Feeding Your Skinny Pigs
Photo model: The lovely Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, of course! :)
It's no secret, skinny pigs (guinea pigs, too) love to eat! Although, each pig has their favorites.. their likes and dislikes. It's your responsibility to ensure yours are offered a variety of healthy food choices daily, to keep them happy and well.
Grass hay must be provided to pigs in unlimited amounts. Because their teeth grow continuously, they must chew and grind around the clock. If their teeth don't stay ground down, they will stop eating and drinking. In this case, your veterinarian would need to trim or file down your pig's teeth. In addition to keeping their teeth from over-growing, hay is high in fiber, which is important for their digestive system. It keeps things running smoothly in their gut. Grass hay should be a staple of every pig's diet. Grass hay (such as timothy hay and orchard grass) has to be available at all times.. but legume hay (such as alfalfa) is recommended, in addition to grass hay, for pregnant, nursing, young and sick pigs. Legume hay is calcium-rich, high in protein and carbs. It is not recommended for adult pigs due to the high calcium content and can lead to bladder stones, although as an occasional treat is fine.
We buy fresh TIMOTHY HAY or ORCHARD GRASS by the bale at our local feed store. A bale is most economical for us, with 40+ pigs munching away at it day and night (lasts maybe 10 days here). When choosing hay, be sure it is as green as possible, smells clean and fragrant.. not dusty, moldy, damp or brownish. Do not buy straw. Get into the habit of always checking your pigs' hay for unusual objects before feeding. Sharp sticks, weeds, feathers, clumps of dirt, dead bugs and occasionally other items can be hidden in your bale (see our photo below). We store our bales in large boxes in the garage. Store hay in a cool, dry place and it should last for months (depending on how many pigs you have.. of course). You can use hay racks, or keep a fresh, clean "pile" in your pigs' enclosure. We have piles of hay ("hay mountains" to the pigs) for them to run through, hide in and lay on. They very much enjoy rooting around in their hay pile, or taking a nap on it!
Grass hay must be provided to pigs in unlimited amounts. Because their teeth grow continuously, they must chew and grind around the clock. If their teeth don't stay ground down, they will stop eating and drinking. In this case, your veterinarian would need to trim or file down your pig's teeth. In addition to keeping their teeth from over-growing, hay is high in fiber, which is important for their digestive system. It keeps things running smoothly in their gut. Grass hay should be a staple of every pig's diet. Grass hay (such as timothy hay and orchard grass) has to be available at all times.. but legume hay (such as alfalfa) is recommended, in addition to grass hay, for pregnant, nursing, young and sick pigs. Legume hay is calcium-rich, high in protein and carbs. It is not recommended for adult pigs due to the high calcium content and can lead to bladder stones, although as an occasional treat is fine.
We buy fresh TIMOTHY HAY or ORCHARD GRASS by the bale at our local feed store. A bale is most economical for us, with 40+ pigs munching away at it day and night (lasts maybe 10 days here). When choosing hay, be sure it is as green as possible, smells clean and fragrant.. not dusty, moldy, damp or brownish. Do not buy straw. Get into the habit of always checking your pigs' hay for unusual objects before feeding. Sharp sticks, weeds, feathers, clumps of dirt, dead bugs and occasionally other items can be hidden in your bale (see our photo below). We store our bales in large boxes in the garage. Store hay in a cool, dry place and it should last for months (depending on how many pigs you have.. of course). You can use hay racks, or keep a fresh, clean "pile" in your pigs' enclosure. We have piles of hay ("hay mountains" to the pigs) for them to run through, hide in and lay on. They very much enjoy rooting around in their hay pile, or taking a nap on it!
Pigs love.. and need.. their veggies! Our pigs look most forward to their green/red BELL PEPPER slice (seeds removed). Great source of vitamin C! Another much-loved veggie is good, old fashioned, green and crunchy lettuce. A staple of snack time, dark green leafy lettuce is the perfect treat for any pig because most varieties are high in vitamins such as vitamin C and A. At the same time, low in sugars and oxalic acid. Our pigs receive some form of dark greens daily, usually GREEN LEAF LETTUCE.
That said, not all lettuce is a good choice for your pigs. Iceberg lettuce has high water content and low nutritional value. This means that by eating iceberg, your pig is stuffing his or her belly full of a low to negative value snack food, while they could be munching on heartier, more nutrient rich veggies. Pigs will happily munch away on Iceberg lettuce all day long, but it's up to you to ensure they are offered veggie varieties which are best for them.
Pigs are similar to us.. they are one of the very few mammals who can’t make their own vitamin C. Therefore, they need to get it from the foods they eat. Pigs are highly prone to getting scurvy, which is a disease caused by low levels of vitamin C. Healthy, adult pigs need 10-30mg per day of vitamin C. Sick or pregnant pigs require a minimum of 30mg per day. Be sure to feed guinea pig pellets that contain vitamin C, in addition to vitamin C-rich veggies. Never feed rabbit pellets, or any other small animal pellets, as the vitamin content is not the same. Watch expiration dates on pellets, because vitamin C potency decreases rapidly over time. Even more quickly when kept at warmer temperatures.
