Can Pigs Eat Peanut Butter or Peanuts? Is it Safe?

Peanut butter really is a perfect food, or nearly so. Delicious, packed with vitamins, minerals, fats, and protein, it can fill you up and keep you going.

a pig enjoying some peanuts
a pig enjoying some peanuts

And the stuff seems to last basically forever. It is also no wonder that so many animals seem to love the stuff.

Dogs, raccoons and even mice will eat it up without hesitation. But how about our pigs? Can pigs eat peanut butter or peanuts?

Yes, pigs can safely eat peanut butter and peanuts. So long as they don’t have any harmful additives or seasonings both are fine for pigs, and a great way to give them healthy fats.

The hardest part about giving peanut butter to pigs is getting them to stop! Once you treat them with this delicious stuff there is no going back for them.

That being said, so long as you have a plan for adding it to their diet sensibly you don’t have much to worry about.

Keep reading to learn what you need to know about giving peanut butter, and peanuts, to pigs.

Are Peanuts Safe for Pigs?

Yes, peanuts are safe for pigs so long as they are cooked and you give them plain or lightly salted ones.

Rescue Pigs Can't Stop Eating Peanut Butter | The Dodo

Do Pigs Like Peanut Butter?

Oh, do they ever. Pigs, like so many of our animal friends, go completely bonkers for peanut butter.

The first time you give it to them they may not know quite what to do but after a little licking and snacking they will be in love.

Nutritional Benefits of Peanut Butter or Peanuts for Pigs

Peanut butter has a lot going for it as a nutritional supplement and snack for pigs. It is high in fat, which is a great source of energy for them, and also packed with protein.

The calorie content of peanut butter is quite high, around 200 calories just for two tablespoons. This makes it a perfect way to help pigs bulk up or put on weight.

In addition, peanut butter is a good source of several vitamins and minerals including vitamin B3, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, manganese and zinc.

These nutrients are essential for pigs’ good health, with vitamin B3 being needed for energy metabolism, and copper and zinc playing roles in immunity and pigmentation.

If you want o give you pigs a delicious treat, give them a boost of energy or just help them pack on that last little bit of finishing weight, peanut butter is a great choice.

Can Pigs Eat Raw Peanuts?

No. Raw peanuts are toxic for pigs. Only give your pigs roasted peanuts.

Can Pigs Eat Raw Peanut Butter?

Trick question. Peanut butter is by nature made with roasted peanuts, so it is always ready to eat with no additional prep required.

Can Pigs Eat Creamy Peanut Butter?

Yes, they can. Creamy peanut butter is often a little softer and not as “tacky” as crunchy peanut butter, and this can make it a bit easier for pigs to eat.

Can Pigs Eat Crunchy Peanut Butter?

Yes. Crunchy peanut butter has a texture that pigs seem to love, but consider thinning it with a bit of water before giving it to your pigs.

Can Pigs Eat Salted Peanuts?

Yes, but only sparingly. Pigs don’t need much extra salt in their diet, and many peanuts are sold as extremely salty.

Can Pigs Eat Cooked Peanuts?

Yes. This is also the only way you should give peanuts to your pigs. Do not give them raw peanuts as they are toxic.

Don’t Give Your Pigs Peanut Butter or Peanuts if Either Was Made with Bad Ingredients

Peanuts and peanut butter come in all sorts of forms and in various preparations these days.

Peanuts have every kind of seasoning or added ingredients, and some of these things can be harmful or even toxic to pigs.

The same goes for peanut butter, with some brands adding all sorts of unnecessary ingredients, artificial sweeteners or other flavors that are not good for pigs. So what kinds of ingredients should you avoid giving to your pigs?

Things like spices, extra salt, artificial sweeteners, sugar, and the like are all bad news for your pigs. At best, these will cause serious “dirty” weight gain and major digestive upset.

At worst, they can lead to serious health issues like peritonitis, high blood pressure, or kidney disease.

So, when in doubt, go for the plainest peanut butter and peanuts you can find, ones with minimal or even no added ingredients.

Can Pigs Eat Peanut Butter Every Day?

Yes, so long as you feed it to them as part of a good nutrition plan and keep an eye on their salt intake.

Peanut butter is high in fat and calories, so it should only be given to pigs in moderation unless you are really trying to pack on some pounds.

Another thing to keep in mind: your pigs will develop a powerful attraction to this stuff. Like really powerful, so take care not to get them hooked on it!

How Much Peanut Butter or Peanuts Can Pigs Have?

This is where things can get a little tricky, as it is all too easy to overfeed pigs on peanut butter and peanuts.

Just like with any other treat, you should only give your pig a small amount at a time and limit the number of treats per day.

A good rule of thumb is to start with no more than half a cup of peanut butter per pig (adult pig) per day, or a small handful of peanuts.

If you want to give them more, that’s fine, but make sure to increase their daily ration of hay and pellets as well so they don’t start packing on too much weight and get the rest of the nutrients they need.

Keep in mind that, as good as they are, peanuts and peanut butter are not nutritionally complete. So while they can be part of a healthy diet for your pigs, they shouldn’t be the only thing they’re eating.

How to Give Peanut Butter or Peanuts to Your Pigs

You can give peanuts or peanut butter to pigs pretty much any way you want and they will be all too happy to eat it. But there are a few things you should keep in mind.

You can mix peanuts or peanut butter in with other foods to add some much needed protein and calories to their feed, and this is also a surefire way to get your pigs to show a bit more enthusiasm for less interesting things like veggies.

Also, consider thinning any really thick peanut butter before you serve it to your pigs.

Though pigs aren’t as vulnerable to choking on it as smaller mammals, really thick stuff can still pose a hazard. If you smooth it out with a little water you can reduce this risk.

Can Baby Pigs Have Peanut Butter or Peanuts, Too?

Yes, though you must do two things before you do: First, make sure your pigs are old enough to be eating solid food before allowing them to try either.

This is rich stuff that could seriously upset their stomach otherwise. Go easy on the quantity!

The second thing is that you must keep an eye on them so they don’t choke when eating peanut butter, especially for smaller piglets. As long as you do that, your piglets will be thrilled to have some.

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1 thought on “Can Pigs Eat Peanut Butter or Peanuts? Is it Safe?”

  1. Yes, pigs can eat peanuts and their many forms. However, fed enough peanuts the meat will be very oily when the pig is slaughtered and processed.

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