Background Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) results in abnormal morphology and gastrointestinal function. As a gastrointestinal growth factor, the manner by which the porcine glucagon-like peptide-2 (pGLP-2) microsphere administration catches up with the growth of IUGR piglets was investigated. Methods Fourteen newborn IUGR piglets were assigned into the IUGR and pGLP-2 microsphere groups. The piglets in the pGLP-2 microsphere group were intraperitoneally administered with 100 mg of pGLP-2 microspheres on day 1 of birth. Results From days 15 to 26 of trial, the body weight of the IUGR piglets treated with pGLP-2 microspheres was significantly higher than that in the control group. Importantly, the weaning weight in the pGLP-2 group catches up with the body weight of normal birth weight piglets. IUGR piglets treated with pGLP-2 microspheres significantly showed increased pancreas weight, serum insulin content, and activities of digestive enzymes (lipase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and amylase). Injection of pGLP-2 microspheres returned the intestinal absorptive capacity by significantly increasing the mRNA expression of sodium-glucose cotransporter 1 in the jejunum, glucose transporter type 2 in the duodenum and jejunum, H + -coupled transporter, and peptide transporter 1 in the jejunum and ileum. It also returned the redox balance by increasing the catalase mRNA expression and decreasing the heat shock protein 70 mRNA expression. In addition, this improvement was associated with the significant increase in gut diameter, length, and weight induced by pGLP-2. Conclusions Injection of pGLP-2 microspheres was a suitable therapeutic strategy for compensatory growth in low birth weight IUGR piglet.