There are several quality brands on the market. We currently feed MAZURI PELLETS from our local feed store. (*We no longer mix Wild Harvest in with the Mazuri pellets, like we used to). We give a daily supplement of QUAKER OLD FASHIONED OATS. We sprinkle a small amount on top of pigs' pellets during their evening feeding. This helps the skinnies put on a little extra fat, which also helps them stay warmer in the winter. They look forward to their nightly treat of oats.
That said, not all lettuce is a good choice for your pigs. Iceberg lettuce has high water content and low nutritional value. This means that by eating iceberg, your pig is stuffing his or her belly full of a low to negative value snack food, while they could be munching on heartier, more nutrient rich veggies. Pigs will happily munch away on Iceberg lettuce all day long, but it's up to you to ensure they are offered veggie varieties which are best for them.
Pigs are similar to us.. they are one of the very few mammals who can’t make their own vitamin C. Therefore, they need to get it from the foods they eat. Pigs are highly prone to getting scurvy, which is a disease caused by low levels of vitamin C. Healthy, adult pigs need 10-30mg per day of vitamin C. Sick or pregnant pigs require a minimum of 30mg per day. Be sure to feed guinea pig pellets that contain vitamin C, in addition to vitamin C-rich veggies. Never feed rabbit pellets, or any other small animal pellets, as the vitamin content is not the same. Watch expiration dates on pellets, because vitamin C potency decreases rapidly over time. Even more quickly when kept at warmer temperatures.
There are several quality brands on the market. We currently feed MAZURI PELLETS from our local feed store. (*We no longer mix Wild Harvest in with the Mazuri pellets, like we used to). We give a daily supplement of QUAKER OLD FASHIONED OATS. We sprinkle a small amount on top of pigs' pellets during their evening feeding. This helps the skinnies put on a little extra fat, which also helps them stay warmer in the winter. They look forward to their nightly treat of oats.
Mix things up and keep snack time interesting by offering several different types of dark greens and other "pig-safe" veggies to your piggies. It is important to rotate/alternate them to provide your pigs with the most variety to maintain a healthy diet. Even though they may want endless piles of their favorite treats, keep portions of any non-pellet and non-hay snacks to only 1 cup (240ml) per pig, per day.
Pigs have a sensitive digestive system which is easily upset. Always introduce new foods slowly and patiently. Begin with a very small piece, and if they like it, keep increasing the amount each serving. If switching to a new brand of pellets, do so by mixing the brand they are used to in with their new brand, gradually. This way their system can adjust without issues.
Pigs have a sensitive digestive system which is easily upset. Always introduce new foods slowly and patiently. Begin with a very small piece, and if they like it, keep increasing the amount each serving. If switching to a new brand of pellets, do so by mixing the brand they are used to in with their new brand, gradually. This way their system can adjust without issues.
Countless lists can be found online, compiled of "pig-safe" foods. Conveniently, we have done some of the work for you below:
Guinea Pig Advisor
Happy Cavy
Abyssinian Guinea Pig Tips
Guinea Lynx
Keep in mind, some foods should only be given in moderation.. 2-3 times per week at the most.. while others can be offered daily. Any type of veggie related to the cabbage family needs to be offered in very small amounts, or better yet, avoided completely. Some types of fruits (due to high natural sugar content and fruit acid) and veggies can cause potential kidney stone problems, if given too frequently, or in large amounts. We limit fruits to 1-2 times per week.. or less.. only given as a special treat. We strongly recommend doing your own research before offering anything to your pigs. Never give your pigs any wild plants, grasses, herbs.. or foods you are not familiar with. Please, do your own research before offering new foods.
Guinea Pig Advisor
Happy Cavy
Abyssinian Guinea Pig Tips
Guinea Lynx
Keep in mind, some foods should only be given in moderation.. 2-3 times per week at the most.. while others can be offered daily. Any type of veggie related to the cabbage family needs to be offered in very small amounts, or better yet, avoided completely. Some types of fruits (due to high natural sugar content and fruit acid) and veggies can cause potential kidney stone problems, if given too frequently, or in large amounts. We limit fruits to 1-2 times per week.. or less.. only given as a special treat. We strongly recommend doing your own research before offering anything to your pigs. Never give your pigs any wild plants, grasses, herbs.. or foods you are not familiar with. Please, do your own research before offering new foods.
RECAP:
- Grass hay (such as timothy hay and orchard grass) must be provided in unlimited amounts. Legume hay (such as alfalfa) only provided as an occasional treat to adult pigs, unless pregnant/nursing.
- Dark green leafy lettuce is best. High in vitamin C (which pigs must get daily) and vitamin A.
- Iceberg lettuce is not a good lettuce option. Lacks nutritional value, high water content.
- Healthy, adult pigs need 10-30mg per day of vitamin C. Sick or pregnant pigs require a minimum of 30mg per day. Feed guinea pig pellets that contain vitamin C.
- Never feed rabbit pellets, or any other small animal pellets.
- Introduce new foods slowly and patiently. Begin with a small piece, and slowly increase portion, if they like it. Introduce new brand of pellets gradually.
- Variety is the key. Switch things up, rotate dark green veggies and other veggies around. Don't feed the exact same thing everyday.
- No more than 1 cup of veggies (or any non-pellet, non-hay) to only 1 cup per pig, per day.
- Limit fruits to no more than 1-2 times per week.. as a treat. High in natural sugar and fruit acid, can lead to bladder stones.
- Do your own research before offering anything new to your pigs!
Castle Rock Skinny Pigs
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