Pet pigs are fun to hang out with. They are smart, they like making friends with humans when given the opportunity, and they can eat a variety of things, which makes it easy to enhance their commercial food meals. Pigs are omnivores, so they are not limited to just meat or fruits and vegetables. So, can pigs eat grapes? The short answer is yes! Keep reading to learn more!
Yes, Pigs Can Eat Grapes But Only in Moderation
Grapes can be a healthy addition to a pig’s diet. They are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which are all necessary for a pig’s good health. Grapes are also full of water, so they will help keep your pig hydrated. This fruit provides a good source of carbohydrates, which pigs need for energy.
Pigs tend to love the taste and texture of grapes and typically wouldn’t turn them down. However, grapes are also full of sugar, which can have negative effects if your pig consumes too many of them. Therefore, it’s important to make sure foods like grapes make up no more than a small percentage of your pig’s overall diet. They should be offered as snacks, not meals.
Here Are Other Things That Pigs Can Eat From Your Kitchen
Grapes are not the only human foods that a pig can eat for enjoyable flavor and good health. Providing your pig with a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables is a great way to ensure that they are getting all the nutrition that they need and that they are protected from disease as they age. Here are several types of foods that your pig would love to chow down on:
- Apples
- Carrots
- Cucumbers
- Broccoli
- Lettuce
- Kale
- Corn
- Potatoes
- Cauliflower
- Zucchini
- Squash
- Peas
- Turnips
- Yams
- Cabbage
- Peaches
- Raspberries
- Cantaloupe
- Watermelon
- Pears
- Grapefruit
- Rosemary
- Fennel
- Clover
- Chia seeds
- Macadamia nuts
- Walnuts
- Kidney beans
- Cooked rice
- Cooked fish
- Cooked meat
Do be aware that you should not add these foods to your pig’s regular feed container, as they could rot under the feed and make a mess for you to have to clean up later. Rotting food can also encourage bacteria growth that might make your pig sick. Always give your pig these foods in their own containers and only a small amount at a time to ensure that everything gets eaten.
A Few Things That Your Pet Pig (or Any Pig!) Should Never Eat
There are a few things that your pig should not eat due to toxicity, a lack of nutrients, or high fat or sugar content.
- Raw eggs
- Raw meat or fish
- Raw beans
- Brassicas (cabbages, turnips, brussels sprouts, mustard, etc.)
- Tomatoes
- Celery
- Any commercially processed food
It should not be hard to avoid these foods overall, but if your pig does get a hold of anything on this list, you probably don’t need to worry too much about it, as a small amount should not result in any complications. If you do notice any side effects, though, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Final Thoughts
Pigs can and will eat just about anything, even a candy bar if you’d let them! Grapes happen to be among pigs’ favorite fruits. They can be used as rewards during training or offered as cooling snacks (not meals) on a hot sunny day. Try both green and red grapes to see which your pig likes the best.
Featured Image Credit: Maja Petric, Unsplash