Knowing if your pigs can have allergies is critical in making sure that they remain healthy.
So can pigs have allergies? Pigs can have an allergic reaction to different food, materials and environment that they are exposed to. Triggers include anything from pollen and hay to soy protein found in their food.
Just like any other mammal, a pigs’ respiratory tract, intestinal tract, skin, and other parts of its body can be irritated by allergens. When this happens, your pig may exhibit visible symptoms as well as behavioral signs of discomfort.
Causes of Pig Allergies
There are two main factors that can cause allergies in pigs — the food they eat and the environment they live in.
Food
Some kinds of food are considered “toxic” to pigs, but this does not necessarily mean they’re deadly. These can, however, potentially cause an allergic reaction in the pig’s system.
Here are some of the food that can cause allergies in pigs:
- Apple leaves and seeds
- Pear leaves and seeds
- Cassava roots and leaves
- Wild mushrooms
- Potatoes
- Kidney or lima beans
- Rhubarb leaves
- Sweet potato and kumara
- Parsnip tops
- Castor bean
- Tomato leaves and vine
- Fava beans
- Flax or linseed
- Avocado
- Oak leaves and acorns
- Nuts
- Elderberries
- Nutmeg
- Any kind of moldy food
Note that for most of the food on this list, other parts of the fruit or vegetable may not have the same harmful effect. It is best to be extra attentive when you introduce any new food to your pig’s diet to ensure that you stop an allergy attack in time.
Environment
The presence of these elements can also cause an allergic reaction in pigs:
- Straw
- Hay
- Pollen
- Dirt
- Parasites
- Insects
Straw and hay are usually found in the pig’s bedding, so make sure you experiment with different materials to check what your pig may be allergic to.
You may also call a dirty place a pigsty, but this does not mean that your pig’s living area can stay dirty without any repercussions. These can add to the probability of an allergic reaction occurring.
What Pig Allergies Look Like
Just like humans, pigs can develop rashes in different areas of their skin when their system encounters any form of allergen. They can also start snorting excessively the same way that humans cough or sneeze.
There are also cases where lumps and bumps form as a pig’s natural immune response kicks in against allergens. So even if you don’t see any reddening, it could still be a potential case of allergies.
The visible signs may vary from case to case, so make sure you know your pig well. You should have a clear idea on what their skin color normally is, for example. This would help alert you to a possible allergy attack as early as possible at the slight reddening of some areas.
Note also that allergies could cause some discomfort in pigs. This is why you also have to be on the lookout for possible signs of irritation. Do you feel like your pig is itchy in some areas? Do you notice an evident lack of appetite at the new feed you introduced?
Behavioral changes like these could also signal a possible allergy, or at least, an issue that’s affecting its overall health.
What to Do in Case of Pig Allergies
Let’s say the allergies are already there and you were unable to prevent it from happening.
That’s okay. There are steps that you can take to alleviate your pig’s discomfort.
- Switch to feeds that can hydrolize harmful soy protein content.
According to Cassio Villela, the Senior Swine Marketing Specialist at Novus International, early weaning in pigs causes hypersensitivity to soy protein, specifically the glycinin and β-conglycinin found in some soybean meals.
It’s a good thing there are feed companies that use broad range protease that can hydrolize these enzymes that can cause allergies to pigs. In other words, they improve the pig’s overall gut health, allowing pigs to digest soy protein efficiently, minimize and eventually eradicate hypersensitivity, and benefit in terms of growth performance.
You may also choose to create your own feed mix. However, it is best to consult an expert so that you can avoid adding ingredients that could potentially harm your pig.
- Check their bedding for potential allergens.
Although straw can also be a source of allergies for pigs, there are specific types that you can still use in your pig’s bedding. Cereal straw is usually the best option, although you can also use rape straw, hemp straw, barley straw or oat straw.
As mentioned earlier, it is also important to keep your pig’s bedding as clean as possible.
Different bedding materials also have different levels of absorption and comfort. Look at how the material fits with your manure system as well as this could also affect the area’s overall sanitation.
- Isolate potential triggers.
Think about any changes in your pig’s diet. Did you introduce a new feed? Did you add anything new into your homemade mix? Did you use a different kind of straw for the pig’s bedding?
Allergies often start when something new is introduced into the picture. This is why it is crucial to do a spot test before really sticking to a new plan.
For instance, in introducing a new ingredient to your pig’s food, try adding a little first and see how it goes from there.
If it’s a new bedding material, observe your pig for the first few days to see any developing rashes or changes in behavior.
- Consult your veterinarian.
Of course, there is no one better who can tell you what’s wrong with your pig than your veterinarian. He may not only pinpoint potential problems, he could also give recommendations on how to avoid similar incidents moving forward.
Your vet may, for example, suggest a specific diet that does not include ingredients or substances that your pig could be hypersensitive to.
Some pigs may also be unusually hypersensitive to food or bedding material that do not trigger any negative reaction in other pigs. This is another area where your vet can help. You can ask for advise on how to strengthen your pig’s overall health to possibly lessen its allergic reactions.
Related Questions
What can pigs eat?
Pigs can eat leftover food like vegetables, fruits, and other scraps. However, it is better to stay on the safe side and feed them real pig pellets as some substances in fruits and vegetables can also be toxic to pigs.
Can pigs eat fish?
It is not advisable to feed your pigs fish even if it proves to be a good source of protein for humans. There are better sources of amino acids in protein that could benefit pigs like peas, beans, lupins and insects.
Can pigs eat bread?
Since pigs eat mostly leftovers, it’s also acceptable for them to eat bread without fear of any adverse reaction. Just make sure that you don’t feed them moldy bread as this can prove to be toxic for them. It’s also normal to see pigs refusing to eat moldy bread (or any kind of moldy food for that matter).