Mini pigs are beautiful animals, and if you’re thinking of getting one as your pet, this is a great idea that you wont regret. There are different types of mini pigs; some grow more than others, but overall they are amazing animals.
One of the most common questions we get when it comes to pigs it’s the type of food they should or shouldn’t be eating. For this reason, I go into detail answering the most common question we get when it comes to their diet, especially mini pigs.
What can mini pigs eat? Mini pigs can eat different types of foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and meat. But their primary source of food should be the pig feed; this is what will keep them strong and healthy; other food types should only be used as a treat.
This is an important rule to follow as the pig feed contains the necessary nutrients and vitamins for the pigs to grow strong and healthy; in fact, it is designed for this main purpose. This is why I encourage everyone who owns a mini pig to stick to these rules; mini pigs shouldn’t be eating random foods; it’s not good for them.
They should be on a consistent diet; of course, you can mix it up with vegetables, fruits, and meat but make sure they are getting the pig feed on a daily basis.
Sometimes mini pigs and pigs overall can get tired of eating the same pig feed. During these occasions, you can mix up the pig feed with vegetables or maybe some cooked meat.
Can Mini Pigs Eat Watermelon?
Yes, your mini pig can definitely eat watermelon. This is a great fruit for them to have as it provides many nutrients and minerals.
This is the type of food you would use during summer, it will hydrate your pigs because of its high water content, but it also serves as a great refresher, especially if it’s frozen or cold.
Pig will usually fight themselves just to get a piece of the watermelon. I should say this is one of their favorite fruits.
And they can eat all parts of the watermelon; I do recommend cutting them into digestible pieces to make it easier for them to consume. And you can give them as much as they want.
Watermelon contains high water content; to be specific, it contains 92% of water, so like I just mentioned, it will definitely keep your pigs hydrated, but you can also find fiber, sugar, carbs, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium all these nutrients will help keep the overall health of your pigs in great shape.
Can Mini Pigs Eat Tomatoes?
Yes, mini love tomatoes; cherry tomatoes are a great option you can use if you’re looking to train your mini pigs. But all tomatoes, in general, are a great option that your mini pigs will love.
You can even mix it up with the pig feed. They will love it.
Tomatoes provide antioxidants, vitamin K, vitamin C, folate, potassium, water, fiber, fat, and carbs which is a great source of vitamins and minerals.
Tomatoes come in various forms and colors, and mini pigs can eat them all, whether is red, green, orange, or even purple; they are all great for the mini pig to consume.
But do be careful with the tomato plants; pigs should never eat the plants, steamed leaves, etc; this can be toxic for pigs and other animals.
If you have tomato plants at home, make sure your mini pigs don’t eat them.
Other than that, do feel confident in giving them as many tomatoes as they can eat; your mini pig will thank you for it.
Can Mini Pigs Eat Grapes?
Yes, mini pigs and all types of pig breed can eat grapes; this is a great option to use since it provides many nutrients and minerals such as: carbs, protein, fiber, fat, vitamin K, vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B2, vitamin C, vitamin E manganese and many more.
Grapes will help improve your pigs’ heart health, but it is also a great antioxidant, has an anticancer effect, and improves bone health.
And of course, let’s not forget it is a great source to keep your pigs hydrated.
Pigs can eat all types of grapes, no matter the color, shape, or size; as long as the grapes are edible by humans, your mini pigs can also eat them.
And you won’t have to worry about the grape seed, as your mini pigs would not even notice them; they can eat the vine, but just to make it easier for them to digest, I recommend only feeding them the grapes.
Can Mini Pigs Eat Bananas?
Yes, mini pigs and all pig breeds can and will eat bananas; this is a delicious fruit, and even though its sugar content is high compared to other fruits, your mini pig can definitely eat it with moderation.
Bananas are a great option to use when you’re looking to treat your pigs since they are widely available throughout the year, and pigs love them.
They can basically eat the entire banana, including the peel. I do recommend cutting them into smaller pieces just to make it easier for your pigs to digest, especially if you have a really small mini pig.
Bananas can provide many nutrients such as protein, carbs, vitamin C, fiber, riboflavin, niacin, folate, copper, magnesium, and potassium. A single banana can provide about 112 calories to your mini pig, this is obviously not enough, but it is quite high if we compare it to other options.
So you can definitely use them with your mini pigs other pig breeds in general.
Can Mini Pigs Eat Cucumbers?
Many confuse the cucumber as being a vegetable, but in reality, it’s a fruit, and I got to say a quite delicious fruit that your mini pigs can definitely consume.
They are quite low in calories, but the water and fiber content make up for the lack of nutrients, don’t get me wrong, they don’t contain protein, carbs, vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber, potassium, magnesium, and manganese but the percentage it has it’s not sufficient of a pig to solely survive on it.
