As surprising as it may seem, pigs love to be clean!
FUN FACT
MUD. Pigs use mud as a sun protectant to keep cool! Pigs can sunburn just like we can so layering on the mud provides that barrier and keeps their skin cooled off! I have been known to buy a high dose of sprayable sunscreen and lather it on my pigs ears, neck, and body! They don’t like the sound of it spraying on them, especially if the liquid is cold. Spraying your hands and rubbing it on them makes the process much easier!
TUB, OR SINK, OR SHOWER
The tub is best for when your piglet gets a little bigger! Place a towel or bath mat in the bottom of the tub to prevent their feet from slipping around on the slick floor. Fill the tub to about their shoulder in fairly warm water (not scalding hot!!!) and set them in the tub. They may use the bathroom. It’s part of it. Pour the shampoo along their back and rub it all around. Offer blueberries or a few cheerios (just for bath time only!) as praise for their good behavior! Wash and scrub well. Use conditioner as well! For the face: avoid soap in their eyes! Use a wet washcloth to scrub dirt away and wash around their eyes! Rinse away the suds from their body with a small plastic cup and towel dry them!
The sink is best for when your piglet is still pretty small and can easily be held with one hand while you bathe with the other hand. Adjust the water temp prior to bathing them and keep the water running! Hold them under the faucet until they’re fully soaked. Apply shampoo or dawn soap and scrub away! Avoid the eyes! Use a wet, soap-free wash cloth to wash their face! Rinse and done!
The shower is best for a quick and painless bath – if you’re already taking a shower, grab your piggy and hop in the shower with them and hold them under the warm water. They will rest against you and not be so scared. Wash them with one hand and rinse well – wrap them in a towel and let them sit outside the shower until you’re done!
Water Temperature
Keep it warm/hot! Pigs like to be warm and they don’t want to be bathed in a cold bath! The best way to test the water is use both hands one at a time and test it yourself! If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them! But if it feels comfortable and even you would bathe in it – it’s probably just right!
The Soap & Moisturizer
A lot of online suppliers sell shampoo for pigs, just as you can buy cat and dog shampoo. You can certainly use them! However, my pigs get washed in one of 2 options: Gentle Baby Shampoo or Dawn. I also use conditioner or a leave-in conditioner spray on their coat after being bathed. Their skin can get dry especially during the colder months! Coconut oil is also a great option to rub on them as well – just not too much or they’ll feel super greasy! Another way is to liquify some and stir it up in their food!
Drying Them Off
Towel dry them well! Bundle that baby up and snuggle them! They will tolerate a blow dryer especially if you familiarize them with one at a young age. DO NOT USE THE HOTTEST HEAT SETTING ON A BLOW DRYER! Yes they like to be warm, but that machine gets HOT! Use the low setting for super close, or medium high heat for mid-distance! Basically if it’s too hot on your arm while you hold them and blow the air back and forth, it’s too hot for them! They will still be shaking from the bath and look like they’re freezing. Warm a blanket up in the dryer slightly and bundle them up and snuggle them for a while to help regulate their body temp back! They’ll also love the snuggles (and so will you!)
