So, Can Pigs Eat Grapes?

If you’re thinking about getting some pigs of your own, you need to know that they typically enjoy a highly varied diet. And if you’ve kept a herd for any length of time, you knew that already!

Pigs really do eat just about anything and everything, and that naturally includes a big variety of fruits and veggies. And though pigs can get good nutrition from almost anything you can think of not all fruits are good for them.

Giving them too much of the wrong thing can make them sick and hamper their growth. Let’s look at one of the most popular fruits around: Is it safe for pigs to eat grapes?

Yes, pigs can eat grapes safely. Grapes are a great source of energy and nutritious. Pigs can eat grapes with or without seeds, but should only get them in moderation because they’re quite sugary.

In my experience, pigs really love getting grapes on hot days. The energy they provide and that juicy sweetness really seem to give them an edge over the heat, and beating heat stress is important for keeping them healthy and happy.

But whatever the weather is like, you can feel good about giving grapes to your herd. I’ll tell you everything you need to know down below.

Do Pigs Like Grapes?

Yes, they sure do. Pigs love all sorts of sweet foods, and grapes definitely fall into that category. Even better, they are clean and wholesome, and can be a wonderful part of their diet when they are in season.

Are Grapes Good for Them?

Yes, they are! Grapes are definitely a solid nutritional option for pigs. They mostly offer carbohydrates in the form of sugar and a little bit of fiber, but they have a good assortment of vitamins and minerals, too, that can give pigs a big health boost.

Taking a look at the vitamins first, we see that grapes contain a decent assortment, namely vitamins B1, B2, and B6 supplemented with vitamin A and vitamin C. Other B vitamins are present depending on the variety.

The mineral content is also pretty good for such a little berry, and they can provide pigs with phosphorus, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, and a little bit of sodium.

You don’t have to worry about pigs getting too much sodium from grapes; it is a very small amount but it does help maintain their electrolytes in conjunction with the water that grapes contain. They’re a great snack to help them stay hydrated!

So, aside from the boost of energy, the vitamins and minerals that grapes have are all things that your pigs will need.

Together, they can improve eyesight and nervous system health, good circulation, various metabolic functions, healing, growth, and more.

There is a very good reason why grapes have a reputation for being a healthy food- it’s because they are!

There are lots of good benefits when adding grapes to the menu for your herd, but there’s still more you need to know before you do so.

Are Green Grapes Okay for Pigs?

Yes, they are. Green grapes are completely fine for pigs.

Are Red Grapes Okay for Pigs?

Yes, red grapes are safe for pigs.

Can Pigs Eat Black Grapes Safely?

Yes, they can. Black grapes, or purple grapes, whatever you like to call them, are also totally fine for your pigs.

How About Raisins? Can Pigs Eat Those?

Yes, raisins are also safe for pigs but with one caveat. Raisins are simply dehydrated grapes. Nothing crazy. But because they have far less moisture than grapes, that means significantly more sugar by weight in comparison.

This means giving your pigs the same serving size in raisins instead of actual grapes equals tons more sugar in their diet. Too much sugar can easily lead to indigestion or unhealthy weight gain, so keep that in mind and cut the portions way, way back if you’re giving them raisins.

Can Pigs Eat Grape Seeds Safely?

Yes, with no problem. Running into a grape seed is a great way for you and me to crack a tooth, but pigs won’t struggle with them in the least.

You can give your herd seed-bearing varieties with no worries, and you don’t have to go through all the trouble of seeding any grape before you hand them over. Whew, that’s a relief.

Can Grapes Help Pigs Grow?

Yes, they can. Calorie-dense foods, especially sugary ones like grapes, can help pigs pack on the pounds. But, these aren’t the most efficient choices of feed for bulking- though they are a healthy one.

Can Pregnant Sows Have Grapes?

Yes, they sure can. There is nothing in a grape that will hurt a pregnant sow or her unborn piglets. She’ll definitely appreciate the calories from the sweet treat!

Are Grapes Harmful to Pigs in Any Way?

No, not directly. Grapes aren’t toxic. There aren’t any strange compounds that build up over time to cause harm to pigs.

But like a lot of other good foods, feeding too many grapes to your herd can start to cause nutritional imbalances and health problems. Specifically, pigs are known to get indigestion, diarrhea, and other problems from getting too much sugar in their diet.

Yes, grapes are healthy and wholesome, but that doesn’t mean pigs should get unlimited amounts… or get them all the time! So long as you make it a point to moderate the serving sizes and feed them on the right schedule, you shouldn’t expect any issues.

How Often Can Pigs Eat Grapes?

I like to give my pigs no more than two small servings of grapes weekly. As I said throughout this article, grapes are nutritious, certainly, but giving pigs a steady diet of sugar even in the form of natural fructose tends to cause stomach problems.

On those days you decide to give them grapes, feed them no more than 5% to 10% of their total calorie intake for the day in the form of grapes.

How Can I Feed My Pigs Grapes?

The only thing you need to do to serve grapes to your herd safely is wash them. That’s it; the pigs will take care of the rest!

But assuming you don’t want to give your pigs a bowl full of grapes by themselves, you can also consider slicing them in half or mashing them so they can be easily mixed with other kinds of produce or entirely different foods.

This can make something new and novel that your herd will enjoy…

Can Piglets Have Grapes, Too?

Yes, piglets can have grapes also and I really like them. But, you should feed them cautiously.

Wait until your baby piglet is old enough to have left milk behind for good and is constantly eating solid food before you introduce grapes.

Even then, give them only a couple at once and monitor them to make sure they don’t cause them any indigestion. Don’t forget to keep those portion sizes very small!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can pigs eat fermented grapes?

No! Never give your pigs fermented or rotten grapes; that’s a sure way to make them sick. Any grapes that are a little old and shriveled are fine, so long as they aren’t spoiled.

Are grapes safe for mini pigs?

Yes, grapes are safe for mini pigs. As with piglets, make sure to reduce the portion sizes to account for their lower body weight.

Are grapes safe for potbelly pigs?

Yes. Grapes are fine for potbelly pigs. I do recommend you go cautiously on the servings and be mindful of other sugary foods you feed them because they are more prone to obesity than other breeds.