Building for the Indoor pig
Recently we have been inundated with requests for indoor housing ideas for pet pigs. Earlier this year we threw out ideas for outdoor pens and enclosures but it became obvious we needed to tackle indoor housing as well!
There are so many great ideas that have been surfacing more recently, from basic to lavish, they are all doable with a little hard work and passion! At the bottom of this page, take a tour of our ideas in photos. Even though some of them were originally designed for dogs, with minor tweaks, they can easily fit a pigs needs.
A couple things to remember for pigs... most would do better on a tile or laminate as opposed to carpet. Carpet can be ripped up and urinated on which in turn, destroys the padding underneath and also retains obnoxious odors. Just put rugs down with no slip matting/grabs underneath if slipping for your pig is an issue. Remember to not leave items plugged in to outlets and better yet, cover any outlets that are exposed. You can even cap them. When your pet is kenneled in its room make sure to offer it an enrichment toy so it enjoys being in its room and associates it with positive reinforcements. Maybe belly rubs can only take place in his room. Baby gates painted to match the color of the room make a wonderful touch! The accents you can include have no limits. Just keep in mind your pigs unique personality and what it will and won't tolerate or rip to shreds. If they do manage to destroy something, remove that debris immediately because risk of choke or impaction becomes a very real possibility. Try different options and see what works for you and your situation. The only thing to limit you is your imagination! Remember though, with pigs, there is no substitute for adequate outdoor time. Pigs needs to be exercised and be outdoors as much a possible! A cute room won't cover that need! Another thing that is VERY important and we must get across, is that unless you choose one of these ideas that is more the size of an entire room, you should NEVER leave a litter box inside the crates, stair rooms or kennel areas. You cannot leave your pet locked inside a small area for long periods of time. If they are potty trained to use the bathroom outdoors, even better! Set a timer your pig can HEAR to remind you and him it is time to go out. Don't ever use your room or kennel area as an easy and more desirable way to keep you pig constantly locked up. A pretty room is no substitute for quality time with your pet and especially outdoor time for a pig!
Closets under stairs are becoming a wildly popular addition for pets! But sunrooms, mudrooms, laundry rooms and even an extra bedroom are all options for converting to a fantastic pet space! You can even section off a small area of a living room or kitchen dedicated to your pet.
