The Truth About Mini Pigs: Cute, Smart, and a Whole Lot of Personality

by BLeaves Farms ·

Yesterday was National Pig Day, so what better time to celebrate the not-so-pint-sized members of our farm family–our beloved “mini” pigs! The name is somewhat of a misnomer, as many mini pigs weigh well over 100 pounds, although our tiniest Oinkley is over a year now and never really grew. Wilbur, Penny, and Oinkley are three very different little pigs, but they all share one thing in common: they’ve completely stolen our hearts and have made us fans of pet pigs.

Meet the Mini Pigs of Bleaves Farms

Wilbur: Our original mini pig and top dog, Wilbur is a Juliana pig with a larger-than-life personality. He was an impulse purchase from an entrepreneurial little kid (come on, every farm needs a pig), but from the moment he came home, he became part of the family. Wilbur loves belly rubs, attention, and of course…food. He also used to love Jeff’s La-Z-Boy and would frequently make sweet, passionate love to it, until we finally fixed this traumatizing habit by getting him neutered. Note to anyone looking to own a mini pig, we’d highly recommend spaying and neutering early, within the first few months!

Penny: A Juliana-potbellied mix, Penny was a rescue who came to us as the runt of her litter. She was bottle-fed and well-loved before she arrived, and she even knows tricks! She sits on command, gives high fives, and pouts when she wants food. Although integration was shockingly violent, she and Wilbur are now inseparable after she accepted that Wilbur was alpha.

Oinkley: The mystery pig. Oinkley was born blind, orphaned as a baby, and never grew to full size. We don’t fully understand his backstory, but our daughter begged us to save him, and also assured us he only needed a temporary home and that she would be paying for and administering his care. Fast forward a few seconds later, and we now have a third pig that we’re fully funding and responsible for, LOL. We have no clue what breed he is, but he’s tiny, full of love, and the joy of our lives. His favorite things? Mud, snacks, and belly rubs.

What It’s Like to Have Mini Pigs

Mini pigs are adorable, intelligent, and affectionate…but they’re also a handful. Before you go out and get one thinking it’ll be like having a dog, here are a few things you should know.

1. They’re Surprisingly Easy to Potty Train
One of the biggest perks of having mini pigs is that they naturally want to keep their living space clean. Our pigs all potty in the farthest corner of their pen, which makes cleaning up after them surprisingly simple. When they were living in the house, they were surprisingly simple to crate train and never had an accident inside.

2. They Love Mud
Pigs don’t sweat, so they roll in mud to stay cool. If you have a pig, expect them to turn any damp spot into a mud pit–especially in the summer. A pit filled with mud? Absolute heaven for a pig!

3. They Root & Can Be Destructive
Pigs have a natural instinct to graze and root with their snouts. Outdoors, this is no problem, but inside? They will absolutely destroy your floors, rugs, furniture, and anything else they can dig into. If you must keep a pig indoors, be prepared to pig-proof everything. They can actually be beneficial on the farm. When we have downed and rotting fruit in the orchard, we let them out to root around and clean up the farm like little Roombas.

4. They Have an Earth-Shattering Squeal
If you’ve never heard a pig squeal, you might be in for a shock. They don’t just oink…they let out an ear-piercing, glass-shattering scream if they’re upset about something. It can be quite alarming, and don’t be surprised if your neighbor calls 911 thinking someone is being murdered. Holding a pig? You need to do it football-style, tucking them securely under your arm. If they don’t feel safe, expect a squeal that will make your ears ring.

Mini Pig Maintenance & Care

Pigs need regular maintenance, and that includes their hooves and tusks. If left unchecked, hooves can overgrow and cause painful mobility issues, while tusks can become dangerous and get caught in fencing. Below we discuss some of our favorite tools, and will provide affiliate links where you can buy your own.

Hoof trimming: Needs to be done every 6-12 months. Some pigs wear their hooves down naturally, but most need trims. You can train them to tolerate it early using treats and gentle desensitization over time. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, find a good pig hoof trimmer in your area. You can often find one on a social media group related to the topic, or contact a local pig rescue for recommendations. Many farm vets also offer this service. We recommend using a Dremel tool for smoothing edges and/or a professional hoof trimmer for clipping.
Tusks: Males, especially intact ones, will develop tusks. If they get too long, they can become sharp and dangerous. You’ll want to trim them annually with a professional or use a diamond wire cutting tool. I’ve never tried this myself but have seen it done. Discuss with a professional if you’d like to learn how to do this on your own.

