How to Groom a Pig

Pigs are generally clean animals that are moderately easy to groom.

People raise pigs for a number of reasons, including 4-H projects, market sale and companionship. Contrary to myth and expressions about pigsties, pigs are actually very clean animals. Whether you are raising your pig as for show, for market or as a pet, you need to groom it properly. Grooming should begin as soon as you buy the animal and is as important to good care as feeding.

Things You'll Need

• Scrub brush
• Mild liquid detergent
• Scissors or nail clippers (optional)
• Hair dressing or oils (optional for show pigs only)
• Talcum powder (optional)
• Wash cloth
• Fly sprayer
• Water hose

Instructions

1. Brush the pig daily, even on days you do not bathe it.

2. Wash the pig regularly, at least once a week, and as often as every other day if approaching a fair or show. Wet the pig completely with a hose, then apply a gentle soap or detergent. Be very careful not to get the soap into the pig's eyes or ears. Scrub the pig, including its feet, with detergent and a wash cloth, gently but vigorously rubbing. Finally, rinse all of the detergent.

3. Brush the pig after each washing. Brush the hair to lie in its natural direction.

4. Clip and trim some of a show pig's hair. Clip long hairs from the pig's underline, jowl and crotch. Trim the ears and tail from the root to the switch.

5. Oil black, red and spotted show pigs. Oil only the colored portions, not the white spots. Apply mineral oil mixed with rubbing alcohol, or a commercially available oil with a plastic sprayer. Remove any extra oil with a soft cloth.

6. Use talcum powder on white show breeds. Apply a thin layer of powder then brush it into the pig.

References

• University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service: 4-H Swine Project: An Introduction
• University of Wisconsin Extension: Fitting and Showing Swine; C. J. Christians, W.C. Bollum and J.D. Hawton
• Best Friends Animal Society: Caring for Your Potbellied Pig
• University of Delaware Cooperative Extension: 2011 4-H Market Hog Project Guideline