This resource was updated as part of the veterinary review process. It was originally published on May 2, 2018.
With proper care, pigs have the opportunity to live long lives. Many factors affect an individual’s expected lifespan, but their breed is a major one. Mini pigThe term “mini pig” is used to categorize smaller breeds of pigs, such as Potbellies, Julianas, and Kunekunes, and to differentiate between these breeds and large breed pigs, such as Yorkshires, Landrace, or Hampshires, who are sometimes referred to as “farm pigs”. The descriptor “mini” can be a bit misleading- some breeds of mini pigs can weigh over 200 pounds! Terms like “teacup”, “micro”, “pocket”, “nano”, and “micro mini” are deceptive terms that are sometimes used to intentionally mislead people into thinking an individual pig will remain a certain size. breeds have a significantly longer life expectancy than large breedDomesticated animal breeds that have been selectively bred by humans to grow as large as possible, as quickly as possible, to the detriment of their health. pigs (sometimes referred to as “farm pigs”), potentially living into their upper teens or lower twenties. Large breed pigs, on the other hand, have a life expectancy closer to ten or twelve years (which is considerably older than the age at which pigs are usually killed in agricultural settings). While some factors that affect an individual’s life expectancy, such as their breed, genetics, and health status upon rescue, are beyond a caregiver’s control, there’s still plenty caregivers can do to help ensure their residents live as long and as well as possible. The care, nutrition, and environment caregivers provide to their pig residents have a major impact on their life expectancy and quality of life, and these elements of care can help them thrive in their old age!
Health Care Considerations For Older Pigs
Thoughtful observation, routine health checks, and regular veterinary care are imperative for all residents, but you may find that older residents benefit from more frequent assessment and closer observation than they did when they were younger. This can help you catch and respond to issues before they progress to more serious situations. Some conditions, such as mobility issues, dental disease, and certain cancers, tend to be more common in older pigs. However, these are certainly not the only conditions that can affect older residents (and these conditions are also not exclusive to older residents). By keeping a closer eye on older residents, you’ll be better able to catch signs of new or worsening conditions as soon as possible!
Daily Observation And Routine Health Checks
During daily observation and routine health checks, you should watch closely for any signs of concern, but when it comes to older pig residents, a few areas may warrant extra attention.
Watch For Signs Of Arthritis And Related Issues
Because it’s common for pigs to develop osteoarthritis as they age, it’s important to closely monitor older residents for signs of lameness, changes in gaitA specific way of moving and the rhythmic patterns of hooves and legs. Gaits are natural (walking, trotting, galloping) or acquired meaning humans have had a hand in changing their gaits for "sport". or posture, knee walking, swelling of joints, or pain. Be sure to bring any concerns to your veterinarian so they can determine the cause and the best course of action. Proper pain management is imperative for individuals with painful conditions, and we’ll talk more about this below. It’s important to note that septic arthritis (infectious arthritis) can also be quite common in large breed pigs and would require the addition of an antimicrobial treatment, as prescribed by your veterinarian. In some cases, the affected joint may be red, swollen, hot, and possibly open and oozing. However, in other cases, the individual may be lame without obvious outward signs of infection. Be sure to work closely with your veterinarian if a resident is showing signs of mobility issues and to discuss the possibility of septic arthritis.
Individuals with arthritis or other mobility issues may spend more time lying down, putting them at risk of developing pressure sores. Environmental modifications can reduce this risk and are discussed more in the Living Spaces section below. Pressure sores can be difficult to manage once they develop, particularly if the underlying cause is a chronic condition, so prevention is key.
Closely Monitor Their Feet
Individuals who bear weight unevenly, who knee-walk, or who are less active than they previously were may need some or all of their hooves trimmed more often than they previously did. If you find that an individual’s hooves are becoming too overgrown between regularly scheduled hoof trimming, you’ll need to put the individual on their own more frequent hoof trimming schedule.
