Are Nose Rings Necessary for Pot Belly Pigs?

Like their larger European and American cousins, pot belly pigs share the instinct to root in dirt with their snouts searching for minerals, grubs and nutrients in order to supplement their diet. A nose ring can sometimes be attached to the animal's snout to prevent this habit. Rooting is a natural instinct for pigs and for this reason there is a degree of controversy surrounding the nose ringing of pot belly and other pig species.

  1. Pot Belly Pigs As Pets

    • With the modern trend for keeping pot belly pigs as pets, nose ringing may help protect your garden, carpets, floors and the ground within the pig's own enclosure from the damage caused by rooting. However, pet owners who are concerned about disrupting the pigs natural rooting instinct can provide a specific rooting area of loose soil for the pig should they choose not to have a nose-ring installed.

    Positive Effects

    • According to a report by UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine called "Swine Care Practices," nose-ringing may be beneficial in preventing the type of excessive rooting that could lead to a pig escaping from it's enclosure and coming to harm. The same report indicates that there is also less chance of the pig developing internal parasites picked up during rooting if handicapped with a nose ring. Pigs will also learn to avoid nose ring pain by rooting less in dirt and more on surface vegetation and loose foliage.

    Negative Effects

    • When a nose ring is placed on a pot belly pig it punctures the nose cartilage. This means the nose cartilage can become infected and cause the animal distress. Rings can also become dislodged due to rooting, even in softer soil and vegetation, meaning that another ring may have to be attached leading to further discomfort for the pig during the insertion process. Research by the British Society of Animal Science states that since nose rings reduce the efficiency of rooting they threaten the welfare of ringed pigs in competition for food with un-ringed pigs.

    Local Rules and Regulations

    • Your local veterinary surgeon may have an opinion as to the correct practice for your own immediate area since different areas and farms may have different rules and regulations regarding nose rings for pigs and other animals. Different farming and standards agencies also have their own individual requirements. For example, the UK Soil Association has banned nose ringing on their organic farms, although the practice is not technically illegal.