Pigs are extraordinary animals; they can be a great addition to your farm, that is, if you don’t already have one. But for those of you who do, I’m sure you can testify to this animal’s capacity.
They are smart and friendly animals. But one of their biggest qualities, for which we get many questions, is the enormous amount of food pigs can eat. For this reason, in this article, we explore the potbelly pigs diet. I’ll be answering some of the common questions we get regarding these pigs and what they should or should not be eating.
But before answering all these questions regarding their diet, there is something I should be clear with.
All pig breeds, and that includes potbelly pigs should have a balanced diet. But what does that mean?
Well, it’s simple, pigs should be eating their pig feed or a corn-based diet that’s been recommended by the veterinarian. Yes, there are many things they can eat, but they should only be used as treats occasionally.
To give you an example, some farmers may have lots of watermelons available, and one day they decide to give them to the pigs, and that’s great, pigs love watermelons, but this doesn’t mean that you should spend the entire month feeding watermelon to your pigs just because you can.
This is quite common; even restaurant owners will call pig owners and tell them, “hey, I have this leftover do you want them for you pigs”.
So while you don’t want to waste free food for the pigs, you should also consider that they need to have a balanced diet. Going back to the watermelon example, which is a great fruit, it won’t provide the necessary calories or proteins a pig needs in order to thrive.
So if you’re looking to grow strong, healthy pigs you need to feed them properly. If you want great meat quality, it all starts with the pigs diet.
Can Potbelly Pigs Eat Bananas?
Yes, potbelly pigs can and will eat bananas. This is a great fruit that your pigs will enjoy eating throughout the year. You can feed them the bananas with or without the peel.
But I do encourage supervising your pigs while they are eating the bananas as you won’t want them to choke on them with the peels.
A great solution for this is to cut them into small pieces but even then, knowing how pigs are, they will just eat as much as possible as fast as they can, especially if they’re hungry.
But what’s great about using bananas as a treat is the among of vitamins and minerals it contain; for example, let’s start with the obvious, potassium, protein, fiber, vitamin c, folate, magnesium, riboflavin, niacin and cooper are only a few of the many benefits you can find in bananas.
So do feel comfortable feeding them to your pigs.
Can Potbelly Pigs Eat Cilantro?
Yes, potbelly pigs can definitely eat cilantro. This delicious plant will provide great health benefits to your pigs and other farm animals.
You can mix it up with the pigs feed or any other available vegetables or fruits.
This herb is commonly used all throughout the world, so it would be quite easy for you to find it and use it with your pigs.
Cilantro can provide many nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, folate, and manganese. But it’s important to consider for it to be effective, meaning for the pigs to consume the necessary nutrients this plant has, you will have to offer it in large quantities.
If not, do not just think of it as a treat that will not provide any nutrients but just enjoyment to your pig and maybe a convenience to you if you just want to get rid of the cilantro.
So make sure the corn-based diet is in place.
Can Potbelly Pigs Eat Dog Food?
Your pigs can eat the dog food during exceptional conditions; now, let me explain what I mean.
If for some reason, you forgot to purchase the pig feed, or you find yourself in some type of condition where the only thing available is dog food, you can proceed to give them the dog food.
That won’t guarantee your pigs will like it, as they can develop a taste just like us. But this should only be a one-time exception.
Dog food or cat food it’s not made with the purpose of feeding the pigs; it contains too much protein, which can affect your pigs overall health.
Never feed them dog food systematically.
Can Potbelly Pigs Eat Cantaloupe?
Yes, potbelly pigs can definitely eat cantaloupe. This is a delicious refreshing fruit that can be used during the hot summer month. Your pigs will definitely thank you for giving them this delicious juicy fruit.
This fruit contains potassium, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, vitamin K, vitamin B3, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, selenium, copper, and many other nutrients and vitamins.
So I do recommend using this fruit with your potbelly pigs, and you can give them as much as you want. But only used as a treat as they should be the primary source of the pigs feed.
Can Potbelly Pigs Eat Tomatoes?
Yes, pigs love to eat tomatoes. This is a delicious vegetable that your pigs will love to eat; you can mix it up with other types of vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli, carrots, etc.
But do not feed them the tomato plants as they can be poisonous to the pigs.
You can give them the tomato sauce as long as you have made it in a natural way. Meaning no salt, sugars, or any of this unhealthy additive, too much salt or sugar could potentially put in designer the overall health of your pigs if given in large quantities.
Pigs can basically eat all types of tomatoes, but you should avoid all parts of the tomato plants.
Can Potbelly Pigs Eat Watermelon?
Yes, potbelly pigs can definitely eat watermelon; as I previously mentioned, this is a delicious fruit that your pigs will love to eat.
