A Kunekune is not a generic pig, and the questions you ask a sitter should prove they understand this specific breed before you leave. Kunekunes are small, docile grazing pigs that root far less than commercial breeds, gain weight on very little feed, cannot sweat, and bond closely with their companions. A sitter who assumes your Kunekune can be kept like a dog in a yard, or fed generously out of kindness, will cause problems within days. Work through the questions below and listen for answers grounded in pig behavior, not general pet-sitting confidence.
Has the sitter kept pigs, and how will they move this one?
Ask first whether the sitter has actually handled pigs. A Kunekune should never be grabbed, chased, or lifted; pigs are moved calmly with a sorting board or by walking them toward feed, and a frightened pig that plants its feet or screams is being pushed too hard. Ask the sitter to describe how they would shift your Kunekune between pasture and shelter. A good answer mentions patience, food as a lure, and letting the pig choose the pace. Also ask who else will visit during the stay, because Kunekunes are deeply social animals that fret when isolated; if your pig normally lives with a companion pig or friendly goats, the sitter should keep that grouping intact rather than separating animals for convenience.
How will grazing, meals, and the wallow be handled?
Ask exactly how the sitter will manage pasture time and meals. A Kunekune is built to graze, so daily turnout on grass is part of the routine, not a treat, but meals must stay measured because this breed converts feed to fat efficiently and obesity strains its joints and feet. Ask the sitter to repeat back the feed type and amount you leave, and confirm that kitchen scraps and extra snacks stay off the menu unless you have approved them. Then ask about the wallow: pigs cannot sweat, so a Kunekune regulates temperature and protects its skin by coating itself in mud. The sitter should know where the wallow is, keep it wet in warm weather, and never hose the pig down or scrub it clean as a substitute. Shade must be available at all hours, since a pig that cannot wallow or escape the sun overheats quickly.
Is the fencing right for a pig at ground level?
Ask the sitter to walk the fence line with you before you go. Kunekunes test boundaries at nose height, pushing and leaning at the lowest rail or wire, so a fence that looks fine for a goat or a dog may have a gap a pig can work open. Ask whether they will check gates and low points daily, and what they will do if the pig gets out: the right answer is to lure it back with feed rather than chase it, since a chased pig runs surprisingly fast and stresses badly. Also confirm the shelter stays dry and bedded, because a Kunekune sleeping on damp ground in cold weather chills faster than its round, well-covered body suggests.
What will the sitter watch for, and when will they call for help?
Ask the sitter what changes would worry them. In a Kunekune, going off feed, lying apart from companions, panting in mild weather, limping, or a skin patch that looks raw or cracked all deserve a same-day call to you and, if the pig seems distressed or stops eating entirely, a call to your veterinarian. Ask them to confirm they have your vet's number, your own contact details, and clear permission to seek help without waiting for you to reply. Leave the pig's normal appetite, wallow habits, and sleeping spots described in writing so the sitter can spot a departure from normal. With KinsLe's Care Pass, the person minding your Kunekune works from the plan you left behind, wallow checks and all, instead of reconstructing it from a doorstep conversation.