy or mini pig) from a private breeder.  Some adoption centers may ask for a donation of your choice.  Of course, this is the price for the pot-bellied pig and would not include the starter and recurring costs to follow, as noted below.

When we researched multiple postings on ExoticAnimalsForSale.net, for example, we found the prices to range anywhere from $50 to $350.

Another online classified website we found, PetClassifieds.us, had multiple listings, with prices ranging anywhere from as little as $75 to more than $500.

The additional one-time costs to budget for

Shipping

If you have a pot-bellied pig shipped from out of state, airline fees can start at $250, depending on the location traveled to.

Additional travel expenses

In addition to the travel expenses, most states require an ear tag/tattoo, and a state-required blood test and a USDA health certificate with a physical exam in the case of shipping your pig across state lines, and these tests can often be an additional $300 to $400.  An entry permit, if required, could another few hundred dollars due to the extensive paperwork involved.

Fencing and shelter

If you haven’t done so already, a fenced area, generally at least one-fourth of an acre at a minimum, along with a small storage-like shed, needs to be available on site.  Fencing, if you do it yourself, could cost at least $10 per foot, while a sufficient shed could cost at least $350+, depending on the setup desired.  While a pig can be kept indoors at time pigs, naturally, will want to roam outdoors in herds, so it’s best to allow your pig to be outside for at least four to six hours a day.

Crate

A larger crate, along with a chute to load the pig into your car, for transportation purposes to the vet, for instance, can cost upwards of $500 depending on the size.

Toys and entertainment

A sand pile, busy pool and pool is highly recommended to keep your pig entertained throughout the day.

Recurring costs to budget for

Food

The average pot belly pig will eat close to one pound of feed per day, which can cost about $40 to $50 per month, with the costs increasing as the pig ages due to the requirement for a senior diet.  Many owners often supplement their food with fruits and vegetables, especially when the grazing is poor.  The pig pellets you purchase should be high in fiber, low in fat and low in protein, and experts also recommend chewable multi-vitamins and alfalfa hay as an additional source of fiber.  Pigs4Ever.com, for instance, goes into detail as to what your pig’s diet should look like.  Annually, be prepared to spend about $1,000.

Vet care

As with any pets, you need to budget for the routine, the unexpected visits/surgeries and any routine medicine, if necessary.  Routine visits, including vaccinations, a worming, routing hoof trims and vet checkup, can cost upwards of $300 per visit, plus transportation to $1,000+ for any surgeries or additional medical care.  Do keep in mind that finding an experienced vet to work on your pig can be difficult due to the limited amount of universities that provide training for pig medicine.  With that being said, the average vet may not treat your pig, meaning you may have to travel quite some distance for care.

Pet sitting

Due to the animal’s size, you will more than likely have to hire an experienced pet sitter to watch the pig while away.  The average pet sitter, from our research, seemed to charge $30+ a day, depending on your geographical region.

What should be included in the adoption fee?

From what we researched, most adoption agencies would include any health papers, registration paperwork, up-to-date vaccinations and a spay/neuter.  Some centers may also include a small starter package that includes a care guide, leash, harness and/or samples of food/supplements.  As all sellers vary with inclusions, most will tell you upfront as to what’s included with your adoption fee.

At the Pig O’ My Heart Potbellies adoption center, for example, they include all registration paperwork, up-to-date vaccinations, a microchip, deworming and a spay or neuter.  They are also litterbox trained since each one of her pigs spends time in the home to learn good “piggy manners.”

Sizes

On the market, you will find a variety of pot-bellied pigs, with disagreements in the names, heights, and weights.  However, as per TheSprucePets.com, the most common names you may come across include the Vietnamese, miniature, teacup, toy, Royal Dandy, micro mini, Dandie Extreme and Mini Juliana.  Regardless, the average pot-belly pig can range anywhere from 120 to more than 250 pounds, with the average height in the 15 to 28-inch range.

Tips to know

Before adoption, check your local laws to make sure owning one is legal.  Since a pig is considered to be livestock by the Department of Agriculture, many cities and homeowners associates forbid these types of animals unless you’re zoned to handle livestock such as a farm.

9sites.org reminds us of the regulations and restrictions as they are federally enforced and regulated by the NAIS system of identification.  With this, your pig will be issued an ID number and will need to be permanently ID’d by a microchip, which means you cannot move your pig from your home unless you file a request with the NAIS.  Since pigs can carry deadly diseases that are quite destructive to the farming business, their movements are very restricted by both state and federal agencies.  Failing to abide by these laws can result in your pig confiscated, with potential fines to follow.

Pot-bellied pigs can live an average of 12 to 19 years, with some older than 20.

Pot-bellied pigs are extremely intelligent, making them quite trainable, similar to that of a dog.  They can be house trained, leash trained and, they are even willing to learn a few tricks.  However, for some, this intelligence can often cause a problem due to their destructive behavior if not left with enough entertainment.


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