This type of fruit is great to use during the summer month; just like the watermelon, the cucumbers will keep your pigs hydrated and happy.
You can give them as much as they want but remember, the pig feed should always be the priority.
And the mini pig can eat the entire cucumber if it’s too big for them. You can cut it into small pieces; in fact you can even make them a fruit salad, using cucumbers, watermelons, and bananas. They will love it.
Can Mini Pigs Eat Cantaloupe?
Yes, your mini pigs can eat cantaloupe; this is a very nutritious fruit that your mini pigs will enjoy eating.
They can eat the seed, rind, and even the skin. But it is important to consider no matter the fruit, vegetable, or food type. Some pigs might need some time in order to develop a taste for the particular food you are offering.
So don’t be surprised if, at first, they reject the cantaloupe or any other food; you should keep trying to feed it until they are convinced this is good food for them.
Most pigs won’t have a problem with eating them; like I previously mentioned in many articles, pigs will eat almost anything, but it is important to mention that some like to take their time. And yes, at some point, a pig might decide they don’t like a particular food, and they will reject it.
But going back to the fruit itself, one of the main benefits of this fruit is that it can help your pigs with the digestion system as it contains large amounts of fiber and water, but it also has the common nutrients such as zinc, iron, selenium, folate, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B and many other.
It also contains calcium which will help strengthen your pigs bone.
Can Mini Pigs Eat Strawberries?
Strawberries are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin A, and many other minerals and nutrients that will improve the overall health of your mini pigs, so yes, they can definitely consume this type of fruit.
It might be a small fruit, but it is quite powerful. It will improve the heart health of your mini pigs, and it will help them live a long life.
You can mix it up within the pig feed to give it an extra taste, and you can feed frekenley.
It is important to consider that this fruit does not contain the sufficient nutrients a pig needs, but it can definitely help keep your pigs happy as they like to taste different types of things throughout the day.
Can Mini Pigs Eat Corn Cobs?
Yes, mini pigs love to eat corn, and they can eat all parts of the corn, including the corn cobs. Out of the previously mentioned food, this is the one they should be eating the most.
Most pig feeds are made of corn; they do mix it up with grass and other vitamins and nutrients, but providing a corn-based diet to your mini pig is the best thing you can do for them. They like it, and it will help them grow strong and healthy.
Corn is rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin B, vitamin E, vitamin K, lutein, potassium, magnesium, and minerals.
This is quite a complete vegetable.
One of the amazing things about having corn is that it is quite available, and there are many options in which you can store it. So having corn through the year available for the mini pigs won’t be a problem.
Can Mini Pigs Eat Rabbit Pellets?
Yes, your mini pigs can eat rabbit pellets, but you should only use it during emergencies, don’t make it a habit. The rabbit pellets are not designed for pig consumption.
And don’t get me wrong, they can eat it, but they don’t provide the necessary calories and nutrients a pig needs. Most of the rabbits’ feeds are made from grass, and this is not enough for the pigs.
So if you find yourself in a situation where you only have rabbit pellets go ahead and use them, but I strongly recommend you find a solution to this problem as soon as possible.
What Not to Feed Mini Pigs?
It’s important to consider that there are more foods pigs can eat than the one I’ve mentioned in this article, but a general rule you can follow if you’re in doubt is to ask yourself if you can eat the food you’re thinking of offering to your pigs.
And in most cases, you won’t be wrong; of course, there are some exceptions to this rule that I will mention, but overall it will give you a better chance of knowing what to feed to your pigs.
With this in mind, pigs should not eat sugar, salt, oil, juices, bones, fish, meat, alcohol, or scraps.
In fact, in some countries and US states, it’s illegal to feed scrap to the pigs.
But overall, never feed them rot or damaged food.
Conclusion: What Can Mini Pigs Eat?
Mini pigs can eat fruits, meat, and vegetables, but their main source of nutrients should come from pig feed or a corn-based diet; everything else should be used as complementary. Not doing so will be putting at risk the overall health of your mini pigs.
These rules it’s quite simple to follow; just give them the pig feed as their main source of food, and throughout the day, you can give them some fruit treats or some vegetable treats.
If you decide to give them meat, make sure it’s fresh and properly cooked into small pieces. You don’t want your pigs to be aware of the type of meat they eat, especially if you have your pig on the farm.
If they know they are eating chickens, they might start targeting your chickens; the same goes for eggs.
If, for some reason, your mini pigs are tired of eating the pig feed, you can mix it up with some fresh vegetables or fruits, as this will help them eat the pig feed with more pleasure.
Mini pigs can have a great life; all you have to do is to keep them on a healthy diet.