Lately, pigs are becoming popular pets. In order to take care of them, one must know what the right diet for their beloved pet pigs is. A healthy diet will make a happy pet and owner!
What can I feed my pig?Most pigs love cooked broccoli! They are not very picky, so you can also give them lettuce, apples, berries, oranges, cherries as well as grapes and pumpkins.
Pigs need a varied diet to stay healthy, so it is recommended to feed them different types of vegetables in order to get sufficient nutrients that they require.
A real pig pellet however, is the best feed for your pig and you can get that from poultry supply stores.
There are plenty of things you can feed your pig such as leftover food as long as it does not have meat and did not have contact with meat.
Now for healthy choices, they can eat bread, vegetables, fruit and pig pellets.
For a more specific list, pigs could eat celery, carrots, potatoes, cucumbers and peppers along with some other greens which are good choices.
However, it is suggested to try limiting consumption of starchy vegetables such as potatoes.
They may also eat grass even the ones on your lawn or backyard.
Occasionally, they may dig up for roots and even insects so it can be a good idea to let them out under your supervision which can also be a good exercise activity for your pet.
You can also pick acorns and other nuts to feed them with.
If you’re looking for a list of treats for your pig, they would like cheerios, raisins, dried fruits, granola, zucchini, eggplants, shredded wheat, cherry tomatoes and dried cranberries.
Just like a human being, pigs need proper care and diet in order to stay healthy. It is important to learn about their food habits as well as the things they dislike to save yourself from spending too much money.
THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN FEEDING YOUR PIG
Pigs are omnivores just like humans. They can eat meat. However, it is very risky to feed them meat.
There is a high chance of them receiving different kinds of disease through the meat and might transmit it to other pets including their human owners. Therefore, it is best to stick to the safe suggestions.
We have heard of the devastating disease outbreaks from pigs, so we want to avoid that as much as possible. It is not only for your pig’s safety, but also for your safety too.
Other than feeding meat, pigs also have a tendency to play with food and even roll on it!
It is suggested to observe the amount of food they can consume in the day as to not waste any food and avoid making a mess. Divide the food for the day and evening to keep them well fed.
Drinking water – Did you know that pigs are unable to sweat?
It’s important to keep your pig hydrated, so make sure there’s always clean and fresh water for them to drink. If they are feeding piglets, mother pigs need more water in order to produce enough milk. Make sure the water stays under a shade to keep cool.
One pig may require at least 5 to 10 liters of water on a daily basis.
Since they are unable to sweat, leaving them in a too hot or cold room temperature may be bad for them. Although they function better under cool weather, a balanced room temperature is suggested.
Now that we’ve talked about the important parts of feeding your pig, let’s talk more about what they MIGHT not like.
What are the foods that pigs don’t like?
Many owners have stated that their pigs do not like cabbages, onions, corn husks and cauliflower. Now, that’s just a few that managed to make it known! As mentioned above, they are not picky at all. But of course, it’s expected that there are still things they might not like.
To add to the list, some may like or dislike artichokes, asparagus, arugula, eggplant, mushrooms, radishes, peppers and sprouts.
Now, what about a few other good treats?
I’ve stumbled upon a list from a page dedicated to pot bellied pigs! I’ll gladly share it with you. Some are already mentioned earlier, but it should be alright to repeat it.
- PBB Cheerios
- Baked Cheese Crisps
- Popcorn (think about watching a movie and sharing popcorn with your buddy!)
- Bite-Size Shredded Wheat
- Grapes
Source: https://potbelliedpigstlc.wordpress.com/2010/10/22/5-best-treats-for-pot-belly-pigs/
Perhaps you can rely on this list as treats used to house train your pig. I’m sure they will love at least some of it.
CARING, EXPENSES AND OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS
Having an animal and caring for it is a huge responsibility as you are dealing with a living being.
Since you’re wondering about what to feed your pig, you must know that feeding it could also be the costly part of raising it.
While pig pellets are the best feed for your pig, it can be expensive. Prices may differ depending on your area and may change from time to time. So it’s best to be prepared if you’re raising a pig.
As discussed above, it’s important to keep them well-hydrated. You can add the cost of drinkable water to your total expenses.
If they are indoor pets, you will have to buy them their own bedding for their comfort.
For outdoors, you will also be faced with additional costs to setup their sleeping area.
Once again, it is important to take into consideration the weather condition as there are cases when pigs have suffered or even passed away due to heat stroke or too much cold and had pneumonia.
Keeping them in a well-conditioned area is the best option.
For the ones planning to get a pig after reading about them, an average price for a piglet is $35 up to $200 and that may depend on their size or breed.
It can also depend on where you live.
Healthcare is important too.
Aside from taking into consideration what their diet should be, your pig should also have annual medical checkups and vaccination to keep them away from diseases that could also be transmitted to you.
There are also cases where they might need their hooves to be trimmed to make sure they are not in pain.
If your pig is wagging their tail, it means they are happy and probably healthy too! Be sure to read about their natural behaviors to determine if they are doing fine or not. Grunting could be a sign of anxiousness.
LICENSING – Is it legal to have a pig?
Depending on your country or your area alone, laws on animal welfare may differ. Before getting yourself one, make sure you have checked with your officers first. If you do already have one, it is highly suggested to get a license if it requires you. That could be part of your expenses.
And since we are discussing legal stuff, in certain countries like Australia, there are specific PROHIBITED pig feed that are not allowed to be fed to your pig as it may contain meat which could cause a disease.
RELATED QUESTIONS
- In a total estimate, how much does it cost to raise a pig?
Taking into consideration what we’ve mentioned about such as the feed, water, housing or bedding, healthcare and if applicable, licensing and for other studies we’ve looked into, the total could take up to $600 and more. If you’re looking to save some budget, you can feed them grass or try growing the feed yourself if you have the space. We have a full article on this here
- Where can I get pig necessities?
You can purchase feed from poultry supply shops or by directly asking farms themselves. Other pet stores can provide pellets too, including toys and tools to use for caring. You may consult your veterinarian to further check if your pig has special needs. An alternate option is ordering online.
- Are pigs aggressive and dangerous to humans?
No, they are not aggressive and the only time they can be “dangerous” is if they are carrying diseases which is why we recommend for them to be checked by a veterinarian to save you and your pig from any danger.
If a pig has been mistreated or abused, there’s a chance that they may behave
strangely and aloof. It might take time for them to warm up to you, so please
be patient until they heal.
Pigs are prey animals, so they normally prioritize flight rather than fight.
They rarely develop a territorial behavior so they do not have a reason to be
aggressive to someone unless they feel cornered or heavily threatened.
Scientific studies claim they can be even smarter than dogs and other animals,
so being the intelligent creatures they are; they do not tend to be violent but
are surprisingly gentle and sweet. This breaks the stigma about a pig’s bad
reputation.
For bonus, they like to cuddle and at times, sit on your lap. They are also studied to be a well emotional support animal and can even have the role of a therapy animal.