Project Pig Videos

Skin is an indicator of a pig’s health.

If your pig has dull, flaky, itchy, irritated skin, it is very likely that there’s a nutrient deficiency lurking. It’s also generally a sign that the immune system is struggling. If you have addressed other possible causes - such as parasites - then you need to look at diet.

When the body is depleted of important nutrients, it can manage for only so long before the body starts to pull nutrients from organs such as the skin, hooves and eyes to support vital organs such as the heart, kidneys and liver. You may have seen pigs with a combination of weak, brittle hooves, weepy eyes and a dull coat.

It’s often suggested that if you feed your pig oil or smother them topically with oils or lotions, their skin problems will go away.

This is simply masking the problem because in most cases, supplementing oil will not address a nutrient deficiency. Too much oil in the diet can slow down the digestive system and the absorption of nutrients, and place stress on the liver.

Further, many domestic pigs suffer from obesity, so adding oil to their diet is definitely not a good idea.

Remember that healthy pigs are less susceptible to skin problems such as mange, mites and allergies, so you always want to support the immune system if your pig is struggling with any kind of skin issues.

Is your pig receiving a balanced, age-appropriate diet? Has your pig got a strong immune system?

Healthy, shiny, glowing skin is a sign of good health, and this can be achieved through a balanced diet and a strong immune system.