Wondering what NOT to feed your pig? I love my mini pigs and didn’t know any pig feeding tips. I tried feeding Mazuri Mini Pig food to our pig Olive. The result was dehydrated skin. Here is what I feed my mini pigs now, and it’s working even better.
Food choices can be overwhelming for any pet owner. Especially the unique
I’ve owned my mini pigs for two years now. I’m in love. I’ve loved pigs since I was a kid. I showed pigs in 4-H and always wanted a pet pig.
I started with my first pig in the house for over a year. You can read our story here.
When we adopted Olive, she was on Mazuri Mini Pig Food. I’ve read a lot about other pig owners experiencing dry skin on this food.
It is especially for mini pigs, and you may be questioning why you wouldn’t give your pig this food.
I bought Bentley from a local family farm when he was 10 weeks old. The farm owners had tried Mazuri mini pig food with their own pigs.
They noticed after a few weeks how dry the skin was. However, once they switched to Purina Pig and Sow, the skin issues cleared up.
I was fine with sticking with this food when I brought Bentley home.
I never thought to switch because it’s affordable. However, the M
COSTS:
- Purina Pig and Sow 50 lbs. bag $14.99
- Mazuri Mini Pig Active Adult 25 lb bag is $18.99
If you only have one pig, this bag should last you a few months.
Olive was on Mazuri food for the first year of her life. When we brought her to our homestead, I noticed right away how dry we compared her skin to Bentley’s. She also was on the thin side.
She was going to switch to Purina Pig and Sow anyways because Bently was already on it.
It only took days before I started seeing her skin clear up.
She is smaller, too, because she is mixed with the Juliana breed.
This is a personal story, and everyone’s pig is different but if you have any type of skin issues on your piggy, try switching brands.
This food doesn’t make the pig fatter. I know that from ours because Olive gets a larger serving of food than Bentley, and she’s still smaller.
How Much Food Do You Give?
Feeding too much or too little is a concern for many new pig parents. I know it was for me. I had a fear of feeding too much. And yet, when Bently was living in the house, he was constantly crying for food at night.
Here is the general guidelines to feed your mini pig.
1/4 cup 2x a day for a 25 lbs. pig. Along with veggies and fruits for snacks throughout the day.
2% pigs ideal weight in pellets for any pig over 25 lbs. Along with veggies and fruits for snacks.
What I Personally Feed My Pigs
I use Purina Pig and Sow. My pigs are over 25 lbs. I give our smaller female pig a cup in the morning and evening, along with veggies and fruits.
I give Bentley 3/4 cup in the morning and night with snacks.
I don’t have a set amount of food the pigs get for snacks. In the winter, it is usually whatever veggie or fruit scraps are left. When there is a sale on Spinach or another green, I will get that and give it to the pigs.
I feed the pigs in the treat balls for breakfast and dinner in the winter months. Then, if it’s a warmer day and they can go outside and search for the pellets, I’ll do that.
The treat balls give them something to do and burn a few extra calories in the winter. It’s hard enough to keep them occupied in the house when it’s freezing out!
In the warmer months, they get fewer pellets and a lot more veggies and fruits. In the summer, the pigs will come out of the pen and roam around. We also have a lot of fruit trees, and they love to indulge.
If your pig is indoors and constantly whines out for food, you can try increasing the number of pellets. I found giving Bently oatmeal at night helped him stop waking us up with a squeal at 4:30 a.m every morning.
If you have increased the amount of food and your pig is still constantly crying out for more, say no. Your pig may have you trained that when it squeals, it gets what it wants.
I found when Bentley already had plenty of food and wanted to test my patience with whining or opening up every cupboard again; he goes outside.
They are testing you to see what you will give in to, and they could be bored.
Putting Bentley outside when he was a year and a half was the best decision for both of us. It was hard in the beginning, but it’s been wonderful. You can read our story and how to transition your pig outdoors here.
In the summer, try growing extra lettuce for your pigs. I find lettuce is so easy to grow throughout the summer, and they love it.
We did try the Dumor Mini Pig treats, and wow, they love those. They are the favorites. I try to limit it to one or two a day. You can grab these at Tractor Supply too. fee
Allison Clary
Wednesday 26th of June 2019
This is off this topic, but is your female pig spayed? We have a female about 4 mos old, and are having a terrible time litter training her. We are trying to find a vet that will spay her but in the meantime I was looking for any tips you or anyone may have for us.
Tasia
Wednesday 26th of June 2019
Hi Allison our female is spayed. I had a heck of a time with Bentley once he was closer to the age of one. He started peeing in each room. The thing I found the best was to let him outside to pee. I think he wanted it. It only took a couple of days to train him when he peed inside like a dog. Tell them that is naughty show them the pee and take him outside. We got to a point where he would wake up in the morning and head right outside with our dog and come right back in when he was done. Also vinegar helped to remove the smell. I also kept him in his room longer ( or area where he stays contained) in the house. Sometimes they are just too young and unable to hold their bladder that long. Sometimes they are being territorial and marking the area. Also what are you using in the litter box? Is she going in it at all?