If older residents are picking up their feet less due to pain or a mechanical leg issue or are bearing extra weight on a particular foot (in order to take weight off a sore limb), they may be at an increased risk of developing hoof cracks or other foot lesions, which can, in turn, increase their risk of developing a foot infection. While you should pay close attention to all your pig residents’ feet, it’s a good idea to pay even closer attention to your older residents’ feet so that you can catch and address issues as soon as possible – before they progress to more serious concerns.
Closely Monitor Their Weight
Many large breed and mini pigsThe term “mini pig” is used to categorize smaller breeds of pigs, such as Potbellies, Julianas, and Kunekunes, and to differentiate between these breeds and large breed pigs, such as Yorkshires, Landrace, or Hampshires, who are sometimes referred to as “farm pigs”. The descriptor “mini” can be a bit misleading- some breeds of mini pigs can weigh over 200 pounds! Terms like “teacup”, “micro”, “pocket”, “nano”, and “micro mini” are deceptive terms that are sometimes used to intentionally mislead people into thinking an individual pig will remain a certain size. are prone to obesity, regardless of their age, but older residents may be at an increased risk if they continue to eat at the same pace while lowering their general activity levels. Obesity can cause a host of health challenges and exacerbate existing conditions (such as arthritis), so it’s important to keep a close eye on your residents’ weight and body condition and to find ways to help them maintain a healthy weight. This may include making changes to their diet (discussed more below), encouraging safe exercise, or working with your veterinarian to manage any pain that may be affecting their activity level.
While obesity is a common concern in pig residents, unexplained weight loss is also cause for concern. If a resident is losing weight unexpectedly, it is important to work with your veterinarian to determine the cause.
Watch For Signs Of Dental Disease
Just like many other animals, pigs can develop dental issues, especially as they age. This may include tartar build-up, gingivitis, abscessed teeth, exposed roots, tooth loss, and periodontal disease. Older male pigs are also prone to tusk root abscesses. Dental issues can result in pain, difficulty eating, and other issues, so be sure to consult with your veterinarian if you suspect one of your residents has dental issues. General signs include difficulty eating (including dropping food, eating more slowly, and refusing crunchy foods), bad breath, and behavior changes. If the issue has been going on for some time, you may also notice a loss of body condition. An individual with a tusk abscess may develop an abscess or open draining tract along their jaw. While some veterinary practices may be able to do a dental work-up and any necessary interventions, others may need to refer you to a facility that has an animal dentistry service.
Watch For Signs Of Constipation
Some older pig residents may struggle with constipation, perhaps because they are drinking less than they used to or are less active than they previously were. Signs of constipation include hard stool, straining to defecate, a hunched appearance, and discomfort. While this is sometimes easily remedied by increasing their water intake, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian so they can determine the underlying cause and best course of action. In some cases, they may recommend administering mineral oil, a mild laxative, or an over-the-counter stool softener. Other times, performing an enema may be necessary. If constipation is a recurring issue, your veterinarian may recommend certain changes to their diet, discussed more below.
Pay Close Attention To Their Skin
Dry skin is not uncommon in pigs but can worsen with age. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian if you notice any skin issues – while it may simply be that they have dry skin, your veterinarian may recommend diagnostics to rule out other conditions. To help address dry skin, they may recommend certain diet changes (such as increasing fat and vitamin E intake or supplementing with omega fatty acids) and/or topical treatments to help moisturize and soothe skin.
Pigs may develop cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer) as they age, likely due to sun exposure. Lighter-skinned pigs are more commonly affected than those with darker skin. Common sites for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma lesions are the backs of the ears and the sides of the body. If your veterinarian determines a lesion is cancerous, they may recommend interventions such as surgical removal or electrochemotherapy. Alternatively, they may recommend limiting sun exposure and/or applying topical products to help protect the skin. Lesions may attract flies, so fly deterrents may be necessary.
