How to Select Toys for a Potbellied Pig
Keeping your potbellied pig stimulated and entertained is important, as an idle pig can develop negative behaviors. Pigs are social animals. In the absence of human or other pig contact, they like to play with toys. When you select toys for your potbellied pig, you should take into consideration what pigs like to do. There aren't a lot of pig toys on the market; but you can make some yourself.
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Instructions
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Buy Toys for Your Potbellied Pig
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Select a Pet Pig Busy Ball to keep your potbellied pig occupied (see Resources below). Made from hard plastic, these balls are hollow and hold treats and pig chow. There's a hole in them just big enough for some food to spill out, providing hours of entertainment for potbellied pigs.
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Buy baby toys for pet pigs. Simple baby toys made for children under the age of 18 months are appropriate for potbellied pigs because they don't have any parts that can be broken off and swallowed.
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Make sure the baby toy you have chosen is too big for the pig to swallow.
Make a Root Box for Your Potbellied Pig
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Build a box out of plywood for your pig to root around in since this is one of her natural instincts. Make the box about 4 inches deep and at least 2 feet by 2 feet in size. The box can be bigger if you have the space or you have a large pig who requires more room to root.
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Fill the root box with hay or large, smooth river rocks. Rocks should be large enough to prevent your pig from accidentally swallowing them or choking on them. Damp hay will also keep the mess level down.
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Hide food or treats like natural popcorn or Cheerios in the root box for your pig to find. Select low fat treats for the healthiest option.
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Tips & Warnings
If you don't want to build a root box, you can use a shallow kiddie pool instead. Make sure it's not too deep so the pig can get in easily.
Don't buy small sized baby toys like small balls for your pig, as potbellied pigs have larger mouths than babies and this can be a choking hazard.
Sand the plywood for the root box down carefully to prevent your pig from getting splinters in the snout or elsewhere.
