Can Pigs Eat Coffee Grounds? What You Need to Know!

You have probably heard the rumor that pigs can and will eat anything. Well, they certainly will eat anything, but should they?

The answer to that is a resounding no. Pigs can’t eat everything, and that includes coffee grounds. So, if you have recently decided to start raising pigs or even have a couple as pets, you’ll want to know what you can feed them to keep them healthy and what foods will make them sick.

We’ll answer the question of whether pigs can eat coffee grounds and more in the article below.

Can Pigs Eat Coffee Grounds?

Feeding your pigs coffee grounds is not recommended. Coffee grounds contain caffeine, and pigs do not need to have caffeine in their systems. Caffeine from the coffee grounds may interfere with a pig’s reproductive ability or cause porcine stress syndrome (PPS) in pigs that are susceptible to the genetic disorder.

While coffee grounds won’t kill your pig, it’s best not to feed them something that can cause them health issues. If you’re unsure what to feed your pig, a good rule of thumb is if you wouldn’t eat it, don’t feed it to your pig. For example, you wouldn’t eat coffee grounds, eggshells, bones, tea leaves, or onion skins.

For more advice on what is safe to feed your pig, contact a livestock vet.

What Foods Are Toxic to Pigs?

Here are a few toxic foods that you should avoid feeding your pig.

Nutmeg

While nutmeg as a seasoning is healthy for humans, pigs should avoid it altogether. Pigs that eat nutmeg can get upset stomachs.

Raw Bread Dough

Raw bread dough is a food that can be toxic to your pigs as well. While this affects dogs mostly because they aren’t picky about what they eat, pigs aren’t picky either. Ingesting raw bread dough can lead to gastric distention, CNS depression, and metabolic acidosis. If you find that your pig has eaten raw bread dough by accident, it’s best to contact your livestock vet right away.

Foods that Can Make Your Pig Sick

While some of these foods have been said to be toxic to pigs, they are more likely just to make them sick.

Chocolate

While not as toxic to pigs as it is to dogs, you should still avoid giving chocolate to your pigs. However, if they eat it accidentally, they are capable of digesting it and may not have any negative reactions.

Bones of Any Kind

Bones can splinter and cause scratches and lacerations. It’s best not to give your pig bones of any kind, whether they are raw or cooked. If your pig accidentally eats a bone, take it to the veterinary clinic as soon as possible.

Fatty Foods

While these foods can’t kill your pig, the fat in them can lead to pancreatitis. It is also possible that feeding pigs fatty foods can lead to other health problems as well.

Sugary Foods

Foods that are high in sugar need to be kept away from your pig for obvious reasons. Pigs are prone to obesity, to begin with, so it’s best to avoid giving them any foods that will pack on the weight.

Summary

The answer to whether pigs can eat coffee grounds is no; it’s best to feed them pig feed. There are quite a few foods that should be kept away from your pig, as you see from the above list. If you’re unsure what foods are safe for your pig, do your research, and then consult your vet for answers as well.

See Also: 

• Can Dogs Eat Coffee Ice Cream? What to Know!
• Do Pantry Moths Eat Coffee? What to Watch For!

Featured Image Credit: Marie C Fields, Shutterstock