1. Do you have a lot of patience?
The answer to this question MUST BE YES!!! Don't try to fool yourself with this question, either. A pig can be a very difficult animal and will test every inch of patience that may or may not be there.

2. Do you have a fenced in dirt yard?
The answer to this question does not have to be yes. You MUST be able to take your pig to a dirt area that he can use to root. Rooting is in pig's nature and they NEED to relieve these instincts! This dirt area is preferably your yard, preferably with a fence so that you can let the pig out and not have to watch him every second he is outside. If you don't have a yard, you can load your pig up in your car and take him to a park, on a leash, and roam around with him as he roots. However, toting your pig around every day CAN get old quickly. (I am talking first hand, as I live in an apartment and don't have a yard.)

3. Have you ever owned a demanding animal or have a child?
If you have never had a demanding pet or a child, you may not be mentally prepared to handle a pig. Before I got Dixie, all I ever had were cats, hermit crabs, and newts, hardly demanding creatures. Caring for Dixie was a whole 'nother ball game. Pigs take up a lot of your time. Because they are social animals, they want to follow you around and be near you ALL the time. If they don't get enough attention, they can be quite noisy and irritable, much like a child or other demanding animal.

4. Is there someone who lives relatively close to you who would be willing to care for the pig if you are away?
Unless you NEVER leave home, your answer to this question MUST be YES!! Think about it-what if you become ill and must go to the hospital? Piggy will starve! Pigs have been domesticated for so long that they pretty much can't fend for themselves. And here's a newsflash--although pigs are cute to look at, chances are if you ask someone if you can bring your pig over, they will say NO!!
So, what do you do if you are going to visit someone for a week who won't let you bring the pig? The significance of this question now should be obvious.

5. Do you own any animals that could be considered aggressive?
It is highly recommended that you do not leave your pig unsupervised with such an animal. In the hierarchy of nature, pigs are prey and aggressive animals are predators. There have been people who have owned both a pig and a dog who have lived together in harmony for awhile, and all of a sudden, the dog attacks the pig. Please think twice before putting two such animals together.