Getting a new pet is always exciting, getting a new piglet is even better, but piglets are not puppies and preparing your family, home and other pets will insure that your experience will be less stressful for you, the piglet and your family.

This is a partial list of things to have before your piglet comes home, by all means it’s not all inclusive:

The very basics:

• A sturdy, strong type of barrier to make your piglet his/her own area. Some people have used wire dog fences, cyclone dog kennels, playpens (very temporary and harder to clean) and many other creative materials, the point is to have an area exclusively for your piglet to keep them confined until they can get use to the sights, sounds, voices and pets/people in your home.  They are naturally prey animals, and have a tendency to run and hide. They also need an area to call their own, to teach litter training and to keep safe. When they are out of this area they need to be watched 100% of the time.
• A litter box, any type works best, some piglets are so small an area has to be cut out to allow them easier access. I prefer the cement mixing trays from Lowes or Home Depot, they are very sturdy, bigger and last years.
• A type of litter, DO NOT USE ANY TYPE OF CLAY CAT LITTER.  I prefer the equine pine pellets but many people have been successful with pine shavings or puppy pads.
• Food tray, to be kept clean at all times.
• Water try, they tend to flip them as they get older, but for starters something heavier, always have free choice fresh water.
• Many piglets appreciate a fuzzy, fluffy bed and blanket, even a soft toy to snuggle and root on.
• A fuzzy blanket or two would be appreciated as well.
• Feed, its best to get what your breeder was using.

Medical/health items to have on hand:

• Your vet’s phone number will be the most helpful and having a vet pre-arranged is very important.

Items to keep on hand for basic home treatments are:

• canned pumpkin (unsweetened), Pepto Bismol, small syringe, Benadryl, Children’s Chewable aspirin, Hydrogen Peroxide, triple antibiotic ointment.

To make your piglets transition successful, it's important to remember they are not puppies - they usually need a 2-3 day transition time to realize they just left their “herd” and now they need to bond with their new family.

I definitely would wait to introduce pets and make sure it’s done slowly through the protective barrier.  

To bond more quickly with your new pet, offer hand treats, sit next to him/her, swaddle them in a blanket and spend time holding them.  

Reminder, never put down a squealing piglet.

Reprinted with permission. ©Anita Jacobson, Just Mini Pigs FB Group