Just wondering if anyone else owns pot bellies and what you feed your. WE own 3 1 wht female (DORIS), 2 blk/wht males (BOB and LITTLE BILL).

I've had them, but I don't have any now. They can eat just about anything a dog can, or they can be complete vegetarians. The big thing to remember - to keep Pot Bellies healthy they have to be on fairly low protein and low fat or they get too heavy for their legs.

Mimi

'When we stop learning, we die.'

I feed mine dry dog food they like it best and fresh fruit and vegs daily. Doris is getting large but know is getting more of the fruit/vegs then kibble. Shes thinks she a dog sits, plays dead, shakes. She will lay right next to you wanting a tummy rub just like our dogs even tries to get into bed at night but can't fully make it.

We had 1 til we moved,this city if that what you call it does not allow them,so we gave him to a friend.His name was Fester,we fed him watermelon that was his favorite,he also got dog food but mostly fruits he loved,he would root his way out of his pen and end up in the neighbors garden when my husband would come home for lunch he would have to go get him home it was so funny to watch him and my brother herd him home.But they will eat anything and I mean anything and everything,if you keep him in the house watch him carefully.!!!!Have fun w them, wish we had ours still.

DEBBIE

Pigs are a lot of fun and very smart. I had several of the larger variety also.

Mimi

'When we stop learning, we die.'

I had pot bellies for 15 yrs.Do not feed them dog food.THEY WILL GET BIG AND FAT.But mixed chop.You can get it in powder or pellets. And of course they love there greens. I just found homes for mine just before we moved.I figure we are to close to the rsd and neighbours now. My female just had 9 babies the other day.

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Wish mixed chop were did you get your and what exactly is it. All our guys are doing great the vet said but she did say to increase produce decrease kibble and add an all stock pellet.
Just got a call today on 3 10wk old piglets potties of course that need help asap picking them up saturday have to have a day to put up a knew outside yard the yards are 25ft by 25ft

I had pot bellies for 15 yrs.Do not feed them dog food.THEY WILL GET BIG AND FAT.But mixed chop.You can get it in powder or pellets. And of course they love there greens. I just found homes for mine just before we moved.I figure we are to close to the rsd and neighbours now. My female just had 9 babies the other day.
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Exactly what I was thinking Wish, on the dog food.

We raised them for about 6 years and our local feed store carried a Pot Belly pig food, I believe it was made by Purina. Plus we gave them lots of veggies to help fill them.

"Puppies are for a lifetime"

I know that there are pot belly foods but mine would eat the kibble from the dogs and would not touch there food. Tried 3 different types ended up giving the food to someone that has rats. Even on the pig food they can still get fat if there over fed any thing and limited on exercise they increase in weight. My vet said kibble is fine as long as its not the sole thing they eat.

You can get mixed chop from the feed store. But do not get hog grower or pig chop. Cemicals in it to make pigs grow. If they are not in the house use mixed chop .You can even wet it down. If in the house use pellet form. I used to save all my popatoe and carret peelings etc for them.

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John - you don't say how big your pigs are. How are the black and white ones marked? Are they mostly black with just white feet and some on their faces and chests or do they look like they have jackets on?

Mimi

'When we stop learning, we die.'

i can't beleave you people really keep these pigs for pets "are you nuts" the only thing there good for is breakfast and dinner!!!

I'm sweet as sugar, tart like wine; give me trouble and I'll
kick your behind.

Ahem! Ahem!

"I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals." - Winston Churchill



--Be who you are and say what you feel:
because those who mind don't matter
and those who matter don't mind. --

I had a really neat sow once - she sat, came when called, lay down, knew when the fence was off, 'told' her daughter [who was deaf] to get up and check her babies, let me 'ride' her out to the feed trough. She weighed 950 pounds.

Mimi

'When we stop learning, we die.'

THE boys are about 45 and 60 pounds doris is 95 pounds a little over weight for here size. Doris is wht with blk spots on her rump and the boys are black with wht legs and one has a bid. As for pigs as food have no problem with pork love pork chops to death but these guys are just like a pet dog come when called housebroken(doris only), crate trained and do basic dog o.b..these guys are out during the day loose at night doris comes in and the boys go to there yard.

John - the reason I asked is because when pot bellies got real popular about 10 years ago - people crossed them with regular pigs [much like the Puppy Mills]. Both your boys are marked right, but Doris may not be. She may be crossed - the black spots over the butt come with Durock crosses. I don't mean this in any bad way at all - you just need to watch the diets very closely. High protein and fat could get them out of the 'small' size.

I have to go to work now - I'll write more when I get back - about 7 hours from now. I used to own a feed store, write for one of the horse magazines on nutrition, and raise pigs - this topic is in my ballpark - if you want to hear more - If you're doing OK and don't want my input, just say so - you won't hurt my feelings.

Mimi

'When we stop learning, we die.'

No, In korea pot bellie can grow to 150 pds. Same as Vitamenese. that is were they oreganted.That is what they wanted. But us we want pets. Mine were 25 to 40 pds.Black with white feet and spotted. Mine roamed loose. Gosh I miss them 15 yrs of having them under your foot and nothing now. But hubby says NO WAY, WHOW SAY. I am dealing woth my goasts going on the rd now let to worry about pigs visiting the neigbours

.

My Pot Bellies were in the 50 - 60 pound range - my regular hogs were in the 750 to 950 pound range. 'Finished' hogs went to market at about 225 to 245 pounds [about 5 months old].

Mimi

'When we stop learning, we die.'

I feel if its something that I learn from then it was worth getting to it or girl is full pot bellie just fat and needing to shed pounds the kibble is only 8% fat still more than some speciality foods but not like 18% which is what the dogs get.

I beleive that there are many ways to care for any animal. Its just what the owner feels to be best and most humane is what they go with so any suggestions will be looked at and possible tried just depends. thanks