There isn’t a doubt that the number one pet in the world happens to be dogs. But many animal lovers are just as fascinated with pet pigs as any canine or feline lovers are about their pets. There is extensive knowledge available to draw from about the diet and upkeep of cute puppies and adorable kittens.
However, many first-time pet pig parents find themselves in the dilemma that they are unacquainted with the needs of their beloved pet. There is a common concern among pig guardians that they may not be able to provide their pet companions with the necessary care and nutrition.
So, what fruits can pet pigs eat? There are very few fruits pigs cannot eat once the seeds or pits have been removed. Fruits that are safest and healthiest for pigs include apples, pears, peaches, cherries, melons, raspberries, strawberries, oranges, and grapefruits.
Therefore, if you wonder what kinds of fruits you can feed your pet pig, read on to find out and put your mind at ease.
The Different Kinds Of Pigs
Pet pigs come in all sizes and colors. And there are literally dozens of breeds of pigs out there. The five world-renowned pigs are American Landrace, American Yorkshire, Angeln Saddleback, Arapawa Island, and Gottingen Minipig. And the most recent addition to the list is the micro pigs.
Yet, the most common domestic breed is the White Yorkshire Pig. The White Yorkshire pig comes in three different sizes. Each has different nutritional requirements. But as a pig parent, you must surely know that your pig will love you for all of the food you provide it. After all, pigs do love to chow down.
You have to remember that you can’t treat your domestic pig like a farm pig. You see, if you want a healthy, non-smelly, and happy piggie within the confines of your home, you have to take extra care about its diet.
It is essential to do so not just for the ambiance of your home. More importantly, it is vital to keep a check on your piggy’s diet for its overall health.
So, let’s take a look at some of the types of fruits and vegetables that your beloved piggy can hog on without fear of toxicity or obesity.
Primary Diet For Pigs
Fruits and vegetables make an excellent source of nutrition for your pet pig. However, pigs aren’t meant to survive merely on fruit or vegetable proteins.
Pigs are omnivores. Hence, their systems require the nutrients that food sources such as fruit and vegetables provide. Yet protein is imperative for pigs. Protein is known as the ‘building block’ of life. Proteins are made up of amino acids that help develop muscle tissue.
So, fruits and vegetables cannot and should not serve as a primary diet of your house pig. There are pig pellets available across the globe at most pet stores of varying quality grades. And that is what you should feed your pig. Then, you’ll also have to consider that pigs need carbohydrates that serve as energy fuel.
So, corn is the best cereal grain for pigs. Barley, wheat, oats, and soybean can also make up a healthy alternative. You see, pigs don’t just love variety in their food. Variety in food also helps keep your pig healthier.
It would be best never to overlook what you have to feed your pig according to its age. Piglets are given commercially available milk until seven weeks of age. And a young pig must be fed more times than an adult pig, but you need to keep the amount of food in check.
On the other hand, an adult pig is given lesser meals, but it must be a significant portion to ensure a full belly. Furthermore, there’s no denying the fact that the more you feed your pig, the more it’ll eat. Yes, pigs are known for being rotund, but, just like any mammal, obesity can actually be a big problem for your pig.
So, keep the caloric intake under limits. And never get your pig on sodium or sugar. Both of these are harmful ingredients for your pig as they can indeed lead to heart conditions and diabetes.
List Of Fruits That Pigs Can Eat
So, there are few types of fruits that pigs cannot eat. They pretty much gobble down whatever you put before them, but you must remember to take certain precautions with some fruit.
Fruits with seeds, pits or stones, must be served after the pits, seeds, or stones have been removed. One must be extra vigilant when feeding apples as apple seeds contain cyanide that can quickly kill your pig.
Here are a few great fruits to feed your pig:
- Apples (seeds removed)
- Pears (seeds removed
- Peaches (pit removed)
- Cherries (pits removed)
- Melons (seeds removed)
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Oranges (seeds removed)
- Grapefruits (seeds removed)
You have to consider another element if you have a piglet or teacup pig in the house, and that is to make everything small and bite-sized. By doing so, you remove the choking hazards. But there are a few fruits that your pig may neither enjoy nor are particularly healthy for your pig.
