The cold winter weather is here. The nights are cooler and the piggies need something extra to keep warm. Here at home, I’ve rolled back the shade cloth to let in that warm winter sun. I’ve made sure that each shelter is watertight to prevent the cold winter rains from soaking the pigs and their bedding. Pigs like a warm shelter to burrow into when the cold sets in. There are many different types of shelters available for pigs. You can use dogloos (known around here as pigloos). These igloo type shelters are great and are available at major pet stores. You can also build wooden shelters similar in design to doghouses. Just make sure that the shelter is not too big so that it doesn’t get too drafty inside. Carpeting with slits in it or floor rugs across the doorways are great to cut the cold winds. The inside of the shelter needs some type of bedding. In the past I have used wood chips with good success. You can also use Bermuda hay or a good quality straw. Be careful with straw, however. As the pigs bury themselves in the straw, they may get the corkscrew shaped pieces stuck in their eyes and you could end up treating your pig for an eye infection (I learned this from firsthand experience!) The wood chips or Bermuda hay are safer choices for bedding. Blankets! Pigs LOVE their blankets! Always make sure your pig has at least one blanket. They will nest and burrow down inside their blanket or just roll themselves up in it completely. I have seen pigs carry their blankets out into the sun during the day then drag them back into the shelters at night. So just remember these three things as you winterize your pig’s home: shelter, bedding and blankets.