miniature pigs

Question
We are considering buying a miniature pig as a pet for our kids.  However, my wife is allergic to pets with fur.  Will pigs also affect her allergies?  Also, I understand that they make great house pets but how easy are they to house train and is their poop solid or loose?  Is there a disposition difference between males and females?

Answer
I can not predict how your wifes allergies will respond to an adult pig. People who are allergic to furry animals are usually not allergic to the fur itself, but to the skin dander and saliva that clings to the animals fur.

Adult pigs have dry, flakey skin. Most (not all) allergy sufferers are not affected by the flakes off of pig skin (pig skin is so close to human skin it's used to treat human burn victims). Allergy specialist routinely perform skin tests to determine the specific cause of allergies, they can test cat and dog dander, saliva, hair, etc., so a good allergist could probably test for pig allergies.

Or, you and your wife could visit one of the rescues or sanctuaries and spend some time around the pigs. See how she feels and reacts.

Most rescues and sanctuaries have pigs and piglets available for adoption. You will be able to see full grown adults, the piglets parents and get loads of information on training and care. Plus, you'll get to see pig poop :) Poop from a healthy pig is round or oval shaped, fairly small and firm. Pig people call them "pig berries".

Pigs are VERY smart, and that intelligence makes them somewhat difficult as house pets. They require a lot of time, attention and training - they are rather high maintenance.

Pigs are easy to potty train if it's done right - impossible if it's done wrong. Piglets need to potty often. One mistake people make is leaving the piglet in a crate with no litter box for hours while they are at work or shopping, etc. The piglet can't hold it, and learns to potty in the wrong place.

There is no real difference between neutered males and females. Intact male pigs do not make good pets. They secrete an odor that female pigs adore, but most humans find unpleasant. They are focused on one thing and one thing only, and they will hump anything and everything 24/7.

Neutered males will grow tusks, but very slowly. The tusk will begin to peek out from the pigs lip between age 2 and 3, when the pig reaches adulthood.

There's a list of rescues and sanctuaries in the US and Canada here http://www.9sites.com/Pig~placements.htm  Contact the ones closest to you to arrange a visit to see if a pig is the right pet for you.