What not to feed to your pig:
- Unripe tomatoes
- Avocados
List Of Vegetables That Pigs Can Eat
Now it is true that veggies provide a whole host of minerals and vitamins that are great for your piggy’s well-being. But, it’s never a good idea to present your pig with a single vegetable meal.
Pigs are picky eaters, particularly ones that have the luxury of choice. So, say you give your pig a dish of broccoli, it’s very likely that your pig’s not going to be pleased with its meal.
Most exotic vets recommend a blend of vegetables for pigs—something more along the lines of a scrumptious salad. So, let’s review some of the vegetables that pigs tend to enjoy generally.
Vegetables your pig can eat:
- Peas
- Carrots
- Cooked Potatoes
- Ripe Pumpkin
- Beets
- Dark Green Lettuce
- Zucchini
- Kale
- Yams
- Spinach
- Snow Peas
- Squash
- Cucumbers
- celery
Yet you have to take care that when you feed your pigs root vegetables, it’s best to cook them first. Also, there are some greens that most pigs don’t find palatable.
Vegetables your pig may not like:
- Asparagus
- Mushrooms
- Eggplants
- Peppers
- Brussel Sprouts
- Broccoli
- Artichoke
And then there are a few vegetables that can be toxic for your pig. So beware of some of the things that will very quickly cause toxicity in your piglet’s body.
What never to feed your pig:
- Cabbage roots and seeds
- Broccoli roots and seeds
- Mustard roots and seeds
- Green/unripe acorns
- Green potatoes
- Potato leaves and stems
Related Questions
It’s understandable for any parent to worry about their babies. So it is with pet parents. Therefore there are many questions that first-time piggy parents have in concern with their pets. Read on to find the answers to some of the commonly asked queries.
Can Pigs Eat Citrus Peels?
Pigs are fed all kinds of scraps on farms. But, these are animals that are raised for slaughter. And you cannot even consider your own pet pig in harm’s way. So let’s consider if it’s safe to feed your house pig citrus rinds.
Turns out, citrus rinds are very healthy for your pigs as they are full of vitamins, folate, calcium and are very rich in fiber. So, that’s a plus that your piggy needs as it is vital to keep their digestive tract healthy. Furthermore, the presence of limonene is a naturally occurring chemical that has anti-cancerous properties.
And, if that wasn’t enough for your pig’s fitness, orange peels also contain polyphenols. Polyphenols are reducing agents that prevent blood clots, keep the heart vessels clean, reduce inflammation, and protect the body against oxidative stress.
Yet, it isn’t sensible to go overboard with orange rinds either, as they can just as easily give your piggy digestive distress. So, a few orange or other citrus rinds mixed with other fresh fruits will serve your pig very well indeed.
What Do You Feed Newly-Weaned Pigs?
As mentioned earlier, piglets are to be allowed to have their mother’s milk for seven weeks.
If you’ve adopted a young piglet, there’s no need to worry either, as there are plenty of milk options available in the market that are specially formulated for piglets. But after seven weeks, it’s time to wean them off. In such circumstances, piglets can be given hulled barley as their sole cereal grain.
But, you have to keep in mind that due to the high fiber content of barley, the growth performance of your piglets may be slow. Yet, it is nothing to fear as barley is one of the best grains for piglets. You see, barley is very gentle on the tummy and easily digested. So you will have no fear of any digestion problems.
Barley has more phosphorus than other grains, such as corn. Phosphorus is superb for skeletal growth, mineralization, and other cellular functions. Exotic vets recommend that you supplement their diet with added premixes. Premixes make it possible for faster and better growth.
Piglets are at a delicate stage where proper nutrition is of utmost importance. Therefore any negligence in the care and diet of your beloved piggy can result in iron and other mineral deficiencies in later stages of their life cycle.
Hence, it is always a smart move to seek the professional advice of a local vet when it comes to the changes being made to the diet of piglets.
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