Pigs are omnivores and scavengers by nature. They prefer to eat several small meals throughout the day and into the evening. At a minimum they should be fed 3 times per day and have constant access to a fresh, clean water source. As a rule of thumb, a pig should eat approximately 2% of its body weight per day. Pigs will easily eat 4% of their body weight per day if given the opportunity, and thus are prone to obesity. Refer to Chapter 2 for body condition guidelines. If there are multiple pigs in the household, eating behaviors should be closely observed initially as pigs can be very competitive while eating which my lead to fighting and the more submissive pigs eating less.[1]

A commercial swine diet is not recommended for pet pigs. These diets are meant designed to help production pigs grow fast. This fast growth rate can be detrimental to bone growth and prognosis for a long life without musculoskeletal issues. There are many diets available on the market specifically for pet pigs. Multiple companies produce pet pig feeds, and even have feeds customized to life stage.

For piglets between 1 week to 4 weeks (weaning age) of age, a porcine starter feed can be given free choice as a creep feed. From weaning to 7 weeks of age the starter can still be given free choice and supplementation with 50IU of vitamin E should given twice weekly. Daily supplementation with selenium is also recommended. Vitamin E and selenium supplementation is important to prevent white muscle disease and other musculoskeletal and integumentary disorders.

For growing pigs, a grower diet formulated for pet pigs should be used and fed according to label directions (will be around 2% of their body weight per day). Feed should be supplemented with vitamin E at a rate of 25-50IU 2-3 times per week.

Adult pigs should be fed a maintenance diet at approximately 2% of their body weight per day. This amount should be adjusted based on BCS estimate. Continued supplementation with 25-50IU of vitamin E is recommended with the addition of a 0.5-1.0g of lard 2-3 times per week if there are still concerns for dry skin.[2]