Watch For Signs Of Vision And Hearing Loss
Just as in humans, you may find that as a pig ages, their hearing and vision deteriorate. (Please note that when we mention vision loss, we are not referring to mechanical blindness due to obesity – this is not a normal part of aging and is a clear indication the individual needs to lose weight). You should consult with a veterinarian regarding any issues you notice to make sure there is not an underlying issue at hand, but for some individuals, partial or total loss of vision or hearing may become their new normal. You’ll want to watch carefully to ensure they continue to do well in the living spaceThe indoor or outdoor area where an animal resident lives, eats, and rests. and social group they are in. An older pig with weakened senses may become more skittish. You’ll want to avoid startling them and will want to watch to make sure they are still comfortable in their current social group, especially at feeding time. Elderly individuals who are fully or partially blind may appreciate having their own safe space to eat in without having to worry about someone trying to eat their food. Routines and consistency can go a long way in keeping them feeling safe and comfortable.
Veterinary Care For Older Pigs
We recommend asking your veterinarian how frequently they think your older pig residents should be seen (ideally, at least twice a year). Individuals with ongoing issues that require monitoring may need to be seen more often than those without health issues, but even for apparently healthy individuals, more frequent vet visits may be in order (plus diagnostics to screen for disease, as recommended by your veterinarian).
Pain Management For Individuals With Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common health concerns in older animals, and pigs are no exception. A pig might develop osteoarthritis in any of the joints of their legs or even in their spine – progressive elbow osteoarthritis is especially common and is one of the most common reasons for euthanasia in mini pigs. Without pain management, arthritis can cause chronic pain (ranging in severity from mild to debilitating) and can affect an individual’s activity level. Severe pain can result in a general reluctance or inability to walk or even stand, which can then lead to a host of other health issues. While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, and it is a progressive condition, there are medications that can help alleviate the individual’s pain. In addition to evaluating individuals with arthritis, your veterinarian can also recommend a pain management regime for the individual.
In order to keep individuals with arthritis comfortable, your veterinarian may prescribe a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as carprofen or meloxicam (never combine NSAID treatments), and/or other analgesics, such as tramadol or gabapentin. While caregivers should follow their veterinarian’s recommendations when it comes to analgesics, it’s worth noting that numerous pig caregivers have reported seeing better results with carprofen than with other NSAIDs. If your veterinarian recommends a different NSAID, it may be worth inquiring if carprofen would be a reasonable option to try.
Your veterinarian may also recommend starting an arthritic resident on joint supplements that contain glucosamine, chondroitin, and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) – Cosequin is a popular brand that comes in formulations for dogs, cats, and horses, the latter of which is an apple-flavored powder that pigs may eat readily when sprinkled on their food. Some sanctuaries have also seen some success treating arthritis pain with alternative therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic, and veterinary laser, as well as more natural remedies (in conjunction with conventional medication) such as Boswellia (also known as Indian Frankincense), turmeric, and CBDA non-hallucinogenic substance from the hemp plant. Some claim that it can help manage pain and certain health conditions in animals, though there is little research in this field. Because CBD is not highly regulated, it can be difficult to ascertain exactly how pure any CBD oil or supplement may actually be. Some suggest that CBD oil, if ingested by ruminants, can cause harm to rumens. oil. Your veterinarian may also recommend applying a topical pain-relieving treatment to achy joints. In more severe cases, they may recommend injectable medications such as Adequan, Legend, dep-medrol, or Sarapin.
Be sure to talk to your veterinarian about the most appropriate pain management regimen for each of your residents and talk to them about conducting blood work before certain treatments (such as NSAID treatment) to ensure the treatment is not contraindicated and to establish a baseline against which to compare future blood work results. We also recommend talking to them about conducting regular blood work for individuals on certain long-term treatments (including NSAID treatment) to monitor organ function and to watch for adverse effects. In addition to offering treatments to reduce inflammation and pain, make extra sure that their environment is as arthritis-friendly as can be, which we’ll talk about more below.