The Social Side of Pigs: Hierarchy & Aggression

Pigs are herd animals, meaning they need companionship, but introducing new pigs isn’t as easy as just tossing them in a pen together. They have a strict hierarchy, and when meeting new pigs, expect some serious sumo wrestling style pushing, biting, and squealing as they figure out who’s boss.

We’ve heard it’s good to put Vaseline on their ears to keep the other pig from grabbing on. We’ve also heard, for the most part, let them fight it out in the open until one pig backs down. Until that happens, they will continue to fight. If it gets too violent and someone is going to get seriously injured, it may be necessary to separate.

If you need to move a pig or separate them safely, a pig sorting board is a must-have tool. It helps you safely guide pigs without getting caught in the middle of their squabbles.

It took us around a month to successfully integrate Wilbur and Penny. It could have probably taken less time had we not kept separating them, but we never had the stomach to watch and allow them to keep fighting. Now they are best friends.

Oinkley, on the other hand, is so low on the totem pole, he virtually surrendered the moment Wilbur and Penny let him know they were boss.

Introducing Pigs is *Not* for the Faint of Heart

Understanding Pig Language: The Sounds of a Mini Pig

Living with mini pigs is like starring in your own National Geographic documentary. They are incredibly vocal animals with a surprising range of sounds, each with its own meaning. If you pay attention, you’ll start to understand exactly what they’re saying.

The “Ahroooo” Call: This is the unmistakable sound of a hungry pig demanding food. It’s a deep, gutteral almost howling noise that gets more intense if you don’t serve breakfast on time.
Content Oinks & Grunts: When a pig is happy, they let out soft, rhythmic grunts. You’ll hear this when they’re rooting in the dirt, enjoying a good belly rub, or just relaxing. It’s their version of a cat’s purr.
Shrill Squeals: If something upsets a pig, like being picked up the wrong way, getting startled, or heaven forbid, waiting too long for dinner, you’ll hear a piercing scream that could rival a fire alarm. Their lungs are impressive.
Greeting Puffs & Heavy Breathing: When a pig is excited to see you, they’ll exhale sharply or pant like a dog. It’s their way of saying, “Hey! I know you! Where’s my belly rub?”

Pigs use body language too, from wagging tails when they’re happy to stiffened postures when they’re feeling dominant. Once you learn to “speak pig,” life with them becomes even more entertaining. Another thing you’ll find, is if you scratch them in just the right spot, they’ll fall over and demand endless belly rubs.

Mini Pigs: A Long-Term Commitment

One of the biggest misconceptions about mini pigs is that they stay tiny forever. While they are smaller than standard farm pigs, most “mini” pigs grow to be 80-200 lbs. And here’s something many people don’t realize–pigs live a long time. A well-cared-for mini pig can live 12-20 years, which is about the same as a dog and much longer than most people expect.

Before getting a pig, ask yourself:

Can I commit to decades of care, training, and companionship?
Do I have space for a pig to roam and root?
Am I prepared for hoof and tusk maintenance?
Can I handle a strong-willed, intelligent animal that will test boundaries?

Too many pigs end up in rescues because people don’t realize how much work they require. But for those who are ready, pigs make hilarious, loving, and incredibly rewarding companions. Wilbur, Penny, and Oinkley have brought so much joy (and chaos) to our lives, and we can’t imagine the farm without them!

Feeding Mini Pigs: How Much is Too Much?

One of the biggest mistakes new pig owners make is overfeeding. Pigs are masters of persuasion. They’ll act like they haven’t eaten in days, even if they just finished a meal. We learned this the hard way when our vet took one look at Wilbur and Penny and declared, “Yep, your pigs are obese.” Oops. Turns out, mini pigs have very slow metabolisms and need way less food than you’d think.

