water safe?

Question
I am considering a tea cup pbp.  I think they are absolutely adorable and sound like a great pet.  my one concern is my swimming pool. I have had many dogs and they have never had a problem, but i dont know about a pig.  do they just "know" not to jump in a pool?  with my dogs, i brought them in the pool when they were little and taught them where the steps to get out where.  the top step is very shallow so even if it could not get out past that, it would be safe. i would assume that pigs have been roaming out in nature near water and animals don't seem to have the drowning accidents that people have.  what are your thoughts?

Answer
Pigs love water. In the wild, lakes, rivers and ponds provide pigs with water (of course), food (fish, water plants), and safety from predators (masks the pigs body waste).

Both in the wild and in the suburbs, strong, rushing water does claim animals, including pigs, by accidental drowning. Harsh currents can hold an animal underwater until it drowns, or bash an animal against rocks with forces strong enough to break bones.

Swimming pools normally don't have currents this strong or dangerous rocks. But they do have steep sides that are impossible to climb up. Steps will help - assuming the pig can find them. A pig in stress or panic mode may not be able to think clearly enough to find his way to the steps.

In the wild, pigs use ponds and streams as "flush toilets". One way predators find prey is the smell of body waste. Going potty in water makes it a little harder for predators to find the pigs. So, when a pigs feet get when, they often go potty right away. It's a survival instinct, and it will kick in when the pig goes in the swimming pool.

Some experts think pigs are about as smart as a 2 year old child. So the same safety rules should apply, that is - NO unsupervised swimming. The pool should be enclosed and the enclosure kept locked. Battery operated pool alarms are a great idea. Pools should be kept covered - but when an animal or child falls into a pool, they can become entangled in a cover and drown. The suction at the bottom drain can trap an animal or child, so be sure to use the new, safer bottom drain covers.

Instead of taking your pig in the big pool, give him a childrens wading pool. He'll enjoy it a lot more. Pigs love to roll in mud and shallow water. They're easy to dump out and clean after he potties in it. And drowning isn't a concern.