Diet Considerations For Older Pigs
Providing your pig residents with a healthy diet is important at every stage of their lives, including in old age. Some pigs may continue to thrive on the standard pig diet you provide, but others may benefit from (or even require) certain modifications. For starters, if you typically reduce your residents’ portions of pelleted pig food when there is a lot of vegetation available in their outdoor space, be sure to consider if this is appropriate for older residents. If they are less active and rooting less than other residents, reducing their pig pellets may not be appropriate.
Since osteoarthritis is a common issue in older residents, some sanctuaries incorporate supplements that are thought to reduce inflammation, such as turmeric or omega-3 fatty acids, and joint supplements (described previously) into their older pig residents’ diet, even if they are not currently showing signs of arthritis. If this is something you’re interested in doing, we recommend consulting with your veterinarian for guidance.
Because constipation can be a fairly common issue in older pigs, some sanctuaries make modifications to their older residents’ diets to try to prevent this issue. This might include feeding soaked pellets (rather than dry), increasing dietary fiber by adding cooked pumpkin or psyllium husk to their diet, and providing lots of water-dense vegetables. If it seems like residents aren’t drinking enough water, you can try adding a small amount of Gatorade or fruit juice to their water to see if this encourages them to drink. We recommend continuing to provide plain water also, just in case anyone prefers it – you don’t want to create a problem for someone who might not enjoy this addition to their water! If you notice that water consumption decreases when the weather turns colder, providing warm water might be the solution. Speaking of water, make sure their drinking water is easily accessible and that they can comfortably drink from the provided vessel in order to encourage easy and frequent hydration. It’s a good idea to provide multiple areas where drinking water is available (and to have drinking water available near the areas where they spend most of their time).
Given their excitement at mealtime, feeding a group of pig residents together can sometimes be a bit chaotic. Be sure to pay close attention to feeding time dynamics and behaviors and consider if an older resident might benefit from a private space to eat. This might allow them to eat more slowly and will prevent them from getting chased off in a game of musical food bowls. If it’s not possible to fully separate an older resident who seems like they’re getting pushed around during feeding time, you might get them used to eating in a specific area away from the others (perhaps behind a visual barrier). With time and consistency, an older resident might wait patiently in their designated spot while you feed the rest of the group, knowing you’ll be bringing them their own bowl next.
Below, we’ll discuss additional diet changes that may be necessary for older residents. However, this information is merely meant to be informative. These recommendations are not universally necessary for all elderly individuals and, in most cases, are just one part of a more comprehensive response plan.
Diet Considerations For Individuals Who Are Overweight
If you notice that an older resident is gaining weight, you’ll want to intervene before they gain an unhealthy amount of weight. As mentioned above, if the individual is less active due to pain, be sure to work with your veterinarian to make them more comfortable. In terms of their diet, you’ll want to make changes to prevent further weight gain (and, in some cases, may even need to encourage weight loss, following your veterinarian’s recommendations). Healthy pigs love to eat, and for elderly pigs who are less active doing other things, eating may be the highlight of their day, so it’s important to make changes without being too restrictive. For example, depending on the type of food you are feeding, you may be able to switch to a different formulation that contains less protein and/or fat and more fiber and continue feeding a similar portion without the individual continuing to gain weight. Other times, you may need to reduce the amount of pig pellets they receive daily. If this is the case, consider if you can make adjustments to their supplemental produce in order to make this change feel less restrictive (for example, reducing their portion of pellets at each meal but adding a few extra handfuls of kale). We recommend working closely with an experienced veterinarian when determining the most appropriate diet for your residents.
Diet Considerations For Individuals With Dental Disease
Because residents with worn or missing teeth might have a harder time chewing, you may have to make changes to their diet to ensure they get all the nutrients they need and are able to eat comfortably. If the individual is currently eating dry pig pellets, soaking the pellets in warm water may make it much easier for them to eat. You might need to play around with the consistency a bit – some like a thick oatmeal consistency, while others might prefer it on the soupier side. Tough hay may also be difficult for individuals with dental disease to chew thoroughly. Opting for softer hay may make things easier for them. If residents are having trouble with long-fibered hay, you can try offering them chopped hay instead. Residents with dental disease may also need their supplemental produce cut into smaller pieces, and harder fruits and veggies may need to be softened through cooking.
