How to Put a Ring in the Nose of a Potbelly Pig

Pot bellied pigs make excellent pets.

Pigs have a natural inclination to root at the ground, meaning they dig at the ground with their snout, trying to find food or something of interest. To curb this behavior, many people put rings in the nose of their pigs. Pot bellied pigs also can be rooters or you may wish to have a fancy ring as adornment on your pot bellied pig.

Things You'll Need

• Rope (with a slip knot tied at one end)
• Pig ring
• Antibiotic ointment
• Pig ring pliers
• Blood stop

Instructions

1. Catch the pot bellied pig, loop the slip knot over its upper jaw and tighten the rope. Pot bellied pigs will not struggle if you have secured their upper jaw. Have someone hold the pig securely so the pig does not injure itself or anyone else.

2. Place the nose ring into the grooves on the ring pliers and hold the ring in place by applying a little pressure to the pliers. Do not bend the ring. Place a small dab of antibiotic ointment on each tip of the ring.

3. Place one end of the ring in the left nostril of the pot bellied pig and the other in the right nostril. Squeeze the handle of the pliers quickly and the ring will pierce through the cartilage of the nose.

4. Apply a small amount of blood stop if the nose is bleeding, though the nose usually doesn't bleed.

Tips & Warnings

• When squeezing the pliers to pierce the nose of the pot bellied pig, keep your hands and arms steady and squeeze quickly, but don't jerk around.

• You must have someone to assist you in restraining the pig so neither the pig nor anyone involved gets hurt.

References

• "How to Live on Almost Nothing and Have Plenty"; Janet Chadwick; 1979