Mini-Pigs: Feeding

What do I need to know about feeding my mini-pig?

Mini-pigs are also referred to as micro-pigs, Vietnamese miniature pot-bellied pigs, and American miniature pigs. Pigs are omnivores, meaning they eat both vegetable and animal protein. While wild pigs typically eat multiple small meals throughout the day and evening, this feeding schedule is usually not practical for a pet mini-pig owner. Pet pigs should usually have their total daily ration divided into a minimum of two to three feedings.

When fed appropriately, mini-pigs should finish each meal completely and not leave any food. If a pig does not routinely finish meals, it is likely overfed. Extremes in environmental temperature may make a pig consume less than normal. If your pig normally finishes meals and suddenly stops, it may be sick and should be examined by your veterinarian.

What should I feed my mini-pig?

A healthy mini-pig’s diet should include:

• A nutritionally balanced, pelleted chow formulated for mini-pigs
• Small amounts of fresh or frozen vegetables and fruit
• Fresh grass hay
• Fresh water
• Opportunities to forage for food

Pelleted food

A mini-pig’s base diet should consist of a commercially available, nutritionally balanced, pelleted chow formulated for mini-pigs. Mazuri®, Heartland, and Ross Mill Farm offer reputable mini-pig diets recommended by many veterinarians and mini-pig breeders. Choose a diet formulated for your pig’s life stage:

• Newly born: A “starter,” up to about seven weeks of age
• Young and growing: A “grower,” about 8 to16 weeks of age
• Fully-grown adult: A “maintenance” diet, for pigs more than a year old
• Breeding or lactating: A diet formulated for breeding or lactating pigs

Newborn piglets are generally bottle-fed commercially available milk replacer for piglets and given starter food until about seven weeks of age. After seven weeks of age, they are weaned onto solid food. All pigs, even nursing piglets, should be offered fresh water daily. It is also recommended to offer several feeding stations to encourage your mini-pig to move around while looking for food.

Vegetables and fruit

In addition to pelleted pig chow, mini-pigs may be fed small amounts of fresh or frozen vegetables and fruit. Offer pelleted food first to help ensure the pig consumes a balanced diet.

• Good vegetable choices include celery, cucumbers, peppers, zucchini, carrots, squash, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens.
• Limit starchy vegetables, such as potatoes.
• Avoid canned vegetables, which are usually high in salt.
• Fruits such as apples, grapes, and pears can also be offered, but only in moderation because of their high sugar content.

Hay and grass

Offer fresh hay, such as timothy, orchard grass hay, or brome hay (bromegrass) to increase your pig’s dietary fiber. Fresh, untreated grass can also increase dietary fiber and water consumption if your pig has access to it for grazing.

Foraging and enrichment

Pigs naturally forage for food, so providing foraging toys or rooting stations is recommended. A foraging toy, such as a Manna Ball, allows food items to trickle out as your pig rolls the ball around. You can also fill a wading or children’s pool with medium-sized, smooth rocks and hide food items among them. Wash rooting pools weekly, as they will become soiled with urine and saliva.

How much should I feed my mini-pig each day?

The exact amount of pelleted food you should feed depends on the brand. Most brands give general feeding recommendations calculated from their caloric content. In general, adult pigs should be fed a daily amount (including the pelleted ration and other foods) equivalent to approximately 2% of their body weight. This amounts to roughly 1 cup of pelleted food per 23 kg (50 pounds) of body weight. Many pigs willingly consume more than this amount if given the opportunity. However, if they are fed more than 2%, they will likely become obese, develop arthritis, and encounter other health problems.

Pigs root around with their nose, so heavy ceramic bowls are recommended for food and water. It is essential to clean the food and water bowls daily, as pigs are messy eaters.

What should I not feed my mini-pig?

Foods that are potentially toxic to pigs and should be avoided include:

• Canned fruits or vegetables, as they contain too much salt.
• Commercial hog foods, which are meant to provide rapid growth in a relatively short time.
• Salty foods, such as chips and pretzels.
• Caffeinated items, such as coffee, tea, and chocolate.
• Large amounts of breakfast cereals, especially those with wheat bran, which can disrupt the pig’s calcium and phosphorus balance, or those with high sodium content, which can induce a condition called salt poisoning in pigs.
• Un-pitted stone fruits, such as peaches and nectarines, which contain pits that can lodge in the intestines.
• Un-shelled nuts, as the nuts’ shells can pierce the lining of the mouth and esophagus.

Never feed cat and dog foods to mini pigs, as they are too high in protein. Pigs are very intelligent and easily learn how to open cabinets and refrigerator doors, so it is usually necessary to pig-proof your kitchen (similar to childproofing) if you have a pig in your home.

Can I give my mini-pig treats?

You can offer your mini-pig treats such as small pieces of succulent fruits or vegetables once or twice a day, and it is best to use these treats as rewards in training. Pigs are food-motivated and learn better when they understand that responding to commands will be rewarded with a nutritious treat. Treats should be limited, however, as excess treat feeding may lead to pigs demanding treats, aggression (from pigs that typically act dominant), and obesity.

If your pig acts aggressively around food, or if you notice excessive weight gain (indicated by rolls of fat), be sure to contact your veterinarian for specific feeding recommendations.

Can I feed multiple mini-pigs together?

Pigs can become very aggressive when eating and frequently compete with other pigs for food. It is not uncommon for pigs to fight when they are fed together, ultimately leading to the dominant pig consuming most of the meal. In general, it is best to feed pigs separately to ensure that all animals eat enough.

How much water does my mini-pig need?

Fresh water should be available 24 hours a day. Clean all food bowls and water bowls every day with soap and water and rinse well. Change the water at least daily.