Diet Considerations For Individuals With Other Underlying Conditions
Dental disease is far from the only health condition that might necessitate a diet change. Other health conditions, such as certain cancers, can make it more difficult for a pig to maintain a healthy weight despite eating the same amount of food they always have. These individuals may require changes to what and how much they eat in order to maintain a healthy weight (or to prevent/slow further weight loss). In some cases, your veterinarian may recommend continuing to feed them the same foods but in greater quantity. When increasing daily food intake, keep in mind that residents may do best when their food is split into smaller, more frequent meals rather than fewer, larger meals. Depending on the situation, your veterinarian may recommend specific changes to what they eat, perhaps switching to a pig pellet formulation that is higher in protein and fat, providing them with a vitamin or mineral supplement, or adding other foods to their diet that contain protein, healthy fats, or other nutrients.
While some underlying conditions cause weight loss without affecting the individual’s appetite, other conditions lead to weight loss because they affect the individual’s appetite. In addition to veterinary assessment, these individuals may need encouragement to eat. If the individual is currently being fed dry pellets, see if they like them better soaked (and try different consistencies). If you know their favorite foods, offering these separately or mixed into their pellets might get them interested in eating. If you don’t know their favorite foods, do some experimenting – see if mixing in some applesauce, canned fruit (in juice, not syrup), or baby food piques their interest. You certainly want to avoid foods that could make them sick, but you can ease up on the calorie counting when trying to entice a pig to eat. Just remember to transition them back to a healthier diet when they, hopefully, start eating normally again.
If an individual isn’t eating the food you offer to them in a bowl or trough, see if hand-feeding them gets them eating!
Feeding Considerations For Individuals With Arthritis
Residents with arthritis or other mobility issues may continue to do fine on their current diet but might benefit from modification to how they are fed. While most pigs will typically be up and eagerly awaiting their food at mealtime, some older residents, especially those with advanced arthritis, might prefer to stay in bed and wait for food to be brought to them. These individuals may be more comfortable eating lying down. Depending on the types of dishes you typically use, it may be helpful to switch to one that has shorter sides so that they can easily reach in without having to get up. Similarly, it can be helpful to offer water from a shallow vessel so that residents can rest on their knees while drinking if they need to take pressure off sore feet. Food and water should always be easy for residents to get to, but what was easy to access before they had achy joints simply may not be accessible now, so you’ll want to make changes as necessary.
Living Space Considerations For Older Pigs
As with their diet, some older pig residents may continue to do well without any changes to their living spaces, but others may require certain modifications to keep them safe and comfortable.
Indoor Living Spaces For Older Pigs
It’s important to monitor an older resident’s indoor living space to ensure it keeps them comfortable and is free of any hazards that could cause injury. Be sure to consider:
Flooring
Flooring should provide adequate traction to prevent slips and falls and should also be easy on feet and joints since older pigs may develop pain due to arthritis. For individuals who live separately from their caregivers (i.e., for individuals who do not live inside a human dwelling), we recommend packed dirt floors. However, dirt floors often develop pits and slopes over time as dirt washes away or is raked up during cleaning. To avoid residents injuring themselves or having a hard time getting up, be sure to keep dirt floors level and fill in divots as they develop. Keep in mind that pits and slopes might not be apparent under bedding, so be sure to routinely evaluate the floor when it has been stripped of all bedding.
For pig residents who live inside human dwellings, make sure they continue to have adequate traction on any type of flooring they have access to. In order to avoid undue strain on joints, it’s best to avoid giving them access to overly hard surfaces (concrete, hardwood floors, etc.). If this is not possible, you’ll need to find a way to cover these floors with something that offers some padding (while still providing appropriate traction).
