Introduction
Who hasn't watched Babe and thought, "Man I'd love a sweet lil pig in the house all the time!" Well, if you have a dog already, that might not be the best idea. Dogs and pigs cannot co-habituate as peacefully as you might assume from both animals' general demeanor. Yes, they're both fun-loving and adorable, but nature still plays a part in their behavior.
If you do plan on owning both animals regardless of this, we warn you never to leave the two alone with each other unsupervised. There have been many occasions that this has ended very poorly. Scroll down to read more in depth about this.
Signs Your Dog and Pig Do Not Get Along
If you witness any of these signs, immediately intervene. Put them in separate areas and do not put them in the same room or vicinity again. It's really not worth your adorable piggy's life to try to coax a relationship that is just not naturally meant to be.
Body Language
- Growling
- Barking
- Back hair on edge
- Snapping
- Stalking
Other Signs
- Crouching
- Salivating
- Attacking
- Anxious behavior
History Behind the Dog-Pig Relationship
There have been many instances where this instinct has come into play, leading to an injured or dead pig. Because of this, a canine-swine relationship isn't something to mess around with. Even if your doggo and pig have been getting along for years, there is story after story about a dog just one day snapping and attacking its pig sibling.
Apart from natural predatory instinct, another reason dogs and pigs don't mix well together is because of their differing innate social hierarchy. Dogs are pack animals, formed with a strict social order and communication. Pigs, however, are herd animals. In herds, the animals are always competing to get to the top of the social order. Because of this pigs, can act competitively around dogs, and often times will be the ones to start a confrontation. Unfortunately, the dogs are the ones that finish it.
Heed our warning and listen to historical evidence - do not leave your dog and pig alone together!
The Science of Dogs and Pigs
They also have vastly different behaviors, and will likely trigger the worst in each other. While dogs and cows and even dogs and horses can learn to get along - or even bee friends, dogs and pigs are too close in size while being too different in nature.
Can You Train Your Dog and Pig to Live Together Peacefully?
The very best thing you can do if you decide you just can't live without both a dog and a pig is to ensure they have completely separate comfortable living spaces. Both animals are intelligent and are capable of feeling jealous if they see one is getting preferential treatment. Try as best as you can to devote time to each creature every day, or else opt for a different pet combo.
Safety Tips for Having Both a Dog and a Pig:
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Keep your pup and pig separate for the most part. Make sure that wherever you keep your pig - whether it's a pen or a room - is able to be fully locked and protected.
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If the pig and pup are in the same vicinity, keep a very close eye.
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If your dog is baring their teeth or showing signs of aggression, quickly separate the pig from them.
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If your dog attacks your pig, bring your piggy to an emergency vet immediately!