Furry Diary

Kunekune Pig

Sus scrofa domesticus

Also called Kune Kune, Kunekune

breedShort profile

From New Zealand, with ancestors thought to have been brought by whalers in the 1800s and traded to the Māori people12

A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.

At a glance the quick version

Lifespan15 to 20 years2
Sizemedium
gentle nature
good with children
easy to handle
grazes on grass
13

Looks how to spot one

hair coat

Kunekune pigs have a round, chunky body with short legs and a short snout. Their coat can be short and silky or long and curly, and often thins out in summer. Some have wattles under the chin. Ears are pricked or semi-lop.13

Coloursblackblack and whitebrowngoldtancreamgingergold-tipsolid or spotted patterns14

Personality what they are like

Kunekune pigs are sociable, placid, intelligent and affectionate. They form close bonds with humans and are usually trustworthy around children. Boars can be aggressive to each other or near a sow in season, but overall they are very tame.12

Daily activity how busy a day looks

They need a grassy paddock to graze on, plus a wallow to keep cool in summer. They are not very active but enjoy rooting and exploring.3

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Provide a dry shelter with bedding (straw or hay) to protect from rain and cold. In summer, provide a wallow or muddy area to prevent sunburn. They are hardy and need little grooming beyond checking coat and skin.53

Home where they are happiest

They need a grassy paddock (up to 5-6 pigs per acre if rotated), a shelter such as a stable or arc, and a wallow for hot weather. Electric fencing is useful to rotate grazing. They are not recommended to be kept in a sty full time.35

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Kunekunes are herbivores in captivity. They graze on grass and can be fed hay, vegetables, fruit, and a small amount of low-protein sow meal (max 16% protein) in winter. Unlike other pigs, they do not need high protein and can live on pasture alone most of the year.23

Company who they like around

Kunekunes are very social and need companionship, either from other pigs or from humans. They form complex social relationships and are friendly and affectionate. They should not be kept alone.21

The story where it all began

The Kunekune is a New Zealand breed of domestic pig that was kept by the Māori people for its meat and fat. It is thought that whalers brought similar pigs to New Zealand in the 1800s. By the 1970s the breed was nearly extinct, with only about 50 purebred animals left. Through the efforts of a few dedicated breeders, the population was rebuilt from just 6 sows and 3 boars in 1978. Today, Kunekune pigs are popular as pets because of their small size, gentle nature and ability to thrive on grass.126

Recognised by the official bits

The New Zealand Kunekune Association
breed registry and promotion1
International Kunekune Hog Registry (IKHR)
breed registry for Kunekunes7

Popularity moderately popular in New Zealand, UK, USA and Australia as a pet or hobby pig13

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Kunekune Pig. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

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Treats they will love homemade and simple

Banana Oat Piggy Cookies

These simple two-ingredient treats are low in sugar and high in fibre, making them a healthy reward for training or bonding. Oats provide slow-release energy, while bananas offer natural sweetness without added sugar.

You need

  • 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
  • 2 cups rolled oats (blended into a flour)

How

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
  2. Blend the oats in a food processor until they become a fine flour.
  3. In a medium bowl, mash the bananas thoroughly.
  4. Slowly mix the oat flour into the mashed bananas until a stiff dough forms.
  5. Lightly grease a baking sheet or line with parchment paper.
  6. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the sheet and flatten gently with the back of a wet spoon.
  7. Bake for 9–12 minutes until golden and firm.
  8. Cool completely before serving.

How much: Offer one or two cookies per day as a training reward. Always supervise your pig when giving treats.

Recipe from American Mini Pig Association

Cheese Biscuit Training Treats

These four-ingredient biscuits are perfect bite-sized rewards for training sessions. Cheese provides protein and calcium, but the recipe uses only a small amount to keep calories in check.

You need

  • 1 cup shredded cheese (low-fat, e.g. mozzarella or cheddar)
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/3 cup milk (unsweetened, e.g. oat or cow's milk)
  • 1 tablespoon softened butter (unsalted)

How

  1. Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F).
  2. In a bowl, mix the shredded cheese and flour together.
  3. Stir in the milk and softened butter until a stiff dough forms.
  4. Roll small balls of dough (about the size of a marble) and place on a baking sheet.
  5. Bake for 30 minutes until lightly golden and firm.
  6. Cool completely before offering to your pig.

