Pigs can eat cheese, yes. In fact, it’s a good treat and part of the diet of your pig. Cheese and dairy overall contain protein, which helps with pig’s growth. But you shouldn’t overdo it, as with everything. Pigs must have a balanced, varied diet.
Cheese in small servings and treats can be a healthy snack even for pigs. If you wonder if you can feed cheese to these animals, you may want to know how much you should offer.
Let’s get into it more!
Contents
Is cheese good for pigs?
Most food that is safe for us is also safe for our pigs. Since we can eat cheese without having issues, it shouldn’t also cause harm to these animals.
There aren’t a lot of people who look at cheese as food for hogs. When we look at it, who would imagine feeding chunks of yellowy dairy to these animals?
Still, if you’re one of the curious hog raisers who wonder if you can give cheese, it should be fine.
If we talk about nutritional value, cheese, and other dairy products contain protein. Such a component should aid a hog’s growth.
Some pets don’t take cheese and dairy products well. Cats, for instance, don’t handle dairy well.
For pigs, that’s not the case. Although piglets also wean as they grow, they can still tolerate dairy products.
Of course, when we say that cheese is safe for these animals, it does not mean you can feed it large chunks of cheese, much more alone.
While cheese may be nutritious, you shouldn’t make it a primary source of their diet.
These animals do not wean like cats without any reason. Thus, although these animals can tolerate cheese, you shouldn’t feed it a lot.
What about pet pigs (like mini pigs)? Can they eat cheese?
If you own a pet pig, the same principle applies. However, it should be a smaller serving so as not to compromise these animals’ sizes.
Pet pigs can tolerate cheese as much as they can eat other kinds of treats.
Still, since it’s not a part of their regular diet, cheese should only be in small amounts and served as treats.
It’s important not to overdo feeding cheese, as too much dairy may cause an upset stomach.
Related – Can pigs eat pineapple?
How often can you give cheese to pigs?
After a piglet weans, it stops nursing on its mother’s milk since they don’t need it anymore.
Thus, if you are to give cheese and other milk and dairy products, it should not be in large amounts.
If you want to give cheese often, limit it to at least once a week.
Since they are fond of leftovers and scraps, they can eat cheesy portions, as long as it’s not cheese alone.
Is cheese good food for pig growth?
Cheese may help improve a pig’s growth with its protein content.
Along with other dairy products, most types of cheese contains a high amount of protein.
If you want to increase its growth and you wonder if feeding cheese will work, it may. However, there are better alternatives.
While cheese may be suitable for a pig’s growth, it also has too much sodium, which can be bad for these animals.
Indeed, these animals need protein and fats to sustain healthy growth.
A cheese treat may help, but too much can lead to bladder issues because of too much sodium intake.
It would be best to choose other high protein food such as meat and take cheese only as a treat.
Related – Can pigs eat strawberries?
List of food suitable for pigs
If you wish to give a balanced diet, you may start feeding it with the following foods. The list should help you find the right food for these animals.
Scraps or leftovers
Although scraps may look horrible, it has a combination of nutrients. It is because most leftovers are remains of both meat, vegetables, and even fruits.
These animals aren’t picky eaters, so you won’t find it difficult to feed them even the most horrible leftovers.
Vegetables
Vegetables offer different nutrients that these animals need. Thus, veggies form an essential part of their diet.
As I said, these animals aren’t picky, so you can feed it whatever vegetable is available. For example celery or tomatoes.
Fruits
Who wouldn’t love a fruity treat? Like other animals and us, hogs also delight in fruit treats such as grapes, bananas, watermelons, or oranges.
Pig pellets
If you’re willing to set natural food aside, you can always go for pig pellets.
Manufacturers produce these pellets to accommodate a hog’s need for stable growth.
With these feeds, you won’t have to worry about a lack of nutrients. It is because hogs will receive everything they need with these pellets.
Can pigs eat eggshells or watermelon? Check it out!
What foods are toxic to pigs?
Although these animals enjoy a long list of food options, there are some they shouldn’t eat. Here’s a list of toxic food for pigs:
Moldy, slimy, or rotten food
Never feed anything moldy or rotting food. Indeed, these animals can eat leftovers and even a mix of them.
Still, avoid offering something that contains molds or something rotten. It will probably cause issues, especially in large servings.
Raw meat and eggs
Also, avoid feeding raw meat and eggs. Uncooked meat may carry viruses that can lead to transferring diseases.
Further, raw eggs can compromise the biotin absorption, so avoid feeding such.
Also, don’t feed onions and garlic as much as possible. Although it’s not entirely harmful, it’s still not suitable for these animals.
High salt and sugar content
Unlike other animals such as dogs and cats, hogs don’t need a high sodium and sugar amount.
You can give them fruits, but only when accompanied by other food. Remember, these animals shouldn’t feed on fruits alone.
Summary
Cheese may serve as a good treat for pigs, but it does not mean you can feed it as much as you want.
Along with other dairy products, the protein cheese contains may help in a hog’s growth. Still, it’s best to keep it only as a treat, and not as a regular part of its diet.
Resources
Image credits – Photos by Jon Sailer and Alexander Maasch on Unsplash
