Pig Allergies: Are Pigs Allergic to Things (What to Do)

When we purchased Blake, our gilt, I did not expect to deal with pig allergies. But almost immediately after Blake arrived at our house and go situated, she started sneezing and coughing. Overnight, she became more irritated. 

I wondered if she was suffering from an allergic reaction. I called one of my friends and long-time pig owner to find out. 

Can pigs have allergies: Just like us, pigs also suffer from allergies. They can have allergic reactions to different materials, environments, and food. These allergies attack their skin, intestinal tract, and respiratory tract, which can cause discomfort.

Certain allergies affect your pig’s skin which causes abscesses, lesions, or dry skin that leads to intense itching. It’s important to remember that each pig is unique, and certain things will trigger an allergic reaction.

Common Triggers Of Pigs Experiencing Allergies

Like humans, pig allergies develop to certain foods such as nuts, soya, flax, and linseed. The pig’s immune system becomes sensitive to the protein found in nuts and seeds. 

Things like moldy food and parsnip tops can also trigger an allergic response. Environmental factors such as hay, straw, pollen, and dust can also flare up an allergic reaction when the pig breathes it in. 

Pigs are also allergic to insect bites and parasites whose saliva irritates the pig’s immune system. Be mindful of the types of insecticides and pesticides you use in your pig’s living environment, as this can also cause allergies.

Pigs may also show an allergic reaction to mites because of the skin irritation that’s caused.

• Hay, straw and bedding
• Food allergies (apple seeds, mushrooms, beans, tomato leaves, and other slightly toxic foods to pigs)
• Pollen
• Parasite reactions
• Dirt & Dust
• Nuts
• Soya
• Flax or linseed
• Moldy food
• Parsnip tops
• Insect bites 
• Insecticides and pesticides

How to Tell if Your Pig Has an Allergic Reaction:

When your pig comes into contact with an allergen, their skin swells or breaks out into a rash. This is due to the white blood cells working to fix the underlying issue. Here’s a look at some common symptoms that occur when your pig is experiencing an allergic reaction:

When your pig comes into contact with an allergen (food or environmentally related), their skin will swell and turn red. This is caused by the white blood cells working hard to fix the underlying issues. You may also notice little raised bumps on the skin, indicating a rash.

Allergic reactions can cause various symptoms, such as fits of snorting, coughing, and sneezing. The continuous scratching can cause the skin to break and bleed, which leads to depression, moodiness, and listlessness.

• Snorting excessively or sneezing
• Reddening of the skin
• Development of lumps or bumps on the skin
• Bleeding from a rash where your pig has been scratching
• Broken and weeping skin
• Moodiness
• Listlessness
• Coughing
• Continuous scratching and licking at certain areas
• Inflamed and raised skin

Pig Skin Allergy Treatment

If your pig has developed an allergy to their food or environment, you’ll need to monitor them so that you can remove the allergen. In severe cases, the allergy may get out of hand, in which case you’ll need veterinary assistance.

If your pig has developed an allergy to their food or environment, you’ll need to monitor them closely so that you can remove the allergen. In severe cases, the allergy may get out of hand, in which case you’ll need veterinary assistance.

You can apply an antihistamine cream such as Allermin to the affected area to alleviate the troublesome symptoms and intense itching. You must monitor your pig closely. If the symptoms worsen or they begin to experience difficulty breathing you need to seek veterinary assistance urgently.

If your pig experiences a nasty allergic reaction, you can administer injectable Avermectin, such as Panomec, to help ease the symptoms. However, you’ll need to get the injection from your vet on a prescription.

You must remove any potential allergens from your pig’s living environment and feed area to avoid aggravating their allergies.

 Top Tip: In severe cases, apply an extra-virgin olive oil emulsion (mix equal parts water with oil) to your pig’s skin. The olive oil will soften and smooth the skin while locking in moisture.

Mini Pig Allergies 

As an owner of a mini pig it is natural to worry about their vulnerability towards allergies.

While miniature pigs make great pets due to their adorable size and cute personalities like any other animal they too are susceptible to developing sensitivities towards different allergens.

Allergy triggers such as pollen, dust particles, molds or certain foods might result in an allergic reaction causing discomfort for these little critters. Hence it is important always look out for visible signs like persistent scratching on their skin surface or redness and swelling which could signal potential problems with allergies.

In case you observe any such warning signals when spending time with your cherished mini pig friend at home, schedule a visit with a veterinary doctor immediately.

Prompt treatment and care suggested by a professional vet can help keep your mini pig fit and healthy.

Can I give Benadryl to My Mini Pig? 

It is possible to provide Benadryl, commonly known as diphenhydramine, to mini pigs, but you must always get a veterinarian’s advice before doing so.

Benadryl is an antihistamine that can aid mini pigs with itching, sneezing, and runny nose from allergies. The animal’s weight and the allergy symptoms’ intensity will determine the Benadryl dosage and frequency for mini pigs.

Benadryl is usually considered safe for use in mini pigs, but there can be potential side effects. Benadry has some side effects. Those for pigs may include drowsiness or dry mouth. Plus, something is causing the allergy symptoms in your mini pig. It’s more important that you identify what your pig is allergic to so that you can eliminate the allergin or figure out the best way to proceed. 

Help! Why Is My Mini Pig Sneezing So Much?

Your miniature pig may be sneezing for a number of reasons. Allergies, respiratory diseases, irritants in the environment, or foreign items in the nasal passages are some of the most typical reasons why mini pigs sneeze.

If your mini pig suffers from allergies, it might be exposed to dust, pollen, or specific foods that make people sneeze. Sneezing is a symptom of respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and influenza, which can also bring on other symptoms, including fever, coughing, and fatigue.

Your pigs environment may be irritating it. Strong odors or chemicals can cause your mini pig to sneeze. Additionally, if there is a foreign object lodged in your mini pig’s nasal passages, this can cause irritation and sneezing.

If your mini pig is sneezing excessively or exhibiting other symptoms, it is best to consult with a veterinarian. Your veterinarian can examine your mini pig, determine the underlying cause of the sneezing, and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Pig Allergies FAQs

Why is my pig sneezing? Your pig may be sneezing because of allergies, environmental irritants, and respiratory illnesses, which are some of the most typical reasons for sneezing. Pneumonia is a more serious cause of pigs sneezing. 

Sneezing is one of the signs of a respiratory illness, such as a bacterial or viral infection, along with other symptoms like coughing, fever, and breathing difficulties. 

Does Benadryl work on pigs? Benadryl is often used on pigs and can help alleviate your pig’s allergy symptoms. However, not all pigs take to Benadryl easily, which can have some side effects. You may want to check with a vet before you administer it to your pig. You’ll also want to watch your pig for side effects carefully.