Rooting, Bonding, and Baby Brain Chemistry: How Piglets and Human Infants Aren't So Different
Release Date: 09/30/2025
From Lost in the Mountains to a Miracle at Home: Alana's Pig Story
The Pet Pig Podcast
In this episode of The Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn sits down with Alana, a first-time pig owner whose unexpected journey into pig ownership quickly turned into a full-fledged learning experience—and ultimately, a passion. Alana shares how what started as a simple plan to add a single mini pig to her homestead turned into adopting two adult pigs—one of whom was unknowingly pregnant. From there, her story takes a dramatic turn, including a two-month search for her escaped sow, Bonnie, who gave birth to her piglets while living...
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Spring with Your Pig: Mud, Parasites, Shedding, and Everything Else You Should Know
The Pet Pig Podcast
https://stan.store/autumnacresminipetpigs/autumnacresminipetpigs_tickprotocol Spring is finally here—and while the warmer weather and green grass are exciting, this season also brings a whole new set of challenges for pig parents. In this episode of The Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn from Autumn Acres walks you through everything you need to know to confidently care for your pig during the spring months. From muddy paddocks and messy hooves to parasites, ticks, and sudden diet changes, this is your complete guide to navigating...
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Can Pigs Sense Our Emotions?
The Pet Pig Podcast
In this episode of The Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn explores the powerful and often overlooked connection between pigs and human emotions. Blending scientific insight with real-life experience, she explains how pigs are incredibly sensitive animals that can pick up on subtle cues such as scent, body language, tone of voice, and even physiological changes linked to stress. Autumn walks listeners through emerging research that suggests pigs may detect emotional states in both humans and other animals, and how their own behavior and...
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Why Smaller Isn't Better When It Comes to Pigs
The Pet Pig Podcast
In this episode of The Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn addresses a very concerning topic in the pig community: the desire for pigs to stay “tiny.” While the idea of a teacup-sized pig may sound appealing, Autumn explains why this concept is often rooted in misinformation and unethical breeding practices. She breaks down the truth behind so-called “teacup pigs,” clarifying that they are not a legitimate breed, and shares how extreme measures like inbreeding and underfeeding are sometimes used to...
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Why So Many Pigs Are Rehomed (And What We Can Do Instead)
The Pet Pig Podcast
In this heartfelt episode of the Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn talks about a difficult but important topic in the pig community: how often pet pigs are rehomed. If you spend any time in pig groups online, you see it constantly—families looking for a new home for a pig they can no longer keep. While life circumstances can change, Autumn shares that after more than two decades of working with pigs and pig owners, she has noticed several common patterns behind these situations. Autumn discusses some of the most frequent reasons...
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Why Pigs Shouldn't Eat Acorns (Especially Small Pigs)
The Pet Pig Podcast
In this episode of The Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn dives into a topic that creates a lot of confusion for pig owners every year: acorns and their potential danger to pet pigs. While the issue comes up most often in the fall, Autumn explains why it’s important to understand the risks before pigs are exposed and misinformation starts circulating. Autumn breaks down why acorns and oak leaves can be harmful, explaining how tannins—natural plant compounds—affect a pig’s digestive system and kidneys. She discusses why...
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Biosecurity - What Every Pet Pig Owner Needs to Understand
The Pet Pig Podcast
In this episode of The Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn explores the importance of biosecurity for pet pigs—a topic that is rarely discussed but critically important for keeping pigs healthy and safe. Autumn explains what biosecurity is and why it applies to pet pigs just as much as it does to farm animals. She shares how simple, everyday choices—such as footwear, visitor management, and exposure to public spaces—can significantly impact a pig’s health. Drawing from real-life practices on her own homestead, Autumn...
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Screaming for Meals: Why Pigs Do It and How to Stop It
The Pet Pig Podcast
In this episode of The Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn tackles a common and overwhelming challenge pig owners face: pigs screaming for meals. This behavior is one of the top reasons pigs are rehomed and one of the most requested help topics in the pig community. Autumn breaks down what’s really happening in a pig’s brain when they scream for food, why this behavior develops, and how it’s often unintentionally reinforced by humans. You’ll learn: • Why pigs scream for meals • How screaming becomes a learned behavior •...
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Zoning Laws & Pet Pigs: What You Need to Know and How to Advocate
The Pet Pig Podcast
https://stan.store/autumnacresminipetpigs/p/are-pigs-legal-in-your-city In this episode, Autumn talks about an important question pig owners face: Are pigs legal in my area? Whether you’re already a pig parent or thinking about becoming one, understanding your city or county’s zoning laws is critical to keeping your pig safe and your family protected from unexpected legal trouble. Autumn explains why zoning ordinances matter, how municipalities typically classify pigs, and what can happen if a pig is kept in a zone...
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Payton Moran: Life with Mabel the Pig
The Pet Pig Podcast
mabel_theminipig paytonmoran— In this heartfelt episode, Autumn welcomes Payton from Alabama, to share the story of her pig, Mabel, and the winding, emotional path that led her to becoming a confident and dedicated pig parent. Payton opens up about her love for pigs and how her first pig ownership experience didn’t go as planned. After bringing home her first pig during a difficult time in her life, she quickly realized she wasn’t fully prepared, and her life circumstances made proper care nearly...
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https://stan.store/autumnacresminipetpigs/p/preparing-for-a-new-piglet
In this episode of The Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn takes listeners on a thoughtful exploration of one of the most common yet most misunderstood piglet behaviors: rooting. We all know piglets root for food, for warmth, or just because it’s instinct — but what if there’s more happening beneath the surface? What if rooting is not just a survival behavior, but also a powerful tool for bonding, comfort, and brain development?
Autumn draws fascinating connections between piglets and human infants, showing how both species use rooting, nursing, and touch to regulate emotions, build trust, and shape healthy brain chemistry. From dopamine and oxytocin — the “feel-good” chemicals of bonding — to the way gentle handling, warmth, and predictability can impact a piglet’s lifelong behavior, this episode sheds light on the deeper meaning behind those tiny snouts pushing into blankets, littermates, or even your lap.
Listeners will also hear why piglets who are pulled from their mothers too early sometimes grow up a little “off” — more anxious, more demanding, or more unsettled — and how this may be linked to missing out on the natural cycle of comfort and reward that rooting provides. Autumn discusses the importance of understanding rooting not as a “bad habit,” but as a window into a piglet’s emotional world, much like a human baby’s cry for closeness or the comfort they find in a pacifier.
This episode is a blend of science, observation, and heart — part educational deep dive, part reflection on the universal needs we all share for safety, love, and connection. Whether you’re raising a piglet, preparing to bring one home, or simply curious about the hidden science of behavior, this conversation will give you a fresh appreciation for how much is happening in those early days of a pig’s life.
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