wheatgrass

Question
Hi Helen, I have a 4 yr old potbelly, Can I feed him wheatgrass? It has so many vits and minerals. It is good for us, but can I feed it to my pbp? I drink it, and since he loves grass. It has protein, amino acids, iron ... just wondering what you thought?
Always Thankful for your input, Lynn

Answer
The best diet for a pot-bellied pig is pot-bellied pig food, plus fresh veggies, some fruits, outdoor grazing time and training treats.

Wheatgrass juice comes from the common wheat plant. It's the same thing as malt, which is used in brewing. The difference is that wheatgrass is used fresh or freeze-dried. Wheat malt is dried by traditional methods.

Wheatgrass juice is a healthy drink, one once of wheatgrass juice has roughly the same vitamin and mineral content as once once of fresh broccoli or spinach. The difference is that juice doesn't give piggy stomachs that same "full" feeling that comes from the fiber in whole veggies.

I've never purchased wheatgrass, so I did a quick Google search. I found wheatgrass powder costing anywhere from $9 to $30 per pound plus shipping. Frozen broccoli costs between $1.50 and $3 per pound at my local grocery store.

Given the cost difference between an once of broccoli and an once of wheatgrass, I'd save the wheatgrass for people and let piggy have broccoli instead. It's similar nutritionally, includes the fiber that wheatgrass juice lacks, and costs considerably less.

If you still want to give piggy wheatgrass, it's perfectly Ok, but do keep an eye on piggy's weight. I suggest mixing a small amount of juice into water, about 2 tablespoons per cup. Don't leave wheatgrass flavored water sitting out, it could spoil.