How to Play With a Piglet

Baby pigs are cute and cuddly but they might not be suitable pets for very young children. A piglet older than 8 weeks is able to play for short periods away from the constant eye of its mother but knowing a few things about the animal will make it easier to initiate a bout of play and exercise.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Look at the world from the piglet’s point of view. Since he can't stand on his hind feet, try crawling on the floor with him. He’ll appreciate the effort.

2. Take short breaks to pet and snuggle your piglet. Baby pigs are cute happy creatures but they need lots of close contact to feel safe.

3. Play quietly. Loud sudden noises can frighten piglets. Keep your voice soft and your tone welcoming. The baby pig will respond by coming over to you to investigate.

4. Use food to train a pig to play. A piglet will never beat you at chess but if you reward him with a treat after he fetches a ball you roll across the floor, he’ll remember the game and play it the next time.

5. Forget about hitting the piglet in an attempt to teach it. Pigs are pack animals and any slap or smack from you will increase their resistance to the task at hand. Instead, be very patient.

6. Introduce your piglet to your cat when they are both young to allow them to play together and bond. Piglets and cats are natural friends in most cases and they will follow each other around, sharing playtime.

Tips & Warnings

• Dogs and pigs are not a good combination. Dogs, because of their predatory nature, may attack a pig that has formerly been their companion.