Pigs｜Husbandry and Care (the disease column has its own article) | Evidence chain

FAQ

What should be noted about the species／breed and lifespan of pigs?

This covers the dual context of production pigs and the increasingly popular pet miniature pig (potbelly pig); keepers very often badly underestimate the lifespan of a pet miniature pig, which is in fact "about 8–20 years (original text ~8–20 years, typically ~10–15 years; the `~` is the source's own approximation sign, not a precise range)" (Merck Veterinary Manual, "Overview of Miniature Pet Pigs": "The lifespan of a miniature pig is ~8–20 years (typically ~10–15 years)." <https://www.merckvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/miniature-pet-pigs/overview-of-miniature-pet-pigs>, verified 2026-07-30); production pigs are raised for meat and mostly reach market weight at around 6–7 months of age rather than being kept for their natural lifespan, and a natural lifespan figure for them independent of market weight [No single authoritative figure for this item: the whitelisted sources give no reference value for a natural lifespan specific to production pigs]. The actual judgement still rests with a veterinarian case by case, and this article gives no drug names or dosages.

What should be noted about the normal vital signs of pigs?

What to measure: temperature, heart rate, respiration; pigs have a very strong appetite and are highly food-oriented, so a fall in appetite is an unusually sensitive early warning of disease. Reference values: rectal temperature 38.7–39.8°C (101.6–103.6°F); resting heart rate 70–120 beats/min; resting respiration 32–58 breaths/min (Merck Veterinary Manual, Reference Guides: "Normal Rectal Temperature Ranges" <https://www.merckvetmanual.com/reference-values-and-conversion-tables/reference-guides/normal-rectal-temperature-ranges>; "Resting Heart Rates" <https://www.merckvetmanual.com/reference-values-and-conversion-tables/reference-guides/resting-heart-rates>. The actual judgement still rests with a veterinarian case by case, and this article gives no drug names or dosages.

What should be noted about housing for pigs?

Pigs cannot dissipate heat effectively by sweating and need shade, plentiful drinking water and a wallow／pool for thermoregulation, with heat stress a major risk; enough space and substrate for rooting behaviour is needed, and a lack of environmental enrichment readily leads to boredom-related destructive or aggressive behaviour; fencing must be solid (pigs are intelligent, strong and expert escapers). The actual judgement still rests with a veterinarian case by case, and this article gives no drug names or dosages.