DIET

We keep a close watch on what our piggy eats, and feed her less than two cups/day of a pelleted porcine maintenance diet that we buy at the local feed store. She grazes on yard grasses during the day, but in the winter, we'll supplement her with vegetables.  She doesn't get a great deal of exercise, so we have to watch her diet pretty close, or she'll quickly turn into a "porker".

Mini-Pet Pig Food from Heartland Exotics, and Mazuri Pet Pig Food by Purina were recommended by our veterinarian. It has fewer calories, and will keep your piggy healthy and trim.  DO NOT feed fatty table scraps, or dog food. These types of foods can do more harm than good. Also, chocolate is toxic to these little "ham"sters, as are high levels of sugar. 

Piggies need roughage in their diet, and will graze on grass most of the day.  This will cause weight gain, but grazing is an essential part of their diet and eating habits. Limit other food intake if you see your piggy gaining too much weight.  Like humans, fat pigs can have fatty build-up around the heart, making them susceptible to heart attacks. Vegetables, like broccoli, spinach, cabbage, lettuce, afalfa hay, cauliflower, and other green, leafy vegetables are all good foods for your piggy. Think low cholesterol, low fat foods.

CHOKING:  because they "hog" their food, some piggies won't bother to chew.  When that happens, you'll probably hear a scary choking sound, but don't panic because all that does is cause your piggy to panic, and "gag" even more.  Talk to your piggy in a soothing voice, and watch closely to make sure the food passes.  Most of the time it's just a glottis spasm, and usually only takes a few seconds to pass.  Young piggies in particular can get choked on large, flat, leafy veggies, so it's best to chop their food into small pieces, and avoid feeding large cuts, or stringy veggies like celery.  In those rare instances when it isn't a false alarm, and you're sure your piggy cannot breathe because of food lodged in the throat, try the Heimlich manuever while someone telephones an emergency vet.