How to Care for Pig Hooves

While cats and dogs are still the most popular and common house pets, many people like having a pig around the house. If you have a pet pig, or if you like taking special care of your farm animals, you will need to care for their hooves as well as the rest of their bodies. A pig's hoof, much like a horse's, requires regular trimming and filing to keep it healthy. Start caring for your pig's hooves when it is young so it becomes used to having them handled.

Things You'll Need

  • Hoof moisturizer
  • Metal hoof file
  • Hoof trimmers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Handle your pig's feet often, beginning when it is young. This will desensitize the feet from being hurt and will make trimming them much more easy, as the pig is less likely to struggle against you.

    • 2

      Massage the pig's hooves about once a week with a commercial hoof moisturizer to keep them healthy. You can also use petroleum jelly for this.

    • 3

      Walk your pig over concrete or other hard surfaces. Doing this enough can even negate the need for trimming the hooves, as the hard surface can wear them down appropriately.

    • 4

      Place your pig on its side and get it relaxed and ready for its hoof-care session by rubbing its tummy. You can even enlist a friend to help you do this. The friend can rub the pig throughout the process, while you care for the hooves.

    • 5

      Take one hoof in your hand and use your metal file to scrape away the dried hoof from the bottom of the hoof.

    • 6

      Begin trimming the hoof with your hoof trimmers. Trim away very small sections of the front and sides of the hoof at a time. Go slowly so you do not cut into hoof areas that contain nerves and blood vessels, as this can cause the hoof to bleed and result in pain for the pig. It should be easy to tell the areas of the hoof that need to be trimmed away because they will be very hard and dry.

    • 7

      File away any rough edges resulting from the trim.

    • 8

      Consult your veterinarian if your pig resists having its hooves trimmed or cleaned. Your vet can sedate the pig and trim them himself.