Bedding
Older pigs may also need to have different bedding in order to make it easier for them to walk and comfortably relax indoors. While straw is a common choice for pig residents, individuals with arthritis may become tangled in long-fibered straw if they aren’t lifting up their legs as high as they once did when walking. For these individuals, consider using short-fibered straw or low-dust wood shavings on the main floor, but keep in mind that this type of bedding isn’t great for nest building (a natural pig behavior). Therefore, you’ll want to also provide long-fibered straw that is more suitable for building a big fluffy nest – you just might want to keep this away from their main walking areas.
Older residents with arthritis or sore feet might benefit from even more give than what packed dirt flooring and a thick layer of bedding can provide. In this case, adding a thick layer of naturally sourced sand might be beneficial. Like any other substrate, this would need to be cleaned regularly. Sand can provide lots of cushion, but it can also easily become cold and damp, so it may not be a good option in certain climates or during certain times of the year. Additionally, if using sand, you must be very careful to keep food contained in bowls to avoid ingestion of sand, which can result in an impaction.
If more padding is necessary in sleeping areas, you can add a large, heavy-duty cushioned mat under bedding (for mini pigs, a large, heavy-duty dog bed might work). All mats and cushions will need to be cleaned regularly, so opt for something that makes this process easier. Be sure to repair or replace any cushions as needed.
Steps/Ramps
While indoor spaces are often slightly elevated for drainage purposes, make sure residents do not have to take a large step up in order to move from the outdoors to the indoors. Stairs should be avoided, as these may be difficult for an older resident to navigate and could lead to injury (or reluctance to move between the indoor and outdoor space). Additionally, having to step up or down or over a raised threshold could result in tripping or abrasions to the feet. A gentle slope of packed dirt will be easiest for arthritic residents to navigate, but for pig companions who reside in human dwellings, you may need to provide a very gently sloped ramp in order for your companion to go outdoors without having to walk down steps. Similarly, you may need to use a ramp to get residents in and out of transport vehicles. Make sure the ramp is sturdy and provides adequate traction (even when wet). Lining it with roofing shingles can provide traction and help keep hooves worn down. Alternatively, outdoor carpeting may provide appropriate traction.
Outdoor Living Spaces For Older Pigs
As a resident ages, their activity level may decrease, especially if they have arthritis or another health condition that affects their mobility or stamina. If the terrain and layout of their current outdoor space make it difficult for an older pig resident to root and explore outdoors (if they so choose), you’ll want to provide them with a more suitable space (while honoring their social needs, described below). A smaller, flatter space may be easier for them to navigate, but don’t confuse small and flat with sparse. Older pigs will still benefit from an interesting outdoor space that allows them to choose where to spend their time. Try to include a mix of shaded and open areas and terrain that makes rooting and digging their own wallows easy. Rocky terrain is best avoided for all pig residents but could prove especially challenging for older pigs. Make sure it’s easy for older residents to get to food, water, shade, and shelter.
Temperature Considerations
Older pig residents may be more sensitive to certain temperatures and weather conditions than they previously were, so you may have to make some adjustments to keep them comfortable.
Keeping Older Pigs Warm In Cold Weather
When temperatures drop, extra bedding can go a long way in keeping pig residents warm. Even in barn-type settings (which will admittedly be harder to keep warm than a human dwelling), if you are able to keep drafts out while still ensuring proper ventilation, you can often keep older pig residents comfortably warm with lots of fresh straw and maybe the addition of a cozy blanket or two. For many older pigs and their caregivers, tucking pigs in at night with their favorite blanket is a cherished bedtime routine. If you feel you need to add a safe heat source in order to keep an older resident comfortable, be sure to keep fire safety in mind and ensure residents cannot access the heat source or cords. Due to their increased risk of causing a fire, we recommend avoiding heat lamps whenever possible. Glass bulb heat lamps have proven especially dangerous and should absolutely be avoided.
