Why Spay Or Neuter An Urban Pot Bellied Pig?
It may seem unnecessary to neuter or spay a pot bellied pig in the city. The chances are usually slim that your pig will find another pot bellied big with which it can mate without both owners' assistance and cooperation.
However, spaying and neutering of pot bellied pigs is not only useful in deterring unwanted pregnancies. They can also help avoid unpleasant and occasionally dangerous behavior that occurs when pot bellied pigs remain intact and at the mercy of hormones and mating instincts.
Why you should neuter a male pot bellied pig
Like many male animals that haven't been neutered, an intact male (or "boar") pot bellied pig can become increasingly aggressive as it grows into adulthood. Although short in stature, pot bellied pigs are compact and surprisingly strong and capable of damaging property and causing physical injury.
Pigs are herd animals but are hierarchical by nature, and an intact male will be extra aggressive in attempting to gain rank in the herd, even if the herd is their human family.
Their neck muscles, in particular, are inordinately strong for their size. This enables them to dig into the ground in search of food but also assists in challenging other males by striking at them with a sideswipe of their head.
This action is made more dangerous by the presence of curved tusks that protrude outward from their lower jaws. While neutering doesn't completely eliminate this issue, it makes a male pig less aggressive and curbs, but doesn't prevent, tusk growth.
Tusks must still be reduced by a trained veterinarian occasionally, because they are still sharp and all pigs are still obstinate by nature, neutered or not.
Intact male pigs will also exude a strong musky odor and may attempt to mate with other pets or humans. It can also be very disconcerting for family members or guests to have an overzealous pig honking and attempting to mate with them or witnessing a corkscrew shaped penis suddenly protruding from the pig after a simple pat on the head.
Male pot bellied pigs should be neutered at around 8-12 weeks old.
Why you should spay a female pot bellied pig
A female pig that is not spayed will go into estrus every 3-4 weeks. Females will become moody or overly amorous, and may urinate in inconvenient areas in an attempt to diffuse their scent and attract interested males. Because pigs can urinate in copious amounts, this can be a serious problem.
Spaying should be done at 4-6 months old. Timing is more crucial in females, because of the intrusive nature of the operation.
Do your pig (and yourself) a favor, and spay or neuter. It will save everyone a lot of trouble in the future.
For a vet, contact a company such as Norwin Veterinary Hospital.