Pigs are omnivorous animals, they will eat pretty much anything that you send their way. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that they necessarily can.
We consider honey a good and nutritional food. There are many benefits to consuming honey in moderation. But is it the same for pigs? Yes, pigs can eat honey, we can’t see any reason a little honey couldn’t be beneficial for your pet pig. But like most everything else you send through the door of their pen, you need to be careful of how much you give to them.
A little honey, probably no more than a teaspoon or two a couple of times a week is okay, but honey is high in sugar. Beyond being a nice treat for your pet, that added sugar can upset their digestive system. Try giving them a little bit of plain honey now and then and see how they react to it.
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Is Honey Healthy For Pigs?
Despite having to be considered a treat, consuming honey for pigs has many benefits. Honey is a good source of antioxidants, it’s a good source of natural sugar that would be much better for them than refined white sugar. Plus, being somewhat of a bee product, honey is also a good source of pollen. Pollen is very healthy for pigs because it will help to boost their immune systems.
Honey or Sugar?
Something you need to be careful about when providing honey to your piggy friend is their sweet tooth! You can give them small amounts of honey here and there but too much sugar isn’t healthy for any animal and it may cause issues with their digestive system. Don’t give them more than roughly two teaspoons at any given time, any more and it could cause diarrhea or stomach upset in your pet piggy.
Are There Other Options?
Because they’re pigs and they love sugar, they’ll want as much honey as you will allow them to have, but again, it is important to keep within realistic limits. If you want to give them more honey then by all means, spread it on some bread or muffins and let them enjoy it in a jam like fashion, but don’t give them the jar to eat directly from.
Pigs love anything sweet so giving them an apple or pear which are great ways to provide your pet with a crucial dose of antioxidants and fiber, is another excellent option for a treat. But be sure if you do so you either put the fruits in a separate bowl as honey or if the fruits are in a bowl with the honey, that you don’t give them too much at once.
It is important to keep the ratio of their diet healthy but also enticing to your little piggy. If possible, give them a treat that is healthy and rich in vitamins and minerals such as an apple or pear every day or so.
Can Mini Pigs Eat Honey?
Honey can definitely be consumed by mini pigs, they have slightly different nutrient requirements than regular pigs and so it’s important to take notice of the quantity when giving them something sweet, you need to make sure they don’t get too much sugar.
When selecting honey, you want to make sure it is raw and organic, this is the best way to guarantee a safe and healthy treat for your pet.
Keep in mind that honey can be sticky, so if you do decide to give it to them as a treat, make sure you’re present when you do so!
What Pigs Shouldn’t Eat?
It is also extremely important to know what to avoid feeding to your pigs.
Here is a list of what you need to keep away from them:
– Citrus Fruits: Due to their high acidic levels will cause problems to their digestive system.
– Avocado: Avocado contains persin, which is toxic to pigs.
– Chocolate: yes, you read it right, chocolate is bad for your pigs because it contains toxic elements.
– Coffee: I know, it’s a little bit harder to imagine that the pigs could eat coffee, but you need to know that caffeine is considered toxic for them.
– Ivy: yes, even the beautiful flowers can cause problems if ingested.
Conclusion
Honey is considered a good treat for pigs because of its high nutritional value, it is also an excellent source of energy for your piggy friends because of its sugar content.
Considering the nutritional value, it is in its best to feed your pigs with organic and raw honey to ensure they are healthy and in a good shape.