A good rule of thumb for feeding mini pigs is:

1-2% of their body weight in food per day.
For a healthy adult pig, that’s about 1-2 cups of a balanced mini pig feed per day, divided into two meals.

Our pigs were getting far more than that (plus all the snacks we couldn’t resist giving them), which led to their…extra padding. To get them back to a healthy weight, we measured their food carefully and cut out unnecessary treats.

What to Feed Mini Pigs

The best diet for a mini pig includes:

A high-quality mini pig pellet with the right balance of nutrients. We use Mazuri Mini Pig Feed because it’s formulated specifically for mini pigs and helps maintain a healthy weight.
Fresh vegetables like leafy greens, cucumbers, zucchini, and carrots (but in moderation for starchy ones). They love eating scraps from our garden, but we always do research on Google to ensure the treat won’t be toxic.
Limited fruits (because they’re high in sugar).
LOTS of fresh water. Pigs dehydrate easily, and their water bowls get messy fast.

What NOT to Feed Mini Pigs

Dog or cat food (too high in protein)
Junk food (chips, cookies, etc.)
Too many grains or corn (can cause obesity). We found this out from experience!
Raw potatoes or onions (toxic to pigs)

The Snack Struggle is Real

While putting our pigs on a diet, the hardest part was ignoring their Oscar-worthy performances of starvation. The grunts, the pleading eyes, the dramatic sighs…it was a test of willpower. But keeping your pig at a healthy weight is crucial for their long-term health and mobility. Overweight pigs can develop arthritis, heart issues, and even hoof problems.

Pigs are incredibly smart and food-driven, which makes feeding them a balancing act. But with the right portions, a healthy diet, and a little tough love on the snack front, your pig can live a long, happy, and active life!

Training Mini Pigs: The Smartest Pets You’ll Ever Own

If you’ve ever tried training a dog and thought, Wow, this takes patience, then training a mini pig will feel like a breeze…as long as you have food. Mini pigs are insanely food motivated, making them some of the easiest animals to train. If they think there’s even a chance of getting a snack, they’ll do just about anything you ask.

Best Treats for Training

The key to pig training is having the right treats. Something small, healthy, and irresistible like Farmhouse Favorites Mini Pig Treats. They’re specially formulated for pigs, packed with good nutrients, and don’t contribute to weight gain like human snacks. DO NOT use salty or sugary treats. Pigs don’t process salt well, and obesity is a big issue in mini pigs.

Tricks You Can Teach a Mini Pig

Because pigs are so intelligent, they can learn tons of commands with consistent training and positive reinforcement. Some fun tricks to start with include:

Sit: Hold a treat above their nose and move it slightly back. As they look up, their back end will naturally lower. Reward immediately.
Spin: Use a treat to guide their nose in a circle. After a few times, they’ll catch on fast!
Give Hoof (Shake): Pick up their hoof gently while saying “hoof” and reward when they lift it.
Stay: Harder but possible with patience. Start with short durations and increase over time.
Jump: Some mini pigs can jump low obstacles for a treat.
Go to Bed: Train them to go to a designated sleeping area or crate on command.
Ring a Bell: Some owners teach their pigs to ring a bell when they want to go outside.

Why Training is Important

Mini pigs are crazy smart, and if they don’t have mental stimulation, they will get bored and start causing trouble (ask us how we know). Training gives them a job, keeps them engaged, and strengthens your bond. Plus, having a well-trained pig makes life way easier, especially when it comes to hoof trims, vet visits, or moving them around. Teaching them while young to walk on a harness and leash is wise as well.

If you want a pet that will actually listen (unlike some stubborn dogs we know), a mini pig is a perfect fit. Just make sure you have plenty of treats, because these little geniuses don’t work for free!

Should You Get a Mini Pig?

Mini pigs are smart, affectionate, and full of personality. But they also require dedicated care, space to roam, and proper training. If you’re thinking about getting one, do your research and make sure you’re ready for the responsibility.

For us, Wilbur, Penny, and Oinkley are part of the family, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Happy (belated) National Pig Day from all of us at BLeaves Farms! Visit is at our BLeaves Farms Instagram and Facebook page to ask questions or let us know your thoughts on mini pigs as pets!