I love learning everything I can about the wonderful Kune Kune pig and pigs in general. I'm in several groups on Social Media and one question I see get asked a lot is "Should I get my pig a friend?". The short answer is Yes, yes you should. Pigs are social creatures. They enjoy and really need the company of another pig.
I am however sympathetic to the reasons why someone purchases just one pig. I understand that a good quality Kune Kune pig is not cheap. Many have a hard time saving up to purchase just one, much less thinking about purchasing 2. The other reason someone may purchase one is they believe the pig will bond closer to them if they become their 'pig family'. Another common reason I hear is it was hard enough to convince their spouse to get one, much less 2 and they fear 2 might add too much chaos.
Now that we understand the reasons behind why pigs get purchased solo it can help us to work with you on overcoming these issues. Pigs that are purchased alone tend to be prone to more behavioral issues then pigs purchased in pairs or trios. One of the leading reasons for behavioral problems is boredom. Without a playmate there is a good chance your pig will become bored over time. A playmate helps reinforce positive natural behaviors. Your pigs will enjoy snuggling together, communicating to each other in friendly grunts and provides the social outlet they need to thrive. In the long run your pig venture will be more successful if you purchase at least in pairs. If you don't want to worry about babies down the road then you can purchase 2 females or 2 castrated males (also called barrows).
So there is of course the concern of cost. A totally valid concern that I completely relate to! You may want a pig so bad and you've saved enough to get one, the idea of having to save longer to get 2 might be heart wrenching for you. But just know that your pig will be so much happier if you get them in at least pairs.
Then there are those who are told if they are the pig's only playmate the pig will bond closer to them. This really isn't true. If anything when getting just one it's like the only child syndrome. The pig is generally overly spoiled (they are so cute I know it's hard not to!) and over spoiling can lead to problems. Think of it like a dog. If you allow your dog to jump on the dinner table, eat your food, bite you and do whatever they want you end up with a very problematic dog. The same principle applies to your pig. You need to focus on training and setting boundaries for a happier pet. It is hard to resist not giving into whatever their sweet little face wants, but it is a must. Having 2 pigs tends to more evenly divide your attention which usually prevents in overspoiling your pig. Your pig will love you no less if they have a friend. They will likely love you more and be more affectionate since they will be happier.
The last reason, convincing the spouse. This is a hard one to overcome. It might have taken you a year to get your not so pig loving spouse on board with the idea of having a pig in the house. They might not share your same passion and love for this animal. Or they may be the type that really needs to experience for themselves how wonderful this breed is before they are won over. Keeping in mind the above reasons for needing to get your pig a friend...hopefully you can assure your spouse in the long run it will make for better pets plus it will be twice the fun!
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