Keeping Older Pigs Cool In Warm Weather
In the summer, you’ll want to make sure indoor spaces stay comfortably cool. Depending on your climate and set-up, this can be accomplished with circulating fans, air conditioners, swamp coolers, or water misters. When choosing safe cooling appliances for barn-type housing, be sure to opt for something rated for agricultural use.
When temperatures are warm, make sure their outdoor space provides lots of shade and cooling opportunities, such as mud wallows and/or pools of water to cool off in. Keep in mind that older residents may no longer be able to easily get in and out of wallows, ponds, troughs, or kiddie pools they once accessed with ease. If providing a pool of water, it’s best to use something with short, soft, cushioned walls to make it easier for residents to get in and out and avoid foot abrasions – Heartland Piggy Pools are a popular choice. Make sure the pool provides adequate traction. If the pool’s bottom is slippery, securing outdoor carpeting to the bottom can help provide traction. When digging out mud wallows, keep them on the shallow side with a gradual slope.
All pig residents should be closely observed for signs of overheating during hot and humid weather, but you’ll want to keep an even closer eye on older residents. Pay close attention to anyone lying out in the sun during hot (or warm and humid) weather, and check in to make sure they are not overheating. If a resident finds themselves unable to rise while lying out in the hot sun, they could quickly become heat-stressed, which could quickly progress to dangerous heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Social Considerations For Older Pigs
Pigs are social animals who enjoy spending time with their pig friends and sharing a fluffy nest with their companions (though some house pigs might be quite content being the only pig in the household so long as they get lots of interaction with their human companions). While you may need to move an older pig out of their current living situation due to issues with social dynamics or because the physical space cannot meet their current needs, this must be done thoughtfully. As social animals, living in isolationIn medical and health-related circumstances, isolation represents the act or policy of separating an individual with a contagious health condition from other residents in order to prevent the spread of disease. In non-medical circumstances, isolation represents the act of preventing an individual from being near their companions due to forced separation. Forcibly isolating an individual to live alone and apart from their companions can result in boredom, loneliness, anxiety, and distress. can lead to boredom, depression, and distress. If you must move an older pig out of their current social group, make sure to move them with at least one companion – ideally, their closest friend or family member. Unless absolutely necessary for their health or safety, you should avoid separating residents from their closest companions.
Because social dynamics with pigs can sometimes be complicated, it can be challenging to navigate the social needs of an older pig resident who outlives their partner, especially if the two pigs lived only with each other. Because pig introductions can be challenging, it may not be safe to introduce an older pig to other mature pig residents. However, some sanctuaries have had success introducing a young piglet to an older resident living alone after the passing of their companion. If an older pig resident needs to live alone after the loss of their companion, you’ll want to incorporate enrichment opportunities that can help meet their social needs. You can read more about social enrichment here and enrichment ideas for pigs here.
While it may seem like a lot of additional considerations, it’s important to be aware of how an older pig resident’s needs may change as they age and the ways in which you can meet those needs. A little extra consideration can go a long way in keeping older residents comfortable and content despite some of the challenges that can come with old age!
SOURCES:
Ironwood Pig Sanctuary News April 2017 Update
Indian Frankincense | Arthritis Foundation
Senior Care Of Pot-Belly Pigs | Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital
Aging | Shepherd’s Green Sanctuary
Arthritis In Pigs | Mini Pig Info
Common Health Problems Affecting Mini-Pigs – Part 2 | VCA Animal Hospital
Constipation In Mini Pigs | Mini Pig Info
Disorders And Diseases Of Potbellied Pigs | Merck Veterinary Manual
Skin, Hoof, And Dental Care For Your Mini-Pig | VCA Animal Hospitals
Routine Veterinary Care Of The Miniature Pig | Lafeber Vet
Potbellied Pig Basics | Mozzachio Mobile Veterinary Services
Potbellied Pig Veterinary Medicine | Dr. Kristie Mozzachio
Pot Bellied Pig Medicine And Nursing | Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association (Non-Compassionate Source)