It is a great option for the summer month, and they will also drink the watermelon juice but make sure it does not contain any sugar.
What’s great about using watermelon with your potbelly pigs is that it will keep them hydrated, and it’s packed with many nutrients such as fiber, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and many more.
It also improves heart health, it reduces inflammation, and it improves digestion. So your pigs will definitely enjoy and benefit from having the delicious fruit.
Can Potbelly Pigs Eat Grapes?
Yes, pot belly pigs love to eat grapes; they are a great option to use if you’re looking to train your pigs as they are quite easy to manage.
All parts of grapes are good for pigs to have, including the grape vines. Your pigs will devour them quite fast.
And you won’t have to worry about the grape seed; they are so small that your pigs will not even notice them.
In addition to all these benefits, grapes contain protein, calories, fat, fiber, copper, vitamin B6, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E, manganese, potassium, riboflavin which is basically vitamin B2, and of course vitamin B1.
So yes, feel comfortable giving grapes to your potbelly pigs as much as you want.
Can Potbelly Pigs Eat Corn on the Cob?
Yes, you pigs can eat corn in all its forms, including the cob. In fact, most of the pigs feed in the markets contain corn, which is one of the main sources of food for pigs.
You can give them as much as they want as this will get your pigs strong and healthy, and if you do it in combination with the previous fruits and vegetables I previously mentioned, this will be a recipe for greatness.
A corn-based diet should be the primary source for pigs. In combination with other nutrients, this will provide you with a great meat quality that you and your clients will enjoy eating, as it contains vitamin B, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin c, it contains antioxidants, protein, lutein, zeaxanthin, potassium, magnesium, minerals, and many other nutrients it a complete source of nutrients.
You can also use it in combination with hay or if you’re just grass feeding your pigs and you’re looking for an extra source of nutrients. Corn will definitely get your pigs big.
Can Potbelly Pigs Eat Pickles?
Potbelly pigs can definitely eat pickles; this is a juicy and healthy vegetable; it doesn’t contain many nutrients or calories, but it can be quite delicious for the pigs to eat, and it can be used as a treat.
But something to keep in mind is that pickles contain a high amount of sodium, so do use them with caution and don’t overfeed your pigs with this type of food. Remember that pigs need a balanced diet in order to thrive.
But they are a great source of fiber that will benefit the digestive system of your pigs. If you decide to use pickles in your pigs diet, I recommend mixing it up with other vegetables to make the meal more nutritious and balanced.
Can Potbelly Pigs Eat All Stock Feed?
Pigs can eat stock feed but do make sure that the type you’re using at least recommends using it with your pigs; if not then only use it occasionally. I prefer to use specific feed per animal, horse, castles, pigs, sheep and all these types of farm animals require a specific diet.
They can all coincide with certain types of food, but it’s best to give them what they each need in order to grow strong and healthy.
It’s important to remember the pigs, in most cases, will eat anything that you give them, but it’s our job to make sure they are being fed with the proper food types.
Can Potbelly Pigs Eat Apples?
Yes, pigs love to eat apples; no matter the color green, yellow, or red, they are all great for pigs to have.
Apples provide a great source of nutrients and minerals such as carbs, vitamin K, vitamin C, fiber, carbs, potassium, copper, vitamin E, vitamin B1, vitamin B6 polyphenols, which is a great antioxidant.
Improving the heart condition prolongs your pigs life and helps with gut health. So you can definitely give them as many apples as possible.
But there is some controversy when it comes to feeding too many apples to your pigs, and that is because of the apple seeds.
Many recommend not giving them too many apple seeds as they contain cyanide, which can poison pigs and other animals.
But it is important to note that this should be a worry if your pigs are consuming large quantities of apple seeds.
If talking about mini pigs or piglets, I do recommend removing the apple seeds.
Some of the effects of consuming too many apple seeds: vomiting, muscle spasms, salivation, coma, and finally, death.
So if you do notice this type of symptom in your pigs after eating apple seed, make sure to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Conclusion: What Can Pot Belly Pigs Eat?
Potbelly pigs should be eating the pigs feed or their corn-based diet, but they can also eat watermelons, bananas, cilantro, apples, etc. Basically, all the vegetables and healthy fruits you can find are great for pot belly pigs.
But do consider the exceptions I’ve talked about in this article.
And also, remember that pigs need to have a corn-based diet or pig feed as their primary source of food as this will guarantee they are getting the necessary calories, nutrients, and minerals that will help them grow strong and healthy.
Potbelly pigs are great animals; whether you have them as livestock or pets, they will serve you greatly.
Potbelly pigs, just like other animals, can eat as many fruits and vegetables as they can, especially the one mentioned in this list and others. Your job is to manage what they eat and make sure they get a balanced diet no matter the foods they eat.