Potty Training
One of the jobs in raising pigs, particularly indoor pigs, is to teach it where to go potty. Pigs tend to potty in a particular spot. Outdoor pigs are easy. Your pet pig will usually find a spot, and that is where they will go! If you choose to have, or need to have, a litter box indoors, pick one big enough for your pet pig to turn around in. Obviously they do not make litter boxes for pigs so you need to improvise. We use Husky Stackable Storage bins from Home Depot. A plastic sweater box, or cement mixing box work very well for smaller pigs. For that larger pig a kiddy pool works great (one of those inexpensive plastic ones). Just cut an opening in one side to give them easy access. The best thing to use in your litter box is equine pine pellets (we buy these at Tractor Supply Company), NEVER cedar shavings or kitty litter. We don't use cedar shavings because of the oils in it can be toxic to your pig and we don't use kitty litter because it is meant to clump and if ingested it can be fatal . If your pig eats any of the kitty litter it can clump inside him and cause a blockage. Pine shavings can make quite a mess. Pigs enjoy shredding newspaper and puppy pads. Remember, pigs tend to potty in one spot so pick the location(s) of the litter box(s) carefully as the pig may not want to change potty spots later on. Behind a piece of furniture, out of view, is common. Or, if your pig has his own room, put the litter in the opposite side of the room from their bed. Wherever you put the potty, do not put it next to where they sleep. Pigs often are quite clean and will not do their business where they sleep unless their area in soiled or they become bored due no interaction.
While training the indoor pig to use the litter box, keep him/her confined to a small area of your home. WE recommend a 4’x4’ to a 4’x6’ area. Do not give the pig free run of the house while training. They should be placed in a semi private area that is not too far away from the pigs main digs, but not too close, either. During training, do not over clean the litter box. Leave at least one "pigberry" in the box. The scent of it stimulates him to go, and tells him that this is the proper place. No food rewards for correct potty behavior. Doing this tends to take the pigs focus off "what comes natural". Pigs are naturally clean animals that like to go outside, or in the same place every day. Potty training deteriorates when the pig anticipates food, and it changes his natural instincts. Pigs do NOT need to be rewarded for this. Pigs are creatures of habit. Do not give your pig free run of the house until he/she is faithfully using the litter box or going potty. Young pigs are prone to accidents. Keep that in mind and don't get mad or hit your pig because they had an accident (NEVER hit your pig)! It is up to you to teach your pig where to go. Remember, they are very intelligent. Most learn to use a litter box in 1 - 5 days. NOTE: Very young pigs aged 6 months or less, have not yet developed complete control over the muscles that control their bodily functions. So, if your pig has an accident at this young age, do not blame him too much. As long as he makes the effort to get to the potty. Pigs potty at night because they have too much room to roam in. Pigs may need to be semi confined for the night time for a while. NEVER give a new pig full run of the house till ALL housebreaking is over. Confining them to a small area is the best route to go in the beginning. If piggy was house broken and having accidents again, go back to the beginning and confine them to a small area. Walk him/her over to the box every 2 hours. Take them outside at the same time every day, or when training to use a litter box, take them over to the box every 2 hours to "remind" them. Put your pig on a schedule; potty first thing in the morning, after breakfast, (every couple of hours through out the day if you are lucky enough to be home), when you get home, after dinner and again before bed time. If you let your pig go outside, NO food rewards for coming in. The pig will forget to go, or possibly fake it. Yes, they are intelligent enough to figure out how to "fake you out"! Leave him out at least 30 minutes. NEVER punish a pig for not going in the proper place (even yelling). Such behavior confuses the pig, and takes the focus away from what the pig will do NATURALLY, if we don't try to "train" them. If he/she he makes a mistake, lead him to the PROPER place every 2 hours, whether he has to go, or not. I recommend that all pigs (that means house pigs) go outside to potty. The only time they need to be using the litter box is when they are first brought home as piglets and those that are brought into the family during the winter months. Otherwise they should be going outside to potty!
Ways to Teach Your Pig to Go Potty Outside
All "mistakes" must be de-scented with enzyme product, such as ODORMUTE. If the "mistake" is not de-scented, the pig will smell it and go there again. ODORMUTE is the best product we have found for taking care of this problem. By following these simple guidelines you will be a true pet lover and good pet pig parent.
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Written By : Katie Borders