Can Pigs Eat Almonds

CAN PIGS EAT ALMONDS

Almonds are the most healthy seed fruit, but can our pigs eat them as well?

Yes, pigs can eat almonds but they should only be eaten in moderation as consumption of too many almonds leads to toxin build-up. This toxin might lead to different health-related problems for your pig.

      Pigs are mammals described as stout-bodied, short-legged, with thick skin that is coated with short bristles.

  Pigs are also characterized by their hooves. They have cloves and hooves which means their hooves are divided into two. Cloven hooves are found in other animals like goats, sheep, and deer.

 Pigs are known to be omnivorous. They eat from a wide range of plants and animals. Pigs feed on food like barley, corn, grasses, earthworms, and small insects. These foods provide them with necessary nutrients. 

    Almonds are seeds from a dry fruit They are healthy fruit with a lot of beneficial nutrients. 

There are two main species of almonds: the bitter almond and the sweet almond. 

Bitter almonds are bitter as the name implies. They are almonds that contain high levels of a toxin known as Amygdalin. When eaten, amygdalin breaks down in the body into different compounds including cyanide. Accumulation of cyanide in the body is dangerous to health and might eventually lead to death as it prevents oxygen from reaching the cells leading to cell death. 

 On the other hand, sweet almonds are almonds with a sweet nutty taste, they are the ones commonly seen in stores. Unlike bitter almonds, sweet almonds contain 1000% less amygdalin. Such a small amount of amygdalin is insufficient to produce cyanide. Thus, sweet almonds are safer to eat. Other fruits that contain insufficient quantities of amygdalin include apple pears, apricots, peaches, the seed of apple e.t.c. However, eating them in too many quantities might still lead to cyanide poisoning. 

  It is said that boiling, baking, or roasting your almonds destroys the toxin content in them. 

Thus, if you do decide to feed your pigs with almonds,  it is advised to feed your pigs with only a moderate quantity. 

      Like any other fruit, almonds contain a wide range of nutrients beneficial to your pig. some of which include:

Carbohydrates

    Carbohydrates are an essential nutrient for pigs. According to "fat secret" a cup of almonds contains a total of 6 g of carbohydrate which is about the daily 10% of the daily required carbohydrate value.

Fiber 

    Dietary fiber is also an important component of food. Fibers keep your pigs full for a longer period. Fibers also aid in better digestion in your pig. One ounce of almonds contains 3 g of fiber which is equivalent to 60% of the daily fiber value for consumption. 

Minerals

   Almonds contain different minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and manganese. 

An ounce of almonds contains about 355mg which is 27% of the daily value. 

Calcium and phosphorus in almonds play an important role in the development and maintenance of your pig's skeletal system. It aids muscle contraction and it aids better growth of teeth and bone. 

 Potassium is needed by pigs as it helps regulate fluid balance in their body. It also helps control nerve transmission.

One cup of almonds contains 1041 mg of potassium which is 22% of the daily value.

Other minerals like magnesium and manganese also help reduce stress and subsequent harmful and aggressive behavior in your pigs that occur during stressful events. 

Vitamins

  Almonds contain vitamins like vitamin E and vitamin B2.

Vitamin E improves your pig's health. It helps boost cellular functions as well as system functions.  It is highly recommended for your pigs. It should be one of the most important additions to your pig's diet. Vitamin E works with selenium to keep pigs healthy. Deficiency of them can lead to deadly diseases. One ounce of almonds contains 7.3 mg of vitamin E. 

Vitamin B2 also known as riboflavin helps break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in the body. It breaks down food to produce energy. The deficiency of riboflavin causes tiredness, skin issues, reproductive issues, and blurred vision in your pig among all health-related issues.

Protein

 Almonds contain a decent percentage of protein. Pigs need protein as one of their required, essential sources of nutrients. Protein not only gives them good health but also balances your pig's diet. One ounce of almonds contains 6 g of protein. It is the second largest nutrient component in an almond. 

Sugar

  Almonds are known to contain a very small amount of natural sugar which makes them safe for consumption. An ounce of almonds contains just 1g of sugar. 

Fats

Fats provide enormous energy for your pigs. It provides about 2.25-3.8 times the value of energy produced by carbohydrates.  An ounce of almonds contains 13 g of fat. 

Best ways to prepare Almonds for your pigs

Almonds can either be served as snacks alone or they can be added to other meals.

 Almonds can be served as snacks to your pigs in roasted form or their raw form. 

Raw almonds can also be served with their hulls to pigs. Research shows that pigs fed with almond hulls have 16% less final fat and a higher percent of protein nutrients in them. 

Almonds can be served in meals like yogurt to your pigs as yogurt has a beneficial impact on your pig's health.

Aside from yogurt, milk can also be taken with almonds by your pigs. Milk is known to provide a lot of nutrients to your pigs such as riboflavin, vitamin A and so on. Pigs require all these nutrients for healthy living.

Almonds can also be served to pigs with Raw Oats. 

Almonds and oats 

Another method of serving almonds to your pigs is by blending them and converting them to butter. 

Almond butter

In summary, it is very easy to overeat almonds. Eating too many almonds means your pig would be consuming too much fat than is required in the body. A serving of a quarter of a cup or 23 pieces of almonds is ideal for your pig.