How much: Use one or two biscuits per training session. Because these are richer, limit to occasional use.

Recipe from American Mini Pig Association

Cranberry Orange Vitamin Punch Treats

These frozen treats provide a boost of vitamins and probiotics, making them a healthy and refreshing snack for mini pigs.

You need

  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt or Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • About 12 fresh or frozen cranberries (dried cranberries may be substituted)

How

  1. Mix the yogurt and orange juice together in a small container.
  2. Pour or spoon the orange-yogurt mixture into each silicone pig mold or ice cube tray.
  3. When filled, gently drop one cranberry into each mold or cube.
  4. Place in the freezer and freeze until solid, about 1 hour.
  5. Store in the freezer and pop out one treat to feed immediately.

How much: Feed one treat per day as a healthy boost, not as a main meal.

Recipe from American Mini Pig Association

Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Kunekune Pig, and what should it eat?

Kunekunes are herbivores that graze on grass and can live on pasture alone most of the year. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests fresh food and water daily with measured meals, and you can supplement with hay, vegetables, fruit, and a small amount of low-protein sow meal (max 16% protein) in winter. For exact amounts, check the food label and ask your vet.23 Furry Diary plan

Which foods and plants are dangerous for a Kunekune Pig?

Avoid feeding your Kunekune foods like chocolate, caffeine, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and avocado, as listed by the ASPCA. Also keep them away from alcohol, yeast dough, and xylitol. For a full list of toxic plants, ask your vet or a good breeder.8

How much space and land does a Kunekune Pig need?

They need a grassy paddock, with up to 5-6 pigs per acre if rotated, plus a wallow for cooling. Electric fencing is useful for rotating grazing. They are not recommended to be kept in a sty full time.35

What kind of shelter does a Kunekune Pig need?

Provide a dry shelter with bedding like straw or hay to protect from rain and cold. In summer, offer a wallow or muddy area to prevent sunburn.53

How do I look after a Kunekune Pig's hooves or feet?

Furry Diary's starting plan suggests hoof trimming every 180 days. Regular checks are important, and for specific care, ask your vet or a good breeder. Furry Diary plan

Does a Kunekune Pig need grooming or shearing?

They are hardy and need little grooming beyond checking coat and skin. Their coat can be short or long and often thins in summer, but shearing is not typically needed.53

Can a Kunekune Pig live alone?

Kunekunes are very social and need companionship, either from other pigs or from humans. They should not be kept alone.21

How long does a Kunekune Pig live?

Kunekune pigs typically live between 15 and 20 years.2

Is a Kunekune Pig good with children?

Yes, they are sociable, placid, and affectionate, and are usually trustworthy around children. However, boars can be aggressive to each other or near a sow in season.12

What regular vet care does a Kunekune Pig need?

Regular vet care includes weighing every 30 days as per Furry Diary's plan, and routine health checks. For vaccinations and parasite control, ask your exotic-pet vet. Furry Diary plan

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

  1. kunekune.co.nz kunekune.co.nzused for origin, coat or body, colours, best traits, temperament, social needs, history, popularity, fun fact
  2. nationalzoo.si.edu: kunekune pig nationalzoo.si.eduused for origin, length cm, lifespan years, temperament, diet basics, social needs, history
  3. britishkunekunesociety.org.uk: pig husbandry britishkunekunesociety.org.ukused for length cm, coat or body, best traits, activity needs, grooming or care, habitat needs, diet basics, popularity, fun fact
  4. en.wikipedia.org: Kunekune en.wikipedia.orgused for colours
  5. breeds.okstate.edu: kunekune swine breeds.okstate.eduused for grooming or care, habitat needs, fun fact
  6. americankunekunepigsociety.org: the origin history of the kunekune americankunekunepigsociety.orgused for history
  7. internationalkunekunehogregistry.com: about the breed internationalkunekunehogregistry.com
  8. ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
  9. zooatlanta.org: kunekune pig zooatlanta.org
  10. VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
  11. ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
  12. ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
  13. RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions

Checked 2026-10-02. Text is written in our own words from these sources.